Xapa to the World

Category: My Reflections

  • Japan Bound – Japan #2

    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

  • And It’s Final!

    I’m going!!   I’m getting my stuff together for applying for the visa, and my date of departure is really dependent on when that is approved.  But it’s looking like it’ll be the Monday after Easter!   Eeekkk!!!  Crrrrazzy!!  Now, I have a mess of things to get together, but I know that God will help everything go smoothly.  Ah!  I’m sooo excited…it definitely hasn’t sunk in yet.  Thanks for your prayers, I still need them!

  • A Whirlwind

    I’ve been trying to think of how to describe what all has transpired over the last week…and I believe that the word “whirlwind” fits the best.  You’ll have to excuse me for my grammar tonight because I have been watching the BBC production of “Pride & Prejudice” and it always puts a spin on my talking for at least the rest of the night, sometimes even into my dreams.  🙂  Last week, I received notice of a position available with a church in Japan for an English teacher.  For some time, I think I have given up all hope, really, of being able to leave the US (let alone Cincinnati) for a very long time to pursue my calling into the mission field. 

    When I graduated high school, almost all agencies that I could have wanted to work with required that I have some sort of bachelor’s degree.  So, I went to college and graduated, only to find out that almost all agencies that I could have wanted to work with now frowned on owing money of any sort.  So, I had nailed myself down to a job that I don’t reeeeally care for (selling people things that supposedly bring security…yet I know in my heart never could) for several years at least while I whittled away at my school debt…which is not enormous, but a sum, nonetheless.  More than Mr. Darcy makes in a year, though…I assure you.

    But, then, this opportunity comes up, and for some reason, I saw for the first time how little I really have here to hold me down.  Yes, I have a job, my family is here, most of my friends and support system…but honestly, in the world of communication that we live in today, would it be all that distanced by being a mere halfway around the globe?  And so, with some other messages from God that seem to be pointing at my going to Japan, if not just confirmation that I should be willing to go, I have started seeking how to liquidate my life here in the States as much a possible.  And really, it’s not going to take all that much. 

    At the same time, emotionally, I’m so torn at the thought of leaving my family, my friends, my church, the kids in my church…they are sooo precious to me.  Especially the kids at church, when they don’t really have that understanding of surrender to God in these circumstances…it’s hard for them to understand why I would want to leave them like this…to look in their faces.  Of course, it encourages me that the time I’ve been spending investing in their lives and a relationship with them has been successful…it hurts thinking not to have them in my life each week. 

    I’m going to be hearing finality on my going or not sometime in the beginning of this week.  When that happens, I will let everyone know.  But until then, I better get to sleep!  Later!!

  • Prayer Request – Japan #1

    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! 

    I wanted to get this information out for a prayer request for me.  I could really use y’all praying with me on this one.  I was put in touch with a job opportunity to teach English in southwest Japan for a year.  The biggest “issue” with this position is that I would have to know in the next month if I’m going to do it and then leave at the beginning of April.  Here’s the information on it that I have so far:

    URGENT–English Teacher Needed Immediately.  We just found out this week that our replacement teacher who was scheduled to arrive this March will not be able to join us until at least this summer.  This has put us on RED ALERT for a teacher.  This means about 50 of our students will be without a teacher in two months.  We know that God isn’t surprised by the change of schedule, so we ask you to join us in praying that He connect us with just the right person by the end of this month.  Also, please see if you can have this announced at your church or school and share this information with any single ladies that you know:
    TEACHER NEEDED

    Position: English-teaching missionary

    Contract: one year contact starting from April 2008.
    Requirements: Single lady, a highly recommended, mature Christian, involved in her local church whom would be willing to sponsor her and provide her with prayer and some financial support (see “Needed:” section below), teaching experience of both children and adults, a love for people of other cultures (a missions heart).
    Benefits: 100,000 yen monthly salary (exception: August summer vacation; however, part-time private lessons are a possibility), two weeks paid vacation, two days off each week, low-cost (46,500 yen per month) dorm room in church building where classes are held, assistance in acquiring visa.
    Needed: 50 praying friends, roundtrip airplane ticket (approx. US$1400) and health insurance with international coverage.
    The salary is equivalent to about $950 USD.  But the money’s not important.  I am excited about the opportunity, but a little nervous about the time constraint.  Thanks a bunch for your prayers!
     
    In Him, Sarah ><>

  • Job Opp – Prayer Request

    Hey! 

      I wanted to get this information out for a prayer request for me.  I could really use y’all praying with me on this one.  I was put in touch with a job opportunity to teach English in southwest Japan for a year.  The biggest “issue” with this position is that I would have to know in the next month if I’m going to do it and then leave at the beginning of April.  Here’s the information on it that I have so far:

    URGENT–English Teacher Needed Immediately.  We just found out this week that our replacement teacher who was scheduled to arrive this March will not be able to join us until at least this summer.  This has put us on RED ALERT for a teacher.  This means about 50 of our students will be without a teacher in two months.  We know that God isn’t suprised by the change of schedule, so we ask you to join us in praying that He connect us with just the right person by the end of this month.  Also, please see if you can have this announced at your church or school and share this information with any single ladies that you know:
     
    TEACHER NEEDED
    Position: English-teaching missionary
    Contract: one year contact starting from April 2008.
    Requirements: Single lady, a highly-recommended, mature Christian, involved in her local church whom would be willing to sponsor her and provide her with prayer and some financial support (see “Needed:” section below), teaching experience of both children and adults, a love for people of other cultures (a missions heart).
    Benefits: 100,000 yen monthly salary (exception: August summer vacation; however, part-time private lessons are a possibility), two weeks paid vacation, two days off each week, low cost (46,500 yen per month) dorm room in church building where classes are held, assistance in acquiring visa.
    Needed: 50 praying friends, roundtrip airplane ticket (approx. US$1400) and health insurance with international coverage.
    CLICK HERE for more information at the ministry website
     
    The salary is equivalent to about $950 USD.  But the money’s not important.  I am excited about the opportunity, but a little nervous about the time constraint.  Thanks a bunch for your prayers!
     
    In Him,
    Sarah ><>