Serving with Cadence International

Beth Mabry

JANUARY

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

The fall and winter holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. Sometimes it makes me a little sad that it seems to fly by so fast. This year is no different, as the past few months have been quite the whirlwind!

This summer, Cadence leadership asked if I would leave Yokosuka to fill a staffing need in Okinawa. The couple currently doing student ministry on Kadena AB, will be taking a stateside home assignment this winter through the summer. Following their return to the field, I will remain in Okinawa and partner with them in ministering to students. My Cadence colleagues in Yokosuka will balance their time between students and adult ministry at the Lighthouse, so student ministry will continue.

I left Yokosuka the end of October, and I’ve spent time processing my current

transition, my thoughts are following suit with the holiday celebrations.

GIVING THANKSIt was bittersweet to close out my time in Yokosuka. It was my first time to start something from scratch and while I had plenty of stretching moments on many fronts, it was a sweet season of growth with the Lord. The timing of my move was a little unexpected, but God has made it abundantly clear that this transition came about in His time.

During my final youth group, students, volunteers, and parents shared words of encouragement with me. I’d like to share some of those words with you, as your prayers and giving have had a great impact on the ministry in Yokosuka. I regularly share with my students that I have a great team of people who pray and give to the ministry—you are an integral part

of this ministry, and these words of thanks are the fruit of your faithful partnership.

“Thank you for planting something in Yokosuka. Thank you for doing what God says, even when you could have been like Jonah, and not followed God’s directions.” Middle School student

“Thanks for having a youth group so that I have a place to make friends.” High School student

“Thanks for giving me an opportunity to lead and help with the worship team. It’s helped me discover that I’d like to teach music when I get out of the Navy.” Volunteer Sailor

“For me, youth group has been a place where I can fit in and belong. It feels like home and I’m comfortable here.” Middle School student

“Thanks for recruiting and investing in volunteers and teaching us what it means to love students well.” Parent and volunteer

“Thanks for teaching the Bible in a way that’s interesting and helpful.” Middle School student

“Thanks for supporting our family and helping us through a tough time. Thanks for listening and sharing words of encouragement and offering advice as we worked through some difficult family things.” Parent

“I don’t have a lot of friends and I often feel uncomfortable when I talk with people. But youth group has been a place that I feel comfortable at and have been able to make friends.” Middle School student

“Thanks for helping me understand the Bible.” Middle School student

“Thanks for pushing me to seek the Lord as I make decisions.” High School student

“Thanks for learning and remembering our names.” Middle School student

While it was sad to say goodbye to students and families, I was thankful to be able to hand off a healthy, growing, student ministry to Cadence colleagues. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to lay the groundwork for a student ministry, so others can step in and maintain the program, add to

2019Happy New Year

Yokosuka staff and student

Farewell prayer

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Contributions to Cadence International are tax-deductible so far as the law allows. While we attempt to honor the specific wishes of all donors, Cadence maintains complete discretion and control over the use of the donated funds and is authorized to redirect funds within the ministry.

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800.396.6680PO Box 1268 Englewood, CO 80150Cadence.org

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it, and grow it to continue to meet the needs of students in the community.

JOYFUL ANTICIPATION Moves are a lot of work! So much time and energy go into packing and closing out a community, only to have to unpack and get things all set up again. I’ve spent the past month apartment hunting, car shopping, figuring out how to pay utility bills, getting internet installed, learning how to use my way too high-tech Japanese washer, figuring out where to buy groceries, and how to sort my garbage . . . and I’m glad to say, that I’m getting closer to feeling settled everyday.

As these things begin to fall into place, I’m excited to turn my attention and energy more fully to ministry. I’ve spent some time talking with the Cadence Kadena team, and I’m so

encouraged by how God is currently working through them and I’m really looking forward to joining in. The team is made up of a couple doing adult hospitality house ministry, two gals doing singles ministry, and a couple doing student ministry. They are a great, dynamic group, and I’m incredibly blessed to begin partnering with them in reaching the Kadena community with the Gospel.

I’ve begun to learn names, chapel dynamics, and community needs. Over the coming weeks, I’ll learn the ins and outs of the student ministry, so once my ministry partners leave for their home assignment, I’ll be able to carry on in their absence.

Kadena is a large base, and in many ways, similar to Ramstein AB, Germany. I’ll return to doing student

ministry primarily on base and will have a more direct partnership with the base chapel. We have a youth building on base, complete with a cafe! Twice a week, the cafe is open for students to stop in, chat for awhile, play games, do homework, and build relationships. We have a weekly youth group meeting with

games, dinner, teaching, small groups and worship music. We’ve already begun preparations for spring retreats and events. It’s my prayer that all of these things will be opportunities to share experiences and life together—all the while pointing people to Jesus and equipping them to live out their faith in every endeavor.

NEW BEGINNINGSThis is my first time to move back to a place I’ve previously lived. And while it’s been over a decade since I’ve lived here (am I that old?!), it’s been so nice to return to the familiarity of the Air Force community and even run into some familiar faces that are still in the area.

The last time I was here, I was in college, living with my parents, and interning with the student ministry. It’s been fun to return to the place my Cadence journey began in a different life stage, and I look forward to seeing what God will do in and through me throughout this new chapter.

Thank you for journeying with me. Your prayers and support are such an encouragement to me. I look forward to our continued partnership, as we now minister to families in Okinawa! I can’t wait to share God sightings with you as we begin this new season.

For more frequent updates, please email me at Beth.Mabry@Cadence.org and I’ll add you to my e-updates! I also have a private Facebook group that I post to throughout the month.

Beth

MY NEW MAILING ADDRESS: Beth Mabry7-2-3 GoyaGreen Hill Mansion #301Okinawa-shi, Okinawa-ken, Japan 904-0021