(OF AMERICA)Missionaries (not for Profit corporation) Forwarding Agents

Gaorge & Ethel Beckraan Richard & Margaret Soevre8-40 Kamizono-cho OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY \

Nishinofliiya 662, Japan / , Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520January 10, 1975

"Therefore, if any man is in Christ,he is a new creation, the old haspassed away, behold the new hascome," II Cor. 5:17

Dear'-Chrt^lah -v;

Happy" Ndw Year to all our dear friends in Christ, and a big 'thank youto all of you who sent us greetings last month,. It was a real joy to hearfrom you.

How wonderful it is that we have a whole new year before us - a wholeyear of 3^5 days (almost now) to praise His wonderful name, a year of newopportunities, new Joys, new blessings, new hopes. True the new year maybring sorrows and heartaches, troubles and pains, but in all these we havehope and strength, comfort and guidance in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ethel began the new year in Tokyo at a retreat for our missionarywomen. It was a time of Joy and sharing in the Lord, a time of refreshingas we looked toward the New Year, The theme of the retreat was "Ambassadorsfor Christ," Ethel had the first message, "Entreating Through Us," Thanksto the program committee for a wonderful program and the Tokyo women fora wonderful program and the Tokyo women for their warm hospitality.

The year end activities began on December 13, with the annual sukiyakiparty closing the fall term of the Seminary, It was a fine evening of funand relazation after twelve weeks of intensive study.

The Sunday School here had their Christmas program on the morning ofthe 22nd, Twenty-eight children were present, Ethel*s small childrensang songs and the older ones had a short presentation of the Christmasstory in song and Bible reading. We showed a slide story with tape accompaniment called "Shin Chan*s Christmas," It was the story of a little boywho dreamed he went with the shepherds and the wise men to worship the babyJesus as his grandmother read him the Christmas story. The Koyoen Churchhad their Christmas worship service the morning of the 29th,

The Rokko Church had a sukiyaki dinner and candle service on the evening of the 22th following their worship service in the afternoon. On themorning of the 24th they visited an Old People's Home in Kobe with a program and gave them mandarin oranges.

Thirty-eight people were here for dinner on the 25th, members of Ethel'sBible classes and their children. After dinner we had a short Christmasprogram.

On the 26th Ethel was invited by Mrs, Tachibana's English classes toattend their Christmas parties and bring the Christmas story. Twentyelementary school children met from one till three and 19 Junior and seniorhigh school students met from three till six. Each group listened attentively to the story, told with peep boxes and slides,

~ " We~seek"ybur prayers for ariiew~couple~we ^^ve mt", l^r, an9nMr^'~Yamane,who have recently moved to Takarazuka from Daito, where Mr, Oda lives andpreaches, Mrs, Yamane accepted Christ and prepared to be baptized, butJust before she was, Mr, Yamane told her that if she were baptized he woulddivorce her. Much like Mr, and Mrs, Higaki for whom you have been prayingwith us, isn't it? Pray that the Lord will open the way for us to teachMr, Yamane as he has Mr, Higaki, that we might be able to lead these twofamilies to Christ, Mrs, Yamane says she will come to church here onSunday afternoons.

We look forward to this new year with hope and anticipation of opportunities here. We pary, too, that you may have many opportunities to showand tell Jesus' wonderful love to others. May we all have a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's love and will for our lives.

In His wonderful Name,

Geor^ & Ethel Beckman

Osaka Qkristian M.issLonM4 . . (o/ America)Missionaries: Forwarding Agents:

8!4SLmizono-chr Richard &Margaret SaevreNlshlnoralya 662, Japan . Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520March-14, 1975 .

"Therefore If any man Is In Christ, he Isa new creature; the old things passed away;behold, new things have come." II Cor, 5:17

Dear Christian Friends:

^ songs of birds and the blooming of daffodils, daphne crocus and violets In our yard. Spring Is also the.season of entrance examinations Into junior high schools, senior highschools and universities and colleges. Every year the competition becomes more and more Intense, reaching lower and lower In the grades.Now many want to get their children Into a private junior high school,

education Is compulsory through ninth grade and there areplenty of government schools, because If they can enter a privatejunior high school they are assured of advancement to senior highschool and college.

