Fozzi ♥

For real this time...

2012-02-06T13:34:00.002+09:00

amandafosburg.wordpress.com

Please see the links at the bottom of the new blog to FOLLOW!

love - amanda

Web-Image Wednesday.

2012-02-02T07:52:00.001+09:00

I'm moving, by the way...
amandafosburg.wordpress.com

Web-Image Wednesday.

2012-01-25T18:18:00.000+09:00

While I don't agree that you should always say exactly what's on your mind,
fear is a silly thing. Be yourself.

Tuesday.

2012-01-24T22:20:00.001+09:00

How long has it been since I've posted a Tuesday blog? Too long I suppose.

In the time between blogs, I have been to Australia, returned home, almost given up on some things and people I love, regained confidence, celebrated the birth of my Savior, spent time with my darling (it was not nearly enough though), said "mata ne" for a second time, and have only recently begun a recent journey back to productivity. I didn't really make resolutions this year...I just decided to start moving, deciding, and generally getting on with life. And enjoying it!

I will also take this time to blame Pinterest for my lack of verbage on this blog. I find that women everywhere are able to blame Pinterest for the lack of this or that with a smile thinking of all the creative planning and future projects they have pinned to their busy Pinterest boards, I might as well join the party (the well thought out, lovely party with colorful handmade decorations and tasty treats that everyone will want the recipe for). I may have just decided that I'm super bad at blogging anyway - so whatevs. That won't stop me from dropping by occasionally to spill about life, love, and the pursuit of Japan.

Speaking of the Land of the Rising Sun, I have finally started the process of going back. I'm still not entirely sure when I'll actually have the paperwork and the funds to cross the ocean, but it's in the works. I'm going to need your support again, those of you who have been with me through this journey over the past few years. I've been finishing up my Global University courses since I've been at home and hope to apply for my ministry certification in about a month. I'm super excited! It took me awhile to say "yes" to actually taking this all the way to get my credentials - but now that I've said yes, I'm really glad to be almost there. I don't know why it always takes me so long to just say "yes" - pray for me. I still have so much growing up to do.

I'm off to watch some movies with my Other Half, Kari! Gotta love girl's night...

Until soon,
Amanda

Web-Image Wednesday - 2012.

2012-01-05T12:52:00.002+09:00

Yay!!

2011-12-25T14:05:00.002+09:00

An on-going mission...

2011-12-09T17:11:00.001+09:00

I won't lie to you - it's 2 a.m. on a Friday morning. Should I be sleeping? Yes, but that won't stop this from hitting the interweb before sunrise.

I have had something on my mind for some time now, a nagging thought that just won't go away. You see, I had a very dear friend in college that has somehow vanished into thin air within the last year. No one seems to know where she is, how to contact her, how she is doing. I am worried about her. I pray for her a lot. I think about her at random. She was a very good friend to me - one of my very first international friends, the first prayer I heard in Japanese was hers, and I just have a whole stash of memories with this girl that I cherish.

I want to know where she is.

Why am I not insanely worried about her whereabouts, you might wonder...well, what little I have found out is that she left and doesn't want to be found. However, I don't accept that as an answer. One, it was hearsay, and two, this girl is warm, funny, generous, smart, brave - she just wouldn't drop all her uni friends for nothing.

I am determined to make contact with her!

I have messaged strangers on Facebook with the same name, stalked Twitter, Mixi, performed Google searches, and scanned her old university website. All to no avail. I keep asking our mutual friends if they've seen or heard from her - no one has. No one knows anything! It's totally creepy to me. The last time I saw her was at a fundraiser dinner for my Japan trip. She helped me so much in those final weeks - and went missing only days before I left America. I have been trying to contact her for a year now.

Tonight, I think I may have found a breakthrough. Finally.

Please pray that this works, because I really miss her and would like to know that she is safe and happy wherever she is! Even if she does, indeed, want to cut all ties to those she knew before, knowing she's out there where she wants to be would be enough...but I really hope she still wants to be friends because I miss talking to her!

Thanks.

Until soon,
Amanda

Web-Image Wednesday - Winter Edition.

2011-12-01T15:24:00.001+09:00

“I was born with a reading list I will never finish.”
^{- Maud Casey}

^{Until soon.}

^Amanda

Monday.

2011-11-28T17:34:00.000+09:00

"Paris is always a good idea."

-audrey hepburn

(I know I have failed to update the photo challenge...it's coming...slowly...)

Until soon.

Amanda

Projects.

2011-11-17T23:32:00.012+09:00

Amidst the holiday crafting, baking, and general planning, here's one more thing to amuse myself...

DAY I. - Self-Portrait

I just like that hat...

* * * * *

This week has been interesting to say the least, and not really in the good way.

I had been contemplating posting about my dog Wilson all week, and discussing the gentle way in which our dogs help us through the difficult times, buuuuuuut....

He went full on psycho on my face this evening:

teeth, growling, claws of fury - the whole bit.

So much for that.

So instead, I will go back to the scripture Pastor used in service on Wednesday.

Habakkuk 3:17-19
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
      and there are no grapes on the vines;
   even though the olive crop fails,
      and the fields lie empty and barren;
   even though the flocks die in the fields,
      and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
      I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
      He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
      able to tread upon the heights.

Even though my dog bit my face, and I can barely comprehend half the things that have transpired this week, and even though I know the storm is far from over, and there seems to be no safe place to go in the meantime -

I will rejoice,
for the Sovereign Lord is indeed my strength,
and He has always been my song.

Until.

Amanda

Sunday.

2011-11-14T13:01:00.000+09:00

He is ever faithful.

Okay...if you insist!

2011-10-24T13:18:00.000+09:00

Mata ne.
See you later!

Friday.

2011-10-22T06:23:00.002+09:00

What to say, what to say...

I want to write, you know. I want to talk about the overwhelming love of Christ. I want to describe the warmth of the late morning sun. I want (and need) to start recording the thoughts, plans, and dreams I have for a new year with XA Japan - whenever that should come.

I want to write endless letters to friends around the world.

Alas, I sit at home with our little furry dog, Wilson, or study at the local library for Global (or just roam around checking out books I shouldn't have the time to read). Lethargic much? Oy. I do find satisfaction in knowing that at least I've been hitting the "home gym" at least 2 or 3 times a week. It is a start at least.

Although sometimes I feel as if I'm standing still when I know there is so much more that needs to be done, I am happy because I know God's plan is in place and it is active and always moving forward whether I can feel the push or not. I have enjoyed getting up each day and meeting Him over His Word and blank pages to write to Him - if not to anyone else. I have the opportunity to talk to Kohei often, and am super excited and extremely aware of how blessed I am to get the chance to visit him in Australia in just a few short days. I've made progress in my studies, created things that have brought me joy, and delighted in the love and comfort of being at home with my family. I recognize that it can be a rare thing indeed to have a family that loves and supports each other as much as mine does, and I'm thankful each day for the love of Christ in our home that makes it possible. I guess what I am trying to say is that though the past few months have seemed quiet, they are still treasured as an evident part of the bigger picture God has. Anywho...

I was privileged to attend the funeral of my great-great-aunt yesterday. I had seen her often throughout my life, but did not truly know her well. As the service was held, her pastor and many others testified to her devoted love of Jesus and to the study of the Word. It was a celebration of a life well-lived before the Father. What a beautiful thing - to have a faith strong enough to outlive you, to continue to bless and challenge others after having gone home to be with Him. I want that kind of love for Jesus - for a personal relationship with Him that makes others thirst for His presence. It is always hard to say goodbye to a loved one, but I left encouraged by her life and genuinely happy for her. She's home. She's with the One she loved more than this life. It makes one ask themselves, "What kind of legacy will you leave to those who loved you?"

It's a beautiful day. I think I'll head out before the sun disappears. Whoever you are, have a fantastic day! For those who continue to support XA Japan through prayer, thank you and please continue praying for the our campus Bible studies! I heard from our director that many new members have joined and God is changing lives and revealing Himself through the Word weekly. Praise God! He is always doing a new thing, you know!

Until soon.
Amanda

Just one more week and some change...

2011-10-15T02:51:00.001+09:00

I'm going to Australia for a few weeks to visit Kohei!
What a crazy year....

God is good!

Bliss.

2011-10-10T04:46:00.001+09:00

Coffee, pairs perfectly with a book.

2011-10-05T22:57:00.000+09:00

This reminds me of Tokyo.

Also, I please pray for my 6 yr old friend and former English student,

Lena.Lena will be having a brain tumor removed Friday, Oct. 7 at 9 AM Japan time,

7 PM Central time. Her 4 yr old brother Kan will be having minor ear surgery

the same day. Keep the Miyake family in your prayers this week and in the

weeks to come. Thank you!

Until soon.

Amanda

burōchi.

2011-10-03T13:51:00.002+09:00

I made something for you.

burōchi.
$3 for simple ones, $5 for fancier brooches/hair clips -

great for dressing up jackets, bags, scarves, etc...

can be made in a variety of colors with custom fabric button centers

or vintage buttons/jewelry pieces.
$7 for headbands I have yet to photograph.

More colors and variations soon.

Interested?

I'm hoping to start saving a little money in advance

to go back to Japan.

Until soon.

Amanda

Web-Image Wednesday.

2011-09-22T05:44:00.001+09:00

I'm feeling super crafty lately -

I want to make things and bake things.

This could get dangerous, folks!

It's TUESDAY!

