Ted & Suzanne Shimanuki: Japan / 2025

Ted & Suzanne Shimanuki

News from Spain, Thailand, & Japan

Dear Sending Team,

Thank you for your prayers and financial support! These past two months have been a whirlwind of experiences, full of learning and hard work in Japan. We consider it a privilege to labor on behalf of God’s kingdom here.

Piloting a new Jr. Launch CLUB Curriculum for Missionary Tweens

After arriving at our Receiving Well conference held near Valencia, Spain, we quickly learned about the Top 4 Reasons for Early Attrition of New Missionaries from the Field: a) Family Issues; b) Kids’ Needs; c) Conflict/Disagreement with Leadership; and d) Mental Health Issues. Inspired by these key needs, over the next month, Suzanne developed the Jr. Launch CLUB curriculum for tweens with a 4-pronged mission:

Increase their Emotional Awareness, Intelligence, and Resilience: We play lots of games to help them learn how to identify their emotions, express these emotions in a variety of ways according to their personality, recognize the cause and triggers, and develop coping strategies. We did a deep dive into worry/anxiety; this Saturday, we’ll be addressing anger management.

Reinforce connection with their passport (US) country: Many parents expect their kids to one day return to the US to go to college and perhaps stay in the US, post-college. But some missionary kids have lived almost none of their lives in the US (which is the case with some of the tweens in our CLUB). So we expose them to US history (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and MLK, Jr), geography (50 states), culture (Superbowl party, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day), and language (conducted wholly in English, in contrast to their daily school life in Japanese). This is a small step toward keeping connections with their country of citizenship alive and well.

Give them leadership opportunities: It’s often more difficult to be the leaders in their Japanese public school setting. We give them the opportunity to present: the Gettysburg Address, “I Have A Dream” speech, and a State / Leader Report of their choice.

FUN!!! Promote bonding, camaraderie, and a safe space to let down and be the complicated kids they are (American missionary kids, or MKs, growing up in Japan and attending public school in Japanese). Many missionary kids feel a little like goldfish in a glass bowl – everyone’s looking at them (because they definitely “stick out” as different). Here, with other MK’s, they can just relax and play and be themselves.

Educating Parents on How to Help Their Kids Develop Emotional Resilience

At our Spain conference, we also learned what the Top 3 Needs of Children are in the mission field:  a) Healthy Attachment; b) Regulated Parents; and c) A Sense of Belonging. This is why we strive to “partner with parents to create pathways for thriving missionary kids”. We have the opportunity to educate parents on how to help their kids develop emotional resilience. After each CLUB meeting, Suzanne shares with all of the parents about what their children learned regarding emotional regulation that week. This unit has been very well received. One parent is grateful because now she can use an established vocabulary to discuss these things when they arise with her kids. Another parent said that she wishes she could be like a fly on the wall in the room during Club. All of the parents really appreciate these insights into their children’s struggles with identifying their emotions and how to help them when they’re feeling anxiety or anger. Both the CLUB curriculum and the Parent Education materials will be a strategic resource that facilitators can use with future cohorts of MK tweens.

Regional Conference in Thailand (Bi-annual, once every 2 yrs)

After the Spain conference ended, we flew for 24 hours to Chiang Mai to meet the rest of the missionaries in our region (which comprises Japan, the Koreas, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau). The theme was Peacekeeping with intensive training on open communication and conflict resolution within multicultural teams. It was a blessed time of fellowship, training, and bonding.

Coordinating Survey Trips – A Strategic Way to Impact Future Missionaries to Japan

Ted is the Survey Trips Coordinator for Pioneers missionary-appointees who have committed long-term to the mission field. These 10-day trips allow Surveyors to explore what it might be like to serve in Japan with Pioneers and whether God is confirming their call to Japan, as well as allow the missionary teams to assess a Surveyor’s fitness to serve with Pioneers Japan. Ted is now coordinating a Survey Trip for 7 adults for this June. It usually takes 2-3 years after a Survey Trip before the missionaries reach the field (due to the need to complete Bible classes, raise support, get commissioned by their home church, etc.) Ted sees this as a strategic way to support more laborers being sent to God's harvest field.

Being that Encouraging, Mentoring, Listening Ear

“A lot of clients would probably do OK if they just had

a good friend to listen to them.

The problem is that they just can’t find a good friend.”

~ A professional mental health counselor at the Receiving Well conference in Spain

Ted meets weekly with one specific male Launcher who asked for a mentor. By the time we depart, Suzanne will have met at least twice with each of the 6 women on the team. We seek to be that “listening ear”.

House Church Worship Service

Every week we bring a hot main dish for up to 20 persons which Ted has to figure out how to walk over to the house church (about 15 min walk) without spilling or burning himself. Last Sunday, Ted led the Bible study and share & prayer time; meanwhile Suzanne MC’ed (call to worship, prayer, introduce everyone, benediction) for the worship service. The weekends are always our busy “work” days. Monday is our “weekend”.

A “Pregnant” Opportunity to Serve!

