harvestful

After some digestion…(Japan final post!)

- August 24 -

It’s been about two weeks now since our team left Toyohashi, Japan, and I wanted to share a little of what God did and how he blessed me in Japan.  I tried to keep it as short as I could by giving highlights of each of our ministries, but God did so much, so forgive me if its kind of long!

English Classes

I taught two adult beginner English classes (one in the morning and one in the evening) with students ranging in age from 40-73.  The assignment for the final class was to bring in a picture of your family to share with the class:

             Morning Class

I had four students (3 non-Christians and 1 Christian) and while everyone was sharing, the Spirit led our conversation into the topic of the afterlife.  One of my students was planning a small family reunion for a holiday in Japan called the Obon Festival.  It’s three days long and families get together to visit their ancestors’ grave sites, pray to the ancestral spirits, and give offerings to them. She believes the spirits protect her and provide her with good fortune.  I then asked the class if they all believe in life after death. Two of the non-Christian students said they weren’t sure, and the last non-Christian said she did, but she was only sure that she would be happy and that no one knows for sure what happens after you die.  I finally asked the non-Christian in my class what she believes, and at first she tried explaining in English, but I prayed that the Spirit would convict her to take this opportunity to share the truth about Heaven in Japanese.  She eventually did and I picked up some words, such as jyuujika (cross) and Iesu-sama (Jesus), that let me know she was sharing the Gospel with them.

Evening Class

I had five students (all Christians and members of the church), but only three could make it to the last class.  God guided this class so that they could share their testimonies with each other.  As each of them shared about their family, I asked them when they became a Christian and if everyone in their family was saved.  As they shared, I realized that none of them had families where every member was a Christian, and this wasn’t limited to just my students; every Christian that I met in Japan had at least one family member that wasn’t Christian.  It was either my parents aren’t Christian, my siblings aren’t Christians, my spouse isn’t Christian, or I’m the only Christian in my family.

Rhobodendo (street evangelism)

During training, our team prepared a 2 hour worship set to play at the Toyohashi train station.  As we were setting up, Sam, one of our leaders who had gone on missions to Toyohashi before, explained that he was surprised to see people waiting for us to start.  When he did Rhobodendo with his team two years ago there were very few people, and no one waiting for the team to start playing. It was pretty windy when we started worshiping, and it only picked up as we were playing; I knew that we were in the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The whole experience was amazing.  Many members of the church came to support the Rhobodendo and many other passer-bys stopped to listen and take a flyer that members of THCC were handing out.  We actually played for an hour instead of the two we prepared for, so our whole team was irking to worship longer.

Homestays

I did two one-night homestays, but I want to focus on the second one.  I stayed with a 37 year old woman named Akiko Kaneko (Akiko-san) who had a two year old daughter, a four year old son, and a non-Christian husband.  Before she got married, she told her husband that she could only marry him if he promised to learn about Christianity and come to church with her.

She did her undergrad in Seattle, so she’s fluent in English and teaches it to Elementary-age children at her home.  Her first year in the states, her dad died unsaved and it was very hard on her.  She wasn’t Christian at this time, and she saw her dad in an almost sovereign way; she always obeyed him and he knew what was best for her.  She wasn’t sure if she wanted to finish her undergrad, but eventually decided to go back to Seattle for three more years where she met a Christian who invited her out to church.  Akiko-san was attracted by the genuine sense of community at the church and wanted to learn more.  After her undergrad, she went back to Japan and found a church nearby, which she started attending regularly.  She said that the pastor there helped her immensely in finally becoming a Christian.

After being saved, Akiko-san tried to minister to her Mom, but her mom had a hardened heart until she found out she had cancer.  Akiko-san told me that her mom realized then that she might die soon and that praying to spirits was praying to humans who could do nothing for her; her mom began wondering about life after death and wanted to learn more about Christianity.  Akiko-san’s pastor regularly visited her mom in the hospital for Bible Study, and was eventually saved in the hospital before she died.

Relationship building

Our team got to spend a lot of time with the college/young adult ministry known as Oasis.  We went on an excursion to Nagoya (the nearest major city), and went out to eat with them several times.  One of them, Motoi (who visited RWC this past winter), is a senior at a university near Tokyo, and he leads his college Christian group.  The group consists of five people right now, and of course he wouldn’t admit it, but I’m sure it’s difficult for him to be open about his faith and to try and minister to his non-Christian friends.  He says that most people his age see Christianity as a cult.

