This all seems pretty surreal...
Two years ago, if you had told me I'd be raising money to go to Tokyo, Japan for the summer - I probably wouldn't have believed you. But, that was two years ago and today I went to the Cherokee County Courthouse to apply for my first passport.
My picture was awful. Other than that, it went well and I can expect it in the mail within a few weeks. I cannot wait. Something so simple as receiving my passport just makes this all seem more real, closer to me.
So, how did I get here? Why Japan?
In the summer of 2007, I met a girl named Jinnyeng Son from South Korea. She was this absolutely sweet and fun Christian girl with a heart for international students at NSU. She started going to church with some friends from Chi Alpha and soon Jinny, our friend Sarah and I were seeing God do some amazing things in the lives of international students. We decided to start a small Bible study on campus in the fall and it has been going ever since. It grew from three or four girls meeting in the lounge of Ross dormitory to a ministry of students called The Bridge who meet in Flo's cafe on Monday nights today. I just left The Bridge an hour ago, tonight we studied Joshua and we had one of the best talks we've had in awhile. I'm extremely blessed to have two students working by my side in this ministry - Shu Nakai and Kara Williams. They keep me accountable, and are forever teaching me new things.
Through The Bridge, God began to show me His heart for missions. Missions was probably the last thing I ever thought God would call me to. I loved praying and supporting missionaries, and the stories amazed and inspired me - I just never really thought it would be me. But God never ceases to surprise me. By the end of my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to give at least a year of my life to Japan. These people are my absolute passion: their language, their culture and their friendships. My international friends are some of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met in my life. At first, I was extremely apprehensive and unsure but the more I opened my heart to my friends, the more I prayed about it - the more certain and passionate I became. There is nothing like the sense of freedom and determination that knowing exactly what God is trying to say to you and walking in it gives you. I'd never known God like that.
God has given me the opportunity to spend the summer in Tokyo working with Chi Alpha, which is a ministry I'm involved with on my own campus. My passion for college students and my love for Japan - combined? Amazing.
This blog will help me stay connected to my family, friends and missions supporters. Please be in prayer for me as I prepare for this life-changing experience. If you would like more information on how to get involved financially in my trip - please e-mail me at fosburg@nsuok.edu.
Thanks and God bless!
Amanda
