OPsiaka: CI|rietian (Mtaaiati,Missionaries

George & Ethel Beckmon

8-40 Kamizono-che

Nishinomiya 662, Japan

(OF AMERICA)

(not for Profit corporation)

OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY

Ja nuary 15 , 1977

Forwarding AgentsRichard & Margaret Saevre

R. R. I

Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520

Dear Christian Friends:

VI CT ORY ! 1 ! In November a letter was sent to the Christians in Japan (individuals and churches) explaining the need to replace the boiler in Madden Building at OsakaBible Seminary and asking that they attempt to furnish the approximately $2 ,300 to accomplish this. Within six weeks the money was in the office and the boiler has been replaced.So far about 130 yen above the cost of the new boiler has come and is to be applied towardthis winter's fuel bill as was explained in the letter. The weather has been colder thannormal so far but God does supply. This surprised some of the Japanese Christians and isnow a challenge to them to attempt more for His word. PRAISE GOD !

Midweek classes for us were suspended during the year end holidays but some special activities kept us busy. Shoji Motobayashi and Jenann Planned and held a specialprogram for youth on December 25. They decorated the church room with words in Hebrew,Greek, Japanese and English representing the different names or offices given to Jesus ofNazareth. They sang Christian songs, played games, some with Bible content, and hadrefreshments. Seven Junior and Senior high school students who had never been in the services here before attended.

Mr. Hideo Kita, high school student, was bap

tized December 19 as scheduled in the baptistry atthe Inano Church building (we have no such facilities here). His father's younger sister who is aChristian living in Tokoyo came to witness this. Hisfather also attended this service and then came to

church after the baptism to eat sukuyaki with theChristians here and attend the special service thatnight. (At the left Mr. Kita is standing beneath theJapanese word "Sukuinushi" (Savior) which was overthe entrance to the church room for the youth meet-

ing.)

We are back in a regular schedule after the holidays. George is teaching an exegesis of Galatians through Hebrews at the Seminary. Ethel has a new member in herThursday Bible class.

Thank you and may God bless you all in this year of 1 9 7 7 .

In Christ,

Georg^e & Ethel Beckman

Jenann says:I'm back in language school and our class has learned our 200th Chinese character.The young people who meet on Sunday afternoon before the Rokko Church services

(and my Sunday School class) have decided to come a half hour earlier in order to study theGospel of Mark. The songs we learn we sing for programs like the Christmas service andthe monthly visit to the old peoples home, and now we've been asked to have a specialnumber for the church service once a month.

In Jesus' name,

Jenann

PARTICULAR ITEMS FOR PRAYER: /

1. The women in Ethel's classes.

2. Ethel's preparation for her new class at the Seminary.3. Mr. & Mrs. Higaki who continue to study the Bible with us.4. Mr. Kita and Mr. Notogayashi as young and new ©hristians.5. For the families of the above two young men,

6. Jenann and her support.

0II|ri2ltan (3Jnc.Mission^ie

George -&'Efhel fleckmgi^"^"40 KamizQno>cho

Nishmomiyo 662, Japan

Dear Christian Friends:

(OF AMERICA)

(not (or Profit corporotion)

OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY

April 25,' 1977

Forwarding AgentsRichard & Margaret Saevre

R. R. I

Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520

GREETINGS in this season of changes. Not only is this Spring but the school year andthe national fiscal year changes. As a result there are numerous other changes and thus themembers of Ethel's Bible classes change as husbands are transferred by their companies.In preparation for some of these changes we have been very busy and the short vacation between school years was all too short.

^ Mr. Satoru Taninari and Miss Matsuoka were the main peoplein the graduation service held at Osaka Bible Seminary,March 25. Miss Matsuoka had been studying for two yearsand received a 2-year Certificate. She is continuing somespecial s c h o o 1 i ng beforeentering her life's work. Mr.Taninari lacked one required course for a 4-year degree andis studying that this new school term so that his degree willbecome official when this is completed in July. He is preaching for the Nakaburi Church and living at the school. He isunmarried.