Those who are in college began a small group after seeing how our church had small groups in New York.  They’ve been trying to meet once a week for about three months now, but so far they’ve just had members of the church come, and we got to talk to them about how our church tries to reach out to non-believers through small groups.

Hamanako Bible Camp (HBC)

The third and final week in Japan we participated in a Christian youth camp for Junior high and High school students.  Each member of our team was part of a small group, and tried to get to know the campers as much as we could.  We also performed a skit, body worship, and taught the campers a praise song in English (In the Mystery by Hillsong).  Most of the campers are the only Christians at their school and for many of them, this camp is the only time where they can worship and have fellowship with Christians their age.  One of the counselors told me that some of the campers save up their own money to pay for the camp because their parents aren’t Christian and won’t pay for the camp.

The most memorable part of the camp was a 45 minute worship session that they call “Bakusan” literally translated as “explosion of worship”.  It was literally an explosion of worship.  For nearly the whole time, the campers are jumping, dancing, clapping, and singing as loud as they can in worship.  I don’t think I’ve ever expended that much energy to praise the Lord, and it was a huge blessing for me to be a part of Bakusan.  The Lord deserves all of my energy and my loudest voice, and Bakusan was definitely an opportunity for me to carry that out.

Debriefing

When our team arrived back in New York, we spent a day debriefing, and one of the questions we answered for ourselves was “how have you changed from this missions trip?”  There are obviously many changes that stemmed from this whole missions experience, including discipline with daily devotions and an increased faith in God’s power and in the power of prayer, but I think the biggest change was in how I interact with people.  That sounds really general so let me explain it a bit.  I wouldn’t consider myself a shy person, but prior to the missions trip, I wouldn’t make an effort to meet new people because my mentality was that I already have plenty of friends and fellow Christians to worship with, so what’s the point?  However, after three weeks of having to introduce yourself to and talk to any new person we saw, I realized the value in putting yourself out there.  God is always calling me to talk to lost souls, but usually I’m too anxious to obey him.  When I finally just did what he pushed me to do, I got to hear how he changed specific peoples’ lives in Japan, and I got to share my faith with many non-believers.  I could have missed out, and already have missed out on many memorable conversations, and on so many opportunities to further God’s kingdom.

I’m so sad the trip is over, but I know that God will continue working through THCC.  The opportunity to serve God through missions is always an amazingly blessed time, and if God calls on you to go and make disciples of all nations, whether at home or abroad, I pray that you will do so, and share the experience with me!  

- Jessica Kim

- August 17 -

Asia 5-Week Team’s Final Thoughts

- August 16 -

It is still a bit surreal to think that our 5 weeks in E. Asia have come and gone.   We are so thankful to have experienced what we did this summer and for the relationships that we’ve built.  Thanks to the internet, the relationships that we’ve built with some of our roommates and students are not over – ah, the awesomness of emails, gchats, and vchats.  :) 

There are many things that we give glory to God for – from lessons learned, paradigms shifted, new believers discipled, one of our roommates possibly being saved, a couple of our roommates baptized during the summer, relationships built, meeting amazing missionaries and hearing their stories, receiving and discovering spiritual gifts, experiencing spiritual battle but also the victory that comes from Christ as we warred with prayer, fasting, and worship, amongst many other blessings.  Thank You, God. :)

Our takeaways are unique to each of us.  Here they are:

Grace Shih

I’m really glad that I got to go this summer—it was a good transition trip for me because it taught me to live with the intentionality of the bigger picture, to think about G’s plan and not my own. So ideally I wanted to stay in NYC, but that’s not happening, and I’ve been totally grudging about having to stay in CT, but there must be a reason I had to come back—I just don’t see it yet. The Father’s got to have a plan, and so with the bigger picture in mind, I look forward to what He’s going to show me.

Joyce

It was amazing to see our father at work through the lives of everyone we met. I could really see that he gave joy to those who were downcast and families to those who had lost their families. His love was amazing in the lives of the teachers and students we met!

Matt

I think I learned how to rely on God more.  When I don’t know what to pray or how to worship….to rely on God to give me the words.  When I don’t know what to do or say in a given situation (like meeting up one on one with somebody)….to rely on God to guide me during that time.  Also, I learned about how important the body of Christ is.  Not only do we need to work together to best do God’s work, but we also need each other to stand firm against the attacks of the evil one; we NEED each other for our own spiritual survival.  And one last thing is I learned how connected the global body of Christ is.  How what one brother or sister is doing half way around the world is completely relevant and important to my own life here.  It doesn’t matter how far apart we are physically, spiritually we are side by side striving for God. 

