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View Blargh
Things have been going very well so far. I spent the last two days in the Kansai area: one day in Osaka and one day in Kobe. I met two of my friends from 2002 and they were telling me how happy they were that I helped teach them English over 2 years ago. As a result of that time, they have built strong friendships with each other (otherwise they never would have met) and with the church there. One girl, Miyako, has been participating in the church's hand bell program and will be performing with them this Christmas. Please pray for her time at the church and that the church can continue ministering to her and that one day she will come to know Christ. The other girl, Takako, hopes to come to America in the future either to visit or to find a job. She has expressed interest in coming to Chicago to visit so hopefully everyone at Bethel will be able to meet her. She is very accepting of the church and Christianity but has not been to church much since I last saw her. Please pray that God would continue working in her heart. I was also introduced to some other Japanese who were looking forward to practicing English with me. We had a fun dinner and I hope that one day I can return and spend more time with them. This morning I returned to Tokyo to begin the formal ministry here. So far I have been helping the audio/video team to prepare recording equipment for some of the sessions and also contributing to the opening video for the conference. I have also learned that the registration numbers are up to 500 people, which includes over 100 children. Please continue to pray for the final preparations before the conference and for the childrens programs that other members of the team are preparing for. Also, some of you may be thinking that I left for Japan earlier than expected. If so, you'd be correct. I changed my trip so that I could spend an entire two weeks here and make the most of my time. I wanted to share with you some of the things that happened as a result of this decision and I hope it will be an encouragement and a reminder that God is the one in control. I made the decision to change my trip just 2 weeks ago (10/20) so I could spend time with my friends in Japan and help with preparations for the conference. I decided to order a Japan Rail Pass which would get me unlimited access to all public train systems. The pass was supposed to arrive the following week, which was fine because I was scheduled to work from home that week. The next day at work, two things happened. First, I got assigned to a project in Milwaukee for the following week which means I wouldn't be able to receive my pass. Second, after telling my company I wanted two weeks off, they said that would be a problem (I've only been employed there for one month). The HR department was concerned since I had not earned any vacation yet and did not qualify for a leave of absence. They told me I couldn't take two weeks off and that I needed to have a personal discussion with my manager. After that, I was pretty distraught about the whole situation. First, I was worried that if I was in Milwaukee, I would not be able to receive my rail pass. Second, I was worried that I might end up losing my job. I tried to calm down and read my BODs (small group) assignment, which was the chapter on Joy from The Practice Of Holiness, but I was so worried that I couldn't concentrate. Then, I came to the section that reminded me that no matter what, we need to be thankful to God. I remembered Philippians 4:6-7 and decided to stop reading and to start praying. I thanked God for everything He had provided for me and asked for "...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding..." As I continued reading the chapter, I was also reminded me that God is always in control and that He will never give us more than we can handle. No matter what happens, we should always be joyful simply because we know Him. As I sat on the train and pondered these things, I made a decision: no matter what happens, I would follow God's will and go to Japan. If I had to, I would give up my job, sell my new car and give up my worldly desires just to go to Japan for two weeks. I also decided that in preparation for my trip, I would fast for one week on juice and broth alone. When I got off the train, I only had one worry left; what to do about the rail pass that I wouldn't be able to receive. Then, as I walked up my driveway I saw something on my door. It was a delivery slip! My pass had arrived after just 2 days instead of a week! I was filled with joy at this little sign that God really was in control and I thanked Him for the peace and joy and reassurance He had given me. Believe it or not, this is the short version, so to make a long story slightly less long, I met with my manager the next day and told him how strongly I felt about Japan. As a result, he gave me approval to take a leave of absence. I also found out that the Milwaukee project didn't need me for the two weeks that I wanted off, so that fit perfectly into my travel schedule. Every day, God reminds me that if you put His kingdom first, everything else will fall into place. I must go meet another friend for dinner now. I am continually amazed by God's grace and I hope you are as well. Thanks for reading and God bless! Posted 11/04/2004 05:19 AM in Uncategorized | Total Comments: (9) Link To This Blargh Comments
qLyXwtOsFxVRUtakksD Great hammer of Thor, that is powerfully heplful! Submitted by ssesrkGrVBHy on 08/26/2011 02:15 PM UEFedPuXXZPBN oh yes, Submitted by rzsBhgBQc on 03/13/2012 02:03 AM oKSkPspFDMGLH oh yes, Submitted by LBDIXJojbBr on 03/13/2012 03:08 PM tnEUEOAdTocoeO hehaha, Submitted by DrMxEvUt on 03/14/2012 01:11 PM uFizgjRkuvWQpTU oh boy, Submitted by CBopmUUgayVfIef on 05/06/2012 05:53 AM XgHGUmXWZMGx hehaha, Submitted by ciucmuFinzze on 05/09/2012 01:37 AM aTPtfLUVWznOMCwJz hehaha, Submitted by xfRtjLnyIdkYmzZwNW on 06/20/2012 01:48 AM VPhfhhENvLKqlOK wowzers, Submitted by lEuQeDFUi on 06/23/2012 07:24 PM LnLLhwfxoeRlFBO oh yes, Submitted by WBWNDIYegxEqCMYHHU on 09/06/2012 08:18 AM Add Comment
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