2020 Plans

Greetings from Tucson.

It has been a while since I have posted an update, and a lot has been happening.

It's a new year, so it is natural to want to reflect back and look forward. So first, a quick review.

2019 - Kobe, Osaka, and Back Again:

So I'll say a little bit about each period and when I was there. I'll be keeping things brief.

January – July: Kobe

After I came back from Osaka the previous summer, I continued working for the church doing English classes during the week and church services on Sunday. I was getting into a routine and starting to get the hang of teaching. Around the end of May circumstances changed in Kobe and it was time for me to move on. (I do apologize about being vague, it is a part of those circumstances) I had made arrangements so that as soon as I was done in Kobe I'd go spend some time in Osaka with the missionary team there.

August – October: Osaka

After Kobe, I was back in Osaka, working with the team doing church planting. I arrived right at the start of the summer break for Japanese schools, which was a good switching point from the Kobe side but I was unable to reconnect with most of the college students that I had worked with the previous summer. Instead, I focused on helping with the church plant and learning how to make new contacts in Japan. I felt like I was meshing well with the team, but I did not have the financial support to continue on long term.

November – December: Tucson

I arrived back in Tucson in November after about 21 months in Japan. With the holiday season, I have been spending a lot of time with my family and friends. It has also been good catching up with people from church. It has been nice being back home and having some relaxing time off around the holidays but I miss the team and the people back in Osaka.

The 2020 Plan:

While I am back in the states, my plan is to return to Japan by this summer and continue to serve in Osaka for the next five years. But to do that, I need to raise support. I am looking for people and churches to commit to support the monthly needs for the ministry in Osaka for the next two to five years. The rough estimate for the basics is $2,500 per month, which is what a native English teacher makes in Osaka. All additional support beyond that will go to ministry needs. If you feel like giving a one time donation, There will be some setup costs and student loans to pay off (which is above the threshold for a career position with the missions organization directly). There are still some points that I am working out and coordinating with my team leader in Osaka but the biggest obstacle to be out on the mission field right now is raising the needed support. One of the benefits of supporting me is that every dollar donated goes directly to supporting me, there is no overhead (administration, stateside offices, etc.) so every dollar given is used for me to be in Osaka reaching people with the Gospel. Not only that but giving is a way to participate in the mission. Philippians 4:17 “Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.”

When I return to Osaka, Japan, I will be joining the team in working towards the goal of planting five churches, in five communities, in five years. This past summer I worked with the first church plant and I will likely start work, along with other missionaries, on a new church plant in a different area. I will be working to help grow this new church, reach out to people who have never heard the Gospel message, and teach the Bible to the new believers in our church. I will share more details in future posts.

Since it is important, the 2020 plan in bullet points:

• Raising at least $2,500 / month to serve in Japan
• Looking for people to commit to monthly support for 2 or 5 years
• One-time donations for setup costs and student loans
• 100% of funds go directly to supporting this ministry
• Planting 5 new churches in 5 Osaka communities in 5 years

If you are interested in supporting me, in prayer or finances, or if you have questions, please contact me at Carl.E.Erbe@gmail.com. If you are in Tucson, I am also available to meet in person. I don't currently have any plans to travel outside of Tucson but I am willing to travel around the country if needed (and if my budget permits).

Prayer Requests:

Praise the Lord for my safe return to Tucson. Also praise for the love shown to me by my family, friends, and church since my return.

Pray for Japan, with the Summer Olympics coming to Tokyo this year, there will be a lot of foreign people coming in and also a lot of opportunities for ministry.

Pray for the work in Osaka. Pray for all the missionaries and local Christians involved in reaching the goal of 5 new churches in 5 communities in 5 years.

Pray for me as I work to raise support. I know what I am asking for is not a small amount but Pray for generosity from the people I meet who want to support the gospel ministry in Japan.

Pray for me also as I am in America to find opportunities to serve the gospel ministry while I am back in Tucson.