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!

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 🙂

Hey everyone! 

I figured that enough time had passed since my last update, so here you go!  Things are going great for my trip so far!  I am so excited to see how God is pulling things together for this!  I’ve been in regular correspondence with the team in Japan, and though things might not be going quite as quickly as we would like, nothing has really been a problem. 

My application for certificate of eligibility is still in process there in Shimonoseki.  I received an email today saying that it will probably take a total of one month (and we’re already in the fourth week).  The way the whole process will go is that I need the certificate of eligibility in order to apply for the visa.  Once Shimonoseki Christ Bible Church gets the CoE from the immigrations office there, they will int’l express it to me.  When I get it, I have to mail that, with my visa application and passport, up to Detroit to the Japanese embassy there.  The process could take 5 days once it’s there (we’re praying for a really quick turnaround).  Then it will come back to me with my passport stamped and I’ll be ready to go.  Because of this process, I haven’t bought my plane ticket yet.  Even though is seems like there must be a problem, there really isn’t.  Everything is going just as long as the government says it should.  We’re just hoping there are no more delays than already expressed.  So, as of now, my departure date is March 31st.  I’m glad that I’ll be able to spend some more time with my family and friends before I leave.  This alleviates some of the pain of going away for a year (which has come about so suddenly). 

Speaking of friends and family – I am so blessed with such a support group!  You all included, I am truly grateful to all the love and encouragement that I have received.  I’m glad that I get to take you all with me in spirit to spend the next year telling people about this amazing Person in my life – Jesus.  He has done some incredible things in my life, and is continuing to do them to show me how real He is, and how much He loves me – and His heart for the nations.

This is manifested in the financial support that has been coming in – I believe that I am almost there!  This is just one more confirmation for me that going to Japan is exactly where God wants me to be for the next year.  Three churches have really brought this about, and allowed God to use them – ******** Baptist, ***** Chapel, and my own church, ******First Baptist.  I feel like I’ve cheated some at the whole fundraising thing because I haven’t had to do much.  It truly is God-driven. 

That’s all the news I can think of right now.  I have emailed the girl, Samantha, who I will be working with until August, and I think we’re going to get along great!  She seems to have a lot of the same quirks that I have.  🙂  For good or bad!  Thanks for your continued support!

In Him,
Sarah ><>

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 🙂

Dear Friends and Family,

  A couple of weeks ago, I sent an email out to tell you about an opportunity to work for a year in Japan.  Just last week, I received confirmation that, after prayer and consideration, I would be taking the position and was accepted for it.  My ETD is March 24th, so I would appreciate your prayers on the preparation to be ready by that date.  It’s only just a little overwhelming, but with God all things are possible.  The way this has been set up, it seems to be nothing but God’s design, so my worries are lessened by that. 

  I have the mailing addresses of a lot of you, but for those more electronically-based, I’m sending out the letter by email which contains a lot more information and may answer many of your questions about this project.  I have attached it to this email, along with a file giving information about Japan and specific things that can help you pray for the country.  I appreciate any support you can give me in this venture.  Also, in the month remaining, I would not mind trying to come and share personally at your church for one of the evening services (Wednesday/Sunday), so long as it’s local.  🙂 

  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  May God bless you and your families.

In Him, Sarah ><>

Japan Fundraising Letter

Japan Stats