Tokyo has an extensive train system. It was really intimidating the first time I saw it, but after a month I am feeling pretty comfortable with it and my Japanese is enough that I can ask for help to get where I'm going, need be. Carol and I have about an hour commute, each way, everyday with one transfer at Akihabara. Well, it so happens that we heard of a short cut- if we would take the orange line, transfer at Tokyo station to blue, and then transfer at Akihabara as usual. So we decided to find out one day how much faster it was by each taking a different route leaving Kawasaki station at the same time. I took the slow way, so you can imagine my surprise when I stood up on the train at Akihabara to transfer and was suddenly face-to-face with Carol!!! What are the odds- of all the trains (a new one comes every 3-5 minutes), and of all of the cars on the trains, that we'd be on the same one, headed for the same exit! We didn't see each other before because it was so crowded. So much for a short cut!
Also, I learned yesterday that a former VYM missionary here, Heidi, who married a Japanese pastor, is from Antigo, where my spectacular friend Elizabeth (newly engaged!!!) lives. Not only that, but Heidi's father was also Elizabeth's 8th grade teacher and they attended the same church growing up. What a small world!
I was also so blessed this week to receive notice from the Northwest district that they have decided to give me a $1000 grant toward my $14,000 of needed support. Praise God! What a test of faith this support raising is; I have been blessed so much more than financially through it- it is hard to explain. I think that it blesses me so much an encourages my faith and purpose here to know that people are not only thinking of me, but actively seeking to make it possible for me to stay here and continue in this work.
This last weekend was also my first typhoon! It happened while I was at a church in Sugimami, helping out with their kid's day (outreach event that links children from the language school and their parents to the church families to build relationships and share Christ's love). He were pelted with rain for hours and the winds were so strong- they blew the rain everywhere, in all directions; I didn't know which way to hold by umbrella to keep the water away. The following day though was so beautiful and clear... and warm (probably in the upper 70s). And I got my first glimpse of Mt. Fuji too! It was so beautiful; surrounded by blue mountain peeks, it rose above them in a tall and majestic white cone. It is world renowned for being an almost perfectly shaped volcanic mountain dome, although it is inactive now.
Also, I learned yesterday that a former VYM missionary here, Heidi, who married a Japanese pastor, is from Antigo, where my spectacular friend Elizabeth (newly engaged!!!) lives. Not only that, but Heidi's father was also Elizabeth's 8th grade teacher and they attended the same church growing up. What a small world!
I was also so blessed this week to receive notice from the Northwest district that they have decided to give me a $1000 grant toward my $14,000 of needed support. Praise God! What a test of faith this support raising is; I have been blessed so much more than financially through it- it is hard to explain. I think that it blesses me so much an encourages my faith and purpose here to know that people are not only thinking of me, but actively seeking to make it possible for me to stay here and continue in this work.
This last weekend was also my first typhoon! It happened while I was at a church in Sugimami, helping out with their kid's day (outreach event that links children from the language school and their parents to the church families to build relationships and share Christ's love). He were pelted with rain for hours and the winds were so strong- they blew the rain everywhere, in all directions; I didn't know which way to hold by umbrella to keep the water away. The following day though was so beautiful and clear... and warm (probably in the upper 70s). And I got my first glimpse of Mt. Fuji too! It was so beautiful; surrounded by blue mountain peeks, it rose above them in a tall and majestic white cone. It is world renowned for being an almost perfectly shaped volcanic mountain dome, although it is inactive now.
I also was blessed with the opportunity to write the Bible study for kid's day. The theme was Luke 15- the lost and found parables. It was wonderful to be able to write and help lead a Bible study again- I really miss it! I'm really looking forward to doing it again once I'm placed at my church site and teaching English. It was a unique challenge to have the added challenge of communicating a message to people of a different culture and altogether different mindset. I've learned so much already- but know I've so much more to learn in order to share my faith in a helpful and effective way. But most important in all of this, is my reliance upon the Spirit and trust in His work in conversion and the kindling of faith.
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