2011-09-20T23:30:00.000+09:00

Fall is coming!

Woohoo. Another Tuesday has come and almost gone. It has really been a lovely week. The weather has been perfect! Sunny, but breezy. Jacket and boots season is upon us! Finally!

In "miscellaneous business," mom and I made The Pioneer Woman's Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe last night. It was super yummy. I reccommend it. I really love most of the things that Mrs. Ree Drummond does anyway. If you are behind the times, and don't have a clue who on earth I'm talking about, follow the recipe link above and have your eyes opened! If you like photography, food, or country life - you'll adore her!

My tickets to Australia are totally booked now and my sweet boyfriend has taken care of booking our beds at the hostel in Sydney and our flight to Melbourne, etc. I'm getting totally pumped up about it! It is still a bit surreal, to be honest, but I can't wait to see what fun awaits in the land down under. Dream come true? You bet. Life is interesting with God.

Other than that, and studying a ton for Bible school, eating lunch at my mom's work, and harassing my dog on a daily basis, I've done a whole lot of nothing this week! I did drive up to my former university on Monday for lunch with one of my mentors in international student ministry. He was also in Japan post-earthquake, so we had many things to talk about and pray about as we look forward to a new time of ministry to the nation of Japan on campus in Oklahoma abroad. I've had some cool opportunities since I've been home to reconnect with the Asian community at NSU. God is good - and He knows my heart. Whereever I go in life, that is sure. He knows my heart and His plans for my life. I am filled with more joy, and I am more humbled, each time the Lord turns a new page in my story. So blessed!

On that subject, I have been so encouraged at my home church since I have been home. God is meeting people where they are at. It is always amazing to me when I see people at the altar, or anywhere else for that matter, surrounded by brothers or sisters in Christ who feel comfortable opening up and allowing the healing or the process of change to begin. That is family! Listening and praying for one another and standing with one another as, together, we let the Lord do what He loves to do - restore us to His original design. It's been good. If you don't have a home church in Wagoner, there are many fine churches in the area to check out. You are always welcome to come see us at First Assembly. Wednesday night service tomorrow at 7 p.m.! Can't wait!

Well, I guess I will wrap this up and get to bed. I have an early morning Skype appointment, directly followed by an online Global Uni test. If you were on my Japan prayer team, please keep praying for me! My Japan story is not over. Thank you so much for being a continual part of it.

Until soon!
Amanda

Moon River.

2011-09-17T14:14:00.000+09:00

Happy 50th Anniversary, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Web-Image...this week...

2011-09-16T06:00:00.000+09:00

Pretty days...

I'm really bad at this...

2011-09-16T05:35:00.003+09:00

Of all the things that are coming together beautifully in my life as of late, blogging consistently just isn't one of them. Maybe during the next wave of change. We can always hope! Really, there are probably other things I should be doing right now, which is why my dear blog has been graced with my presence and undivided (for the most part...) attention at this moment.

So, let's catch up!

In the last two weeks I spent in Japan, I was blessed to see just about everyone I know there! It was busy, but so amazing. I can't even begin to describe the amount of love and joy I experienced in those days, though they were bittersweet knowing that my leave day was fast approaching. My Chi Alpha
"Sayonara" Party in Odaiba (my favorite place to celebrate in Tokyo!) was so much fun! I have such beautiful, amazing friends and mentors!

Church family at Tokyo Urban and GAP!

Co-workers from OICE // Sayonara Party in Odaiba

Like a repeat of 2009, it rained the day I headed to the airport. Again, I was so blessed by my friends! Teiko drove me to the airport and Susan, Joyce, Yuri, and Hyunhee were all there to see me off. They are so sweet! Especially since I had so much luggage!

I miss them!

I've really been having a blast at home with my family, though! It is nice to be back in Oklahoma. The pace of life is a lot slower, but I find I still have so much to do! I find myself just staring at all the grass and the seemingly simplistic beauty of the landscape that surrounds me. However, the overwhelming complexity of God's creation never escapes me for long. He truly is the master artist!

A week after I got back, my mom hosted a little get together to welcome me back. It was so good to see so many family members and friends! My cousin Miranda made the cutest cake ever! Just look at it:

kawaiiiiiiiiii!!!!

My mom took a week off of work as well, and we had so much fun running around with each other! We also ended up at Fashion's Night Out Tulsa to celebrate the beginning of NY's Fashion Week. Unexpected, but totally worth the drive up to Utica Square! To finish the week up, we headed to Arkansas to get my tattoo touched up and to get my mom's first tattoo! That's right...my mom is pretty cool, if you hadn't aleady noticed!

And, although none of you are sitting out there with bated breath, just waiting to hear what happens next in the life of Amanda - that does bring us up to this week. So far, all I have done is cardio kickboxing and study for Global University. Prayer requests? My studies. I really want to get on a roll with these Global courses and move on to some more intensive Japanese studies. Also, I am speaking for the first time about my trip tomorrow at a chapel service for a Christian school in my hometown. I need boldness and the right words to say to these kiddos! And, of course, I am still praying about what to do with my life next!

In closing, I want to say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kohei! May each day hold more blessing than the last as your love for Christ and your revelation of His love for you grows! Hugs!

Until soon, my dearies.

Amanda

ただいま。

2011-09-12T13:49:00.000+09:00

Life is good in Oklahoma.
I've been having a ball with my family.

A few things are changing in my life here lately -

but all for the good.

God is faithful, and He is ever kind and gracious

though I could never even come close to deserving it.

I'll bring an extended "from home" update on Tuesday.

Until.

Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-08-24T22:20:00.000+09:00

I'll miss you, too.

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-08-17T23:51:00.001+09:00

The end has come too soon, Japan...

火曜日。

2011-08-11T17:08:00.007+09:00

It has been a busy three weeks - where do I even start?!

Since I last posted, I have been to visit my Japanese gramma, spoke at a church in Chiba, finished my second term of Japanese, went to DisneySea, took a three day holiday in Hakone, said goodbye to two other interns returning to the States, and celebrated the gift of salvation with three new sisters from our Bible studies.

I can't believe how close I am to the end of the 11 months in Tokyo I signed up for! It has gone by so quickly! (My parents would beg to differ, I'm sure...)

Hakone was really nice. It is an area near one of Mt. Fuji's five lakes - Ashinoko. It is famous for it's hot springs! It was a bit overcast while we were there, but Liz, Fusae and I had such a relaxing weekend. It was nice to see some green and be out of Tokyo. It was my first scheduled trip in Japan! I went to Tohoku to work in the spring, but that doesn't quite count as vacation...so anyway, I am really thankful for the time we got to spend in Hakone!

Sadly, Amanda Keller left in the first week of August and Liz followed her yesterday. Everything has slowed down and it's back to how it was when I first came to Japan. I am excited to spend these last few weeks meeting up with university friends and spending time with Yuri, Susan, and Joyce. I have met so many amazing people. They have all changed and enhanced my life in different ways, and although I am sad to be saying goodbye soon, I know these are friends for life. No matter where we are, we'll always have Japan. Always.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, God has blessed us with four new sisters this summer from our XA Bible studies - celebration is in order! In a country where ministry often takes years to see the opening of the door, a single life changed by the love of Christ in a whole year is a wonder and a joy to behold. I have been blessed to experience four salvations and eight baptisms this year through Chi Alpha and my churches. What grace! I am humbled to have been able to be a part of what Christ is doing here in Tokyo!

I better get back to work, I'm already starting on my packing because there is just too much to do! Please pray for our new sisters and for me as I prepare to leave. Thank you!

Until.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-08-10T16:45:00.001+09:00

I did start a Tuesday blog yesterday, but it isn't finished.

I have a lot of ground to cover from the last two weeks,

so prepare yourselves for a belated Tuesday blog on Thursday --

with pictures!

Until.

Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日 on 木曜日。

2011-07-28T22:49:00.000+09:00

Now would be the time that I need to be productive and

finish writing all the things that I need to have written

by this weekend.

Expect more information next week.

Jya ne.

Until.

Amanda

月曜日。

2011-07-25T15:04:00.001+09:00

It is Monday.

I am at Wired Cafe in Shibuya, typing this out on a iPad keyboard, waiting on Tony to show up so I don't look so lame just sitting here by myself. I also have a ton of stuff I need to be doing, but having jotted down a few brief notes concerning the testimony I will give on Friday, the message I will give on Sunday, and the Japanese speech I will make in class on Monday -- I have decided to break before I really get to business fleshing this stuff out and doing some work on my Global course.

So, how is everyone?

I can't believe that I only have five more weeks left in Japan. Although campus ministry will unofficially end in the next two weeks, I know that the remaining days will still be busy with meetings and last attempts at seeing the city where God has so profoundly changed my heart and my life. There is still so much I don't know, and so much I want to.

I regret not spending more time studying Japanese while in Japan. Even I am surprised by how much I understand when listening, but I can't get past the cotton in my mouth when it comes to an appointment to speak. Still, I wish I had scheduled the hours into my week to really study kanji. My desire to read and write Japanese outweighs my actual desire to speak fluently. I guess I A) presume the speaking would be easier with the vocabulary in my head from reading and B) my addiction to the written word could then span an ocean and two vastly different cultures. I HAVE TO BE MORE MOTIVATED IN AMERICA! (How? I don't know. Does someone want to start a Japanese club with me...in Wagoner? Maybe I could convince my mom to start learning Japanese...oh, Mommy...日本語を勉強したいですか？)

We'll see! There are a lot of things I want to do when I get home. Things I want to get in order before I return to Japan. Things I want to do before I settle anywhere for any amount of time. Things I am going to have to find a reserve of motivation for that I have previously never possessed in my life. Jesus, help me to be who You intend for me to be!

