Almost exactly a year ago from today I was spending the night at the airport in Seoul, South Korea. The next day my World Race squad and I would get on a plane and land in Osaka, Japan.
I remember that night so well… mainly because I couldn’t sleep. The whole airport was dead silent and I tried to fashion a somewhat comfortable bed out of plastic chairs next to a huge window overlooking the runway. I was buzzing with excitement about finally getting to visit Japan, even though I had no idea what was in store for me. In my journal that night I prayed boldly, “God I pray that this month is life-changing,” not even really knowing what specifically I hoped for or expected.
By the end of the month I realized that God had given me a unique heart and passion for the people of Japan. And I had this unshakeable notion that Japan would somehow come to play a bigger part in my life. I began praying almost constantly that God would give me more clarity about this, and that He’d provide a way for me to go back.
(Posing at Minoh Falls, Osaka, while Dustin takes one of his signature selfies)
At the same time I was praying this, I was incredibly nervous. I was praying that God would bring me back to a country that I loved, but that also meant I’d be sacrificing the comforts and familiarity of life in my own country for an unknown amount of time. As the Race came closer and close to ending, this reality starting setting in more and more.
Despite my fears and hesitations, when I came home from the Race I began actively pursuing this dream. I started stumbling my way through learning Japanese and praying more about how and when specifically God might bring me back to Japan.
Within two months of being home, those prayers were answered!
In September I was accepted to do a three month volunteer internship in Sanda, Hyogo, Japan, in mid-January to mid-April of next year with Peter and Wendi Thomson through Sunrise International Ministries.
So I’ll be spending three months in Sanda teaching English classes, continuing to learn Japanese, and learning from Peter and Wendi how to engage in relational outreach by participating in youth ministry, women’s ministry, and lots of activities and events within the community. I’m excited for all the new friends I’ll make there, as well as the opportunities I’ll have to show and tell people more about Jesus.
Oh yeah, did I mention the coolest part?? I’ll be working alongside two of my World Race squadmates, James and Allana! They’re amazing, and I seriously feel the luckiest to get to work with them again.
A few of my personal goals for these three months in Japan are to continue growing in the passions and skills God has given me and to pray about whether or not I’ll go back to Japan after the internship to pursue teaching and ministry long-term.
Please pray for me as I continue to prepare for January. I’m so excited about this new journey, but I know I can’t do it alone! (Stay tuned for details on fundraising…)
I’m going to be starting an email group where I’ll be updating everyone more in depth through pictures and stories about the preparation process as well as what day to day life is like in Japan. I’ll also be including specific prayer requests so you’ll know how you can be praying for me. So please comment below with your email address and I’ll add ya to the list!
Thank you for reading and I hope this has encouraged you that God cares deeply about the dreams and desires He’s given us!
