I have had at least 10 bug bits here already. It's insane, how mosquitos love me so much. I don't even know what it is. Maybe because I am pale? or my blood is sweet? WHO KNOWS. But I get a new one every week. My old bites get less itchy and start to heal, but the next day, I find another itch maybe on my inner thigh or on my right toe. There's always another itch to get rid of and heal from. I finally decided to do something about it and bought some bug spray. Praise the LORD! It has worked for me, but yesterday I forgot to spray and I got another one on my foot...
Throughout this past month in Japan, God has been constantly revealing my sins. I think that I struggle with one thing and I feel like I'm starting to overcome it, but then I sin again. I fall into temptation again. I fail again. And it's irritating. It's like an itch that doesn't go away. AND you know, the more you scratch, the worse it gets. But when I make an active decision not to scratch, the itch goes away. When I read the Word and do something about it, I protect myself from Satan. I guard myself from sin. I have realized how persistent we need to be in order to fight sin. It takes prayer after prayer, discipline after discipline, and it doesn't ever end. We need to always be on guard to fight temptation.
I am so selfish and prideful. I didn't realize the extent of my selfishness and pride till I got here. My thoughts wander and I find myself comparing and doubting. I need to actively fight sin!!! All day every day.
It has been a blessed month so far. J-House is amazing. I love worshiping here with my Japanese brothers and sisters. There is a great sense of community, love for the Gospel, and discipleship here. God is working in this church! God is moving in Japan. It makes me miss my church back at home. I miss Irvine Onnuri. Our church isn't perfect, but God has been faithful throughout the 9+ years I've been there. People have come and gone, but I have grown to love the ministry because of God's provision. I pray that these next 5 months in J-House will disciple and equip me to be a bigger blessing at Onnuri.
God is powerfully working in our ministry. I am learning to submit to Jesus and do whatever He has called me to do. Since my time here is limited, I have a greater urgency to see someone saved. But if this doesn't happen, I feel like I failed. God is humbling me to understand that it is not out of my own strength or ability to bring someone to Christ. Ministry is not about the number of people saved, but about my obedience and faithfulness to God. I am reminded that whatever I do, whoever I share the Gospel to, that seed is being sown. And God is pleased. Through street evangelism, God revealed to me that it's all through His power. How can one flyer bring someone to church? 3 people came to J-House the following Sunday. One girl named Kanna has been consistently and eagerly coming out to Sunday and Wednesday worship. I am so blown away when she shares with me how she came and what God is doing in her heart. PRAISE GOD!
I am learning to be more intentional with students during campus ministry. In the beginning, I just wanted the students to like me. I wanted to be friends with them, so I made great relationships. However, I became more fearful of sharing the Gospel. What if they don't want to be friends anymore? But I was reminded that ministry is all about proclaiming the Gospel and being rejected for JESUS. Through prayer, God has given me the confidence to share the Gospel with different students. Most have rejected, but this is ministry! It amazes me how so many Japanese people do not know about Jesus. When I talk with them about the Gospel, they often say, "That's not normal for Japanese people." Japanese people need the GOSPEL! In America, most people have heard the news, but choose to reject. Japanese people just have never HEARD it. I couldn't believe this! This good news must be shared. I trust that God is working here in Japan. Most of the people at J-House became believers through the ministry we are doing. I believe God will save souls in Japan.
16 "For from hhis fullness we have all received, igrace upon grace." (John 1: 16)
We are blessed with "grace upon grace". THAT blows my MIND. We not only received grace, a free gift that we did not deserve, but also received MORE grace. How forgetful I am of this good news! God has given us so much more than we've ever needed. And I easily complain about what I don't have in my life. There is no end to the grace given to us.
So, how should we respond to such an Amazing Grace?
Come to Japan. heheh just playing.