In these last weeks, I really want to make the most of my time. I want to see as many of my friends from this last year as possible. I want divine opportunities to share what Christ has done in my life, and what He could do in the lives of others, with those I have grown to love so much. I want to finish well, as Pastor Shelley preached last night at GAP. I want to continue holding onto to Christ as I seek His blessing over my remaining time in Tokyo, as Pastor Sakai shared on Sunday morning at Tokyo Urban Church.

I feel like you guys and girls get a lot of repeat information from me, and I guess that must not be entertaining. But, I am still a work in progress and realizing more each day that I always will be. The moment I think I'm "all good" would be a day apart from Christ - whose sacrifice made a way for us to grow daily more like Him in goodness, kindness, humbleness, and patience.

That said, I will wrap this up and get back to work. Much love.
Until,
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-07-20T23:45:00.000+09:00

火曜日。

2011-07-19T16:57:00.000+09:00

Hello, world.

Today - the typhoon rain began in Tokyo. I wish I could express to you my displeasure, but, alas, it is far too intensive to convey through mere words. If I could lay in my futon all day long and just alternate periods of reading and periods of napping...perhaps it would be okay. Alas, English must be checked at the School of Engineering, so I donned the blue boots I wore to work in in Tohoku and headed out into the tropical downpour. The rain stopped approximately minutes after I was on the train and well past the walking portion of my morning commute. Eh.

That said, everything else in my life this week has been pretty spectacular. We have some new friends from YWAM partnering with us at Waseda Uni., and they also attended at Meiji this past week as well. I turned in my Japanese exam, Liz and I met with a really awesome guy from Seikei Uni., and the beautiful wooden room divider from Sasaki-san's home in Tohoku finally made its way to the XA Student Center before XHOP on Saturday. It was nice to have this reminder to pray for Tohoku, and specifically for the Sasaki family. God is good!

Summer vacation is fast approaching. All of our friends are starting to get super busy with preparation for end-term exams. The matsuris are beginning; almost every night we see the girls dressed in their summer yukatas for the various events. We had a little holiday of our own this week! Yesterday was "海の日" - or Day of the Sea. Susan, Liz, and I took this day off to roam around the shops of Nakano Broadway near the Student Center. I didn't think it would keep us occupied for long, but we were there for several hours! It was pretty interesting, and it was really fun to hang out with these two lovely ladies for awhile.

After that, Liz and I headed to Shinjuku for dinner with some friends. Our friend Sarah was in town this last week and joined us for dinner - so it was extra special! Sarah, Liz, and I were all in orientation together in 2009 - our first summer in Japan. It was nice to have a mini reunion! Following dinner, Amanda Keller, Liz, Hyunhee, and I headed to Starbucks to hammer out some plans concerning common dreams that God has given us for this city and for our various ideas of ministry in Tokyo. All I have to say on that for now is that God is really good and He is doing a new thing, no doubt about it.

The coming week is packed with activity - a hip-hop workshop, a potential "going-away" trip to Disney, and Debbie's much anticipated return to Tokyo - and I am excited to meet new people and experience all that God has coming up. At the same time, I recognize the slowing down of my schedule and the preparation that will have to start soon for my return to the States. So, please continue to pray for me as I try to keep things in perspective!

Of course, please keep praying for Chi Alpha and our various campus ministries and for those living and working in the devastated areas of NE Japan. Thank you for your support!

Until soon.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-07-13T00:35:00.001+09:00

It's summer....

火曜日。

2011-07-12T16:06:00.000+09:00

It has come to pass / Each night dawns eternally into / White plum blossoms

// by Yosa Buson (tweeted from DailyKu)

すみません。。。。

I missed a week! To be honest with you, I was just super tired. I went home from work at the Uni. of Tokyo after lunch last week, so I didn't complete my afternoon post. After some good times and some not so good times last week, I found myself in desperate need of a bit of rest and restoration in the Lord's presence. And, He's always so sweet and so kind, He met me where I was and this week started afresh.

I love Him!

Since I last penned a post, I have done some fun things with friends and we've had a few XA events. The weekend after we went to the Ghibli Museum, Kohei, Liz, Kane-san, and I headed to Ueno Zoo to lay our eyes upon the pandas.....it was amazing!!!! But, I think I confirmed that I love the red panda even more. I wish there was some way I could bottle it's cuteness for not so fun days.

After that, we headed over to ICA for the start of a weekend Pentecost Celebration with IHOP-Tokyo and The Tokyo House of Prayer for All Nations. It was so good. God changed hearts and lives and set people free in joy in that house! By the end of the second night, everyone was up dancing and clapping and singing - and it was beautiful to see and be a part of. Jesus is so much fun! I feel bad for those who think He's boring because they are missing the party!

The next day was our July XA Power Praise Night with a July 4 theme! Yes, we are in Japan - but it was pretty fun celebrating America's independence at the XA Student Center. Our IHOP friends came to do worship and share testimonies and we also had a special guest from a hip-hop team in California there to give us a sample of the hip-hop workshop/performance XA will be participating in later this month. He is amazing!!! I spent most of the night in the kitchen making hot dogs - and they ate them all! I was surprised....once again, God extends our means to feed all the people in our house!

Our Bible studies at Todai, Waseda, and Meiji are going well. I shared at WEBS and at Meiji's study last week - the discussion times at WEBS have been so good these past few weeks! I am really looking forward to this week's meetings. Meiji has blown us all away with it's growth and I absolutely love everyone there! Thank You, Kamisama!

Friday after Meiji, my housemates and I slipped away to Shin-Okubo to enjoy Tokyo's Little Korea. It was like being in a totally different place! We ate some amazing Korean food and stumbled upon a pet shop with the cutest dogs running around. We now know where we will spend our free time if we start having pet withdrawals again.... and big thanks to Yuri for treating us!

To top the week off, we enjoyed a beautiful - but very hot - day at Musashi-Koganei park for our July XA Outing. Seven of us had a picnic in the park and then we visited the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum...which I absolutely love and I was really glad I had the chance to go back there before I left Japan. Tanoshikatta! Japan is a beautiful place, with a long, rich history. I am so thankful that I have had so many opportunities to experience Japanese culture!

The rest of the weekend consisted of goodbyes (Kohei went back to Australia, again) and too much food with friends! Strange point - I think I might actually enjoy sushi, now? Who knows...

Anyway, keep praying for this nation. The suicide rates up north are climbing now and there are still so many needs to be met for so many people. Beyond the physical needs - there is deep spiritual need in this nation. I can't wait for the day that I see the hope and the joy of the Lord rising in this nation. It is closer every day! Thank you for lifting up our university Bible studies at Waseda University, The University of Tokyo, and Meiji University, as well. Your prayers pave the way for the relationships we make and the actions we take in sharing the love of Jesus wherever we are in Japan. Thank you!

For those of you who don't know, I will be returning to the States on August 26. My English classes are ending (so sad!) and we only have a few more weeks left in the summer term at the universities. Please remember me in your prayers as well as I wrap this amazing experience (one I am sure is not over entirely, even after I leave). Thank you for helping me get here!!

Until soon,

Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-06-30T00:44:00.000+09:00

...or not, because it's wicked hot in Tokyo these days....

火曜日。

2011-06-28T15:34:00.006+09:00

This could be the longest post of all time....or not...but chances are it is going to be lengthy. Brace yourselves!

Our time with the IHOPU team ended too quickly, but the harvesting of fruit from their visit continues. We were able to establish new relationships at each university they visited and we continue to meet and fellowship with these students from Waseda, Todai, Seibo Nursing, Seikei, Dokkyo, and Meiji. Here are a few photo highlights from the IHOPU outreach trip:

XA Game Night at the Student Center - 06.10.11

53 people, 6 universities, and a ton of waffles/pancakes

English Service at Megumi Christ Church - 06.11.11
The first Saturday English service at Megumi, where I teach
English- I just love the pastor's son, Kan-kun!

Healing at Sayama Christ Church - 06.12.11

This woman, who was severely injured in a car accident 8 years
before,was healed and able to put her weight on her left leg for the
first time since the accident. The kneecap was completely crushed
and they were unable to replace it, but God is greater!

XA Logos Party - 06.13.11
Over 30 people were packed into our weekly Bible study room

at the University of Tokyo to say goodbye to the IHOPU team!
It was a lot of fun, and we had the chance to get to know some of the students better.

Sadly, the team had to leave the following day. It was so much fun to see Rob and Kenneth again, and I hope to see everyone else on the team again someday! Since that time, Liz and I have been meeting with the new students we met and continued with the summer ministry at Todai, Waseda, and Meiji. I am simply amazed at the work God is doing on these campuses! He gets all the glory, because it can't be anything we've done that has caused this sudden overflow of friendship and outreach opportunities.

We've had a great few weeks at Waseda Uni. I am just soooo excited to see movement there. We started the book of John a few weeks ago in a free discussion format and I find myself really looking forward to it each week now. It has been great! In addition, Meiji University's Bible study is just doing its own thing! We had 12 people in attendance last Friday and we all ate lunch with each other afterward at a nearby Chinese restaurant (oishikatta!). Meiji has really been a beautiful example to me of how the Holy Spirit works and how God's plans for each university are truly in His hands. I just have to trust His leading!