Dahae

If anything, I’ve learnt of the groundings of my heart.  For example, I knew I needed patience because my heart was full of impatience.  God granted me a difficult co-teacher, presenting trying circumstances.  I knew I needed humility. With the overflow of gifts, blessings, and the Holy Spirit’s annointing, I was constantly reminded that all ownership of creativity, talent and “spirituality” belonged solely to God alone. Leaving behind China, I realized, even more so the lessons God began overseas.  Meeting new people fills my heart with joy.  But, as I travel to new places, God tests me to a place of consideration.  Where does my joy lie in?  My circumstances, my finances, my friends, my surrounding may change, but will I still worship?  Will I still be joyful?  Does my joy lie in the Lord?   I cared not of tithing.  God showed me the importance of giving on a regular basis.  I cared not of fasting.  God showed me that strength comes to those who deny the enemy’s claims in the flesh.  I did not care for many things and yet God grew my heart to accept what He desired for me- a servant fully equipped for the road ahead. 

Sam 

God is moving—everywhere—and He wants us to be a part of His work wherever we are. Witnessing at the university how God has and continues to use so many different people to advance His Kingdom gave me a greater sense of how big God is, and how totally sovereign He is. This has given me a renewed desire to live with a kingdom-mindset back here in the States. 

Julia

My greatest takeaway is a lesson that I’m so thankful to have learned: that the battle is the LORD’s.  Amidst the continual attacks of the enemy that seemed to be daunting, I was reminded that the Spirit of the Lord will raise a standard against him.  We may be small in number and the enemy might raise a hoopla to daunt us, but we are on the winning side.  I also learned that the key to spiritual warfare are : (1) prayer, (2) fasting, (3) worship… all in community (unity!) and love.  We came out victorious because of Christ (yea-yuh). 

I also realized that getting caught up in eternal, Kingdom labor is deeply satisfying.  It is at the moment where we lose ourselves (i.e. our comforts, preferences, problems, etc) that we truly GAIN and that we truly LIVE.  There ain’t nothing like it. :)

——

Thanks SOOOO much for praying for us and for supporting us on this journey during the 5-6 weeks.  We would love to share our stories with you, so if you see any of us at church, feel free to grab us to chat!  

With love in Christ,

Asia 5-week Team

Asia 5-Week Team’s Final Thoughts

It is still a bit surreal to think that our 5 weeks in E. Asia have come and gone.   We are so thankful to have experienced what we did this summer and for the relationships that we’ve built.  Thanks to the internet, the relationships that we’ve built with some of our roommates and students are not over – ah, the awesomness of emails, gchats, and vchats.  :) 

There are many things that we give glory to God for – from lessons learned, paradigms shifted, new believers discipled, one of our roommates possibly being saved, a couple of our roommates baptized during the summer, relationships built, meeting amazing missionaries and hearing their stories, receiving and discovering spiritual gifts, experiencing spiritual battle but also the victory that comes from Christ as we warred with prayer, fasting, and worship, amongst many other blessings.  Thank You, God. :)

Our takeaways are unique to each of us.  Here they are:

Grace Shih

I’m really glad that I got to go this summer—it was a good transition trip for me because it taught me to live with the intentionality of the bigger picture, to think about G’s plan and not my own. So ideally I wanted to stay in NYC, but that’s not happening, and I’ve been totally grudging about having to stay in CT, but there must be a reason I had to come back—I just don’t see it yet. The Father’s got to have a plan, and so with the bigger picture in mind, I look forward to what He’s going to show me.

Joyce

It was amazing to see our father at work through the lives of everyone we met. I could really see that he gave joy to those who were downcast and families to those who had lost their families. His love was amazing in the lives of the teachers and students we met!

Matt

I think I learned how to rely on God more.  When I don’t know what to pray or how to worship….to rely on God to give me the words.  When I don’t know what to do or say in a given situation (like meeting up one on one with somebody)….to rely on God to guide me during that time.  Also, I learned about how important the body of Christ is.  Not only do we need to work together to best do God’s work, but we also need each other to stand firm against the attacks of the evil one; we NEED each other for our own spiritual survival.  And one last thing is I learned how connected the global body of Christ is.  How what one brother or sister is doing half way around the world is completely relevant and important to my own life here.  It doesn’t matter how far apart we are physically, spiritually we are side by side striving for God. 

