Richard & Catherine East
How long have you served with OMF?
Richard first went to Japan with Serve Asia in 1998! And we joined as a couple to go to Japan together in 2011.
What is your current ministry?
For most of this term, Richard has been the Japanese Focus Leader of the Returnee Focus field. Catherine has been part of the team Richard leads. We are a team of around 25 workers around the world who work to see the church in Japan blessed by followers of Christ returning from around the world.
Highlight of your term?
Connecting with people in Auckland, Arizona, Austria and dozens of other places who are seeking help and encouragement in sharing Jesus with their Japanese friends.
What’s the most unexpected thing you have seen?
God sending three Japanese Ministry Trainees to our church in London all at the same time.
What have you learnt from those you partner with, this term?
I have been humbled by seeing brothers and sisters who are not working for a church or mission organisation and yet have amazing impact for the kingdom by being wholehearted and available.
What can we pray for your future and where you serve?
Richard is handing over his main role to a colleague and taking a long-delayed ‘gap-year’! Please pray for him to be prepared for whatever comes next after that.
Rhona
How long have you served with OMF?
It will be 30 years in November since I set out to Asia.
What is your current ministry?
I am part of the Returnee Focus Team in the UK. I mainly work with students who are only in the UK for one year.
Highlight of your term?
Visiting students in their homeland. One of the students who I met with had made it clear to me from the start of our friendship in the UK that she was a committed Buddhist but the words that she greeted me with in her home city was ‘I know that God has arranged for you to come at this time to visit me.’
What’s the most unexpected thing you have experienced?
It has been my ability now to cook food from the student’s homeland. Eating in Asia was so easy and affordable so if I did cook it was so friends could try ‘western food’, but now I am trying to bring a taste of home to the students. So, my repertoire keeps growing as I learn to cook what they love.
What have you learnt from East Asians, those you minister to, this term?
Communication often is a barrier for the students to meet locals in the UK. They are really curious to experience and take part in British life but their language ability stops them. If we are able, it’s crucial that that we take the steps to befriend them and persist in doing so, not being put off by their quiet demeanour.
What can we pray for your future and where you serve?
Pray for the impact of the gospel despite the quick turnaround. Pray after they return, the seeds planted will take root in the Lord’s time. Pray for the freedom to explore Christianity in the UK. Pray as I visit my supporters who live in other parts of the UK. I want to share more about Returnee Focus as I have found that this ministry is still new to many.