We also opened up the XA Student Center once more last Friday night for dinner and games. It was so much fun! I love being a college student (um, kinda...Bible school counts, yo!), and hanging out with other college students! Again, we had friends from Seibo, Seikei, Waseda, Meiji, and even my roommate from my university in the US, Nanami, was there. Kohei (who is back in Japan during his winter break in Australia), Liz (whom I love dearly and who I am so glad is here in Japan for XA this summer), and I made taco rice for dinner and then we played mafia! Tony (who is serving with the Miyakes at Megumi Christ Church) is pretty much the best narrator for mafia I have ever heard! None of us could stop laughing!

Friday Fiesta - 06.24.11

It has been so much fun these past few weeks! I can't wait to see what God has in store for the coming weeks and for the events we have on the calendar. If you could, please pray for our Chi Alpha Power Praise Night next Monday - July 4. We are going to cook hot dogs on a George Foreman grill! Then, at the end of the week, we will have another XA outing. We aren't completely decided on location, but we are hoping to go somewhere outdoors and perhaps away outside of Tokyo. Please pray that we have wisdom as we plan so many people can join us and His love can be shared and glory be given to His name!

To end the week right, Kohei, Liz, and I headed out to Odaiba - one of my favorite places, as I've said before -　for a bit of relaxation by the sea. Originally, we'd planned to pull our funds together to rent a puppy....yes, rent a puppy... at Puppy the World. Basically, you can rent one of their dogs for about $30 an hour. You can take a little walk around the beach, pet the puppy. Desperate? Maybe. But, we were prepared to pay. Unfortunately, that place is closed. So, we had to think of a new plan. We were trying to decide where to take lunch and whining about puppies (okay, I was whining about puppies...) when we found a pirate themed restaurant! It was basically amazing. After that, things got better. We took a ferry about the bay. We walked around the shops. For dinner, we headed back to Nakano - where Liz and I live - where Kohei treated us Chi Alpha interns to yakiniku!

Odaiba with Liz and Kohei - 06.25.11
Pirates and stuff.

But, the fun wasn't over on Saturday. Yesterday (Monday), Amanda K.(Missionary Shelley Carl's summer intern), Liz, Kohei, and I headed out to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo. Normally, we'd have Japanese class on Monday afternoons - but Seikei was on a school holiday, so we were free! It was definitely one of the neatest places I've ever been. I've only watched a few of Hayao Mizayaki's films, but the place is just cute and so imaginative! I will add some pictures to this post when I get home tonight, although we were sadly told not to take pictures inside!

Ghibli Museum - 06.27.11
The picture from inside is from the museum's official website!

Well, maybe this wasn't so long. Today, I am starting on the first unit of my next Global University Berean course - Intro. to Hermeneutics. Pray that I can be motivated to complete this course in the next two weeks so I can move on before I have to leave Japan!

As always, thank you for your support and your prayers.

Until.

Amanda

木曜日。

2011-06-16T21:34:00.001+09:00

紫陽花。　東大、６月２０１１。
The only redeeming quality of Japan's rainy season....

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-06-08T08:37:00.002+09:00

火曜日。

2011-06-07T17:10:00.000+09:00

I'm way behind...I know. I've been sick this past week, but it is really no excuse! My apologies...

We've been having a really blessed time with the IHOP-KC team. Liz is finally here for her two month internship with XA, and the summer term is in full swing and it is definitely busy. God, of course, is faithful and has been doing amazing things. I am seriously enjoying the two new universities that we have been visiting - Seikei and Meiji. I've met some really great people and I'm excited about the friendships still to come.

In other news, XA and the IHOP-KC connected with two other universities this past week - which is truly awesome! A lot of outreach has happened recently and we are experiencing the favor, provision, and joy of Christ at these campuses. Keep praying for open doors and wisdom!

Also, if you have some time, please pray for my health! I have been sick for about a week and a half now. It's just a cold, but with the onset of the rainy season and the humidity, it is really taking a toll on my energy. The past few days have been a bit better, but I'm still coughing a bit. Thanks!

As always, I appreciate your prayers and your support. I can't believe it is already the second week of June! Where has the time gone?!

* * * * *

the list

1. Your patience

2. Your grace

3. Your affection

4. My job at Todai

5. The XA Tokyo Team

6. Dreams

7. For knowing me completely

8. Great weather

9. Shin-Matsudo Revival Church

10. Amazing friends

Until.

Amanda

月曜日。

2011-05-31T00:37:00.002+09:00

* * * * *

the list
1. Your plans always come through!
2. For such a blessed time at Seikei Uni today
3. Sunshine!
4. New friends
5. That You ALWAYS know what You are doing, and why!
6. Your provision
7. Rest
8. Liz Dunagan coming to Tokyo this week!
9. Chi Alpha Japan
10. You never forget!

Until.
Amanda

日曜日。

2011-05-30T08:33:00.003+09:00

It's Sunday in America, right? This is what I wanted to write last night, but I passed out before completing it:

Have you ever had one of those moments you wish you could capture - but you know film/photos just wouldn't convey the significance of that brief period of time? I have them often in Japan, but today there was really just this special, happy time after service at Tokyo Urban Church.

My cell group partner was holding our collective pride and joy, Yuuki-kun, while his father and a few other church family members looked on in adoration of his tiny smile and playful eyes. Motoda-papa sat at the table nearby strumming guitar as Aya-chan braided the younger girls hair. Behind me, Ko-san made his lunch and some of the elder ladies of the church began making tea and coffee for their cell group members. Seems pretty normal, but there was also this shared peace between us. Everyone was so relaxed and so ... themselves! In Japan, it is sometimes hard to find a place where one can just rest in the presence of others - but we have that at TkUC during our fellowship times and it's something I really treasure about this church.

Everyone is in and out of the kitchen at TkUC after service on Sunday, it's busy and people are trying to find places for all their cell group members to sit and eat together - but it's family time. It's just a really precious feeling sometimes! Wish I could share it with you in a more tangible way...

* * * * *

the list

1. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus!

2. Sakai-Sensei and TkUC

3. Susan and Fusae - my TkUC cell group

4. Rob's message of hope at ICA-GAP

5. Spending time in Your presence with "family"

6. Pastor Bill and Carol

7. All my dear friends at GAP!

8. Good weather for the family reunion this weekend at home in OK

9. A busy week ahead

10. Your direction and favor

Until.

Amanda

土曜日。

2011-05-29T00:15:00.000+09:00

the list
1. Psalm 138:8
2. Psalm 139:1-18
3. IHOP-KC Team
4. Your presence
5. Your Word
6. Your perfect will
7. Yuri's curry skills!
8. Rainy days
9. Peaceful mornings
10. Your overwhelming love!

Until.
Amanda

金曜日。

2011-05-27T09:27:00.000+09:00

Megumi Christ Church English Class with the IHOP-KC Team

* * * * *

the list

1. Japanese class at Todai

2. Phone calls

3. Hearing from friends back home

4. Making new friends at the university

5. A good night's rest

6. EMS

7. Your wisdom and favor

8. You always keep Your promises

9. Good weather!

10. Love

Until.

Amanda

木曜日。

2011-05-26T09:57:00.000+09:00

It is time to start some old blogging habits...because I apparently need to start small and work my way up. I'm going to start posting my "list of 10" daily again. I do this in my prayer journal, but I think it might be effective in setting some consistency for writing. (I know, I say that all the time...)

Anywho, the list is just 10 things I'm specifically thankful for each day. Sometimes they are big things, sometimes really small. I just want to develop a heart of gratitude that is truly thankful for the love of Christ!

* * * * *

the list

1. Sunshine

2. Your Word

3. IHOP team that just arrived in Tokyo!

4. Megumi Christ Church and the Miyakes

5. Confidence in who I am in You

6. Healing

7. Yuri-san

8. Growth

9. For Seikei, Meiji, Todai, Waseda, Dokkyo, Seibo...

10. Peace

Until.

Amanda

Web-Image　水曜日。

2011-05-26T08:33:00.000+09:00

火曜日。

2011-05-24T23:41:00.000+09:00

じゃ。。。Last week was interesting to say the least, but it ended well. Really well. Now, I am just ready to get on with this week! The Chi Alpha house is about to get a bit crowded and I can't wait!

Half of Rob's IHOP team (fireinjapan.blogspot.com) is coming this week, and the other half will be here on June 1. Liz, our XA summer intern and a good friend of mine from the first summer I was here, will be here on June 2 for two months! We will all be staying together at the Student Center and the schedule is totally packed, but I know that God has big plans in store for the next few weeks and the coming months. (Awwww, only 3 months left for me here...it's too sad!)

The first week at Meiji went really well...keep praying for us!

More after the team arrives...until...
Amanda

木曜日。

2011-05-19T20:52:00.000+09:00

true story.

Web-Image　水曜日。

2011-05-18T08:17:00.001+09:00

It would seem that when all else is gathering momentum,

when the days are fuller, and joy is running on high,

that that is the prime time for the enemy to swoop in from a

different angle with a distraction.

I am simply too in love with God to let this work.

He has shown me too much over these past few years about

His faithfulness.

So, I will put my trust in the Lord -

even when the hour is difficult to pass through.

"The Lord will work out His plans for my life -
for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.

Don't abandon me, for You made me."

-Psalm 138:8

火曜日。

2011-05-17T14:48:00.001+09:00

I am just so excited about everything that God has been up to lately!

