In Community:

August 2019 Newsletter

When People Let Us Down

By Pastor Craig Swanson

Recently, a well-known author and pastor renounced his faith and publicly apologized to all the various groups he had offended by preaching the gospel.  This has come as a shock to many who have heard.  What are we to make of someone who has occupied the spotlight on the Christian stage who says they no longer believe?  If someone who has climbed to the heights of influence and leadership is unable to persevere, how are average people like you and me supposed to finish strong?

While examples like this may blindside us, they don’t take the Lord by surprise.  In the first parable recorded in the New Testament, the parable of the soils, Jesus teaches the multitudes regarding various responses to the Word of God and the gospel.  The first group He identifies are the people who hear but have no interest and the good news falls on deaf ears.  The last group He describes are those who hear, believe and have their lives transformed.  But the two groups in the middle pose a problem.  They hear and believe but don’t continue on in the faith.  Either persecution or the cares of the world cause their faith to fail.  Jesus knew that there will always be people who don’t go the distance.

Paul writes from prison, in 2 Timothy 4, of Demas who “because he loved this world” abandoned Paul in his time of need.  In Colossians and Philemon, Demas is praised by Paul but evidently Demas didn’t remain faithful.  Alexander, the metal worker, was someone close to Paul but also someone who did him great harm.  Throughout history, we have witnessed examples of those who had once proclaimed the truth of God’s Word only to recant and publicly declare they no longer believe.

This is why it is important for us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”.  People will always disappoint.  We have the potential to fall, to fail, to disappoint.  Peter knew how easy it is to disappoint.  That’s why he tells his readers to be “all the more eager to make our calling and election sure.  For if we do these things we will never fall, and we will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.  When those around us fall, let’s be all the more careful that we, by God’s grace, don’t join them.

Getting Under Way

By Dave Bauson

“Pack this for Thailand!” “Store this for the future!” “Donate this and trash that!” Those are the orders we’re calling out as we manage the daily storm of getting ready to go. We have only a few of those days left, as we’re scheduled to fly on the 7th of August.

We’ve already said a few of our goodbyes, to folks who won’t be in town for the next couple of weeks. Just a couple of days ago I watched a good friend drive away, knowing that I won’t see him for years. Goodbyes are so touching because of the friendships built through time and trial.

Waiting on the Lord can be a trial in itself. He stretches our faith and trust in Him by making us wait on an unforeseeable future. Then after He answers, we’re just that much more confident in His faithfulness. But have you ever found yourself waiting for hope — not waiting in hope — but upon the receipt of hope that you can’t perceive? That kind of trial brings us through the darkest of our days; where nights are spent in agony and days in despondent drudgery. But when the Lord finally brings the light of hope to our hearts, we see Him in ways that we never imagined!

Many of the kids that we’ll spend time with in Thailand are unaware that there can be hope. Imagine the darkness they endure, being taught that they must live countless reincarnations striving for an end that is only a cessation of their pain. But when they hear that hope exists, and it’s found in Christ, and that being with Him is unspeakable joy, they’re so excited. That’s why the Gospel among the Thai is called the “Amazingly great, majestic news!” And that’s why we’re headed to Thailand, to help bring that news.

Our current trial, waiting on the Lord to send us off on our journey, is coming to an end. We’re so thankful to the Lord for the work He’s done through FBC and others to send us to the School of Promise. Please remember that we’re just an extension of you who are staying here at home! Every triumph that we’ll report to you is your work abroad. We’re excited to see what the Lord has in store for ministry in Chiang Mai!

Commissioning the Bauson family during the service on July 28th.

