R: So Dene, it's been mentioned we're going to Japan. When is that happening?
D: In December, after SPRTE, we're taking 4 FOCUS students to Japan for 3 weeks
R: Now we lived in Japan in 2003 -Why do you want to take students there?
D: A few reasons - it's familiar to me, but not to them! I thought I could handle going there because I've been before. But more seriously, Japan's a place that really needs more people speaking and living the gospel. When I meet Japanese students here in Newcastle, they nearly all say the same - when I ask: "Do you know any Christians in Japan" - they reply "no". Or, "I think a teacher of mine in high school was a Christian". So taking students there will help them see and feel that need. As well the few Christians and Christian workers appreciate encouragement and we hope that we'll be encouraging for them.
R: Japan's a huge place. What can a small team hope to acheive there?
D: We won't make a large impact on Japan, but I hope the trip will make a big impact on us. Understanding the need is a big thing for our team. As well, we hope to understand Japanese people better so we can serve them more effectively in FOCUS here in Newcastle.
R: What can HBC do to be involved?
D: Well in many ways HBC is involved already - that is, all the students coming with us are from HBC and so you've been growing them. As well, we come here and are encouraged and part of the family here. On top of that I'm part of the staff team so I get the privilege of working with them. So since you *are* involved already, let me tell you how you can be even more!
Firstly it would be great if you could pray for us. Joyce will speak to you again in a few weeks and tell you how you can stay up to date with our preparations and with our progress on the trip itself. Secondly we're asking HBC to support the students financially - the trip itself costs over $3000, and SPRTE is a compulsory training cost on top of that. So we're looking for people to sponsor our students in that training cost.
Thanks!
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