It's been an extremely busy, but abundantly blessed week. In the rush of both my class and Chi Alpha schedule resuming, God has opened up two new doors for us this semester. Throughout the 8 months I have been in Japan thus far, I have been primarily focused on Tokyo University and Waseda University - and the existing Bible studies we have at these schools. From this semester, I now have the opportunity to spend time at two more universities each week!

On Mondays, Tony - a new friend in Tokyo who is serving under the pastors of the church I teach English at on Thursdays - and I are attending a Japanese language class at Seikei University. For those of you who have been reading this blog since that first summer in Tokyo (*cough*Mom*cough*), you may remember that our summer teams visited a few English classrooms at this university. The Hilo Hawaii team was also there last October. I've been praying for some time now for a legitimate way to get involved at this university and have a place on the campus, so I jumped at the chance to be a part of this Japanese class. So far, we have attended two classes and both times I've really enjoyed meeting new people and being able to use what precious little Japanese I know! I'm looking forward to all the things He has in store for this summer at Seikei.

In the same week, Joyce and I met with two Christian professors at Meiji University. Meiji Uni. is up there with other top universities in Japan. It is very modern and has a vastly different atmosphere than most campuses I've been to, which is kind of exciting. These two ladies are so passionate about their campus - where they both attended school themselves - and wanted to get started right away, so our first Bible study at Meiji is this Thursday! Due to some mafia conflict in the past, the administration at this university is wary of religious groups. Please be praying for favor and freedom over this campus that has suffered much due to violence. Despite these things, we are thrilled to get started here. One of the professors we met with began to cry at the end of our prayer time last week and just kept saying how happy she was that this was finally happening. I can't wait!

In addition, we received word from one of our student leaders at yet another campus that he was really encouraged at our monthly Chi Alpha Power Praise night and that he was looking forward to being with Chi Alpha. He just recently became the student leader of the Chi Alpha Bible study at Dokkyo University - so please be in prayer for him and his university!

So, let's recap for prayer purposes. I'm now requesting a bit of your time to pray for the following universities in Tokyo:

The University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo was established in 1877 as the first national university in Japan. As a leading research university, the University of Tokyo offers courses in essentially all academic disciplines at both undergraduate and graduate levels and conducts research across the full spectrum of academic activity. The university aims to provide its students with a rich and varied academic environment that ensures opportunities for both intellectual development and the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.

Waseda University

In the year 2007, Waseda University celebrated the 125th anniversary of its founding by Shigenobu Okuma, scholar and government leader. Waseda is one of Japan's top private, co-educational institutions of higher learning. Founded as a college with three departments under the old Japanese system of higher education, it has since grown to become a comprehensive university with two senior high schools and a School of Art and Architecture.

Meiji University

Meiji University was founded in January 1881 as the Meiji Law School by a group of young lawyers barely in their 30's: Tatsuo Kishimoto, Kozo Miyagi, and Misao Yashiro. It was an era characterized by Japan's urgent need to develop as a modern independent nation. Meiji University aims to make dramatic advances into the world as the top 21st-century urban university in Japan.

Seikei University

Seikei University is a private university that was founded in 1949. Both the school's name-Seikei,(sei) meaning to make and (kei) a path,and it's emblem- the peach , have their origins in the 130-volume work titled Historical Memoirs, written by Si-ma Qian in China some 2,100 years ago. Seikei University's predecessor dates back to 1906 and was supported by Koyata Iwasaki. This university has many graduates from families of noble or business backgrounds.

Dokkyo University

For over 120 years since the foundation of the Doitsu-gaku Kyokai (German Association), Dokkyo University has kept an unbroken and living history of foreign language education and international exchange that can rival any on the world stage.
The Doitsu-gaku Kyokai (German Association), which was the predecessor to Dokkyo University, was founded in 1883, when Japan had just started to move toward internationalization under the phrase of &civilization and enlightenment,&with the principle of nurturing internationally-minded people through learning the language and culture of Germany. It was led by people who left great marks during the Meiji Era (1868-1912), including Chairperson Yajiro Shinagawa and the first Principal of the university, Amane Nishi. A year later, a professional-producing school of law, which the added specialized subjects of law and politics to the five-year program junior high school, was established. Ever since then, it has produced many brilliant human resources to the medical world as the only junior high school in the nation to teach German. Then, in 1964, the year of the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the educational institute, Dokkyo University was established with Amano Teiyu as the first President. Since then, while inheriting the principle of school establishment that originates from the German spirit of multiculturalism, and a tradition of learning foreign language and international exchange which started in the time of German Association, the school has been developing as a university with unique characteristics.

Anywho - please pray for these schools! Pray for my Japanese studies as well, because although I'm understanding more and more of what I hear each day...the speaking is slow in coming. Thank you, and thank You, Kamisama!

This week is just as busy with all these new opportunities and all the meetings that come with them, but it feels really good to be back in the routine of going to class and meeting up with students. Some friends from America got here over the weekend as well, so it has been nice to get out a bit and just hang out with people who know home in America as well as home here.

Guess I will close now...until soon!
Amanda

木曜日。

2011-05-12T20:30:00.000+09:00

Tokyo Tower。April 2011。

火曜日。

2011-05-10T17:16:00.004+09:00

心から、ありがとうございます。。。

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

In the last two months, I have visited the small coastal town of Shichigahama three times to help with tsunami relief efforts alongside missionaries and church friends from Saipan, America, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan. It is amazing how God brings people together for specific times - how could we have ever known we would be bonded together through service in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy? More than that, how could we have ever known how blessed we would feel at the end of each trip? The truth is that it is heartbreaking to be there and the work is hard, but overall we felt tremendous joy and had a great time being with each other and with those living in Shichigahama that we were able to work, talk, and pray with. I find myself thinking of Shichigahama often now when I am in Tokyo; I'm thinking of the locals who have been working tirelessly day in and day out since the quake to help those who lost everything and those from far away places who are sleeping in cars and on shelter floors just so they can be there to see the bulk of clean-up through before re-build begins, and the outpouring of experiences and stories from those that survived March 11. I wasn't even there that long, but something about the place has made its home in my heart. I pray for that city constantly, and I hope to see it again before I leave. I hope to see it again a year from now, and two years from now.

As I said in my last letter, I went up with a team of missionary teachers from Saipan for five days. We had so many amazing experiences and opportunities working at the Shichigahama Volunteer Center. On the first day, the ladies group swept out the home Mr. Sasaki, who later told us his story from his mother-in-law's destroyed portion of the house while looking out to the ocean that he was never able to see before the tsunami over the houses that used to stand between. We were able to pray with him and encourage him before we left, and I'm excited to see how God allows our relationship to grow with this family as we partner with them in rebuilding their lives in Shichigahama. The next day, Joyce and I stepped out with the boy's crew to help dig out the thick layer of mud in a home that was flooded up to the second floor during the tsunami. It was most definitely some of the hardest work I've ever experienced, but it was more than rewarding. Everyone was so kind and so eager to work and to serve. Everyone had a smile to share - and that was a beautiful thing to see even with masks hiding its phsyical appearance. There were some University of Tokyo students working there that day as well - connecting my life and ministry in Tokyo to Tohoku. God is amazing! They were such fun guys to work with and we are looking forward to meeting up with them again in Tokyo. We also met Ray, a guy from Pennsylvania who dropped everything to get to Japan to help with relief for three whole months. He is living like those who have survived the disaster, sleeping on the floor of a local shelter, but he is loving every minute of it. We were blessed to have him join us twice for dinner at the cabin and just enjoy his friendship. On the third work day of our journey, we helped a crew from Yamaguchi serve up some fried goodies for the volunteers and those living in the shelter. Ridiculous amounts of fun with the Saipan team and the guys from Yamaguchi, and it was really an honor to serve the people living and working there. The last day, we were able to work with a local carpenter to clean his shop so he can get his business running again in order to help those around him. We came home exhausted, but feeling so blessed.

The third trip up was just last week. We made a quick Golden Week run with a team from Yokota-ICA, Tokyo City Church and Tokyo-ICA/GAP. Again, God really opened our hearts and eyes during the time spent in Shichigahama. We were able to work around the Takayama campgrounds, where the cabins we have been using are located, and again at the Shichigahama Volunteer Center. Just two weeks after the Saipan team trip, Shichigahama already looked totally different. The resilience and speed of recovery is astounding. Golden Week (perhaps the second busiest holiday time in Japan outside of New Year's) traffic made the normally 5 hr. drive an approx 9 hr. drive - but it was interesting to think of how many people on the Tohoku Expressway were also volunteers. The news estimates that some 8,000 people went north during the three day holiday to see what they could do.

While we were sweeping sidewalks that make up the route children walk each morning to a nearby school during this Golden Week trip, a mother and her two sons rode by on their bicycles. The boys, who were quite young, said shy "hello's" as they passed and we called back smiling. Their mother followed with the phrase at the top of this post on her lips and, though I had heard many different forms of gratitude during the shorttime we have been able to spend north, the sincerity of her words and in her eyes has really stayed with me.

Japan is a nation of recognizing the work another has contributed or has done, of compliments, and of gratitude. These are common phrases that everyone expects to hear and are often required to say, and I do believe they mean it. But, it is a rare thing indeed for complete strangers to reveal their heart - their pain, or their struggle - in a single moment. In the wake of this tragedy, we've all experienced the reality of our own mortality, that nothing short of the Divine is infinite, and that at the end of the day, we really are all in this life thing together. For now, the walls are down and our fragility is exposed - but it is kind of a beautiful thing.

