This is one of a series of emails I sent while preparing and living overseas in Japan, from April 2008 to April 2009.  They are mostly for my own benefit, but also for anyone who may care to read them.  Enjoy 🙂

This email is to inform you that I have received my visa from the Japanese Embassy in Detroit!  Praise God it finally came!  Despite how long it might feel, the process went really quick for the government…God definitely had His hand in the whole process! 

Not just that, but I am just about there with my finances.  I had settled on $10,000 as being the amount I needed for the time I am in Japan, to take care of school bills and such that I have here, and through gifts already received and then, gifts promised, I have that amount.  I pray that those who are going to give monthly will be faithful in that.  It’s amazing how God has worked everything out.  (Be advised that I will not turn down any extra support that comes in…just in case you were wondering.)  🙂

My flight out will be on April 1st (not a Fools’ Day joke) at 11:10a from Dayton.  I will send an itinerary out for those interested in following my flight over to Japan…I will have layovers in Chicago and Seoul, South Korea before finally landing in Fukuoka, Japan at 7:35p on April 2nd.  I’ll be in transit for almost 20 hours, which really isn’t all that bad, considering what it could be (some itineraries I found had me in transit for a full day and then some).  I appreciate all your prayers and encouragement and support as God leads me out to serve Him in Japan. 

Another thing that some of you will be very pleased about…I am taking my violin with me afterall.  They seem to think that I can use it in the praise and worship!  🙂  Go figure!  I’m really excited to get over and get started.  I’ve been having some pain at saying goodbye to so many of the people I am close with.  If I had any doubts of God blessing me with some great relationships and friendships, I don’t have them now.  At this point I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world for friends.  It is going to be hard to be separated from everyone for the next year, but God wouldn’t do it unless He had my (our) good in thought. 

Thanks for everything and for your continued support! 

Until next edition…this is Sarah signing out!