by Whitey | Feb 13, 2010 | Weekly Re-Cap
This week…
1. I spoke at two churches on Sunday in Shelburn and Clark’s Harbour, Nova Scotia. It was a good day.
2. On Monday I drove from Clark’s Harbour to Halifax, where I visited some friends for the afternoon and evening.
3. Tuesday, I drove the rest of the way home, which took a bit longer than expected because I took a wrong turn in Halifax.
4. The rest of the week has been spent catching up on emails, mailing newsletters, trying to get over a cold, and trying to get back into studying Japanese more regularly again.
5. I’ve also been working on some comics plotting, specifically for the future of Doodze.
And that’s pretty much it. Thankful to have the long drives behind me for a couple of weeks, and that for the next little while I’ll be on the road a bit less. I’m speaking here in Fredericton the next couple of Sundays, and only traveling on weekends for the next couple of months.
And that’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Feb 6, 2010 | Weekly Re-Cap
Last week’s re-cap was written on a boat somewhere in the Bay of Fundy during a storm. Obviously I arrived safely in Nova Scotia, but it was a rough ride. So rough, in fact, that they couldn’t dock securely enough to let the vehicles drive off, and we had to wait close to four hours before we could get off. So a 3-hour ferry ride took about 8 hours. Not pleasant, but I made it.
It’s been a good week of home ministries. The weekend through Tuesday was busy, but the week itself has been low-key as I wait for my last two church visits tomorrow. By the time this trip is over, I will have connected with six supporting churches in total — that’s six churches in nine days. I also got to introduce myself at a pastor’s breakfast meeting, which in a way means I’ve connected with even more churches, and may mean more open doors in the near future too.
So it’s been a safe and productive trip thus far. I’ve been well taken care of by my hosts, and I’ve enjoyed getting to catch up with some old friends as well. The only downside has been catching a cold, and even that hasn’t gotten too bad yet. So I’m thankful.
And that’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Feb 4, 2010 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
I’m writing to you this time from Wood’s Harbour, Nova Scotia. I traveled to NS last week during the snow storm — which meant a long and rough boat ride, but thankfully I made it in one piece. Between Saturday and Tuesday, I had the opportunity to connect with 4 different churches, sharing about what God is doing in my life and in Japan. This coming weekend I’ll be visiting two more before driving back to New Brunswick. I’d appreciate your continuing prayers for safe travel and fruitful ministry.
As most of you know, a big part of the purpose of my home ministries time is to strengthen my financial support base before returning to Japan later this year. How can you help? I’m glad you asked…
If you’ve been supporting my ministry thus far, please consider re-committing. Unless you’ve told us otherwise, GP will assume that your commitment ended with my first term. If you’re planning to continue giving, you can do so by simply sending me an email telling me two things: how much and how often.
As always, your prayers and giving are greatly appreciated! Without you, this ministry would not be possible.
Just a couple of quick reminders: If you haven’t already, please check out the special edition of my newsletter talking about my vision for ministry in Japan:
http://www.robinwhiteonline.com/ministry-info/vision
Also, you can see where I’ll be over the next little while by visiting my online ministry calendar:
http://www.wesleyan.org/gp/mschedule2/WM04-0316/2010-01
Thanks again, and stay warm!
– robin
by Whitey | Jan 30, 2010 | Weekly Re-Cap
I’m writing today from a boat somewhere in the Bay of Funday between Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia. I’ll be in Nova Scotia for a little more than a week, visiting several churches and re-connecting with supporters and friends. It’s going to be busy, especially the next three days, but I’m hoping for a productive and fruitful trip.
So this week I’ve spent a lot of time getting ready. Since it’s my first big road trip this year, that meant some extra preparations, from presentation to PowerPoint to printed materials. Not to mention figuring getting directions and other logistical stuff.
Last night I got to visit with some friends along the way, which was really nice. The guy I stayed with — a guy I went to college with — is a fellow missionary, although with another organization and working in another part of the world. Since we’ve both hopped around the world a few times since college, we haven’t crossed paths very much, but we have kept in touch, and it was nice to re-connect in person for the first time a couple of years.
There will no doubt be many of those kind of meetings over the next few months as I travel around. This is one of the nice things about being back in Canada.
One of the not-so-nice things, sometimes, is the weather. It’s a stormy weekend, I’m on a boat, we’re behind schedule, and it hasn’t exactly been a smooth ride…
And that’s a wrap.
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 | Jan 8, 2010 | Ministry News
It’s a new year and about time to get back into a more regular blogging routine. So to start us off, here’s my latest ministry prayer letter. If you’d like to receive these by email, send me a message (japancanada at gmail dot com) letting me know. And stay tuned to the blog for more.
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Hi everyone,
Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday season and are getting the new year off to a good start.
