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

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.