The Serve Asia Podcast

In this episode, Ailsa interviews David Robinson to talk all things mission, book writing and the changes that we can make through mission even in the UK. David talks about his life on the field in Thailand and Cambodia in a way that challenges us and encourages us to get involved.

Get your hands on a copy of David's book by clicking the link below.

https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781837280285/mud-bullets-and-open-roads-paperback

Have any thoughts of what you would like to hear on our podcast or any reflections off the back of this episode, let us know on instagram or by sending us an email.

[email protected]

@omf.uk

In Rose Dowsett's two new books, she shares stories of seeds planted in the Philippines and across Asia, as well as the changes over her lifetime that have transformed the way we do mission. Listen to our conversation to discover more about Rose, what drove her to write these stories, and what mission looks like today.

Get your own copy of Rose Dowsett's new books here:

https://uk.10ofthose.com/category/all?query=rose%20dowsett

In the final episode of "Uncovering Japan" on theServe Asia Podcast, host Chris Watts reflects on conversations with OMF workers during travel through Japan in 2025, asking what their stories mean for listeners.

He highlights that missionaries are ordinary people who feel fear and self-doubt, illustrated by AJ and a Japanese pastor agreeing to be "terrified together," and argues that fear can sit alongside obedience.

Stories from Liz, John and Birita Timothy, and others show that calling is often gradual--growing awareness of Japan's spiritual need (fewer than 1% Christian), prayer, counsel from church and OMF, and taking the next step, including "come and see."

Find out more –

5-minute prayer guide for Japan

 OMF Japan on Instagram

 Serve Asia trips to Japan

00:00 Welcome and Series Recap

01:18 The Question for You

01:59 Fear and Vulnerability

04:52 No Missionary Type

08:19 Calling One Step at a Time

12:42 Come and See Japan

13:24 Challenges and Isolation

15:20 Hope and Open Doors

18:22 How to Pray and Engage

20:44 Next Steps

Visit our website for resources and more information on OMF Japan⁠

John Newton Webb, a pastor in Sapporo, describes sharing the gospel with thousands over 15 years, yet seeing few baptisms, and admits the daily discouragement of expecting little response.

Others compare the experience to Jeremiah’s largely rejected ministry and emphasise living with “faith and faithfulness,” not measuring success by numbers, since God gives the growth. Workers highlight the importance of partnership and learning from Japanese Christians’ joyful perseverance, patience, respect for God, reflective worship, and valuing small churches and small steps.

Meg reframes fruitfulness as obedience, sharing a long-term conversion story tied to 2011 tsunami relief.

The episode concludes with John’s advice: “Do it for Jesus.”

Visit our website for resources and more information on OMF Japan⁠

00:00 Welcome and Recap

01:45 Slow Fruit in Japan

04:10 Jeremiah and Faithfulness

06:13 Faith Not Results

08:58 Partnership and Learning

09:59 Small Church Lessons

12:10 Persevering Japanese Faith

15:20 Beholding and Reverence

17:48 Fruitfulness as Obedience

23:35 "Do It for Jesus"

25:08 Next Episode trail

John Timothy in Hokkaido describes daily life and ministry as far more exhausting in Japanese, including praying and speaking about Jesus accurately. Liz and Mike, still struggle with language and understanding cultural reasons behind behavior after 15 years here, while AJ compares the transition to feeling “reborn as a baby,” describing frustration and humiliation when he can’t do familiar ministry tasks.

Workers also highlight cultural dynamics like honne and tatemae, making it hard to discern genuine interest, and a reluctance to correct mistakes, alongside common barriers like busyness.

Margaret and others reflect that these trials become “God’s sandpaper,” deepening humility and reliance on God’s work rather than performance.

Visit our website for resources and more information on OMF Japan⁠

00:00 Welcome

01:06 Why Language Exhausts

03:31 Feeling Like a Baby

05:38 Culture Honne and Tatemae

08:44 Busyness and Time Barriers

10:12 God Uses the Friction

10:42 Humbled Into Reliance

13:27 Trials and James 1

15:29 Next Episode and Farewell

Based on his first trip through Japan in late 2025 from Greater Tokyo to Sapporo, meeting OMF workers who partner with the Japanese church, Chris Watts hosts "Uncovering Japan".

He highlights the surprising need for cross-cultural Christian workers in a highly developed country of about 126 million, where only around 0.5% identify as Christian, and numbers may be shrinking. Conversations in Tokyo, Sendai, and beyond explore Japan's beauty, seasonal celebrations, safety, convenience, and reliability, as well as what drew OMF workers to come here: awareness of Japan's low gospel exposure, perceived loneliness and hopelessness, and places with no church.

Meg, Roz, AJ, and John describe their callings and challenges, including difficulty connecting with people and hidden issues in Japan, and the importance of prayer and partnership.

Visit our website for resources and more information on OMF Japan

00:00 Welcome to Uncovering Japan

01:40 Why Japan Needs Missionaries

03:03 Meg in Tokyo

05:07 What They Love About Japan

07:51 Why They Came to Japan

10:16 Stories From Roz and AJ

12:04 John's Call to Serve

13:52 Beneath Japan's Picture Postcard Image

17:24 Gospel Barriers and Apathy

19:22 Next Episode and Resources

Sounds from https://freesound.org/

Shinkansen announcements arriving in Sendai from Morioka by hoshisato -- https://freesound.org/s/822623/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Announcement train accelerating Tokyo japan next station Nihombashi  edlarez vsnr.wav by visionear -- https://freesound.org/s/624298/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Join Chris as his adventure in Vietnam continues. Today, we'll learn about Vietnamese coffee, piles of crunchy cashew nuts and how to cross a road filled with millions of motorbikes!

Welcome to Hanoi, where our adventure in Vietnam continues. Join Chris as he explores the history of Vietnam's capital city, sees wonderful water puppets, and tastes delicious Banh Mi. Chris even has a quick language lesson with 9-year-old Sophia.

Theatres sounds from: BR_045_VN_HanoiTheater.mp3 by kevp888 --https://freesound.org/s/440650/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Kids Exploring East Asia in Vietnam. Join Chris as he travels to the mountains of this wonderful country. Meet the Hmong, Nung, and Tay peoples. Discover two incredible creatures and venture into the world's largest cave Son Doong!

Draw a Pangolin Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpone4Y7OI8

Share your drawing with us by emailing to [email protected] or sending them to our Instagram @ServeAsiaPodcast

We continue our conversation with Rob and Dr G about what it looks like to live alongside Muslims in Southeast Asia and the UK. This time, our guests explore practical steps to help us go beyond just saying hello to genuine friendship. Discover how prayer, listening, and openness can transform everyday encounters into meaningful relationships.

Follow us and get in touch

Instagram: @ServeAsiaPodcast

Email: [email protected]