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10.27.2010
10.23.2010
Encouragement.
It's amazing the amount of good a simple kindness can do.
Pastor Sakai talked about encouragement last Sunday at Tokyo Urban Church and how it's vital in coming alongside others in their struggle and helping them to see themselves as Christ would see them. I'm sure we all have experienced something like this. Someone went out of their way to lift you up in a moment of confusion or weakness. Someone gave you a hand when you were struggling with a challenge or a burden.
The truth is that God's message is all about love and one major element of loving those around us is being available to serve them when they are in need. So - keep your eyes open this week. Seek to become an encourager of God's promises, and not of fear or confusion. We are tempted to begin dispensing all of our problems as well when we are encountered with someone who is feeling discouraged...but that isn't God's way.
Speak kindly. Pray diligently. Serve selflessly.
Be outrageously blessed by God.
Until.
Amanda
10.21.2010
10.20.2010
Psalm 30:2
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health.
and you restored my health.
So, as those of you have been watching my Facebook know, I've been sick since last Thursday! That is partly why I haven't been on to update this thing (my goal is to consistently post at least twice a week - hopefully I can accomplish that!), but I've been a bit busy as well. I'm happy to report that I have only needed Kleenex once today, which in comparison to every three minutes on Monday is pretty good! Please continue to pray for my health as the colder weather moves in on Tokyo! ありがとうございます！
Things back home are settling down. Grandpa's funeral service was last Friday and they had quite a few relatives from out of town in attendance from what I hear. Both my dad and mom had colds last week as well (maybe mine was a sympathy cold?), but I believe both are also feeling much better now! Thank you to everyone who has prayed for, left kind notes to, visited, or hugged my family in the last few weeks. It's greatly appreciated!
I promised some updates about my time with the Hilo team in my last post - so I guess I better get to it!
After that first day at Seikei University, it was non-stop hula ministry for two weeks! Thanks to my new ohana (that's Hawaiian for family), I've picked up some dance skills and a few new words. Every time the team would begin a service or outreach, Kamuela would explain the various definitions of the word "Aloha." I'm sure you know that it is used to say hello and goodbye, and some of you may even know that it is a word for love - but what they taught me was about the deeper, spiritual meaning of the word aloha. Aloha can be separated into two words - "alo" and "ha." "Alo" means in the presence of, and "ha" means the One who gives us life. Pretty nice, eh? So when they say "aloha," you are being welcomed into the presence of the One who gives us life - or the breath of life. If Kamuela, Lei, Keoni, Erica, or Lissa are reading this - stop laughing, if can. I told you I'd be able to recite it word for word by the time you left!
I really had a great time with this team and running around with them all over Tokyo was a huge help in familiarizing myself with the city again. I was blessed to meet five pastors that I had never met before and I was tremendously blessed by their church families when visiting each of their churches. There were small, intimate times of ministry in small churches and there were large, lively outreaches at some universities - but no matter where they went, the Hilo team spread love, genuine life stories with Christ, and hope in something truly beautiful. It was an honor to meet them, yell at them on train platforms, pray with them, over them, and be prayed for by them, and learn hula from the best of the best! I can't wait to see them again - whether that be here in Japan, or Hawaii! (I know Yuri would be down for a holiday in Hawaii!)
Since the team left last Wednesday, I have begun to slowly adjust to my daily life in Tokyo. I have to laugh when I do something ridiculous like wonder where my shoes are in my own room(Hello, they are downstairs in the genkan! We don't wear shoes in the house!), struggle with properly hanging up my clothes to dry, and I am constantly trying to figure out if I should walk on the right or left side of the sidewalk(Tokyoites seem to be a bit all over the place this year, I feel like the lanes keep switching)!
Thursday, I had lunch with Izumi-chan and Yuriko-chan from Tokyo University. Izumi is a Chi Alpha member that I see a lot and Yuriko is a great friend from last summer! We had some delicious Korean inspired soba and then I took the afternoon to get caught up on some work I needed to finish before starting up my daily routine. Little did I know...the plague would soon be upon me...I think I'll just blame the four hours I spent organizing my life in Starbucks for the nasal torture that followed!
