The Post-Grad Update
I’ve been back in the U.S. for nearly two months now, spending time with my family and friends, playing lots of tennis, just about finished with my book’s translation into Japanese, and continuing conversations with several different organizations about moving to Japan long-term. (I also just recently started a new part-time communications position for an international non-profit company!)
I want to especially say thank you to you for all your support as I’ve worked the past two summers in Tokyo. I would never have been able to build relationships there without your help.
A few weeks ago, I was approached again by the MTW team in the Asia-Pacific region to help plan and attend their women’s spring retreat in Vietnam this February. As one of the individuals on my inner support team, I want to invite you to partner with me once more in aiding the Christian community of the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Why a retreat? Overseas workers live in a culture outside of their native one, often speaking a different language, cooking with different foods, and being treated as an outsider. No matter how long you live in a foreign country, you can never change your identity to that of a native. But, you do change your identity and nationality when joining the kingdom family of God. He designed the church to function within community, so it’s incredibly important to set aside intentional time for the family members of God to gather together and worship as a congregation. Retreats serve as a special time of fellowship for those living overseas, often as a refreshing step into their own culture for a short time. This rest is vital to keeping overseas workers energized and recharged to continue sharing and exemplifying the Gospel.
You may be asking, “But Rebecca, why’s it important for you to attend this retreat?” Excellent question! I was invited by the retreat planning committee to use my marketing profession to alleviate part of the upfront planning burden then to attend the retreat itself to run the behind the scenes activities. Tasks such as researching local activities and logistics for attendees, graphic design, set-up and tear-down, running slides, and more would be allocated to me, freeing up the mental bandwidth for attendees to truly relax in a time of fellowship. This also serves as an incredible means for me to network with all the workers in the greater Asia-Pacific region without having to travel to their respective countries. One of the reasons I have been invited is because several missionaries from the region are strong advocates on my behalf (including Brenda from Taiwan; the one that we helped catch and release lizards from inside her house).
The estimated total cost of this 10 day trip to Vietnam is $3,500. As with previous trips, this amount is subject to vary greatly depending on how soon I can purchase plane tickets. Please prayerfully consider partnering financially with me and the workers in the Asia-Pacific region to continue expanding God’s kingdom. If you feel lead to donate, you can do so via the MTW online portal or by mailing a check to me at 1209 Westbury Rd, Knoxville, TN 37922.
I’m somewhat apprehensive about starting the fundraising process again so soon after my summer internship, but I trust that the same God who provided beyond my needs for the past two summers can raise less than a fourth of that total amount again if it be His will to send me.
If you have any questions at all or simply want to chat about the work I would be doing, please feel free to respond to this email (rebecca@rebeccarobin.com).
With sincere gratitude,
Rebecca
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)