^ 4.5? Cor. 5;17 was the theme for the semi-annual women's luncheonsfor this area. This year the Osaka group and Kobe, group had the same- Mr. & Mrs. Tahara from Tokyo. Altogether In Osaka over

1700 women attended the,^luixcheon-^nd^^^ over 500, the largestgroup we have ever had Yon^o _Tahaj2a^^^^ story has been made Intoa movie, gave her testimony of Jesus Christ, His love and grace. Verv

her story Is as follows: While a high school student, she lost^ meaning for living after the death of her mother, untilfinally one night she jumped In front of a train In an attempt to com

mit suicide. As a result she lost both legs, one arm and two fingerson her^rlght hand. While she was In the hospital a missionary and a

evangelist visited her and patiently taught her JesusChrist. In Christ she has found a new life, and today she Is marriedto the young evangelist, Mr. Tahara, and they have two girls fifteenana sixteen years old. Mr. & Mrs. Tahara stayed with us while theywere In Kobe and we were richly blessed by their stay.

On March 7 two men and one woman wrote the entrance examination toenter Osaka Bible Seminary and sat for an Interview before the faculty.On the 13th the faculty voted to accept them as regular students.

On March ninth we attended the wedding reception of a friend ofJenann. Then on March 11th Geprge performed the wedding ceremony forMr. Hlno, who had been baptized Ih Koyoen by Harold Cole. Since thent j been In Tokyo, but wanted to be married In the church where hehad become a Christian.

We would like to ask you to remember the following reauests Inprayer: ^ ^

1. Mrs. Horluchl, whose health Is still not very good and thedoctors cannot seem to find the real cause. She Is now teaching parttime In the Seminary.

^.__fe.. -Oda^an(lJals work on the Greek Grammar-.Hie contlnueii-rlrse^in prices makes Its publishing more difficult, but we are confident theLord will provide the means to accomplish It to His glory.r Mr. Motobayashl who will be going to the United States this siammer.Pray that he will accept Christ before he goes,

4 Klda, who graduated from junior high school this week. Mr.Klda Is very faithful and believes In God and Christ, but as yet hasnot come to the realization of his need of a Savior.

5* The All Japan Conventions - At Tanabe> May 2-4 for Japanesespeaking people and May 4-6 at.,Osaka for English speaking people. SinceMiss Lemmon Is unable to continue with It, she has turned If over tothe Osaka missionaries. -

6. The three young people whom we expect to enter O.B.S. We willwrite more about them after the new school year has begun.. , they prepare to come to Japan as missionaryInterns this summer.

In His loving service.

Osaka Christian Mission, Inc. (Of America) ^

Missionaries: ^ Forwarding Agents:George & Ethel IBeckman Richard & Margaret Saevre8-40 Karaizono-Qho Route 1Nishinomiya 66^j Japan jyjsj 1 3 1975 Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520

I May 26, 1975/ "And recognising the grace that had been given to

me, James and Cephas and John, who were reput.ed tobe pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right handof fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles,and they to the circumcised," Gal. 2:9

Dear Christian Friends:

Here in Japan we of the churches of Christ have Just passedthrough the conven-tion season. It is more customary to bow in greetinghere in Japan, but Christians do much more hand shakingin greeting at these conventions. Prom the evening of May 2 to noonof the 4th the sessions were in Japanese and jj]^^|iabe with a total of2?8_^ttenciing. The only business conducted by 'the convention Is thedecision of the place for the next year's convention. There is muchdone by small groups to help one another as Christians. The conventionis one of pinging, praying, preaching, e.jchorting, sharing, etc. Thereis much thanksgiving for the grace of God that has brought them together again after a year of living as a Christian where it is often"longely" to do so except that "God is with you'] This once a yearmeeting of Christians from different areas of Japan is a great.boostin spirit to continue in this way of life until God shouid call us unto Him' out of the flesh. There were^abput 25,who brought messages,led sessions, etc. and about two.thirds of those were either OsakaBible'GeMhary :studenta,'~'^raduates or faculty members.

