Beyond sightseeing

Have you heard these words from a young person in your sending country? “I’d like to go and spend some time in Japan.”

How should we deal with short-term workers? Is it worth the effort to line up things to do for a non-Japanese-speaking college kid, all while you’re in the midst of never-ending ministry responsibilities? Housing and transportation alone can feel overwhelming. As challenging as it is, though, we also realize that Japan needs more dedicated Christians to meet the great spiritual needs. How can we make the most of these visiting volunteers with an eye on ministry in Japan? My husband and I have discovered over the years that there are three main opportunities that enrich the short time these “interns” spend in Japan: discipling them, utilizing them to create new connections, and giving them opportunities to encourage missionaries and Christians.

Disciple the intern

Instead of thinking we need to entertain the short-term visitor or show them all the tourist sites, we can view this time as a way to invest in the newcomer’s spiritual growth and discipleship. Where are they spiritually? What have they learned so far in their Christian walk, and where could they use a new challenge? Time devoted to prayer for specific churches and individuals with whom we’re associated may impress on them current needs.

Other ways to help them get a broader understanding of our ministry are to

• share time in God’s Word,
• relay what God’s teaching each of us, and
• discuss topics such as missions, specific needs in our area of Japan, and our goals and vision for the future, as well as our philosophy of ministry.

We can help interns prepare to share their own personal testimony; this will enable them to be a witness to English-speaking contacts as well as an encouragement to other Christians and missionaries.

Brainstorm with each person to see how they could be used in Japan if/when they return. As we grow to know them, we can say, “With your personality and gifting, I could see you fitting into Japan in this way.” If they can visualize themselves being part of a shared vision of ministry, they may feel more motivated and useful to the team.

Seek new connections

Each intern arrives on the field with various talents, abilities, and interests. We can capitalize on these in order to reach out to new groups of people. For instance, learning ahead of time that an intern can play a musical instrument may lead to organizing a short, advertised concert or informal jam sessions with local musicians at a “live house” (open mic night). If the visitor has athletic ability or a passion for a particular hobby, we can look into ways to create new contacts. Showing up at a park during times when young people are available and kicking around a soccer ball could be all it takes to meet new people.

Many interns speak English fluently, so planning an English conversation time at a coffee shop, church, or park could be an event that Japanese Christians could invite their friends to attend. Interns can seek to share about their relationship with Jesus during this time. Often, Japanese who enjoy learning English are especially overjoyed to spend time with foreigners who speak no Japanese. In return, ask a Japanese person (or class) to teach your intern some phrases or words in Japanese. Having Japanese families host a homestay can also open new opportunities for both the intern and the missionary.

If short-term helpers ask you for a good time to visit, you could recommend Christmastime. Many Japanese seem interested in American Christmas activities, and it’s easy to talk about Jesus at this time.

Here’s a wonderful way to build new relationships in your community: Offer to do manual labor projects for a small business owner, a cram school, your mechanic, a nursing home, or any unsaved friend. One year, one group of interns scraped gum off the sidewalk in front of the YMCA. Prepare your team to be ready to answer why they are being so nice.

Encourage believers

Fellow missionaries may also have projects that your intern could take part in. Whether it’s campground cleanup, yard work, handing out literature, or participating in a prayer walk, interns can provide added manpower and energy. Planning an intern’s trip around a VBS (Vacation Bible School) or outreach events can maximize their use.

More importantly, interns can provide refreshing fellowship for those who feel isolated and burned out in ministry or life abroad. It’s easy to forget that God’s church is so much bigger than what we often experience in Japan. Hearing how God is at work around the world can give a much-needed boost.

Investing in short-term interns does take extra effort, but we can discover valuable ministry by investing in each visitor, finding new connections within our community, and encouraging believers.