Two new students began studying at the S e minaryApril 12. Mr. Tetsuaki Kimura came from Sapporo,Hokkaido, where he had been working after graduatingfrom high school and helping Mr. and Mrs. Faber inthe church there. His brother, a graduate of theSeminary, is the preacher at Tomakomai, Hokkaido.Mrs. Chieko Kawabata lives in Hirakata where she has

been attending the Nakaburi Church. She had been aChristian, graduated from a junior college and married,but her marriage has ended and she wants to try to dosomething with her life in Christian service. She wasimmersed at the Nakaburi Church a few days beforestarting to study at the Seminary. Her little boy, 3 years old, lives with her and attends akindergarten near the Seminary. Mr. Kimura is also married. His wife has a health problemand is with her parents this first term.

Ethel is teaching a new class in Old Testament Foundations to the first year students <\ithe Seminary. She is also continuing to teach the two women's Bible classes here aswell as some of the children who come to the Sunday school in the morning.

Jenann continues her language study and teaching the small children who come Sundayafternoon. She is also teaching some of the children Sunday morning, which makes iteasier for Ethel.

George is teaching an exegesis of Romans and Corinthians to the second year stut'and the inter-Biblical period to the first year students at the Seminary.

'Ills

John has been admitted into the Medical College of the University of Oklahoma. Heand his wife, Tsai, are planning to move to the Oklahoma City area soon after he graduatesfrom Oklahoma State University next month.

ITEMS FOR PRAYER:

1. Mr. and Mrs. Higaki. His mother is near death with cancer.2. The leadership of the Japanese churches.

In Christ,

T'The Beckmans

/

IME

GEITERALBACKGROUIJD

EDUCATIONALBACKGROUND

PRESENT ORLAST MINISTRY

MINISTRYHISTORY

FAMILY

SPECIALMINISTRIES ORHONORS

CHARACTEROBSERVATION

PICTURE

"BlO.S///-?! ^ -Mailing; Address

^ „ ; - 8 - 40 Kamizono-choB I 0 G R A P H I C A L SKETCH v Nlshinoniiya 662,

^ 0,. - V.'George H^" Beckman •'-v ;.-'v-'';'' V;/;:v;.v":-.

Birth; 7/28/17

Death:

Place: Platte^ South Dakota

.Place':' -v,'" •/

Activities outside of ministry:

State Teachers College^ - Waynes Nehraskgj-(graduated Jan., *4l)Manhattan Bible College (graduateci - 1943)Attended Butler School of ReligionLincoln Christian College (Masters Degr^eH- 1966)

Missionary to Japan sihce

Head of the New Testarti'ent Dept; Osaka Bihle Seminary• """" Osaka, Japan

Wife: Ethel

Children & Ages: John — United States Air Force Medic. •: ; will enter Oklahoma State University

-'''' • •̂ • Stillwater, Qkla♦• this Pall.•Jenarin - student Minnesota Bible CollegeMary - student Berkley -University California

. ; • " Ruth - student - Manhattan Bible College

On File: Yes No

Where Available

BAPTISM:

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

When was (he/she) "baptized a Christian? Where and "by whom?

Wayne, Nebraska

INFLUENCES: Who had an early influence on (his/her) life that led(him/her) into a Christian ministry?

His Uncle and Aunt (John & Mabel Beckman)

Is there an early incident in (his/her) life that helpedmold (his/her) career?

"The summer of 19^3 Warren Dlttemore, a fellow student at Manhattn BibleCollege, invited George to come and live with Aim in the church building atNorton, Kansas where he was preaching. This was through the summer andGeorge had a chance to work in the harvest fields to earn extra money. Thiswas one factor that helped to direct him to serve Christ abroad "

MARRIAGE: About (his/her) marriage...When?How did (he/she) meet (her/him)?

To Ethel Brown - Jione 10, 19^7 \By: Dr. Nakarai at Butler School of Religion \

Met as students at Butler School of Religion.)

TESTIMONIES: As a (son/daughter/close friend/associate) is there anincident involving you and (he/she) that you warmly oraffectionately cherish? Explain.

see attached sheet

Where? By whom? 6 ^

Do you recall a statement made by someone regarding (him/her; that is note-worthy? What was it and who made it?