A young couple has twin toddlers and is expecting a baby any week now. Ted and Suzanne are their first line of defense to take care of the twins when the new little bundle of joy arrives. In preparation for that, we have been hanging out with the mom and babysitting the boys for a couple of hours every week. The mom hasn’t even had the baby yet and is already exhausted and getting very little sleep.

Prayer Requests (in addition to continued prayer for All of the Above):

Shimanuki’s Miyazaki Trip: This weekend we’re heading to southern Kyushu, where there’s the fewest churches or Christian presence in nearly all of Japan. We are excited to meet our Pioneers church planting team there and see what God is doing in their midst.

Intense Launch Training: Our Launchers and their families are all wrapping up their school years over the next 2 weeks. A few of the adults are feeling a lot of stress with many deadlines all at once: end-of-the-year exams, interviews with a local Japanese about their religion to be conducted, their research paper about Buddhism/Shintoism is due at the end of this week, and many other balls that they are juggling simultaneously right now.

Learning Japanese: (Suzanne) I left Japan 1.5 years ago a little demoralized about how hard it was to learn Japanese (and how terrible I was at it). But, praise God, I’ve gotten my mojo back! This time, using online private tutors, I started back again at chapter 1 and it’s going much better. I realize now that the first school (brick & mortar) that I went to just didn’t suit my learning style. So I’ve re-discovered my motivation and have jumped back into the fray!

Tam family: Our exceedingly busy and Fearless Leaders, Adrian and Becca, and their 2 boys. They do the lion’s share of what needs to be done to welcome all of these newcomers onto the field, often hosting families of 6 in their small (by US standards) house. Please pray for the strength, wisdom, sustenance, and rest that only the Holy Spirit can give them!

In the Bible study that Ted led this week, a key emphasis was from Luke 9:20 where Jesus asked his disciples “But who do you say that I am?” Peter then replied “the Christ of God”. That answer might have made sense in first century Israel, but it definitely would not in 21st century Japan. So Ted challenged these missionaries to think about what we would say to a Japanese person who doesn’t know anything about Jesus. What about you – who do you say that Jesus is? And what would you say to your neighbor, co-worker, friend who doesn’t know Jesus?

We are tired, but content to be where God wants us to be.

Trusting in His direction,

Ted & Suzanne

Ted & Suzanne Shimanuki: Japan / Fall 2023

Who Are We Working with:

Pioneers, a missions agency that partners with local churches to make disciples and initiate church planting movements among unreached peoples. The Japanese people are the second largest Unreached People Group, with less than 1% of the population identifying as Christian. 

Itinerary:

Sep. 3-23:  Kyoto / Tokyo Full-time Japanese Language Acquisition (6-7 hrs /day)

Sep. 23 - Nov. 1:  Fukuoka  Serve long-term missionaries-in-training with the Pioneers Japan Launch Program via shepherding, development of training curriculum, and supporting Third Culture Kids (the children of the missionaries). Also continue with language acquisition on a part-time basis.

Prayer Requests:  

That we would place our trust in God to have sovereignty over the details, and not in ourselves for the plans we have made.

That we would be able to adapt quickly and well to a different culture, food, living in a secular share house (community living, similar to a dorm or youth hostel), a 30-minute daily commute by bike & train, make good progress in learning Japanese, and be able to make friends with our housemates.

That we would build strong relationships and community with the Pioneers Team, be supportive and encouraging of the Launch missionaries, and for God to help us discern their needs and show us how we can best assist in training them and their kids.

Journal Entry / September 26th 2023

Shining the Light and Love of Christ in Japan

Dear Prayer Supporters,

Last week we concluded our time in Tokyo and 3 weeks of full-time language learning with Genki JACS School. Both of us even gave a little speech in Japanese at the “graduation” ceremony.

In Pioneers Japan’s September newsletter, they introduced us in interview format. We thought that you might also be interested in seeing it, as follows:

Please introduce yourself and what you did prior to coming to Japan.

Ted is a Japanese-American from Maui, Hawaii, and Suzanne is a Chinese-American from California. We first met through InterVarsity at UC Berkeley and got to know each other through church and a prayer group while working in downtown Oakland.

We spent our first year of marriage on the mission field in Kenya, serving with Food for the Hungry and starting a micro-enterprise loan program. Our home is in the SF Bay Area. We became empty-nested 2 years ago, and retired last year. Ted was a CFO for several secular nonprofits as well as for a Christian missions agency. Back in the ‘90’s, Suzanne was a marketing & communications manager for the same missions agency, and then became a stay-at-home mom for our 4 kids.

How has God led you to Japan?

Over the past few years, we've been actively searching for God's direction for this next chapter of our lives and have been led to short-term missions. In addition to Ted's interest in exploring his Japanese heritage, one of our daughters is finishing college in Japan and plans to work in Tokyo for the next 3 or so years. We know that Japan is the second largest unreached people group in the world. In all this, God seemed to be bringing together the details of our lives to serve His church in Japan for the next part of our journey with Him.

What has been a “high and low” of getting ready to come to Japan?

