Is it too soon to start missing home? Facebook is such a bad influence on me. I look at pictures, pages, statuses, and updates whenever I can, desperately wanting to be home to experience life with the people I love. Being away makes me foolishly think that my relationships are fading. I begin to feel like people are just moving on with their lives without me. Am I silly to think these things? Why am I feeling so insecure?
Despite all of these thoughts, I love Japan! God is growing my heart for this country. It amazes me how much has changed. A couple of years ago, I never imagined to come to JAPAN of all places to do mission work. When I signed up for KCM STSM my freshman year in 2009, Japan was LAST on my list. I never even thought of visiting because of my negative perception of this place. Then, one year ago, I was convicted in coming here when I simply prayed for Japan. Tears broke out for a country I had no compassion for. God called me to go to Japan, and now I'm here. Every time I pray for Japan and the people of this nation, I weep. The more I go preach the Gospel and realize that no one has heard this news, my heart aches for the lost. God is giving me His heart for Japan and I am finally finding my purpose here!!!!
I have been so blessed to find a couple of ladies to disciple at J-House. Keiko (Kay) is a new believer who found J-House by walking past it from work!! She started believing in Jesus through her psychology professor who isn't Christian! Isn't that so strange? That a non-Christian can bring another nonbeliever to faith????? They studied the Bible and Christianity together, and Kay has felt convicted ever since by the Gospel. She is so passionate and eager to learn. Hanna just started coming to J-House 2 weeks ago. She sat with us and decided to do lifebook together, and she absolutely loved it. She is a believer, but is looking for a church. She will be joining us every week as well. It's truly a blessing from God to be able to disciple people here. I struggled to find someone, but God opened doors for me and here I am now with a life group!!! Praise God!
This past Sunday, I had the most amazing Sunday of my life. The praise and sermon were awesome like always, but on top of that, God used me in a way I never imagined!!! Kanna (the girl who has been coming to J-House through street evangelism) and I were discussing with Pastor Katsuya where she was in her faith. We asked what her image of God was, and she said, "I believe God is really big." Then we asked where she was on a scale of believing/not believing. She was inches away from believing! After Pastor Katsuya left, I asked why she didn't fully believe in the Gospel yet. She said, "I am too sinful. I have too many sins in my past that I am ashamed of. I can't be forgiven." I was so shocked by her vulnerability and confession! Dang, God was setting this whole thing up for me already. I began to share with her that we all are sinners. We all have sins that we are greatly shameful of. Even though we all sin, the great news of the Gospel is that God has forgiven us for everything! We didn't deserve forgiveness, but God loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. We are cleansed from our sins because of Jesus Christ. We are forgiven from the sins of our past, present, and future if we accept this gift. I shared with her my testimony, struggles, and sins. I told her that I felt so ashamed at one point too. I asked myself the same question: How could I ever be forgiven? But Christ brought freedom into my life from all of these things!! It was not coincidence that we met Kanna. We could have decided not to go to the park that day, but we were there giving out flyers at the same time she was. I told her that I believed God planned for this exact moment. I came all the way from California to Japan to share this good news to her! That she is loved and forgiven by an awesome God. Suddenly, tears streamed down from her eyes and Shoko (my lovely translator) and I couldn't help but to cry with her, overwhelmed by God's grace and unfailing love for undeserving people like us. And it didn't stop there..! She began to cry even more, convicted to share her sins with us. She told us that she wanted to commit suicide in the past. She used to cut herself frequently because she never felt loved. I was filled with so much compassion for her. I felt God's heart for Kanna and told her that she is God's precious daughter and so loved by God no matter what she has done. By now, we were all bawling haha. We prayed together and the Holy Spirit was upon us. After she asked,"Can I join communion now?" HAHA. God is such a big and infinite God. And this big and infinite God loves us so unconditionally and graciously. This is my purpose in coming to Japan. In the beginning, I felt so weak and useless. I didn't know Japanese and people continued to reject me left and right. But this moment, this message, this soul, God orchestrated it all together. And God decided to use someone like me for His glory.
There are so many broken people like Kanna in Japan. People in Japan need the Gospel!!!! SO PUMPED!!! This week was such a GREAT week of ministry. I felt like I was on fire and I just wanted to share with everyone about JESUS! I didn't feel tired either! WOO HOO!
Writing this all out reminded me once again of my mission in Japan. God has given me a purpose to be here and I must not take any moment for granted. I am so anxious that people at home have already forgotten about me, but I desire for a Kingdom perspective, not an earthly one. I am forgiven and loved by the most perfect and holy God. I pray to find security in that.
IT'S FALL TIME~ WOOHOO!
Yakisoba I made! YuMmz!