AFFILIATIONS: Where does (he/she) have church membership? living-linkrelationship? mission bosird affiliation?

Living Link Churches: Central Christian Church - Belbit, Wise.Central Christian Church - Rockford, 111.Central Christian Church - Waukegan, 111.Church of Christ - Footville, Wise.

" #8a:fea Cipristiatt (MtsBtaw,(OF AMERICA)

Missionaries (not for Profit corporation) Forwarding AgentsGeorge & Ethel Beckmon Richard & Margaret Saevre

8-40 Kamizono-cho OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY R. R. INishlnomiya 662, Japan Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520

Influenced his decision to go to Japan

At the Buttler School of Religion George met five people thatinfluenced his decision to work in Japan as a missionary. Thefirst person was Dr. T. W. Nakarai, a Japanese, bom in thecity of Kyoto, Japan. This was his first association with aperson of another race in various Christian experiences such asstudy of God *s Word, partaking of the Lord *s Supper and learningof conversion of non-Christians of another race.

He also met Harold. Cole, who at that time was getting readyto return to Osaka, Japan, and reopen the work of Osaka ChristianMission after World War III He invited George to come toJapan and help by serving on the faculty of Osaka Bible Seminary.He then met Martin Clark:and Ray Mings who were students alsoand planning oh going to;Japan to work. He also met EthelBrown, who had come to the School of Religion with the intentionof study and preparation to go to Japan as a missionary. Aftera romance of about seyen monthsiwe made two decisions at aboutthe same time. One was to accept the invitation to JoinOsaka Christian' Mission and the other was to go to Japan as manand wife. Ax George and Ethel were married by Dr. Nakarai,June 10, 1947. Neither of them stayed long enough to get adegree from the School of Religion. They xkeAkA arrived inJapan, December 28, 1948. The first five years they lived inKyoto, the birth place of Dr. Nakarai, and started the SakyoChurch there. This was part payment for the marriage ceremonyperformed by a native of Kyoto, a city with a population ofabout one million. They also taught in Osaka Bible Seminary.

Their four children were all born in Kyoto. They havelived in Kyoto, Osaka, Hifakata and now are living in Nishinomiya.They have continued their efforts in Osaka Bible Seminary as wellas working with various congregations in different ways.

- c3 -

' ' (§mkn dprigttan(OF AMERICA)

Missionaries (not for Profit corporation) Forwarding AgentsGeorge & Ethel Beckmon Richard & Margaret Saevre

8-40 Kamlzono-cho OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY R. R. iNishinctniyo 662, Japan Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520

During his first term in Japan, George started the Greekdepartment in Osaka Bible Seminary. Mr. Akira Oda was one of thestudents in the first class. George gave him extra help andencouraged him to accept the full responsibility for the Greekprogram in the seminary. He exceeded George's hopes. This programwill continue in an excellent way even in George's absence. Healso encouraged Mr. Oda to work on a Greek-Japanese lexicon asthere was none available in the world. This took a very long time.Thanks to the help of many the lexicon became a reality.

This Greek-Japanese lexicon has been placed in the hands ofthe Japanese and this is of:^great significance. This lexicon ismore important than any Greek-English lexicon. The Japaneselanguage unlike the English language has no Christian concepts fora basis. Instead it is filled with Shinto, Buddhist and Confucianconcepts. Thus while the Japanese language is capable of easilyexpressing many ideas with clarity it is inadequate to expresssome of the basic ideas of Christianity with clarity, inxiiitxggwgwYtelgirsry^acyayygyBgyicBgTexgHgx ThUS, this lexiCOn iS Of benefit.

George says, "We know not what the future here holds for us.But we have been useful and reached a very significantgoal. But there may be time yet for even greatergoals. The amb\int and difficulty of the work aheadis exceedingly great. But this is the challenge togreater efforts. This makes life worth living. Wecan do our very best to meet that challenge. Thisis what God expects. This is what gives greatsatisfaction."