Then from the evening' of the '4th to noon of the 6th the sessionswere in English in Suita, just north of Osaka, This is the chance forthe missionaries to do essentially the same thing in their nativetongue. Some of the missionaries had attended all or part of the^panese sessions. There_wj:^-f-riends_and .xelay^ of some of thefnissionaries as well as four Japanese attending to bring the tptaX_tp^^^54. t.hemp- for this convention was "Except a grain of wheat die..."and we^ad''"sdme _great messages and devotions regarding one.Ls .commit-:^nt to Christy --

"li^^ans are being made for. the summer . >Different members of thefaculty" of^O.B.S. and the student body are planning to go to differentparts of the nation. There, is a shortage_of_pre.acher^ in some areasand some will help out in these areab.' 6tfiers> will be joining thelocal Christians in some of'the hPsdrt areas in special efforts toreach the many who travel and spend part of the summer there,

PRAYER REQUESTS:- - -

1, The,.mlssiona.ry;.,,children who are coming to Japan for the summer.Among "those'we'"know of are F^tA: ^^axey, David Cple, Mary .pratt, andour own daughtey,Ruth and "her friend David Hinson, These are p^otpptla^future missionaries for Japan and are much needed here.2-"" " Mr-'.- -with us- everyJednesday .evening., l-Il . TTTTW J - -IV3. Mr. & Mrs. Yaraane. Mr,... Yamane has refused to let his,_wlfe beb,apti2ed- and has declared a dislike to talk about religion. However, kwe believe the Lord is opening a door to reach him,4. -Ethel'a.^woinen's classes. There is a long way to go here, but thework of the Holy Spirit is evident in the attitudes of the women.5. Osaka Bible Seminary. ..The spirit among the students and faculty

,,.^^.l5_..ejc.Q'.eilent, However, the continued^^,J^fla.tipn^dJL.Jepen is working areal hardship on the school.6. The. publication of Mr._pda's grammar. He has enough completedthat work by the printer could begin, but.we are ^till short of thefupds to go ahead.

Thank you very much for your continued help.

In His loving service,

George & Ethel Beckman

iUL 7 mIHDHB-Iim SKETCH EOE MXSSIQHAItT TTAMTT.TRR

This information will help with the preparation and! publicity of the Missionary Picture Book,197$.

Husband.'sHame George H. Beckman Bom (Place) Platte, South Dakota

Date July 28. 1917

Wife'sMaiden Name Ethel M. Brown Bom (Place) Rock County, Wisconsin

Date September 1916

8-^0 K^izono cho City/state NishinomivaAddress

Nation JppRn ZIP Code

POEWAEDING AGENT

662

Name M/M Richard Saevre

Address R. R, 1

City/State Brodhead, Wis.SCHOOLINGHi^ School Platte High School

Wayne State Teacher's CollegeCollege Manhattan Christian Collebe

Butler School of ReligionSeminary/GraduateLincbln Christian College MA City/State Lincoln. Illinois

ZIP Code 53520

City/state Platte. So. DakotaWayne, Nebraska

City/state Manhattan. KansasIndianapolis, Ind.

When & Where BaptizedCity/state April, 8, 1938 Wayne, Nebraska

FAMILY PACTS MarriedX Single

CHILDRENNames

John W. Beckman

Place of Birth

Kyoto, Japan

Month/Day/Year

March 6, 1950

Jenann M. Beckman Kyoto, Japan May 17, 1952

Mary M. Beckman Kyoto, Japan September 30, 1953

Ruth E. Beckman Kyoto, Japan June 16, 1955

CHRISTIAN SBR\riCEWhere What When

LIST OP TEEMS OP MISSIONARY SERyiCE

Starting Date Dec., 19^8Furlough Date 195^-55Second Term 1955-60 Furlough Date 196O-6IThird Term 196I-65 Furlough Date 1965-66Fourth Term 1966-73 Furlough Date 1973Fifth Term 197^- Furlough Date

Mission Location Osaka, Japan BfKyotoMission LocationMission LocationMission Location ^Mission Location " "

.MisMnomiya

Short siammary of present missionary service and accomplishments;(Use back of this sheet or second sheet, if needed.)

1OTMB-mL SKEOJCH K)R MISSIONARY FAMILIES

This infoimation will help with the preparation and! publicity of the Missionary Picture Book,1975.

