Tomorrow marks the final day of a two week long Second Language Acquisition course I have been taking in preparation for my future ministry in Japan! I am grateful for the way that God has challenged and encouraged me over the past few months that I have been zigzagging around the US for training. This chapter is coming to a close, and for the next few months I will be focused on wrapping up the last bit of support raising and working on saying quality goodbyes.
Once I get back to Olympia, I will be sending my initial application papers for my Certificate of Eligibility to my team leader in Japan--this is a significant step towards getting my long-term Visa to serve in Japan. Please keep this process in your prayers--I am a little bit under the wire as it can take up to three months for the Japanese government to process the COE, and I am hoping to be heading to Japan in just about that amount of time! Please pray that the process goes smoothly and quickly.
Recently I found out that language school in Japan was going to be much more expensive than I had initially budgeted for--actually twice as expensive! I also learned that I would need to put aside some money for a field vehicle. Because of these two major oversights in my initial budget, I have a significant shortfall in my one-time start-up costs. God has been faithful to provide for more than 96% of my ongoing monthly support, and I am trusting Him in faith for the rest of what I need to begin my ministry in Japan.
After more than a year and a half of support raising I am only a few months out from my departure to Japan! There will be a commissioning service for me at Turning Point Church in Lacey WA on the evening of August 9th! Everyone is invited--there will be an opportunity to pray for me and fellowship with others who are partnering to reach the Japanese with the Gospel through me.
After the 9th I will spend the next two weeks preparing for my move to Japan--Converge's policy is that the two weeks before deployment are to be used as personal time, to wrap things up well and prepare spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically for the huge transition about to take place. As part of my two weeks, I am hoping to spend about a week in Hawaii visiting with friends and resting--I am hoping to fly to Hawaii on or around the 18th and then onto Japan on or around the 25th. This will be my first time going to Hawaii, and I am looking forward to seeing many of my friends from college while there.
Finally, please pray for a smooth transition to Japan--there are a lot of moving pieces, pray for the Converge Japan team as they prepare for my arrival, and for all those at the home offices in Arlington Heights IL and Orlando FL that have different roles to play!
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