Frankly, I (Suzanne) feel a little intimidated by the thought of seriously trying to learn one of the hardest languages in the world at my age. I'm also not as hardy as I was in my 20's. But, nonetheless, we both know it's not about our gifts, strengths, or weaknesses, but our availability. So we're excited to continue the adventure with God and see what He does with this season of our lives.

How can we pray for you over the next few months?

In Fukuoka, we'll be living in a share house oriented toward "entrepreneurs" -- technically on a coed floor, but currently there are only males residing there. So this will be quite an adjustment for both of us, but especially for Suzanne as possibly the only female on an "all male" floor with a "coed" bathroom. Please pray that we'll learn to be content in any and every living situation and that we will be a light in that community. Pray for our language acquisition progress. Finally, please pray that we would learn quickly and be encouraging, supportive helpmates to Adrian and Becca and the Launch Team.

PREVALENCE OF CULTS IN JAPAN

The Pioneers Japan newsletter also included an article about the prevalence of cults in Japanese society. From one of the Pioneers missionary: "Japan is one of the few places in the entire world where there are more "Christian" cults (ie. Jehovah's Witness, Mormons, Unification Church, Shincheonji/ New Heaven & New Earth) than there are evangelical Christians. Several years ago, I was reading the Bible while riding the subway when a young woman came over and introduced herself as a Christian... and in the course of our conversation I realized she belonged to a cult. I've heard numerous stories over the years where cults have intentionally targeted and broken up churches. It's not just a fear of what may be. This happens to brothers and sisters we know. Jesus' warning about wolves in sheep's clothing is still relevant today (Matt 7:15; see also Jude 4)."

TOKYO SUMMARY:

Because of our love for InterVarsity, we had dinner with a Regional Director of IFES (InterVarsity) and were able to hear how God is moving on university campuses in Japan. One of his primary challenges this coming year is recruiting campus leaders to replace the 3 or 4 staff who will be moving on at the end of the school year.

Monday, September 18, was a national holiday. As such, our language school did not hold any classes but instead offered an outing to watch a professional baseball game, the Yomiuri Giants vs. the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. As the Japanese are obsessed with their national sport, it was quite an experience! Since the Yomiuri Giants colors are orange and black just like the SF Giants, it was also a bit surreal! Both sides had drums and chants and songs for each player. And, with each run scored – out popped tiny Japanese parasols that the fans swirled.

As our daughter, Stacy, is doing a semester abroad in Tokyo at Hitotsubashi University, we had the delight of spending both weekends with her! We visited her church, Tsukiji Fish Market, the National Museum, Tokyo Skytree, the Sumida Hokusai Museum, and the grounds of the Imperial Palace together.

Suzanne also had the privilege of leading a 1-on-1 Bible study (Philippians 1, II Cor. 11 & 12) with a young lady, formerly from Valley Bible Church, who is living in Japan now. We only met twice over dinner, but our time together was rich for both of us. Afterwards, she said, “I feel like you came here just for me! What are the odds that we’d both be in Japan at the same time?” Ironically, Ted and I weren’t supposed to be doing language study in Tokyo at all – it was only because Genki JACS School in Fukuoka didn’t have any space for us. Yes, it was a God thing! Then last night we found out that our Pioneers house church is also studying Philippians and is in the middle of chapter 1. Doubly a God thing!

Our study in Philippians reminded me, Suzanne, to boast in my weaknesses and rejoice as I was struggling with Nihongo lessons (Japanese language) and that His grace is sufficient for me.

Also, Paul’s one compelling drive to proclaim Christ – and all that he suffered in order to do so – strengthened my resolve that Jesus really is worth our everything.

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”

So I encourage you too, our wonderful prayer supporters, wherever God has placed you, to go “All In” for Christ’s sake, “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”. (Philippians 1:27-29)

Thank you, for with your prayers, you are striving together with us for the faith of the gospel in JAPAN! We are so grateful for your support, both financially and in prayer!

In closing, please pray for us as we begin our time in Fukuoka this week!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

That we adapt well and are content living “dorm-style” in our entrepreneurial share house in Fukuoka and that we exude Christ’s love there. So far, we’ve already met 4 male residents who speak enough English to have meaningful conversations with us! One of them will be attending a conference for startups in the SF Bay Area in December and we’re already planning to meet up! Ironically, last night it was relatively quiet and empty in the common lounge until about 9:30-11:00 pm – then it was a hopping place with several residents making dinner or late night snacks – with great opportunity for long conversations!

As we begin our time in Fukuoka this week with orientation and getting to know the Pioneers Launch Team missionaries, please pray that we would build strong relationships and community with the Pioneers Team, encouraging and supporting the long term missionaries and their children.

That IFES (InterVarsity) would have significant impact as they reach students for Christ on university campuses throughout Japan and for the leadership challenge of dealing with staff turnover and recruitment of new staff.

That we adapt better to the new language school in Fukuoka that we’ll start attending part-time on Oct. 2 and be able to balance language acquisition with relationship building and our other Pioneers-assigned tasks.

Trusting in His direction,

Ted & Suzanne