This weekend I’m scheduled to fly to Indiana for some meetings and training at our Wesleyan headquarters. I’d appreciate your prayers for safe travel, getting through customs, and a productive time in Indy. The purpose of this trip is to get prepared for home ministries and my next term in Japan.
Later this month I officially begin home ministries, traveling to churches to share about what God is doing in Japan and what’s next for my ministry there.
My first four stops are:
– Fredericton (NB) First Wesleyan – Jan. 24 AM
– Havlock Wesleyan (NS) – Jan. 30
– Faith Wesleyan (Ingomar NS) – Jan. 31 AM
– Brazil Lake (NS) Wesleyan – Jan. 31 PM
If you’re in one of these areas, it would be great to see you! Thank you so much for your continuing prayers and support!
by Whitey | Dec 16, 2009 | Life in Japan, Photos
This past weekend I finished my first two-year term as a GP missionary in Japan. I had a good weekend spending time with friends:
Saturday morning, I went out for breakfast with a former classmate from Japanese school and then ran some errands. Then it was back to the church to hang out with some other friends. I had them help me move boxes, and then we did some preparation for Sunday, buying supplies and making some dessert for Sunday’s party. Really great excuse to hang out with 3 good friends. We ended the day with supper together at local Yoshinoya (Japanese fast food chain, and one of the things I’ll miss about Japan).
My last Sunday at the Nagoya church was, of course, bitter-sweet. I got to give some short farewell greetings in the AM service, but as I said to them, it’s “see you later”, not “goodbye”, because I do plan to be back. I had no ministry responsibilities this week, and it was nice to just hang out, chat, and eat together with my Church Family. The day ended with a young adults party; we ate nabe, followed by some great desserts.
Here are some photos from the weekend; click on any one of them for a close up and/or to flip through the gallery.
Monday morning, my pastor and one other friend drove me to the airport. We were early enough to have lunch together and spend some time chatting before I flew out in the afternoon. It was a good ending to my last weekend in Nagoya for the year.
Now I’m back in Canada, relaxing and waiting for the jet lag to wear off. Prayers for this period of transition are greatly appreciated. I’ll try to update you all soon on what’s next.
In the meantime, enjoy the holidays while you can!
by Whitey | Dec 15, 2009 | Ministry News, Photos
Well, I’ve safely arrived back in Canada after a really long day of traveling yesterday. Since I was up super early due to jetlag, I had the time to do some photo sorting and editing. So this and the next post will bring you up-to-date on some recent events, in words and pictures…
On December 6 I had the opportunity to lead/host a Christmas outreach event at my church in Nagoya. It was a bi-lingual Christmas party we called “Christmas Around the World” (that’s the event flyer on the left). The event was well-attended and a lot of fun. There were almost 60 people who showed up, a good handful of whom were not regular attenders at the church. After some games and music (but before the sweets) I shared a short message about how Jesus came so that we could find peace with God.
Below are some photos from the party; you can click on any of them for a close-up and to flip through the whole gallery.
It was a great “bridge-building” event — thanks for praying!
by Whitey | Dec 6, 2009 | Weekly Re-Cap
This past week, this term’s “finals” began: Final meeting with the pastor who has been my internship mentor. Final young adults prayer meeting. Final Japanese class (not including this Tuesday’s test). And today was my final ministry event, the bi-lingual Christmas party I hosted as an outreach at my church.
The coming week has more finals on tap: Final Wednesday night prayer meeting, final Japanese test, final chance to hang out with former classmates and church friends, and final worship service in Nagoya.
Final… for now, anyway.
I’d appreciate your prayers during this time of transition. I’ve come to feel very much at home here. I’ve gotten used to the Japanese language and to life in Japan. I’ve come to love this city and these people. And, although I’m looking forward to re-connecting with friends, family and supporters back in North America, it’s not easy to say goodbye. Or even “see you later”, since I’m not sure how much later later will be. And living in the West again will be an adjustment. Please pray that I adjust well.
And that’s a wrap for this week.
by Whitey | Dec 1, 2009 | Ministry News
Hi everyone,
Happy December! I know this will sound cliche, but can you believe it’s that time of year already?! This month’s email will be short and to the point, because like most of you, these days are busy for me too!
Thank you for your prayers over the past month. Ministry has been going really well, and plans are coming together nicely for both home ministries and my next term in Japan.
I’d appreciate your continuing prayers these next two weeks as I finish up this term and begin the transition back to life in Canada. I’d ask you to especially remember the Bi-Lingual Christmas Party I’m hosting at my church this coming Sunday. Pray that our church members will invite their un-churched friends, and that God will use this to begin to draw some of them to Himself.
Thanks as always, and God bless!
– robin
PS — Just a head’s up: Posting on this blog may be scarce over the next month, for obvious reasons.