Dahae

If anything, I’ve learnt of the groundings of my heart.  For example, I knew I needed patience because my heart was full of impatience.  God granted me a difficult co-teacher, presenting trying circumstances.  I knew I needed humility. With the overflow of gifts, blessings, and the Holy Spirit’s annointing, I was constantly reminded that all ownership of creativity, talent and “spirituality” belonged solely to God alone. Leaving behind China, I realized, even more so the lessons God began overseas.  Meeting new people fills my heart with joy.  But, as I travel to new places, God tests me to a place of consideration.  Where does my joy lie in?  My circumstances, my finances, my friends, my surrounding may change, but will I still worship?  Will I still be joyful?  Does my joy lie in the Lord?   I cared not of tithing.  God showed me the importance of giving on a regular basis.  I cared not of fasting.  God showed me that strength comes to those who deny the enemy’s claims in the flesh.  I did not care for many things and yet God grew my heart to accept what He desired for me- a servant fully equipped for the road ahead. 

Sam 

God is moving—everywhere—and He wants us to be a part of His work wherever we are. Witnessing at the university how God has and continues to use so many different people to advance His Kingdom gave me a greater sense of how big God is, and how totally sovereign He is. This has given me a renewed desire to live with a kingdom-mindset back here in the States. 

Julia

My greatest takeaway is a lesson that I’m so thankful to have learned: that the battle is the LORD’s.  Amidst the continual attacks of the enemy that seemed to be daunting, I was reminded that the Spirit of the Lord will raise a standard against him.  We may be small in number and the enemy might raise a hoopla to daunt us, but we are on the winning side.  I also learned that the key to spiritual warfare are : (1) prayer, (2) fasting, (3) worship… all in community (unity!) and love.  We came out victorious because of Christ (yea-yuh). 

I also realized that getting caught up in eternal, Kingdom labor is deeply satisfying.  It is at the moment where we lose ourselves (i.e. our comforts, preferences, problems, etc) that we truly GAIN and that we truly LIVE.  There ain’t nothing like it. :)

——

Thanks SOOOO much for praying for us and for supporting us on this journey during the 5-6 weeks.  We would love to share our stories with you, so if you see any of us at church, feel free to grab us to chat!  

With love in Christ,

Asia 5-week Team

2-week final update!

- August 9 -

Hi Everyone, After a few weeks of being back in the states, I had some time to adjust back to life here and think about everything that happened in China.  There are some significant lessons that God has taught my team and me there that I hope I can hold on to and apply to my life here.  Things have already begun to be crazy and hectic back in New York, but by His grace, He is still present in my life and showing me that I need to remain in Him.  Here are some things that I’ve learned that I hope will be applicable to you as well! 

‘Missionary’ is not a job title, but a lifestyleAll the missionaries in China will agree that what they do, is nothing different from what people can do anywhere.  They live their life doing their jobs the best they can and loving people.  “The only difference,” one Missionary said to us, “is that God told us to do all that here instead of over there.  Missions work is just being faithful, but at a different geographical location.”  This is a major paradigm shift for me since I tend to super-spiritualize missionaries and see the mission field as an almost mystified heightened place of spirituality.  But if God is the God of all, and He calls ALL to His Great Commission, I can still have that sense of purpose no matter where I am. 

Denying of self to see more of HimMy team and I struggled the first week when we were there.  It was hard to get over the physical uncomfortableness and the cultural difference.   In some way, it was good to be uncomfortable because especially as Young adult New Yorkers, we are not used to being uncomfortable.  We have every sort of physical and worldly comfort accessible to us.  Some of us were thinking how much greater their lives would be if only they had the comforts of America.  But later on, we saw that it really wasn’t that we needed any of these physical things, it was our heart condition.  It was difficult to see God and what He was doing there because we were so focused on ourselves.   It was truly by His gracious hand that He introduced us to people who shared Truth to us about what life is REALLY about, and it has nothing to do with warm water and clean toilets! Some people think that self-denial is a lost, masochistic practice.  But I can testify that God was truly purifying our hearts when we were less focused on ourselves and focused  more on things of Him.  When it says, “you must deny yourselves and take up your cross and follow me,” it is not just a command but a necessity in order to purify our hearts to do the things He has called us to do.  It made me think about my life in America and how lost I get in being so self-sufficient, and so physically comfortable that I lose my sense of the need for God and how He can move.  As one of the pastors said during the Sunday service, “God works like the wind: we don’t see the wind, but we see the affects of the wind.”  God is working in America very mightily, but maybe its hard for me to see because I am so focused on myself and on worldly comforts.   