Husband*sName George H Beckman Born (Place) Platte. So. Dakota

Date July 28. 1917

Wife'sMaiden Name Ethel M. Brown Bom (place) Rock County, Wisconsin

Date September 1^, 19*^6

Address 8-40 Kamizono cho

Nation Japan-

City/state Nisbinom-i Hvogo Pref.ZIP Code

FORWARDING AGENT

Name M/M PTriViavH fiapv-rp

Address R, R, 1 Brodhead Wi

City/state J Wi arona-i n ZIP Code '=>- '^=>pc)

SCHOOLINGHi^ School nrfnrdv-nifi H-ig-b Rp.boni

College Milton College

Ci-fcy/State Orfordville. Wisconsin

City/state Milton. Wisconsin

Seminary/Graduate Butler School of Religion City/State Indianapolis. Indiana

When & Where BaptizedCity/state November I930 Kimbally Minnesota

FAMILY FACTS Married X Single

CHILDRENNames

John W. Beckman

Place of Birth

Kyoto. Ja-pan

Month/Day/lear

March 6. 1QS0

Jenann M. Beckman II II May 17. 1952

Mary E. Beckman II II September 50. 1955

Ruth E. Beckman II II June 16. 1955

CHRISTIAN SERVICEWhere

Footville, V/is.

What

Tamght S.S. and Youth work

When

193^-55, 1939-^2

Beloit, V/is. Taught S. S. and Youth work 19^2-^6

Seymour, Ind. Youth at Surprise Christian Ch. 19^6-48

LIST OF TERMS OF MISSIONARY SERyiCE

Starting Date Furlou^ Date 10'=;^-.'^ '=;Second Term Furloiagh Date IQ6O-61Third Term 1Q61-65 Furlough Date iq65~66Fourth Term 1066-7"^ Furlough Date 1Q7"5Fifth Term 1Q7^- Furlough Date

Mission Location Kyoto & Osaka. JapanMission Location Osaka. JapanMission Location " " ./4,Mission Location OsakaK-Nishinomiya.Pa-panMission Location " "

Short summary of present missionary service and accomplishments;(Use back of this sheet or second sheet, if needed.)

Osaka (Oloilsilan MissionMissionaries: y Forwarding Agents:

George & Ethel Beckman // Richard & Margaret Saevre8-40 Kamizono-cho ^ ^975 Route 1Nishinomiya 662, Japan ^ Brodhead> Wisconsin 53520

July 11, 1975

"Therefore, having this ministry "bythe mercy of God, we do not loseheart." 2 Cor. 4:1 ;

Dear Christian Friends:

The rainy season has come with cloudy skies and frequent showers.V/e have had more sunny days than usual so far, but more hard rains,causing landslides In various places. We had hail twice last month.

^ - Ruth and David arr_lved in Osaka the forenoon of the fifth of June^/and have "been busy sinceV""TliiMfig~ they are halping us out by

paintinp: the trim, on the house. They have made friends with the youngpeople here and help out in the youth meetings on Sunday evenings,'lune 26 and 27 they stayed at Osaka Bible Seminary, sharing in the lifeof the students, and taking part in a youth rally, sponsored by thestudents, two evenings while they were there.

On June sixth all the missionaries met here for a pot luck supper.With the Paul Clark family and Ruth and David, we..had 23 for dinner besides the two babies who were too small to eat'at the table. The largest group we have had together for several years. We had planned a barbecue outside, but had to move into the house when it started to rainabout four in the afternoon.

After their Bible study and lunch on Wednesday, June 11, Ethel'sBible class went to Shirokita Park across from Osaka Bible Seminary toview the shobu, a Japanese iris. On the way they also visited theSeminary. Mrs. Oka of this class was able to visit Jenann in Hawaiiwhen she v/ent there for a week with the alumnae from her school.

On Thursday, June 26, the members of Ethel's English Bible classvisited Katsura Rikkyu, a famous villa of the royal family Katsura overa hundred years old. Three nev/ members began coming to this class thefirst of this month.

The first semester of the Seminary closed Friday afternoon, July 4,with a speech and piano recital by the students. Each of the speechstudents had memorized a passage of Scripture and gave it as a reading.They made the dialogue really come alive with their presentations. Someof the students played short piano solos betv/een the speeches.

On July 2 3^r. Mptobayashi received a letter from the family inAmerica v/ith whom he will be staying this next school year. He will beliving with the family of David A. George, an elder of the Church "of"

v...-GhristyPryor, Oklahoma.