I can feel God's love at work.

Most believers have experienced the way it hurts to bare our souls before Christ with the lies we've held tightly in our hearts, knowing that His outpouring of forgiveness, and love, and acceptance on the other side is what redemption is really about. It isn't really about creating a safety net against Darkness. It is about experiencing love with the only Being that knows exactly who we are and what we are capable of and accepts us completely anyway. It is about loving the only One who truly cares about us too much to let us hate ourselves.

I guess it kind of reminds me of that. We are all here - our fears and hurt exposed - but there is a sense of freedom that I haven't felt in this place before and with that comes joy and opportunity. Our other ministry activities, which have all resumed this week, are colored by it. The hues run deep, a mixture of grief for all that has been lost and hope for all that will follow.

So - to that mother on her bike, to all those striving to rebuild their lives and those that are helping them, to those around the world who have lifted up this nation in prayer during the last two months, and to my Father God, whose love and mercy are limitless and unchanging,

心から、ありがとうございます。

Until.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-04-27T23:52:00.000+09:00

A Prayer Letter:

2011-04-18T02:29:00.000+09:00

Dear Family and Friends,

Konnichi wa from the Land of the Rising Sun! I apologize for not updating my blog enough over the last month. After the earthquake, my schedule and general way of life in Tokyo changed considerably and it has taken this long to finally settle in to the “the new normal.” I thought it would be a good idea to put a short letter together to share what I have recently been involved with since the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami and some needs we would like you to partner with us in prayer about.

When the earthquake shook the nation of Japan, I was with about 40 Japanese pastors and university students at the Chi Alpha Student Center (my home) at the annual national Chi Alpha Japan training seminar. We were scheduled to kick-off the seminar at 3 p.m., and were just settling in for the first session when the massive M9.0 earthquake hit. We stood outside for over an hour as the earth continued to sway and two subsequent M7.0+ earthquakes came less than 30 minutes behind the initial quake. Aside from a few broken mirrors and a messy bookshelf, we were safe in Tokyo and, after a prayer for all those up north who experienced the most intense shaking and who were now awaiting the tsunami after, we began the seminar despite the frequent aftershocks through the day, night, and the rest of the weekend. The number of aftershocks Japan has experienced since March 11 is approaching 1,000+, and we are still experiencing them daily. As most if not all of you know, the 10 meter + tsunami has claimed countless homes and businesses, and some 20,000 lives in northeastern Japan.

Life was temporarily on hold. The trains weren’t running regularly, the stores were empty, my classes were canceled, and the campuses were closed. I was really ready to get involved with the relief effort, but I think it was hard for most to even know where to begin in that first week. At the beginning of the second week after the earthquake, I began volunteering at the CRASH Japan (www.crashjapan.org) headquarters as a part-time journalist writing press releases and letters for the website and donation packets. It was a really unique experience for me, and definitely God’s way of saying, “You still belong here, lady!” as it was the first time I’ve ever been asked to connect my degree to my ministry. Since that first week working with CRASH Japan, my normal schedule of campus ministry and work has resumed, interspersed with sorting and boxing relief goods at Japan Assemblies of God’s Bible college, a trip up to the disaster area with national Chi Alpha Japan director Joyce Kitano and ICA – Tokyo pastors, Bill and Carol, to take up some fresh produce and check on a missionary cabin for relief teams to use, writing remotely for CRASH Japan when they need help, and generally feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness and joy about the flood of love and support pouring into Japan from sources on all sides. God is so faithful, and He has been displaying His love and His power is amazing ways – whether it be through the seven Christian men still working at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the tender hearts of the kids in my English class as they wrote out encouragement for children in Tohoku, or the healings of the various injuries and stress-related oppression that many of the pastors and missionaries have been affected, but not defeated, by in the weeks since the disaster.

Next week, I am headed up to the same area again for five days with a team of school teachers from Saipan, misionary Shelley Carl, and Chi Alpha director Joyce Kitano. During the day, we will most likely be helping at the evacuation shelter or cleaning at the local volunteer center where many people have come to leave items found in the area after the tsunami. At night, we will stay in the cabin on the hill that we went to check the last time we went to Tohoku. I’m ready to get back up there and help any way I can! I’m totally amazed at how much has already been done up there to clear and repair the streets – but there are still months and months of clean-up to go. May God give us open doors to share peace and hope while we put our hands to work to restore this land! Please remember these things in prayer:

- The survivors and their families in the Tohoku area

- Those still working inside the Fukushima Daiichii Power Plant

- For the restoration of power and water in all the affected areas

- The various teams going north to help with clean-up and counseling

- The Japan Assemblies of God, AGMF Japan, and Convoy of Hope partnership

- Our team going up to Takayama and surrounding communities next week

- Peace over the land and in the hearts of the people. No more aftershock or tsunami!

- Open doors for the love of Christ to be poured out over this land and the preparation of hearts ready to receive Him!

This letter turned out pretty long, so thank you for bearing with me and reading the whole thing! There are a few ways you can get involved financially with relief in Japan if you are interested. The links are on my Facebook or you can e-mail me at fosburg@alumni.nsuok.edu, or if you want to continue to support me on the field in Japan – please contact me or someone in my family! Above all else, thank you for your continued prayers and for all the encouragement and messages I received after the disaster in Japan happened. “For such a time as this,” ne! I feel so blessed to be serving the Lord in Japan at this time. Please keep praying and keep in touch if you’d like! E-mail me anytime!

Blessings!

Amanda Fosburg

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-04-07T00:34:00.000+09:00

A Very Late Update:

2011-03-31T23:33:00.000+09:00

Sorry for my total lack of presence around here. I was suddenly quite busy these last two weeks. I've been volunteering part-time with CRASH Japan as a journalist for the website. It's been so amazing to see all of these people from different organizations get together for a common purpose: bringing hope in the midst of devastation. You can learn more about them here - http://www.crashjapan.org/

Octavia, a Chi Alpha student from America who has been studying in Tokyo and helping Chi Alpha Japan, has been staying at the Student Center with Yuri and I for the last few weeks while her university back home sorted out what to do about their overseas program in the wake of the triple disaster. She also volunteered her time at CRASH Japan and we've really enjoyed getting to hang out together. She will be returning home next Tuesday, but we all know she will be back here in Japan before too long. Thank You, Father, for placing this nation in the hearts of so many! I'm going to miss her so much, though!

As for campus ministry, we have continued with our weekly schedule at the University of Tokyo and have set the plans for a new semester at Waseda University. Both of our Tokyo outreach universities have postponed their semesters until May (only at two of the colleges in Tokyo University, but Waseda has postponed all activities until May) - but there is still a lot we can do in April. I'm really excited about the unity that is happening at Waseda University between all the campus ministry organizations and can't wait to start hanging out with everyone again. I'm leading Bible study next Tuesday at our Todai outreach, so please pray for me as I prepare!

Lastly, I will be heading up near Sendai (in Tohoku) early tomorrow morning with Chi Alpha Japan director Joyce Kitano and the ICA-Tokyo pastors, Bill and Carol Paris. We are going up to check on a missionary cabin there and to take some supplies to the caretaker of this cabin area. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and continue relief support, preparation, and ministry. For more information about what Assemblies of God missionaries are currently involved in, check out this blog - http://www.japanagmfrelief.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for the outpouring of love and prayer I have received over the weeks since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. It has been so encouraging. God is so good!

Love to all of you! Until soon.
Amanda

Web-Image　水曜日。

2011-03-23T23:41:00.001+09:00

CRASHJAPAN.org

Web-Image 木曜日。

2011-03-17T17:08:00.002+09:00

水曜日。

2011-03-16T16:18:00.000+09:00

Where do I begin?

I'm currently sitting in my half-lit office in the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, wearing my coat. The hallway is dark and quiet. Few students are on campus today. I've already finished my work and NHK hasn't updated the news since before lunch. So, here I am in Japan.

I could say a lot of things. I could talk about the fear on every face in the train, or the escalating nuclear situation, or the shock of the initial earthquake - but even with the rolling blackouts, the aftershock, the food flying off the shelves at the grocery stores, and the irregular train schedules, it is so important to put life in Tokyo into perspective compared to that of those living in the Tohoku area right now - those who have nothing left at all, and as the Chi Alpha team in Tokyo has said many times to one another, some don't even have hope to hold onto.

In the midst of chaos, there is a peace that passes all understanding. Even when the earth shakes, and it might take an hour or so to convince your body to get out of "flight mode," there is a peace inside that seems impossible. Trust in the faithfulness of God, and the hope that is found in Him and Him alone, sustains us and we continue to try to give the overabundance of that peace and hope to those around us.

It's now Wednesday afternoon. I didn't finish this blog yesterday, sorry. I got busy at work. Anyway, here are just a few of the things you can pray for:

-The survivors in the Tohoku area, and those still missing.
-For the families how have lost loved ones in the M9.0 quake and following 33ft tsunami.
-For the Japanese government and the rescue teams as they work diligently to aid the stricken areas.
-The Fukushima Daichii and Daini Nuclear Power Plants - for stability and safety over those working around the clock to stop further damage to the plant.
-For the pastors and churches in these areas as they try to contact all their members and begin to help in the relief efforts.
-Aftershocks are still happening everyday - and the possibility of more earthquakes is very real - pray for peace of mind over the people in Honshu.
-Most importantly, pray for the revelation of Jesus Christ to flood this land - and with it, hope, peace, joy, and restoration.

