I'm goin' to Japan, I'm goin' to Japan

September has seen me a little discouraged and a little frustrated, but also blessed richly by our faithful Father. There wasn't much that I could do this month because most of it was spent waiting for some silly (but curiously essential) papers for my visa. God continued to bless my fundraising efforts -- I am now very close to my goal of $1600 per month. The Cheyenne Church of Christ generously provided the $2000 I needed for travel and other start-up costs with a special contribution at the beginning of the month; I also have received a little over $1400 in monthly donations and pledges.

I had many opportunities to spend time with my christian family here in Cheyenne this month. I have been supported and encouraged immeasurably by the family here, and they have joined with me in rejoicing that God has revealed his perfect timing in making it possible for me to leave for Japan very soon. Over the next few weeks I will be traveling and visiting family and friends from Wyoming to Indiana. I will leave my car (and most of my worldly possessions) with my mother in Indiana and will depart for Sendai from there. I will be leaving Cheyenne on the 8th of October and hope to be flying to Japan sometime before the end of the month. [side note: if you are living somewhere along the way, I would love to see you before I leave the states, if possible -- so please email me or give me a call.]

When I arrive in Japan I will be living with Debi, who has been working in Sendai for one year. Even though Crimsen will not be with us, I will be doing the same kind of work that we were originally planning for me. We have decided that I will be able to get the guidance and support that I need, so I am still able to continue with my plan to work in Sendai for one year. I will be doing some one-on-one English and Bible studies and also working with some group activities and classes, as well as studying the Japanese language and culture.


Please pray . . .

~a prayer of thanksgiving that God has opened a door for me to serve him in Japan.

~a praise to God for the love shown by his children in Cheyenne, who have taken on the task of being my sponsoring congregation and have opened their homes and their hearts to me over the past two months.

~for Crimsen's mother, Shelley, as she begins her chemotherapy treatments and for her family as they support and encourage Shelley and one another.

~for safe travels over the next few weeks as I visit family and, ultimately, travel to Sendai.

~that God will open the hearts of the people in Sendai, so that they can hear of his amazing love.