Sick or not, I had things to do! Friday, I began my language classes at the University of Tokyo. Since you may have no idea about the amazing gift God has given me through the University of Tokyo, let me tell you. Two weeks ago, I had an interview for a job in my housemate Yuri's office in the School of Engineering at Todai(Uni. of Tokyo). I was a bit nervous, even though this was just for 7 hours a week as a native English check for their translated documents - this is the top university in Japan, and this particular engineering program is ranked 6th in the entire world - so I was feeling a little pressure! But, the interview went really well (British professors assessing my native English and all!) and I was hired. By the next day, I was enrolled in free language courses in the School of Engineering at Todai! Pretty amazing! God definitely answered some prayers with this one because I was pretty stressed trying to figure out how I would pay for the language courses I'd been looking into. Total and complete blessing - and now, I am a legitimate member of the Todai community. I both work and study there - and this makes it so much easier to meet new people and share Jesus with them! So anywho...I started class in the J2 AM class (which is a beginner I course), but they moved me to J3 and J4 AM after that class because I've already had a little Japanese study. This is an amazing opportunity - so thank You, Jesus!
Over the weekend, I mainly just rested up and tried to get over this crazy cold. Sunday, I was able to go to my home church from last summer - Tokyo Urban Church - and fellowship with my Japanese church family! Sakai sensei is so great. They prayed for me and then he proceeded to tell them I was there to use my barista skills to make them coffee and that they should all buy me Fuji apples since I like them so much. Some of them actually did bring me apples at lunch! So nice!! After the morning service, lunch, and cell groups were over - I headed over to the GAP service near Todai. GAP is a multi-cultural service at a church near Todai's campus. Debbie (my neighbor last summer) and my housemate Yuri both attend GAP...so I'm also really excited to spend time with friends there and have an "English" church experience in addition to my morning Japanese church services!
Monday, I did go to class - but I was pretty miserable because I was still sick...so I took the rest of the afternoon to get caught up on my laundry and just rest! It was definitely a good idea because I felt so much better the next day, and I really needed to feel better because it was my first day working at Todai as a native check for the translated English documents in the School of Engineering! I think I'm going to really enjoy it there. Everyone is really nice and helpful. I will soon have my very own desk and they gave me a locker! It's pretty legit...I also picked up my Alien Registration Card at the Nakano city office yesterday morning, so I'm officially a resident of this city for the next 11 months.
Today - I enjoyed another set of morning classes before a short XA staff meeting over lunch, which was followed by a meeting with the pastors of Megumi Christ Church. I will be teaching English there every Thursday evening to about 25 students between the ages of 3 and 8-9 yrs old. I'm a little nervous about this one, but I know God provides in all situations so I'm sure it will great and I'm actually excited to spend time with the little cuties and just be blessed by their abundance of joy!
Waseda's meeting tonight with the YWAM folks was needed. We had a really wonderful time of intercession and prayer and I'm so ready for the move of God that I know is coming on that campus! Amen, Lord - let Your will be done in us and through us on that campus!
I'm off to bed now...or to study...you never know which might happen...
Until next time.
Amanda
Over the weekend, I mainly just rested up and tried to get over this crazy cold. Sunday, I was able to go to my home church from last summer - Tokyo Urban Church - and fellowship with my Japanese church family! Sakai sensei is so great. They prayed for me and then he proceeded to tell them I was there to use my barista skills to make them coffee and that they should all buy me Fuji apples since I like them so much. Some of them actually did bring me apples at lunch! So nice!! After the morning service, lunch, and cell groups were over - I headed over to the GAP service near Todai. GAP is a multi-cultural service at a church near Todai's campus. Debbie (my neighbor last summer) and my housemate Yuri both attend GAP...so I'm also really excited to spend time with friends there and have an "English" church experience in addition to my morning Japanese church services!
Monday, I did go to class - but I was pretty miserable because I was still sick...so I took the rest of the afternoon to get caught up on my laundry and just rest! It was definitely a good idea because I felt so much better the next day, and I really needed to feel better because it was my first day working at Todai as a native check for the translated English documents in the School of Engineering! I think I'm going to really enjoy it there. Everyone is really nice and helpful. I will soon have my very own desk and they gave me a locker! It's pretty legit...I also picked up my Alien Registration Card at the Nakano city office yesterday morning, so I'm officially a resident of this city for the next 11 months.