Spiritual Battle is realWhenever we see more of God, resistence follows.  By His grace, towards the second week of our trip, God was really moving our hearts and helping us to stop focusing on ourselves.  But shortly after, almost all of our team members started to get sick, and some other things were happening that was causing division among the people that were there.  In the effort of seeing the world with spiritual eyes, one of the other realities is also seeing that spiritual battle is everywhere.  Things like sickness, dissension among the believers, and physical struggles were just some things we experienced and saw within the campus.  Although there is a part that we need to fight, I also had to understand that spiritual battle is all around.  Coming back home, sometimes it can feel overwhelming and hopeless because it seems like I’m failing time and time again to live a life that is pleasing to Him.  But I need to keep believing that He is stronger than all of that and He will help us and not forsake us.   

Future ApplicationsOverall, I am trying to learn how to see my home as a mission field.  I am trying to understand my place in New York and how I can be connected to the community.  As a teacher, I am still learning and struggling to have a ministry perspective with my students and learn to love them.  Also, I felt confirmed that I am not called to full-time ministry, but rather, called to be a sender/mobilizer to connect people to the mission field.  I am continuing to learn about missions and trying to support those who are going overseas fulltime.  I am also trying to serve my church faithfully and help foster a mission-minded culture.   Thank you again so much for all your support and prayers.  I really felt encouraged by all of you, and I felt like we were partnering together.  I hope you will keep me updated in your lives and I hope to support you too somehow in the future. 

Thank you again!! 

Love,Linda :)

Japan, Week #2

- July 30 -

Hello RWC!

It’s been awhile since our last update and many things have been a happening. Our basic schedule has remained the same; teaching English in the morning and nights, spending time with people during the day and preparing lessons, body worship and our skit.

However, tonight marks the end of our English classes, and after this weekend we will be attending a Bible camp with all the youth (junior and senior high) in the surrounding area.

Needless to say, this past week has been packed with blessings. We have been blessed tremendously by the love and dedication of the members of this church; many people serve in multiple capacities, and actively work alongside us in sharing God’s love with people in our English classes. We’ve gotten to know them on a deeper level, spent time in worship with them, and prayed together. It is beautiful to see the Church in a slightly bigger picture, where God’s love works through language, cultural and age barriers.

Personally, one of the highlights of the trip so far has been spending time with church and team members. Shinya taught me some interesting Japanese phrases… one of which being, “your nose hair is showing”. Using it on the Japanese kids has been a blast, and us being able to joke around together has brought us to a more comfortable place in our relationship. We also had a spontaneous worship time with a bunch of the youth at the church, singing songs in both Japanese and English, which was a huge encouragement and blessing.

I look forward to the coming days of spending more time with the church and hope to go even deeper in our relationships, as well as encourage each other in our faith through times of worship, prayer and fellowship.

Thanks for reading!

-Sam

Nearing the end for Asia 5-wkers

So today marks the last day of classes. It’s a pretty bittersweet feeling that I have been experiencing all week. On one hand, I’m happy to report that all of my students passed their class (YAY!), and grades should be coming out for other classes shortly, as well—hopefully their students did just as well. It’s been good getting to know the students better and having more meaningful conversations, but it’s also been a little sad since I don’t know when’s the next time I’ll be able to see any of them. The students here are very sweet, and really appreciated having us come all the way over from America to teach them. At dinner with my class on Wednesday, my students told me that if I failed any of them, then they would know that I would be back next year because I wanted to teach them again. heh. We’ll see.
Long and short of it all, I’ve really enjoyed the last 5 weeks. The last half week will be a good time to wind-down and really be able to reflect about this trip. It’s been such a blessing.
—Grace

Come and Move

- July 27 -

We were not united.  Although we came from the same country, it’s been difficult to get together amidst activities, lesson planning, and events.  The volunteers from all the different teams have finally gotten a chance to get together for some time of intimacy with the father.    

For the first thirty minutes, I requested for the abolishment of confusion.   The spi—-rit moved powerfully as the release of confusion came with the release of the dove upon the souls of the room.  Manifestation of the spirit came upon Matthew as he began to consider me.  And, as he continued, I heard one phrase, “if only I could receive a tiny fraction of the faith Dahae has, I would be satisfied”.  With that, the sp—-irit came upon my heart in such a powerful wave of intensity that my body began to burn, the tears fell without any motivation, and the urgency and love of the father came upon me.  I was broken for the people in the room in which the prayer that came from my mouth was, “For the sake of the sp—irit, bless them more than you blessed me….”

