by Whitey | Jun 27, 2008 | Weekly Re-Cap
I had a good time in Gifu last weekend. Did a testimony and played/sang some tunes. Thanks to everyone who prayed. There were a bunch of unchurched folks at the service, and everyone made me feel really welcome and like the guest of honour.
Meanwhile, back here in Nagoya, my own church’s outreach service was going down Sunday afternoon. Apparently there were a good bunch of visitors here too.
I got back to Nagoya later in the afternoon, and the outreach was over, but lots of people were still lingering. Some of the kids ran to greet me as I approached the building, and I stuck around to chat with a few people before going to my room. It really felt like “coming home”, which is a good feeling, considering I’m so far from my “home-home”.
Studies continue to get more difficult, and I’ve really got to buckle down over the next few weeks. Still got some catching up to do. It’s been a tiring week, and I’m looking forward to getting some rest over the weekend — as well doing housecleaning and stuff that’s piled up from being away (woohoo).
That’s a wrap.
by Whitey | Jun 20, 2008 | Weekly Re-Cap
But first: Hey, check out the podcast survey below!
And… I just sent out an email to my prayer partners and got about 22 failure notices. This is after I deleted a bunch of dead email addresses from the list a few months ago. So if you signed up for the list but haven’t gotten anything lately, and you’d still like to, please CLICK HERE to sign up again. Then make sure your spam blockers are set to receive stuff from my address (japancanada [at] gmail.com). Thanks.
Now, on with the re-cap…
This week was a busy week of mostly studies. As I said last week, I needed to back up and work on developing some good study habits. Well, I’m definitely improving in this area, though I’m sure I have a ways to go too. I’ve been getting up early (around 6 most days) so that I can spend about an hour before class studying; this helps. In the afternoon or evening I spend about 2 hours doing homework and reviewing/previewing stuff. The new stuff is sinking in a little better, I think. On the other hand, I had a Kanji reading test yesterday that didn’t go so well. Still some catching up to do in that area.
Monday’s big grammer/reading/listening test (yes, yet another one already) will be a good… well, “test” of how far I’ve come and how far I have to go.
This weekend I’m off to nearby Gifu, where I’ll be doing ministry Sunday morning. I’m doing a short testimony and a couple of songs in an evangelistic service. Meanwhile, back here in Nagoya, my own church is having a musical outreach event of their own. If you think of it, please pray for these meetings.
That’s it for this week here at JapanLog. Next week I’ll try to bring an update from the weekend doin’s, along with some other fun stuff. In the meantime, I hope you all have a great weekend, wherever you are.
by Whitey | Jun 13, 2008 | Weekly Re-Cap
This week…
1. I found out how I did on last week’s big test. It was pass, but not nearly as good as I’d have liked. I’m also kind of weak on my kanji and vocabulary. It was a bit of a wake-up call — I need to take it up a notch, and put in some extra time studying. So this week I’ve been working on building some good study habits. I need to study about 3 hours a day just to keep up. To catch up, maybe more. I’ve put some other stuff on the back burner, at least until I get caught up.
2. For some reason, after Wednesday night prayer meeting this week it struck me afresh just how much I love my church. Have I ever mentioned that? The people here just really enjoy being together, and that makes me enjoy being around them. Though the church is on the conservative side, I don’t get the impression that it’s legalistic. And these people really love the Lord and want to reach others with His love.
3. It’s the rainy season, but today’s weather has been beautiful. So much so, in fact, that I may just go back out for a while, and take my camera, before it gets dark. I love the weekend…
And that’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Jun 6, 2008 | Weekly Re-Cap
Thoughts on the week…
1. Too many tests! I had a big one yesterday, and lots of not-so big ones literally every day. We’ve come to the end of the first textbook, which means it’s all-new stuff from here. Which means I should add about an hour to my daily study routine.
2. We have a late-night prayer meeting tonight from 10 till midnight, focusing on an upcoming outreach event.
3. Youth thing tomorrow afternoon: a planning, praying thing.
4. The weather’s been pretty yucky most of the week — it’s the rainy season, after all — but today’s super nice.
5. I don’t have much to say today, and should get some other stuff done. So… meh.
by Whitey | Jun 1, 2008 | Ministry News
I just emailed this to my supporters, but for those of you not on the list, here’s my latest prayer letter:
Hi everyone,
It’s been a beautiful spring here in Nagoya, and we’re fast approaching that magical time of year known as “rainy season”. And since it’s the first of the month, it’s time for another prayer letter. I’ll be brief and just give you some quick prayer points. If you want to know more about what I’ve been up to, please visit my blog (www.japanlog.wordpress.com).
Prayer Points:
1. My Japanese studies — I’m making progress, but definitely have a long way to go, and we’re getting into some unfamiliar territory.
2. My English/Bible student — Pray for wisdom and discernment for me, and an open and receptive heart for him.
3. My classmates — Pray that I’ll build good relationships at school, too, and that I’ll be able to be a witness.
4. Pray for me as I continue to figure out what God wants to do in and through me in Japan — both this term and in the future.
5. On June 22 (a Sunday) I’ll be visiting the Immanuel Church in Gifu, about an hour from here. I’ll be participating in an outreach service through music and testimony. Please pray for Pastor Oda and the Gifu church as they prepare for and promote this event. Pray for me as I prepare as well.
As always, thank you for your prayers, financial support and encouragement!
Hugs,
– robin