Today - I enjoyed another set of morning classes before a short XA staff meeting over lunch, which was followed by a meeting with the pastors of Megumi Christ Church. I will be teaching English there every Thursday evening to about 25 students between the ages of 3 and 8-9 yrs old. I'm a little nervous about this one, but I know God provides in all situations so I'm sure it will great and I'm actually excited to spend time with the little cuties and just be blessed by their abundance of joy!
Waseda's meeting tonight with the YWAM folks was needed. We had a really wonderful time of intercession and prayer and I'm so ready for the move of God that I know is coming on that campus! Amen, Lord - let Your will be done in us and through us on that campus!
I'm off to bed now...or to study...you never know which might happen...
Until next time.
Amanda
10.13.2010
A Lovely Day.
When I wake up in the morning love
And my heart is filled with pain
The smile I had up on my face is gone
Can't see the sunshine from the rain
And my heart is filled with pain
The smile I had up on my face is gone
Can't see the sunshine from the rain
I meant to get on here and talk about all the great times I was having with the Hilo Hawaii team before now, but the time never seemed to come. I promise I'll get back to that soon -- but that's not why I sat down to write today.
After returning from a long day at Tokyo University with Chi Alpha and the Hilo Hawaii team on their last day of ministry, I found out that my grandfather had passed away in Oklahoma on Monday night. Fortunately, my mom was online at that time so I was able to talk to her a bit about what was going on at home. My Grandpa Fosburg had been sick on and off for many years, so I knew that there was a possibility he would pass while I was in Japan - but one is never really prepared for this kind of news. I was blessed to have Joyce and Yuri on hand to pray with that night, and also the whole Hilo team.
He had been suffering more through this last year than the years before, and I believe he was growing tired. In this way, I am able to rejoice in his release into peace from a place of pain. I know he is free now from the limitations his illnesses forced upon him. The hardest part now is the distance between me and my family during this time. My sister and I haven't really experienced death in our immediate family before - this is the closest grief has ever been to my home - and I'm not there to be with them.
It was difficult to sleep, and even more difficult to get up today. Where is the balance between grief and strength? More than anything, right now it would be really easy to start feeling guilty that I am not there to stand by my family.
In Tokyo, I am on the go daily - and having only been here two weeks, I'm still sorting out my scheduling and experiencing a lot of "firsts." Today was my first day teaching at the yochien(kindergarten) that I visit twice a month. Susan took me with her the day after I got to Japan to see how things went there, but I was still a little unsure how the kids would like me and everything....and I was just so tired on the train and during the 10 minute walk to the yochien. I just kept praying, "Lord, please make me joyful so I can be full of light with these kids."
And, as ever, He is faithful.
Once I was there, things went smoothly and it was extremely refreshing to be with the kids and see how simple it is to make them laugh and feel good about themselves just as they are. As I left the building when the class was over, I turned my iPod back on and that old Kirk Franklin song "Gonna Be A Lovely Day" came on. The first verse is at the top of this post.
Yes, losing Grandpa is really hard. It's really sad. I keep wondering if the voicemail he left on my phone before I left for Japan will still be there or not when I go back to Oklahoma next year. I can't listen to it here. I want to cry, and I want to just go to sleep, and I want to hug my grandma and my parents and my sister. Yes, the distance between us is felt more now than before. But, when I think about Christ - and the way He suffered alone in His own death - and the way He loves us - I know there is reason to rejoice even in dark times.
So - instead of sorrow, I chose remembrance. Instead of grief, I chose joy. Instead of feeling guilty, I chose feeling called to the purpose that brought me to Japan to begin with in even greater measure. He is still God - and He is faithful to His promises of joy, peace, and comfort for my family and for me.
I know Grandpa would want me to have peace as I'm just starting this adventure in Tokyo. Before I left, he told me often how proud he was of me for accepting this gift from God and he was able to tell me goodbye then - just in case this very thing happened while I was gone. He was ready, and so I will be as well.