Although I possessed the gift of prop**cy, I couldn’t name it until I arrived here.  I have been able to hone my gift.  From words of encouragement, verses and visions, the sp—irit now allows me to witness personal struggles to which I ask and am confirmed, and to which I offer encouragement or rebuke.  My partner, Lisa, laughed when I told her my discovery.  “I already knew you had it”, to which I giggled to. 

I was moved to be extremely bold.  “Tell me what they need to hear from you.  If they can’t hear you, use me.  What words do they need?  For your sake, answer them.”   My boldness has, in many circumstances, has merited strong rebuke, but in this case, I felt the spirit’s need to be heard.     He came….and he moved our hearts.

 Sincerely, with love,

Dahae K.   

Japan Missions Update Week 1

- July 24 -

Hey guise,

It’s already been a week in Japan but it feels like everything is flying by so quickly here.  On Sunday, we got to meet all the people here at the church, from the “Hosanna Kids” ministry to the “Oasis” young adult ministry to the two adult services.  It was encouraging to worship with all the different services here; we’ve been making like infinity friends instantaneously because everyone is so open and passionate for the Lord.

Our schedule so far has been teaching English classes every morning (10-11:30) and evening (7:30-9) to children (Pre K-K/Grades 1-3/Grades 4-5/Grades 6-9/Grades 10-12) and adults (Beginner/Intermediate/Adult).  During lunch times, we also talk to our students afterwards to try to reach out to them and connect with them on a more personal level.  Although communicating has been difficult because of the language barrier, it has been encouraging just engaging with people and talking with them about their faith and how they came to know Christ if they were believers, and seeing the non-believers interested in getting to know us and ultimately why we’re here.

On Wednesday, we participated in a prayer meeting here with the church members.  It was great to see that their prayer meetings had all members participating, young and old.  What I found cool was that they prayed not only for issues of the church, but specifically for several members who were in need of prayer; it showed that the community here is tightly knit and people were really willing to carry and share each other’s burdens.

Tomorrow, we will be holding a “Robodendo”, which is worship outreach at a train station.  We have prepared a 1-2 hour set for the worship there.  We’re very excited for it, as we have been practicing and worshiping as a team in preparation for it.  Pray that God would bless us with good weather and that we would be worshipful and energetic during the outreach (playing a long set for non-professional band members can be somewhat exhausting).

Also, continue to pray for our hearts, that our confidence in Christ would be shown when we converse with the people here.  Pray that we would be able to gain the people’s trust here, especially the non-believers that we may be able to talk to them about their spiritual beliefs and about the Gospel.  Something that has been on my heart when I was talking to someone here about Japan was just the amount of need the people have of hope and of a savior.  Pray that we will be able to break through the various cultural barriers that prevent people here from knowing God, that God would give us the words and the discernment to touch the hearts of the people here.

Ok, I love ya (in Christ), buh buy,

Doug

5 week-asia update!

Hi everyone! Hope that all is well! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone here. We have just over a week until we’re back in NY. Over the weekend a few of us on the team had the opportunity to go to the border of NK and Ch-na. It was pretty surreal being so physically close to NK, and actually being able to see that land in person. It amazes me that even in times like today, there can be a nation as closed off as NK is. It is a place that is in such need of the Truth, and seeing it with my own eyes led me into pr-yer for the country and its people. 

On Sunday, my teaching partner, one of the other volunteers, and I were able to take out the students in our classes who were voted as having the best presentations. We went downtown for dinner and then we went to play some pool. It was a really fun night, and it’s been a huge bl-ssing to be able to see our students outside of the classroom. I think that’s one of the really awesome aspects of this university—that teachers are encouraged to hang out with their students outside of class in order to build more substantial relationships with them. Whether it’s sharing a meal with them, having a conversation with them in the hallways, or taking them out downtown, its really cool to see students open up and show their true personalities in ways that we would never see in a regular classroom setting. I’ve even had the opportunity to hear about the f-ith of a few of my students, and just today I was able to share a bit of my t-stimony with one of them. 

As for our roommates, I think we’ve all been getting to know them pretty well. I know for me, it’s weird to think that in just about a week’s time, I won’t be seeing these guys any longer. I’ve gotten so used to living with my roommates, and also seeing and hanging out with all the other guys on our floor. I think our Father’s definitely given me His heart of love for them, and my pr-yer is that we will f-ithfully serve and love the people here in the time we have left. Thank you for all your pr-yers and support! It’s definitely a huge encouragement to know that there are people covering us with their pr-yers!

-Sam