Surely a Greater Moment Than We Realize

Dear Family,

Japanese Irises

In the Peony Garden

     Spring has arrived and the blossoms and leaves of the land of the rising sun are bursting forth in marvelous profusion. We often walk on the hillside pathways behind the temple at lunch time, and sometimes take our lunch to stop along the way at a park bench and eat. En route we encounter many a Japanese nature enthusiast, with camera in hand, usually weighed down by an enormous lens, exploring the beauties springtime offers.  One writer has observed that…“the Japanese people are an aesthetic race to whom beauty has a value and dignity of its own. This universal love of beauty is one of the purest qualities of the Japanese character and represents a gift which the Japanese people have to make to that other part of the world which is so taken up with utility that it tends to overlook the claims of beauty. We tend … to misunderstand the part that is played by this love of beauty in Japanese thinking and to underestimate its power.”[i]

A profusion of Mother's Day flowers

     Suddenly, and unexpectedly it seems, we have completed a year of our 18-month mission. Where has the time gone so swiftly?  Like most times in life, but greatly magnified it seems, we have experienced considerable to rejoice in, much to be grateful for, and some little to regret.  Missionary work is a great work, perhaps the greatest in the world. What an undertaking – to take the gospel message to every creature under heaven.  65,000 missionaries in 130 countries of the world are cutting a great swath, but still -  6.5 billion people, an enormous amount of work still undone. What a privilege to be a part of it! What an energizing adventure to be present and involved as the great onrush and expansion of missionaries opens up before our very eyes!  By the time we leave here in six months, the Japan Fukuoka Mission contingent will be rounding up to nearly 200 missionaries, up from 100 six months ago.  It is marvelous to behold and surely a greater moment than we realize. Since years of church experience has shown that 150 is about all one mission president can handle, one wonders where this will lead – but they are being called and they are coming so we forge fearlessly ahead. Not the least of our blessings here is the association with our son and his family.

Blueberry Pancakes -- a Beus tradition!

  Getting to know our two precious Japanese-American grandchildren is a choice experience. We love Dan and his family and have gained new appreciation for them and the challenges they face.

After 12 months – what about the regrets?   Oh yes, the regrets – hmmm, we seem to have forgotten what they were.  Pushing on with determination, hope and faith into the final six months, we remain your faithful far-eastern correspondents, 

Mom and Dad 

 

PS. Sister Beus made me suppress this nostalgic entry: After 12 months - what regrets?   Oh, we could have done better with the language. We should have been better in tune with the Spirit, perceived its promptings more clearly.  And we regret that our role has been so peripheral.  There is a fellowship among the young missionaries which, try as we might, we cannot penetrate.  But regrets are not without their own redeeming value providing they spawn a desire to do better, and they do.

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[i] Windows for the Crown Prince, 267-8