Akiko, a friend of Pastor Katsuya from LA, came to visit! She took me out to eat when I was sick and stuck at home all day :) Yummy Udon!
so sickly, but the udon made me feel so much better! You dip the noodles in the eggs~
Aki! :) Such a great woman of God! I hope to see you sometime in LA!
She bought so takoyaki!! They sell this everywhere! Squid fried balls.
I LOVE BABIES!!!!
seriously, I'm in love. even if they pick their nose...ur still cute to me
the cutest little girl EVER. Shiina is such a boss.
But she is so cute.
I DIEEEEEE SLKFJDL!&$
HAHAHAHA cutie. SHe was webcamming with my phone to pick her nose!
Liz: What is that?
Shinna: Booger!
Maybe I'm a little obsessed, but this girl is so funny. That is her special seat she always goes to.
For dinner after service, we usually have a feast together. Kimchi Nabe! Basically kimchi jjigae. SO DELICIOUS!
Nabe!!! Basically like shabu shabu. so delicious.
Met up with ERINA!!! <3 She kept saying how weird it was to see me in Japan. Especially since 1 month ago we hung out in Irvine when she visited!
Erina SPOILED me for dinner. She took me to an Izakaya, where they sell a whole bunch of food and drinks. It was amazing.
Cheese berry drink!! It sounds weird, but it was SO GOOD!!
YUM! Cheesecake koala crackers ^_____^
Last Tuesday, we met the Philippines KCCC at Kangaku University! They are Korean, but they study in the Philippines. They came to Japan for 2 weeks and invited us to their "Korean Sayonara Party". So blessed to meet other Koreans in Japan. I missed Korean food and people so much. So sad we met them at their goodbye party :(
Silly Nia and Haeun!
They did a couple performances. I wish I got their fobby dance, but I only recorded them singing in Japanese...
Philippines KCCC singing in Japanese~
These girls are SO FUNNY and sweet! The FIRST thing the girl in the middle she says to me,"혹시 오빠 있으세요?" LOL
Funny dongsengs that encouraged me!!
Seriously, that girl on the right was the highlight of my night. I wish she can be my friend forever.
SCHOOL FESTIVALS AT THE UNIVERSITIES~!
KANGAKU UNIVERSITY:
My partner in crime :)
It was PACKED. AND INTENSe. People selling food everywhere and performing different things!
hahaha we met these girls by getting them to dance with us in the middle of campus while a dj was playing music. LOL they said, "You are so cool cuz you dance in public!" But we were able to give flyers and ask them to join our English program! new approach to doing ministry.
We got along well :) She looks like an anime character! She told me her whole hair is a wig! O__O
Free band concert! IT WAS FUN!!!! They were called Jamboree! Reminded me of my church b/c it is on Jamboree St.
So many talented dance groups performed!
I LOVE KIMI-CHAN!!! <3
DIIIS GUYYY...fellow Jesus Soldier named Chris from Canada
REiNdEeR?
A pirate!
Then the reindeer turned into this O___O why...?
KANDAI UNIVERSITY~
BEAUTIFUL fall leaves <3
JUSTIN!!!!!!!! is such a poo.
SAY NO TO DRUGS! is what the world says.
My NEW friend named Akane! She is so cute and hilarious! Eating fried shooed ice cream!
The video is shaky and will probably make you dizzy while watching it. And my voice is annoying. I'm sorry.
1/10000 of the 10,000 smiles posted around Kandai! We found our picture!!!!!!!!
Chris is upper left! Deoni is right below! Masahiro on right of me! WE ARE FAMOUS!!!! kinda..
Justin's video of us with our new friends!! They are so cute.
A present left at my door when I got home! Kimiko is so sweeeet!!! :') I love her<3 And her Korean is excellent. Finally trying what Sarah has been telling me to try in Japan!
CHURCH FOOD IS THE BEST! THis is my FAVORITE CHURCH MEAL ever. I also ate it my first SUnday. I'm going to make this when I go back to the states.
SHOPPING TRIP to TENNOJI with Kanna, Shoko, and Chelsea!
At UNIQLO! with Kanna :) She helped me pick out a top. She's so cuuuute I love her <3
At Tully's drinking some coffee~
We got the same drinks~ T's Tea! Caramel soy milk tea latte!
I went to the cutest omurice restaurant EVER. CUTness EVERYWHERE. I wish I took more pics of the place. Delicious omurice too!
I am getting fatter.
They have the best vending machines in Japan. ICE CREAM vending machines *____*
LOL Ohta with his Hello Kitty HoBBANG/dumpling! His version of "cute" hahaha
With a new Japanese friend! And Jaeyoung, a Korean missionary, came to visit and help out behind Chris!
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