Jesus, You know all things. You knew the day and time that we would say goodbye to Grandpa Fosburg from the very beginning. I trust that all things are in Your hands. I trust that You are faithful to your promises. I thank You for joy. I thank You for peace and most of all, Lord, I thank You for Your precious love. You are compassionate in all ways - and You know our pain. Thank You for Your comfort that extends beyond oceans and state lines and brings my family together in this time. You are limitless and full of love. I love You, Jesus, and my life is Yours in all things --
For my family, I do wish I could be there with you in this moment. I can take comfort in knowing that you are all together, and in turn - know that I am not alone here. Susan, Joyce, and Yuri are here praying for me and for you as we say goodbye to Grandpa Fosburg. I love you so much.
Until soon.
Amanda
After returning from a long day at Tokyo University with Chi Alpha and the Hilo Hawaii team on their last day of ministry, I found out that my grandfather had passed away in Oklahoma on Monday night. Fortunately, my mom was online at that time so I was able to talk to her a bit about what was going on at home. My Grandpa Fosburg had been sick on and off for many years, so I knew that there was a possibility he would pass while I was in Japan - but one is never really prepared for this kind of news. I was blessed to have Joyce and Yuri on hand to pray with that night, and also the whole Hilo team.
He had been suffering more through this last year than the years before, and I believe he was growing tired. In this way, I am able to rejoice in his release into peace from a place of pain. I know he is free now from the limitations his illnesses forced upon him. The hardest part now is the distance between me and my family during this time. My sister and I haven't really experienced death in our immediate family before - this is the closest grief has ever been to my home - and I'm not there to be with them.
It was difficult to sleep, and even more difficult to get up today. Where is the balance between grief and strength? More than anything, right now it would be really easy to start feeling guilty that I am not there to stand by my family.
But when I think of You...
In Tokyo, I am on the go daily - and having only been here two weeks, I'm still sorting out my scheduling and experiencing a lot of "firsts." Today was my first day teaching at the yochien(kindergarten) that I visit twice a month. Susan took me with her the day after I got to Japan to see how things went there, but I was still a little unsure how the kids would like me and everything....and I was just so tired on the train and during the 10 minute walk to the yochien. I just kept praying, "Lord, please make me joyful so I can be full of light with these kids."
And, as ever, He is faithful.
Once I was there, things went smoothly and it was extremely refreshing to be with the kids and see how simple it is to make them laugh and feel good about themselves just as they are. As I left the building when the class was over, I turned my iPod back on and that old Kirk Franklin song "Gonna Be A Lovely Day" came on. The first verse is at the top of this post.
Yes, losing Grandpa is really hard. It's really sad. I keep wondering if the voicemail he left on my phone before I left for Japan will still be there or not when I go back to Oklahoma next year. I can't listen to it here. I want to cry, and I want to just go to sleep, and I want to hug my grandma and my parents and my sister. Yes, the distance between us is felt more now than before. But, when I think about Christ - and the way He suffered alone in His own death - and the way He loves us - I know there is reason to rejoice even in dark times.
So - instead of sorrow, I chose remembrance. Instead of grief, I chose joy. Instead of feeling guilty, I chose feeling called to the purpose that brought me to Japan to begin with in even greater measure. He is still God - and He is faithful to His promises of joy, peace, and comfort for my family and for me.
I know Grandpa would want me to have peace as I'm just starting this adventure in Tokyo. Before I left, he told me often how proud he was of me for accepting this gift from God and he was able to tell me goodbye then - just in case this very thing happened while I was gone. He was ready, and so I will be as well.
Jesus, You know all things. You knew the day and time that we would say goodbye to Grandpa Fosburg from the very beginning. I trust that all things are in Your hands. I trust that You are faithful to your promises. I thank You for joy. I thank You for peace and most of all, Lord, I thank You for Your precious love. You are compassionate in all ways - and You know our pain. Thank You for Your comfort that extends beyond oceans and state lines and brings my family together in this time. You are limitless and full of love. I love You, Jesus, and my life is Yours in all things --
Lord, just one thought of You -
and I know it's gonna be a lovely day
For my family, I do wish I could be there with you in this moment. I can take comfort in knowing that you are all together, and in turn - know that I am not alone here. Susan, Joyce, and Yuri are here praying for me and for you as we say goodbye to Grandpa Fosburg. I love you so much.
Until soon.
Amanda
10.02.2010
Joy Unspeakable.