And again, if you would like to get involved with the relief effort,and I really request that you pray about giving, see my last post for Convoy of Hope.

Until.
Amanda

Support the Relief Effort in Japan:

2011-03-14T14:08:00.001+09:00

Here are two ways you can give:

Convoy of Hope

currently organizing relief teams and supply teams

AG Crisis Response

or you can give at the

Assemblies of God World Missions Disaster Relief fund.

Click "Donate" at the top, then "World Disaster Relief"

Be sure to input this acct number - 891167-9 (48)-

for the Japan earthquake/tsunami relief fund.

Thank you for your continued pray and support for this nation. I am safe in Tokyo at the moment, but food and supplies will be running short soon. Scheduled black-outs will begin today or tomorrow, and some trains have ceased operation. However, these things are minor in comparison to what those in the northern areas are facing. Over 1,000 already confirmed dead - over 10,000 still missing. The situation at the Fukushima power plant is still not completely under control. Please pray for these people, and pray about what you can give to help them begin the healing process. Thank you.

Until.

Amanda

Thank you for your prayers.

2011-03-12T22:10:00.000+09:00

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-03-10T00:35:00.000+09:00

火曜日。

2011-03-08T18:09:00.000+09:00

Just when I felt Spring was about to show her face, it snowed in Tokyo again. I think my body is still living in the disappointment. I have hardly been able to keep my eyes open all afternoon!

Recently, a friend and I were talking about how unmotivated the cold weather has made us. Granted, school is also out right now for the "spring" holiday, but still we were feeling we were only days away from falling into a case of sloth. So, we made a accountability pact!

Now, I know what you are thinking. Everyone goes through this - they talk something up with a another person and then make some plans that fall through within three weeks or so. But, I tell you, we are determined to see this through...and since it basically just consists of reporting back on Sunday nights via e-mail, I think we stand a chance of really maximizing our time in Japan while striving to be fully obedient to Christ.

So, that's what's new...

This weekend is our Chi Alpha Training Seminar in Tokyo. We have pastors and students coming from all over Japan to participate in the yearly training for campus ministry. I'm really excited to meet new people and to help out however I can around the Chi Alpha Student Center (where it will be held, and where I currently live). Please be praying that God will have free reign in our house this weekend to direct as He desires for this year!

Before I close, I humbly request prayer for one of my dearest friends who lost her mother this week. Praise God - her mother found the Lord this last year and we have reason to rejoice in her freedom from sickness and pain. Please be praying for the family! Thank you!

Until.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-03-02T13:21:00.000+09:00

火曜日。

2011-03-01T17:11:00.002+09:00

I am increasingly thankful for the people in my life - both past and present and those still working their way into a permanent place in my heart. I am as close to carefree as I've ever been, and it's not because I have nothing to worry about. I'm not even saying that I don't still feel stress, but I feel my life is rich in new experiences (though I fail in my attempt of some) and wonderful people who challenge and uplift me. I am overwhelmed, and a bit awestruck, by the love of God.

I'm curious to see what the next few weeks hold. A few things have changed as of late and will require a shifting of my schedule into more intentional patterns. I want to prepare myself for the new term, which will start in April. My Japanese classes will start again, and students will again be regularly going to campus and so will I. It's difficult for me to learn how to maximize my time, but I am tired of letting hours slip by after I return to my room with little productivity. There are things I want to accomplish for myself, but I also really want to soak up each moment and keep from living in "future tense." I don't want to miss this adventure while it is still happening!

Sorry, folks. Nothing truly profound today. I've just really felt blessed lately, and I've run across some new opportunities to grow and spend time with the Lord that I'm really excited about. Please pray for us as we prepare for the 2011 Chi Alpha Training weekend - March 11-12 - we have friends coming from different places across Japan, and also just for the Todai and Waseda campuses as we continue to minister there!

Until.
Amanda

Web-Image...金曜日。

2011-02-25T09:28:00.001+09:00

"Kanzakura"
Shinjuku-gyoen, February 23, 2011

I can't wait for the Japanese cherry blossom season! These are "Taiwan cherry" trees

in Shinjuku park. It was really beautiful!

火曜日。

2011-02-22T17:20:00.007+09:00

Well, hello there!

This weekend was super busy, but it was so great! I attended a Chi Alpha friend's wedding in Yokohama on Saturday and, in addition to our regular services, attended a really special baptism service on Sunday afternoon. Five people were baptized, two of which were personal friends of mine - and it was just such a blessing to hear them give their testimonies about how God has changed their lives and why they were choosing to get baptized. Praise God!

I'm a little at a loss as to what I should write about today. I get these really awesome ideas throughout the week (ie, weird things I experience in Japan, the number of people, just downright diary entry of each moment that has passed from the last post...etc...), but I'm not feeling it today. I've had two cups of coffee and I finished checking the English website for our office...and now I feel like writing...but what?

Last night I attended Waseda University's 190th orchestra performance at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space. I'd never been to a symphony orchestra performance before, and I was awestruck by how visually compelling it was. The synchronization of the different sections, the movement that gave birth to sound - to art - it was a beautiful thing.

During Wagner's Götterdämmerung, the final piece Waseda's symphony orchestra presented, looking down on the orchestra, I could clearly see the numerous musicians with differing musical talent, playing different notes and making different sounds, moving in different ways. Moreover, I could see that each sound - each movement - the very breathes taken by each member - were actively being chosen or taken specifically for the accomplishment of this singular work of art under the direction of one man: the conductor. He kept the different parts in unison, he quieted the strings in favor of the winds when needed and vice versa - he called forth the loud crash of a symbol, the beat of a drum, and stilled them in practically the same effort. He directed the sound into correct channels, into proper volumes and tempos. Although the crescendo of one instrument might overpower the underlying notes of another for a time, the music would not be the same without both strains, and the role could change at a moment's notice. We need the crescendos and the diminuendos, the quick and mellow tempos, the shifting of responsibility in carrying a piece, the various sounds and methods of producing them - and eyes that instinctively follow and trust the conductor's hands - in order to deliver the number in the manner for which it was composed: in such a way that all are touched and changed in a way by the sight and sound of it.

^{1 Corinthians 12:12-27}

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Until.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-02-16T23:37:00.001+09:00

I saw this today...

(Salvador Dalí. Paranoiac Woman-Horse (Invisible Sleeping Woman, Lion, Horse). 1930)

and a Jackson Pollock, and a ton of other well-known surrealists,
at the Surrealisme exhibition I went to today here...

(National Art Center of Tokyo - Roppongi, Tokyo)

after I met with a Waseda University friend that I haven't

been able to catch up with since last summer!

(and then I finished two units for of my Global Uni course...)

Today, you rocked.

Until.

Amanda

火曜日。

2011-02-15T16:55:00.001+09:00

Sometimes you can meet a person and they immediately mean something to you.　They stand out, and you long to keep them close. Somehow.

This is how things started with Gramma Kay.

In my first few weeks back in Tokyo last October, I was all over Tokyo with the Hilo Hawaii team. On a particular night of outreach in Sagamihara, we met this sweet little lady in front of the train station who told us to call her Kay. She rode with us in the pastor's car to the church for that evening's service. As I sat chatting with her before the service began, I learned that she had lived in the US for several years with her family while her husband had been working. She actually attended a charismatic Catholic church in the area, but had always wanted to stop by this church - so our hula event gave her a good reason. She also has weekly English lessons, which she was on her way to when we lured her in with ukulele music, and was genuinely pleased to be with us for the evening.

When the service was winding down and we were all beginning to say goodbye to the guests and pack up, I was suddenly struck by the idea that I might never see Kay again. Sagamihara is a bit far from my general whereabouts, but I had so enjoyed talking with her that I caught her before she headed out to ask if I could write her a letter from time to time. It felt kind of silly, we'd just met a few hours before - but, sweet little lady she is, she just smiled and wrote down her address and said it would be a pleasure.

We've been writing each other ever since, moving from [Last Name]-san to just Kay to Gramma Kay - "your Japanese gramma." Her postcards and cards are always made from some personal picture she took, or a friend took, from some obscure or famous place in Japan. She writes notes about the names of the flowers in her pictures, their names in Japanese and why she chose it for that letter. She asks me to correct her English, which I do reluctantly because I don't want her to stress about how she writes, and she's good at it anyway. We write about family and prayer requests and what God has done from one mailing to the next.

I hope she knows how much of an encouragement she has been to me, and in some way, I hope I am able to encourage her as well.

Until.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-02-10T01:54:00.000+09:00

火曜日。

2011-02-08T17:04:00.000+09:00

Oh boy, I am such a sleepy girl today!

The semester has wound down to close around here. Friends are traveling back to their respective hometowns and countries to see family during the spring vacation. We'll still be having Bible study at both campuses, but my Japanese class if over for the time being. Altogether, my life looks like it will be quieter for a month or so...

Or not. You never know.

Yuri-san is helping me renew my work visa soon, so I can continue working for the School of Engineering during my time in Japan. Today has been a bit slow. I only had two documents to review, but I talked about Deborah (Judges 4-5) at the LOGOS Bible study today - so the day wasn't completely devoid of excitement. I'm also pretty jazzed about the choco party this weekend. It should be good times and I have a few friends coming that I'm excited to spend time with.