"But seek first his kindgom and his righteousness, then all these things shall be given to you." (Matthew 6:33)
Lastly, I would just like to say, THANK YOU to all my supporters, family, and friends! You don't understand how much it has meant to me throughout this whole month. My family has been so loving and caring, calling me almost every day and sending me packages and love. My church- especially the pastors and fellow staff I serve with, you all have supported me so much through finance and prayer. I am so excited to hear what God is doing in our ministry at home. What a joy it is to have the support of the Church! And my other friends, who have sent me emails, financial support, and updates, I am so encouraged. Thank you for being a part of this mission with me. I am so blessed to be in your prayers and thoughts. I am thankful for my mentor Sarah Matsui,who prepared me for this whole trip. She has encouraged and challenged me in ways I cannot even imagine. Thank you for all your love and wisdom in my life. I'm also thankful for my girl friends back at home. It encourages me so much that I have sisters in Christ whom I can grow with for LIFE. And to update each other weekly of our struggles and joys. It's easy to feel alone here, but they remind me that I'll always have their support and love, even when we become ahjummahs with kids. Finally, I'm so thankful for my boyfriend Peter. He deals with all my complaints, emotions, and struggles, but he has been so patient with me. Thank you for always pointing me back to the cross and leading me to love Christ.
What a JOY it is to be in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ!!!!!!!!
Love ya'll. <3
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I make this stuff often. UDoN<3
J-House Welcome Team~!
My lovely GT group!!! LOVE ThESE GIRLS!!!
Okonomiyaki!! Osaka's most famous food! like a Japanese pancake! SO GOOD!
Off to our date~ my voice is ANNOYING.
Eating Crepes~ Yui, Kimiko, Mayumi!
Shoko, Liz, Heesung~
we took sticky pics!!! They make your eyes look so big lol
Pastor Katsuya took me and Chelsea out for lunch! @ Monsoon Cafe~! All you can eat THAI restaurant O__O So thankful for this meeting :)
People ride bikes everywhere! RIGHT when a bird pooed on my hand...no joke
We do disciplebook together :) So blessed by these girls!!! Chelsea and Mirei <3
I love going to campus with Kimi-chan <3
Falling in love with a beautiful God <3 I love my free days.
THE BEST DRINK EVER!!! MATCHA GREEN TEA MILK!!!! New item in Japan. Seriously my dream come true *__*
Green tea lattes at the convenient store!!! SO GOOOD!!!
With some new friends at Kangaku! We got along with them really well. I hope we can meet them again.
Cheesecake icecream bar!!
Babysitting the little cute babies at the park!
bomb salmon bowl at convenient store. <3
w/ shoko :)
w/ heesung unnie :)
BOMB ramen!!! <3
At Kangaku with my new boots (from my sister <3 )
HAHA we found some persimmons on our way to campus and we wanted to eat it. couldn't reach so we decided to do something about it.
went to COSTCO in Japan!!! so awesome. reminds me of aMERica
FINALLY Saturday!!! free day ^___^ My first week here was the longest week of my life. But this week went by in a blink of an eye! At the same time, it's only been 2 weeks here so far. I am finally adjusting to living in Japan! I know my all time favorite phrases to get me around:
"Shisukani shinasai"=shut up
"Toilet doko desu ka?"= where is the bathroom?
"Itgu"= let's go
"Doko ni iku no?"= where are we going?
"Onaka suita"= I'm hungry
"Sotski"=liar
"Tsukareta"=I'm tired
"Wakaranai"= I don't know
"Daijobu?"= are you okay?
Ok honestly, I looked back at my notes for some words, but I have improved way more than the 1st day!!! Week 2 was definitely more challenging than the first. I am being worked here! Even though it's exhausting sometimes, I already feel God chiseling away my fatty laziness and making me fit for His kingdom. Waking up for morning prayer and staying awake for the whole thing has been a waging war with my flesh. Through this whole process, I have realized more and more of my lack of discipline back at home. I read the Bible or prayed whenever it was convenient and comfortable. Sometimes, I wouldn't set aside any time for the Lord.
It hit me this past Wednesday when I went over a lesson called, "Priorities in Life!", in a disciple book with Justin, Chelsea, and Mire.
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him tdeny himself and utake up his cross vdaily and follow me.