- CPsaka Ctiristian (^tsstan,(OF AMERICA)

Missionaries (not for Profif corporotion) Forwarding AgentsGeorge & Ethel Beekman Richard & Margaret Soevre

8-40 Kamizono-cho OSAKA BIBLE SEMINARYNishinomiyo 662. Japan Brodhead. Wisconsin 53520

July 22, 1976

Eunice Towns, Editorial AssistantMission Services Association

P. 0. Box 177Kemptibn, Indiana46049

Greetings:

There has been no basic change in our work since the 1974information we sent you*

Present activity of our children:

John is married to a Taiwanese girl and they live in Stillwater,Oklahoma where he is pre-medical student in Oklahoma StateUniversity.

Jenann graduated from Minnesota Bible College in May, 1974»is planning to retxim to Japan, September 12, with us to beginlanguage study in preparation for missionary work there.

Mary graduated from the University of California at Berkleywhere she intends to continue in graduate study. She lives inRichmond.

Ruth married David Hinson in June of this year. They live inManhattan, Kansas where they are both students at ManhattanChristian College.

Hurriedly as this is four month furlough??? and there ismuch tb do and many people to see before returning to Japan tobe in time for teaching responsibilities at Osaka BibleSeminary beginning September 21st.

In His Service, A

George H. Beekman

OII|rtattan (Mtsstnti,(OF AMERICA)

Missionaries (not for Profir corporation) Forwarding AgentsGeorge & Ethel Beckman Richard & Margaret Saevre

8-40 Koriizon^cho 3,3I_E SEMINARY 'Nishinomiya 662, Japan Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520

July 20, 1977

Dear Christian Friends:

A busy twelve week term at the Seminary and the rainy season has ended and summer has begun with its hot, humid days. The weatherman keeps reporting 50% humidity, butthe guage in our living room registers nearly 80%.

The two freshman students, Mr. Kimura from Sapporo, Hokkaido and Mrs. Kawabatafrom Hirakata are both mature students, both having been employed before deciding to cometo the Seminary. They are both diligent and cooperative students, which has been a greatblessing to^th^i in her first attempt to teach a course in the Seminary..-Japanese.

The twelve weekTierm has been a great experience for Ethel, Unmistakably she benefited more from the experience than anyone.

A few high-lights of what has happened during the three months from April to June:

1. The annual All Japan Convention of the Churches of Christ, Nearly 230 attended theJapanese language convention held near Lake Biwa in this area, planned by the preachersof this area. About fifty attended the missionary or English language convention heldnearer Osaka. Next Year's conventions will be held on Okinawa.

l\^.,Nakana received his Master of Arts degree from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary onMay 6.. Now all the full time Japanese faculty members have advanced degrees.

On June 18 and 19 the Rokko Church had a two day special meeting, wtih a movie onSaturday evening and Mr. Taniyama as special speaker on Sunday afternoon and evening.

4. On July 3, Mrs. Oka of Ethel's Bible Class, wasiTT^inftrsed into Christ and joined the Rooko Church,

"Mrs'I ^ara had also intended to be immersed onthat day, but was away for a month caring for asick daughter. Now she is moving to the Nagoya

(Pictured at the left is Mr. Saitoh baptizing Mrs,Oka in the baptistry in Sugano Hall on the campusof Osaka Bible Seminary. There is no good placenear our home for baptisms.)

Mr. and Mrs. Shoji have joined Mr. and Mrs. Higaki in the Wednesday evening Biblestudy. While Mr. Shoji has to work late in the bank often and has to miss they are enjoying the study. Pray that the two men may be led to Christ.

On July 7 and 8^t._and Mrs. Lewis Foster and daughter Gail visited us on their wayto Kyushu and on to Austrailia where Dr. Foster will be teaching one term in the BibleCollege in Sydney. Dr. Foster spoke in chapel each morning and missionaries andfaculty members met here for a picnic supper with them.

Usually the women in Ethel's Bible Classes want vacation while their children havevacation from school, but this year they asked her to continue teaching throughout thesummer. The two classes will meet together until September.

