Heyo fam!
Happy day! This month is loaded with updates but let's cut to the quick.
Here's the summary of one month in a series of bullet points:
My parents made it through Covid, are back to work and on the mend HALELUJAH.
I was able to make a trip to tour Michigan and Ohio, Great Lakes District (GLD) churches included Toledo Chinese Alliance Church (TCAC), 1st Alliance Church in Toledo, Monroe Alliance Church, Riverwood Church, Bridge Community Church, and Scio Community Church. Ice Cream was the bait and missions was the catch.
I was commissioned at General Council in Nashville, TN. This was probably the highlight of my month. But it was all so good, I don't even know what to say!!! I will attach a link to the service below if you are interested in watching it.
Praise Report: My Certificate of Eligibility came through and I can officially apply for my visa!!! Praise the LORD!!! Thank you for all who have been praying, please continue as we go through the 2nd half of this process.
I found out my funding goal was 1k less a month than I had originally thought. I am currently at ~$1500/month with a goal of $2050/month.
I reconnected with many old friends and made new ones between touring the GLD and General Council. I haven't hugged this many people in one go in over a year.
I got to meet many of my new teammates for Japan and connect with them at General Council
I reconnected, maybe even "re-met" an old and dear friend who was lost to me for over 3 years. I had feared some of the worst for her and heard from her for the first time and am now able to walk with her once again!
And now I am with my dearest, darling, most wonderful, sweet and absolutely the best Grand-MaMa the world could ever ask for.
All in all a good month. This did not need to be a bullet point, but it is now.
A Little More Detail
I am getting close to closing the gap to getting to Japan. We are getting there fam. I am just filled with so much joy and enthusiasm coming out of general council (yes, even the business sessions that seem such a drag, but are filled with the spirit inasmuch as the teaching sessions are). Seeing so many friends, making so many memories, and having the blessing of being blessed at that I may be a blessing to the ends of the Earth is something that is hard to put into words. Humbled and reminded of that original surrender of my all to God, my whole heart, my whole life, my whole destiny belonging to him, I am finally standing at the edge of the jumping point.
Through this past month of travel, revelation and connections, God has made it increasingly evident that he has some great work he wants to do in Japan (as if it wasn't obvious before) but it is so much more as I find you all coming behind this mission, some passionately beyond my expectation. He is working in great, and even hysterical ways at bringing people onboard this mission to Japan.
I was approached after being commissioned on the stage by one woman. She told me her daughter was watching at home and said "Who's the girl getting sent rocking the vans?! We gotta support her! Can you find her?" "Um... Because of her shoes?" "No. You don't get it. She's one of US!" It was quite a humorous interaction and thing to hear for sure, but appreciated nonetheless. God is stirring hearts for Japan. This was made even more clear hearing the hearts of my new teammates the Briehls, Trans, Nelsons, Schaeffers, and Heirs in Japan and the work God is doing in and around them.
It doesn't stop there. Like I mentioned, God was clearly at work in the hearts of my brothers and sisters of the GLD. I had the privilege to preach and speak at quite a few new churches. One of the highlights of this was getting to meet in person those I had been ministering to over zoom for Sunday school for the past few months at TCAC, reconnect with my GLD Alliance Ladies (sadly I did not bring a water gun this time), connect with a young adults group for lunch at Monroe to answer questions, have ice cream with my Bridge and Riverwood fam, and to share the heart of God for Japan every stop of the way. I am so happy I got to connect with you all on this journey in the past month!!!
Looking Forward
This next month is one of much greater simplicity!
I am applying for my Visa now that I have my Certificate of Eligibility. Pray that this second half of the process is carried out completely.
I have now begun my 6 week training on language and cultural acquisition. Pray that goes well. It seems like a lot of work, but I am thoroughly enjoying it so far
I am beginning to meet with my Alliance fam in the New England area. sadly a few of my visits had to be delayed so long due to the covid situation in my family. I am happy to finally meet with them!!!!!!!
In the second week of July I travel to Colorado for Pre-Field Orientation (PFO)
I get to spend some good old quality time with friends and family in MA with lots of puppy cuddles!
Keep me in prayer Fam! Let me know what's going on in your life too. And remember Rev. 7:9-10. Keep praying for the ends of the Earth that we can worship together someday before the throne!
Love you all!!!
Photo creds to mah boi PJ Barner, some fam at council that shared a pic with Amy Nehlsen, Anna Albert, Hazel Schaeffer, and little ol' me.
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