In Luke 9:23, Jesus commanded that anyone who wanted to be His disciple must sacrifice all the selfish desires of himself and take up his cross daily. The cross back in Jesus time meant sacrifice or death. Taking up our cross daily simply means that we must DIE to ourselves every single day. We give our whole lives to God. We make Him a priority. How? We seek Him daily through reading His Word and praying. We set aside a time for the Lord because He's worth it. We commit to our responsibilities with joy because it's all for the glory of God. I've heard this numerous of times. "Read the Bible and pray~!" And I'm pretty sure many of you already know wassup. But how many of us actually DO it every day AND with the right heart? If we want to be followers of Christ, we MUST read His Word and pray daily. Through the Word and prayer, we are able to lift up our burdens and selfish desires to God, dying to ourselves and living for Christ. I know a lot of us get lazy doing it, but without it, it's impossible to be a follower of Christ.
I have been adjusting to sleeping and waking up early almost every day of the week to spend time with the Lord, but my heart sometimes isn't in the right place. Yesterday was the most tired I have been to morning prayer. I was even knocking out while we were singing worship songs standing up O__O. The one thing on my mind: CAN'T WAIT TILL 8 AM TO FINISH AND GO SLEEP! And also, yesterday was the most difficult day of ministry. I just wanted to eat, then go back home. I was supposed to meet up with 2 girls I met last week at Kandai, but I failed miserably. I searched for them "everywhere", then I realized I lost my small make up bag, so I ran miles to find it. FAILED, so I came back, finally found the girls, but it was time for them to go to class. Little did I know that they were eating RIGht In FrONT OF US the WHOLE time, but I was so oblivious!!!! AND I found my bag in my back pack ^___^' Why did I have such a clumsy day yesterday? b/c I am clumsy and my heart was in the wrong place. It's easy to get distracted here. Even though there's a lot of work to do, I'm living so comfortably with internet access, great food, air conditioning-- Japan's got it all. My experiences in the mission field have only been in 3rd world countries where we labor and toil all day, building houses and getting dirty. At times, I forget I'm on a mission trip. But this morning I went into deep thought and reminded myself that we're ALL on a mission. Pastor Katsuya was born and raised in Japan, but he is also on a mission here in Japan- to win souls for God's kingdom. Japan needs Jesus. We are all called to make disciples. I pray that I would work my butt off and strive for this mission every day.
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Pastor Katsuya's mother gave me a birthday present!! :') SO sweeet of her!!! A kimono, baggy , card, and $$!!!! So thankful :)
CHURCH FOOD IS BOMB!!!! It's a tomato based sauce similar to curry with onions and beef ^___^
I babysat on Sunday. This is Luna! SHe's 1/2 Brazilian 1/2 Japanese. She usually has no expression, but I got her to smile hehe she's adorable!!!
This is Motohi!!! He's the cutest little boy ever. Dancing to Gee by SNSD <3
OTAH....did it again
LOL presents I found on my phone
Masahiro's turn...
Some J-House people cooked yakisoba for my birthday :') we had a FEAST!!!
Shoko surprised me and brought me so many goodies!! I told her I needed some oatmeal and moisturizer, so she bought all these things for me :') so thoughtful of her!
Kimi-chan!! My ev partnaaa :)
LOL Masamune, one of our SPEAK students knits a scarf during our session. so cute hahahah
Stephen Kim.
Mimi invited us to eat dinner at her place!!! So sweet of her <3
Mimi is AMAZING! She is fluent in Japanese and has such a beautiful heart!
Chelsea~ us noobies stickin' together
Ran into Mr. KFC on the way lifesize lolz
On our way to Kongaku again~ Kimiko<3
This is how we do ministry. lol Nia is bold.
Babysitting again for Wednesday Power Worship! But I had it so easy. Pastor Katsuya's crazy kids knocked out during worship hahaha
HAHA shoko slept over again and we did face masks...heh we so kawai
Mina is SOO cute I can't believe she's not married yet. She bought me a belated birthday present :')
Ministry at Kandai. We met Thomas and Satoshi yesterday! They were so funny and cute!!! They promised to come to J-House so hope to see them more often :)