JLM Fellowship and Farewell for the Bausons

by Mina Chen

On July 20th, Japanese Language Ministries had a potluck fellowship and farewell party for the Bauson family who is moving to Thailand as missionaries. We had a refreshing time at Otsu’s beautiful house! It was such a beautiful sunny day and some of us went down to the beach by their house to play Frisbee, collect shells and rocks, and play in the water.  Some were relaxing and enjoying the beautiful ocean view from their deck.  After we mingled and enjoyed a potluck dinner, we had some time to sing worship songs, share messages and memories with the Bausons, and pray for them.  Some people have known them for as long as 20+ years, others met them a few years ago, but regardless of the length of relationship, Dave and Akiko’s living example have made a great impact in each of our lives.  We appreciate their faithful service at FBC! One of the songs we sang at this gathering is called “under the same sky.”  Even though the Bausons and we will be thousands of miles away, we will still be under the same sky, looking up to the same God, praying for and encouraging each other. We are praying and looking forward to being partners with them and to hear stories of how God will use them to share His love and saving grace.

Vacation Bible School 2019 – The Incredible Race

July 8th-12th, 2019

by Sue Machida

It was all about a “race.”  Not only a race that kept us busy in fun games, crafts, music, and science experiments, but also a race that started at the garden of Eden and is still ongoing today.  Our VBS 2019 was themed the “Incredible Race” by Answers in Genesis.  This curriculum took the children to different continents every day exploring the time before the tower of Babel, at Babel, and after Babel.

It was so special to have Bob and Noby Kennell fly in from Pennsylvania along with Sydney Harris to teach the children such tough topics; how sin entered our human race, why we speak different languages and have different cultures, how we have different physical features, how we need one Savior, one God, how we ought to treat others with love as God has loved us, not with prejudice and racism.  Kelly Aramaki joined in teaching with Bob and Noby, and the children were so blessed to learn from the dynamic duo, Kelly + Bob!
Monday – Sin cycle:  How the world was divided into continents
Tuesday – Ziggurats:  Languages
Wednesday – One blood, one race:  I’ve got DNA – why I look like I do
Thursday – God provides just one way to be saved
Friday – Fighting prejudice and racism

Dawn Hamasaki led the fun craft time in such masterful ways, pastor Mike got the kids competing in very innovative games, our music pro Megan Hamasaki had the kids moving and singing their hearts out, and the Dave Bauson and Laurie Machida duo made the kids’ jaws drop in their cool scientific experiments.  What a fun week we had!

As we have in the past, we collected backpacks and school supplies for the children in the Yakama Nation.  We are so thankful for this service project opportunity to be able to help the kids in need teaming up with the Sacred Road Ministries.  So many people have donated supplies as well as monetary gifts to purchase backpacks.  Thank you so much!  Gary and Rieko Kato will be delivering them this week, and more will be sent in September.

There were 60+ people serving in VBS this year.  Our special thanks to Rieko Kato and Stacie Lee who once again took the charge in our set design.  Countless hours were spent on planning, constructing, and actual decorating.  Thank you, Rieko and Stacie!  A big thanks to Patty Mayeda for her beautiful handwriting on many posters as well as Hannah Aramaki with an amazing artistic expression in her poster writings.  Thank you Carrie Ishimitsu for making so many workbooks, Rene Nova and Iris Sandbeck for taking care of the nursery, Atsuko Colson in the kitchen cooking full time throughout the week, Nancy Fujimoto and the senior group for coming to help tirelessly to help in planting the seed in our next generation.  Thank you to Daniel Mayeda for his professional videography and editing.  Thank you to Steve and Keiko Whalen for the daily janitorial services, we couldn’t have done it without your help!  Our heartfelt thank you to Lois who helped behind the scene and stepped in last minute to fill in the gap, pastor Mike and pastor Craig for their full support for VBS.

It truly was a church-wide effort in holding a VBS and God’s provision was evident.  It was so humbling to learn again and again that He is in full control.  God orchestrated everything in His ways, not ours.  We hope and pray that the children who attended the VBS will remember that we are all ONE race running ONE race needing ONE Savior.  This VBS curriculum theme Bible verse sums up the focal point of the week very well.

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” -Revelation 7:9