Well, it's finally about that time! The last couple of weeks have been a flurry of packing, shopping, classes, praying, preparing classes, a little more shopping, a lot more classes... yeah, it's been somewhat of a whirl wind! But after reaching my own limit and crying out to God, I've found that He gives strength, wisdom and direction for every day, and even in the midst of all that craziness, I was still packed (well, at least mostly packed) for three trips five days in advance!!
I think I mentioned before how I had prayed for some more private students. Well, God answered that prayer and I went from 4 private students last year, to 19 this year!! :o So it seems that every spare minute is spent either teaching or preparing to teach! It's been a good kind of challenging though. I still often feel extremely frustrated at not being able to do more than just "teach English"... I want so desperately to share the gospel with each of these students but still hit some kind of wall. Not sure whether it's just me, timing, spiritual opposition or what. Although sometimes I do have a small opportunity to share a testimony or something, usually I just get into teaching English and end up focusing on that. But if you all would agree with me in prayer for a breakthrough in that area, I'd appreciate it!
Tomorrow morning, June 13th, I leave for a week in Tokyo! It's the annual "summer trip" for our junior and senior high school students. We'll be driving up on Thursday (I will helping drive the "luggage van"... so please pray for safety on the road!!)... it should be about an eight hour drive. Friday, we're planning to go hiking on Mt. Fuji!! We won't be climbing to the top (bummer!) but I'm still pretty excited about it!! Saturday and Monday we'll be sightseeing in Tokyo. On Sunday we're going to Calvary Chapel, supposedly the biggest church in Japan... the kids will be singing a special there and we'll also get to take part in a youth fellowship in the afternoon! I think we're visiting another church school on Tuesday, and driving back home on Wednesday. Please pray for the trip... for safety, wisdom, and for God to work in each of our lives through this trip!
I'll get back from Tokyo just in time to leave for Africa!!! Thankfully, I do have one day in between that to unpack, wash clothes and repack! On Friday, I fly to Chicago where I'll spend two days at my sister's house. Then on Monday, June 24th, I'll meet up with my Dad, sister, and two others and we'll fly to Malawi!! We change planes in Amsterdam... so in one weeks time I'll be in four different continents! I honestly can't even imagine what kind of jet lag that will bring!! You can pray for me!
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the month we have in Malawi. We'll be traveling to different churches all across the country and holding pastors and church leaders training seminars. I'm not sure what I personally will be doing, but probably sharing in song and testimony at the meetings, helping out with the kids, and just in general being available for WHATEVER God gives me each day to do! I really want to be sensitive to His voice and leading, and pray that He would use us in a powerful way. I pray that He would anoint us to "preach good tidings to the poor; heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound!" (Isaiah 61:1) That He would confirm His word with signs following. I'd appreciate your prayers for traveling mercies, health, safety, unity, wisdom and guidance as well!
On July 25th, we head back to another mission field of sorts, home! Already this summer is filling up with family reunions, youth camp, VBS, and more! I'll have about four weeks in the states, before heading "home" to Japan again, where the journey continues... :)
I pray that God will bless your summer as well, wherever your journey may take you!
