by Whitey | Sep 15, 2010 | Ministry News, Uncategorized
Because it’s been over a week since my arrival, I thought I should post a quick update. First of all, for those of you who don’t follow my Twitter for Facebook: Yes, I’ve safely arrived in Japan.
I arrived back in Nagoya on Saturday night, September 4. Since then I’ve been getting over jet lag, having many happy reunions, unpacking and settling into my new apartment. I really like the new apartment my church has provided for me in our building here. But of course, all the un-boxing and arranging and shopping involved in moving in kept me pretty busy for the first week. Thankful for my church’s generosity and help.
Of course the other major task has been getting back into Japanese studies. Being re-immersed in the language has helped me get motivated; it shows me both how far I’ve come and how far I’ve still to go. My first language class was yesterday; I’ll be going twice a week at the same YWCA school as I did before.
As for ministry: I’ll be taking part in a retreat this weekend, playing in the band and helping lead the youth session. I’m also on tap to play guitar in the AM service at my church on Sunday.
As I’m back in Japan and getting back into the swing of things, I’m reminded afresh of my need for prayer. There are some new ministries I’m working towards starting, and I really need God’s guidance. I’ve got a head full of ideas, and it would be easy to just dive in. But God seems to be telling me to slow down, pray and listen for His guidance. It could be that He’s got something in mind I haven’t even dreamed of, and it would be a shame to miss it. I’d appreciate you praying with me…
Meanwhile, it’s good to be home.
As I said when I started this new blog, I don’t plan follow any particular updating schedule. But now that I’m actually in Japan I think I’ll try to post something at least once a week. So follow the RSS, Twitter or Facebook feed if you don’t want to miss anything. Or just check back here once a week or so.
(posted Wed. Sept. 15 2010)
by Whitey | Jan 23, 2010 | Uncategorized
Life has been anything but normal lately. In late December and early January I was, of course, transitioning back to life in Canada and enjoying some downtime over the holiday season. Then, last week I was in Indiana for some training at our missions headquarters. Things have been good, but like I said, anything but normal, and it’s been a bit of an adjustment trying to get back into the swing of things.
This week I’ve been trying to get myself back into some semblance of a regular routine — by getting up and going to bed at reasonable hours, and trying to put in regular work days. I’ve been getting organizing and working on preparations for home ministries. I’ve done OK… but obviously not perfectly, because it’s Saturday and I’ve still got a few things on my to-do list that I’d hoped to get done yesterday but didn’t… and they need to be done before tomorrow. Tomorrow is my first speaking gig of this year’s home ministries tour.
So that’s been my week; just trying to get back into my groove. It’s been a bit of an adjustment coming back to Canada, but trying to get myself into a regular routine this week has helped. It makes me feel more like I actually live here, rather than just an extended visit. And though my heart is still in Japan, home is starting to feel more like home again. And that’s a good thing, I think.
And that’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Oct 26, 2009 | Life in Japan, Ministry News, Uncategorized
With less than two months left of my first term in Japan, and a lot to keep me busy these days, it feels like time is getting away from me.
Yesterday I visited the Immanuel Church in Toyota (about an hour’s journey by train) to do some ministry. The next two Sundays I’ll be away too, in Hikone and then Gifu, again on ministry. In the meantime I’ve got messages to prepare for those two Sundays. I’m trying to decide what message(s) to use. Probably I will be doing an edited version of something I’ve already written, simply because of the time factor; I need to send a manuscript to my interpreters ASAP.
At any rate, I love having these ministry opportunities. But I kind of wish they weren’t happening all at once. I don’t like being away from my own church for so many consecutive weeks, especially with so few Sundays left between now and December 14th, the day of my flight home.
So I’ve got a lot to keep me busy these next few weeks, between ministry preparation, actual ministry, language studies, and home ministry planning. Somewhere in there I need to squeeze in time for spending with all the fine people I’ll be leaving behind in December. And drawing, too, of course.
I just want to finish strong: in studies, ministry and relationships. “Seize the day” and all that… I pray time won’t get away from me.
by Whitey | Aug 22, 2009 | Uncategorized
… the posts from the old one to this one. So if things get funky, please excuse the mess. I’ll clean it up soon.
by Whitey | May 22, 2007 | Uncategorized
I’ve discovered a great resource lately called Operation Japan. It’s a daily prayer guide, published by the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, that takes you through each area of Japan, giving statistics, stories, and prayer requests. It’s been really helping me to pray more specifically and regularly for Japan, and I know it would be a great help to any of prayer warriors out there with a heart for the people of Japan. I’d encourage you to check it out. You can buy it online HERE.
More recommended resources coming soon…