Jenannhas finished one school year in_la^nguage school. Since summer school is too"expensive she has decided to rest from formaL study and concentrate on catching up onother things. She is taking over more of the Sunday School work now that she hasgained more confidence in her use of the language. Sh^ still does not have enougl^regular support to meet her needs.

Thank you and may God bless you

In Christ,

The Beckmans

area to live with her oldest son.

Clijrtstian ^tastan, (Snc.(OF AMERICA)

Missionaries (no, fo^ p^ofj, corporation) Forwarding AgentsGfl^^thel Beckmm Richard &Margorel Soevre

8 * 40 Komizono<cho d n iOSAKA BIBLE SEMINARY . '

N.sh.nomiyc 662. Japan . /Brojheod, Wisconsin 53520

September 12, 1977;

Dear Christian Friends:

Greetings from a hot and dry Nishinomiya in Japan. While the rest of Japan had almosttoo much rain during the month of August, the Kansai area had only hot, sunny days resulting in a water shortage for some parts around Osaka. While we did not lack in water, ittook a lot of watering to keep the lawn and garden alive. This year the typhoons coming toJapan have been very few - in fact we have had no major typhoon come this way to bringmuch needed rain and cool weather, so we are still sweltering under 90 degree plus days,though most of the nights are cooler.

Ethel's Bible classes during the day, had vacation during the month of August whilethe children had vacation from school. However, we continued with the Bible class on Wednesday evenings. Although Mr. & Mrs. Shoji could not come very often because of his latehours at the bank where he works, Mr. & Mrs. Higaki and Mr. Oka have been quite regular.We are now studying the book of Acts.

This summer some of the mothers in the apartment next door have been bringing theirchildren to Sunday School. One afternoon Ethel invited them over for a visit and as a resultthey have decided to come for Bible study twice a month while Jenann is here to entertaintheir small children. This afternoon the three mothers came and brought a fourth mother andtheir seven children with them. Little one year old Hiromi chan stays with her mother butthe other 2 & 3 year olds, five active boys and one girl, are almost too much for her tohandle. They will study the Gospel of Luke so Ethel can use the same preparation she makesfor her Thursday morning English Bible class. To help her out she has asked the ThursdayBible class members to translate the questions for the lessons into Japanese for her as partof their assignments.

While we have had some vacation from classes, we have worked hard this summer.Ethel and Jenann painted and papered the living room, hall, and combination spare bedroomand Ethel's study. Besides filling in for Martin Clark on Saturdays at Senri, George hasworked in the yard and garden./ On August 15 we received a telephone call fromjg^vlan Lemmon saying that she found

Aack Makishima whom she had taken into her home from prison two years, agg dead in her/ bathroom. They had gone to Karuizawa together but Jack had returned home in a couple days( *sS%at he had been dead about six days when Vivian came home aweek later. It was aV" shock to all of us and we did what we could to help Vivian the next week or so. She is

finally getting rested and her apartment straightened up in spite of the terrible hot weather.This week Thursday and Friday are "clean up" days at Osaka Bible Seminary when fac

ulty, students and staff make the campus a little more conducive to good study after someneglect through the summer months. Glasses will start the 20th. George will be teachinga class in Text and Canon to the advanced students. In this class we make some study ofwhy we have the particular 66 books in the Bible and why the particular original words areincluded for translation into the current languages of the world.

As of September 29 our new telephone number is 0798-71-7170.

In Christ, . ,

George & Ethel Beckman

Tenann savs: "We had a lawn party on August 15 and invited young people from theneighborhood in order to acquaint them with our young people's meetings. 'We' is ShojiMotobayashi and 1, who did the planning, and his sister, Yuri, and Mr. Kida, who helpedprepare things for the games and sticks for the weiner roast. Ten people came, and they allsaid they had a good time. Monday afternoon (Sept. 5) Shoji and I called on those whohadn't started back to school yet (he started Thursday. - 8th, I start tomorrow - the 13th), toinvite them once more to come to our meetings. Mr. Kida's school had already started, butafter he got home we took him with us to two more homes. This was his first experience ininviting people in person, P.T.L. !"

In Christ,

J^ann Beckman