Extending Grace in Japan
Beth Robinson and Georgia Sams return with a new perspective.

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In their recent return to Japan as missionaries, Beth Robinson and Georgia Sams say the journey cannot simply be measured in miles.  The greater distance has been in the journey of faith, spanned by a deeper understanding of the gospel of grace.

“I was in Japan from 1971-2004 and Georgia from 1973-2004,” says Beth.  “So we were both there for more than thirty years.  When we came back to the States, we were in much need of healing and restoration.  We were burned out and stressed.”

On the first weekend of their return to Hendersonville on May 31, 2004, they both started attending Grace.  Perhaps for the first time in their lives – at least on a consistent basis – they were allowed to “bask in grace.”

“By becoming part of the Body at Grace, soaking in the sermons and praise and worship and fellowship each week, joining in Bible studies,” says Beth, “we found ourselves immersed in the Gospel of Grace.  In the person of Jesus, we found healing and renewal.”

For missionaries, there exists a temptation to continually “prove” their worth – to measure success by what they do and accomplish.  They are often asked to measure in numbers of converts or dollars.  Subtly, over time, a missionary’s life can become about what they do, and less about who they are in Christ.

After spending nearly three years at Grace, Beth and Georgia decided to return to Japan.  But with a different heart perspective.

“We are really focused on just sharing the person of Christ and his love,” says Beth. “One of the reasons we wanted to go back was we wanted to share what we had learned -- how freeing a grace-filled Gospel is.  In some ways, our sharing the Gospel is simply the hope that students can catch the beauty of Jesus and the beauty of what He has done for us.”

In Osaka, Georgia has returned to teaching in a Japanese junior and senior high school, working closely with a chaplain.  Beth is teaching several English classes, leads a home meeting, and is spending more time sharing with individuals.  Georgia’s financial needs are met by the school.  Beth is partially supported by part-time teaching but also needs to raise about $600 a month for living expenses.  If you would like to help with financial support, drop a check in the offering box and mark in the memo section:  Japan – Beth Robinson.”  If you would like to receive a monthly prayer letter, contact them at samsgeorgia@yahoo.com.


Prayer Requests

These are some of Georgia & Beth's prayer needs.

GEORGIA
For a heart that delights in Jesus!
For the short chapel ;message in Japanese each week...that it will be filled with the hope of the gospel.
For the language skills necessary to communicate the gospel.
For developing good relationships with the students in her twelve weekly classes.
For a fledgling English Bible class that meets after school.

BETH
For a heart that delights in Jesus!
For developing good relationships with the students she teaches on Tuesdays.
For meeting and sharing with some of the ladies from Osaka International Church.
For her feel as she walks and ravels by train to many different places during the week.
For developing relationships with the parents in her Saturday morning English class.

GEORGIA and BETH
For developing friendships with their colleagues at the Japanese school where they teach and for
keeping up with former students and teachers at Baika, their former school.
For opening their home for meetings and hospitality.
For the leading of the Holy Spirit as they teach the Sunday morning "Under His Smile" class.

Watch Beth and Georgia's Video Testimony