There are a few reasons I woke up with thankfulness and happiness in my heart today. One - my God is strong and He loves me. Not only does He love me, He loves this nation that I'm in and He's present here in every moment.
Second - after three days living in the Student Center, I finally asked Yuri how to turn on the hot water in the shower....(Hallelujah!)
It's been a busy couple of days - sorry for not getting around to making a new post! I did post some pictures and a few videos on my Facebook page (Amanda in Japan). If we are friends on Facebook, you'll find the albums and things listed in the normal places. On my Japan page, they are all under Links! I hope you get a chance to check them out.
Thursday, I had the privilege to visit the classrooms of two Christian professors at Seikei University. I met them last summer when the Carbondale missions team was in Tokyo and I went this week with the Hilo Hawaii team that is here. It was so great to see them again and to meet their students! They had soooo much fun learning some basics with hula and the ukulele. It's been really fun hanging out with the Hawaii team as well - they are all really talented hula dancers and musicians and God is revealing His glory and His beauty through them every day! We spent the day there at Seikei University and then the team went to do a service in Shinagawa.
Thursday night and Friday, I was able to just relax and get things settled in my room and deal with a bit of the jet lag. It was nice to walk around the neighborhood a bit and reacquaint myself with the area. Last summer, I was only at the student center for prayer meetings really - so there is still a lot I don't know about living here. I located a few ATMs, and visited the post office, and did a little shopping. I felt much better that evening, so I think my jet lag is passing and I'm adjusting to the schedule better. Which is good - because we're pretty busy here in Tokyo!
Last night, I attended my first official XA staff meeting in Harajuku! We had a special dinner at a Hawaiian breakfast restaurant there. It was really nice and the food was delicious. After we had our fill of pancakes, we relocated for a meeting. I'm really excited about all the opportunities God is giving me this year to grow and to learn more about Him. More than ever, I know that I would be completely lost and useless without Him. I couldn't do this - but with Him, I can do anything. Isn't it amazing that He uses us to reveal His glory to the world?
Welp, I suppose I should get off here and finish getting ready for the day. Please be praying for us during these next two weeks as we minister on campus and especially for the Hilo Hawaii team that is traveling all over Tokyo during these weeks to minister through dance and music!
Until!
Amanda
Second - after three days living in the Student Center, I finally asked Yuri how to turn on the hot water in the shower....(Hallelujah!)
It's been a busy couple of days - sorry for not getting around to making a new post! I did post some pictures and a few videos on my Facebook page (Amanda in Japan). If we are friends on Facebook, you'll find the albums and things listed in the normal places. On my Japan page, they are all under Links! I hope you get a chance to check them out.
Thursday, I had the privilege to visit the classrooms of two Christian professors at Seikei University. I met them last summer when the Carbondale missions team was in Tokyo and I went this week with the Hilo Hawaii team that is here. It was so great to see them again and to meet their students! They had soooo much fun learning some basics with hula and the ukulele. It's been really fun hanging out with the Hawaii team as well - they are all really talented hula dancers and musicians and God is revealing His glory and His beauty through them every day! We spent the day there at Seikei University and then the team went to do a service in Shinagawa.
Thursday night and Friday, I was able to just relax and get things settled in my room and deal with a bit of the jet lag. It was nice to walk around the neighborhood a bit and reacquaint myself with the area. Last summer, I was only at the student center for prayer meetings really - so there is still a lot I don't know about living here. I located a few ATMs, and visited the post office, and did a little shopping. I felt much better that evening, so I think my jet lag is passing and I'm adjusting to the schedule better. Which is good - because we're pretty busy here in Tokyo!
Last night, I attended my first official XA staff meeting in Harajuku! We had a special dinner at a Hawaiian breakfast restaurant there. It was really nice and the food was delicious. After we had our fill of pancakes, we relocated for a meeting. I'm really excited about all the opportunities God is giving me this year to grow and to learn more about Him. More than ever, I know that I would be completely lost and useless without Him. I couldn't do this - but with Him, I can do anything. Isn't it amazing that He uses us to reveal His glory to the world?
Welp, I suppose I should get off here and finish getting ready for the day. Please be praying for us during these next two weeks as we minister on campus and especially for the Hilo Hawaii team that is traveling all over Tokyo during these weeks to minister through dance and music!
Until!
Amanda
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