PRAYER REQUESTS: . . .1. Praise and thanksgiving for answered prayer - especially for Shoji

Motobayashi to live in the home of a Christian family in the U.S.this year,

2. The Seminary students as they go to various places to help out thissummer. Mr. Saito has gone to the Gomen Church in Shikoku, Mr.Taninari is taking care of the home and church at Mejirodai while t

the Slms'Tamlly is on a short furioughg Oth"ers""have -prans^for help--ing at some of the churches and camps.

3. David and Ruth as they make contacts here and go to Karuizawa forthree weeks from the end of July, and other missionary children whohave come to Japan for the summer,

4. Mr, Sugano as he has not been very well since March.5. Mrs. (Naomi) Saito who has been suffering from a kidney Infection.

She is much better, but must be careful for awhile yet.6. Mr. h Mrs, Higaki, as Mr. Hlgaki is becoming quite excited about the

study of the life of Christ as we are nov; studying Matthew's gospelalong with the Old Testament reading.

Thank you very much for your continued help.

In His loving service,

George i Ethel Beckman

"T. O \

scka (^ktisUcn Ailssion(of America)

Missionaries: _ , .. Porvrarding Agents:0eorge & Ethel Beckman - \ ^ Richard & Margaret Saevre8-40 Kamizono-cho - ^ ' .Route 1Nishinomiya 662, Japan ^^ Br6dh6^^^^

November 14, 1975

"He who supplies seed to the sower and breadfor food, will supply and'multiply your seedfor sowing and increase the harvest of yourrighteousness." 2 Cor. 9:10 (NASV)

Dear Christian Friends:

As we approach the Thanksgiving season we are mindful of the wonderful way in which the Lord provides our every need. We are especially thankful for youi' prayers and financial support, for your concernfor the work of the Kingdom in Japan.

On October 21, over 582 women gathered in Kobe for the Women*sLuncheon. Miss Maeda, a missionary nurse to Nepal, gave a challengingmessage in her testimony. Dr. Kashiwagi, psychologist at YodogawaChristian Hospital, spoke on mental health for women, showing howJesus Christ is an ever present help arid guide. Mrs. Ueda, a friendof Mrs. Oka has started coming to Ethel's Bible class after hearing Dr.Kashiwagi. Her husband had died suddenly of a heart attack in Madrid,Spain while on tour. Sino3 then she has found no hope or comfort inher religion, Baddhism, and Mrs. Oka has been teaching her about JesusChrist,

One hundred fifty-nine came and registered for the Tanemaki Kai,November 2 and 3* at Osaka Bible Seminary, This is an annual preachingrally and the theme this year was "Grow in Christ*." with Eph. 4:15 as

~ the main text. The three main messages: 1. "In The Word"; 2. "InWisdom"; 3. "Unto Maturity" were presented by Mr. Oda, preacher andBible College teacher, Mr. Hatsushiba, employee of the Department ofAgriculture and Forestry, and Mr, Maxey, missionary.

, News has come that Mr. Shoji Motobayashi, our high school exchangestudent in Pryor, Oklahoma, is to be baptized this month. He wrote tohis parents for permission and they evidently have given their consent.When Ethel asked his mother about the reaction of the grandmother, withwhom they live, she said the grandmother said, "If Shoji becomes aChristian there will be no one to carry on the family religion." Shoji,as the only grandson, son of the eldest son in the family, would inherit the family godshelf and be responsible to continue the worship ofthe family ancestors. Pray that he may grow in faith, so that he willbe able to lead his family in love to the realization that the familyof God is greater than all earthly families. Ruth and Dave visitedShoji over a weekend last month.

Under the direction of Mrs. Sakoh, a voice teacher, who has startedattending Ethel's Bible class on Wednesdays, the class has started

^hQrus_ pra.ctijoe_aft.er-_Biblestudy each-waek. They are-now preparing- a special number for the Thanksgiving service the evening of November 23.

Prayer Requests:1. Mr. Shoji Motobayshi and his family.2. The 25 members of Ethel's Bible classes.3. Mr. & Mrs. Higaki.4. The two churches that meet in our home,5. Osaka Bible Seminary.6. Pray especially that we may continue lonwaverinigiy in sowing the

seed, trusting God for the increase.SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: Harold & Leone Cole. * Harold is now in thehospital undergoing tests. He may need surgery to try to stop a hemorrhage that has continued too long. They may have to make some verycrucial decisions.

Thank you, in His loving service,

George Ethel Beckman