As far as Global University goes, I'm halfway through my second course and I think I'll finish up next week. I'm really trying to get a good grasp of my study time so I can finish this level of courses before I leave Japan, while still actually learning! So far, so good...

On the prayer front, please remember our XA director Joyce as she is traveling in India over the next few weeks. Then, Pastor Sakai, Susan and other members of TkUC are heading to Singapore to see Naomi off to Bible school! Pray for safe travel all around, please. Also, I pulled something in my neck last week and it's still giving me a bit of trouble with stiffness -- so please pray for complete healing for that. Thanks!

That's all I got for now, I really just want to take a nap!
Until next time!
Amanda

火曜日。

2011-02-01T15:59:00.013+09:00

random thoughts:

reading: "Mere Christianity" and "The Hobbit"

(I read "The Hobbit" on my way to church on Sundays, I won't touch it the rest of the week.

I'm not sure when or why I decided it was "Sunday reading," but there you have it...)

song stuck in my head: "Rend" - Jimmy Needham

enjoying: the best green tea I've ever had...ever...

musing about: the beauty of sleep...
(...maybe I am just missing my bed...)

thankful for: that giggly, girlish laughter

that can only be produced by friends who know

exactly

what the other means.

I wish I could explain the simple pleasure of that first sip of coffee before or after a long day. I know that most coffee drinkers know the exact sensation I long to describe, but I still wish I could capture its perfection.

Back home, in Tulsa, there was a specific coffeeshop that my friends and I went to often. I admit that the atmosphere provided the primary draw - but I didn't mind the 45 minute drive just to get to Brookside in Tulsa to visit Shades. A full bookshelf, eclectic furniture, art on the walls and live music on the weekends. Last week, I found the place in Tokyo. While looking for a location to host the OneHope focus groups, I wandered away from my friends from the YWAM team and Kohei to have a look inside a cafe across the street and, once inside, fell in love a little bit with Cat's Cradle: travel books & coffee.

Need I say more?
I've been back twice since. The coffee is fantastic, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere provides a perfect environment for reading or studying - as I really can't focus well within my own room and must go out to really be productive. Starbucks is often too loud for me to stay focused. Anyway, I won't ramble anymore about a coffeeshop...I was just there last night studying. I finished a full unit for my Global University course. Yay!

Re-cap on the prayer notes I put up two weeks ago...since I failed to update at a decent time again!
- I'm still working on the OneHope groups and we've run into a few walls here and there with timing, but we did find a place to host the event. Keep praying for favor as we advertise the event this week and for the actually showing of the film on Sunday.
- Susan is speaking at LOGOS today! WEBS at Waseda was so good two weeks ago, but last week the exams started so our friends have been busy studying. The spring break is starting soon!
- The Power Praise Night was fun, it turned into a night of testimonies and it was nice just to be in God's presence with such dear friends!

We have some fun stuff coming up! This month we will have a chocolate making party at the Chi Alpha Student Center for Valentine's Day! One of the members of Chuo Seisho church is a cooking instructor and she will be teaching us how to make delicious sweets. After that, we are going to watch the first Narnia movie. Can't wait!

Annnnd, two of my friends from my first trip to Japan are getting baptized this month at GAP! Praise God -- I'm so happy to be back in Japan to share this time with them. Six people in total are getting baptized that afternoon. It's going to be awesome! In Japan, it's most common for a person to give their full salvation testimony on the day of their baptism. I'll be sure to have Kleenex with me...

Keep praying about the focus groups - that happens this weekend - and please say a little prayer for me as I prepare to lead Bible study next Tuesday at LOGOS!

Until next time...
Amanda

月曜日。

2011-01-31T07:44:00.000+09:00

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-01-20T00:15:00.001+09:00

oy vey. today started out kinda messy.

but ended in smiles.

火曜日。

2011-01-18T10:44:00.005+09:00

It's Tuesday, again!

I really had some ideas of what to post yesterday, as it is my desire to post more consistently, and I was even drawing up this daily schedule of things (Mondays: a preview of the week's schedule so people could agree with us in prayer concerning those things, Tuesdays: whatever I feel like talking about while killing time between e-mails at work, rambling really, Wednesdays: Web-Image Wednesday, etc...) Then I laughed a little bit to myself. I don't know who really watches for updates other than my mom and my NaNa. So, mom and NaNa -- I have a plan, but this wouldn't be the first time, and you see how well the others have worked out...

Day One: Failed.
I was thinking of all that just yesterday morning, and couldn't convince myself to compose a new post by nightfall. Terrible. We had an amazing time of prayer and worship with YWAM Tokyo and a few other campus ministry groups last night, hosted by YWAM. It's always refreshing to be in a house of people all loving the same thing, seeking the heart of God for a common purpose - I mean, that's really what the body of Christ is about. I digress, here is Day One's material...and then, who knows, I may decide to ramble after that.

今週のスケジュール (This week's schedule)

Monday:
Well, yesterday....I had a meeting with a guy from OneHope (they produce the Book of Hope and many, many, many other ministry materials all around the world). They are premiering a short film in Tokyo in a few weeks and want to host some focus groups before then to get some feedback from students about the film. Soooo, I'm helping them get those focus groups together at Waseda University. Then, we had the YWAM gathering - which was fantastic. At least three of the groups represented are campus ministry groups working at Waseda.
Prayer Notes: Favor with the university (we need a room), favor with students (we need at least four groups of 6), and for the effective use of this film. Unity between the campus ministry clubs at Waseda and open doors!

Tuesday:
I always work on Tuesdays, so I'm in the School of Engineering at The University of Tokyo all day. Our LOGOS Bible study at Todai is also on Tuesdays! The student president of our LOGOS group, Changjoon, is speaking today.
Prayer Notes: Wisdom and productivity at my job (right now, no e-mails - just FYI, in case you were wondering why I am blogging instead of checking English!), blessing on Changjoon as he shares the Word, for the new students we have at LOGOS, and for new avenues for sharing the love of Christ on this campus.

Wednesday:
Tomorrow, I teach at the yochien for the first time this year, and hopefully I can remember all of the actions that go with the songs! I'm looking forward to seeing the kiddos again. After that, I am meeting Joyce, Kohei, and Octavia at Octavia's university for a prayer walk. I've never visited this university before, so I'm excited! Octavia, who was a Chi Alpha girl in the States, started a Bible study there with one of her dorm neighbors and is active in Chi Alpha Japan as well. So, after we pray over her campus, we'll head back to Waseda - where we are holding actual Bible study for the first time in several months. Last week, we met some students who are really interested in participating in multi-lingual discussion and in studying the Bible...God is so faithful...so we are going to start the study up tomorrow night!
Prayer Notes: Kiddos at the yochien - that they are blessed, Octavia's university and her Bible study there, WEBS (Waseda English Bible Study) and our new students, and again for unity among the believers and campus ministry workers there.

Thursday:
I am planning on finishing my notes for next Monday on Thursday. Next Monday, I am speaking at our monthly Chi Alpha Power Praise Night at the student center...so you can definitely be in early prayer about that! Thursday evening, I have my English class and English tutoring at Megumi Christ Church.
Prayer Notes: Wisdom and direction about the Power Praise night, a fresh idea for my English class, and for the 12 year old Korean student I tutor - he broke his arm in December and it's going to be in a cast for a long time.

Friday:
I have Japanese class in the morning! After that, I will probably have lunch with my friend and then go to the International Friday Lounge meeting at Todai. I've never had time to go before, so I'm really hoping Fusae (from TkUC) and I can go this week and meet some new people! After that, I'll recruit for the OneHope focus groups.
Prayer Notes: Progress with Japanese, divine appointments

Saturday & Sunday:
I actually have no idea what is happening on these days besides church!
Prayer Notes: Services at Tokyo Urban Church and GAP (International Christian Assembly)

* * * * *

So, that's the week at a glance! Maybe I'll try to post this on Sundays or Mondays from now on. I will try to remember to recap this weekend about how God answered prayer throughout the week!

In other news...
Last weekend, I finally got my haircut! Fusae-san took me to her regular hairdresser and he did a great job and was super nice! He's between salons right now, his own will open in Shinjuku at the end of February, so he ended up renting some space at a salon in Omotesando so he could cut our hair. So nice! I really enjoyed spending the afternoon with Fusae before we went to XHOP (Chi Alpha House of Prayer) at the student center that evening. Susan and Fusae are my cell group at Tokyo Urban Church, but I don't usually get to spend time with Fusae outside of church.

I also got my Kindle in this week. It bought it with the Christmas money my parents and grandparents sent me and it finally arrived this week. I was against the whole e-reader thing for the longest time, and I've already received some incredulous messages from friends I argued with about the Kindle during college...messages I totally deserve for my adamant opinion of electronic books...but it just suddenly made a lot of sense for my life. Being overseas, books are expensive to buy in my own language and even more expensive to ship here -- and heavy to carry around when you are out all day and on and off trains. So, I bought it and I love it so far! Thank you, family!

Until later.
Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-01-12T21:24:00.000+09:00

火曜日。

2011-01-11T17:34:00.003+09:00

One of these days, I'm going to write a poem again.

(I hope...)

For now, I suppose I'll just stick to reading as nothing I pen seems to be coming out right. I find this is what happens when I decide to write for joy, rather than to get someone's attention. When I am writing a lot, and not always based out of my own life experience as I sometimes try to see from different perspectives, I notice I stick to the all-too-common in poetry themes of goodbye and impossible loves. Sorta depressing, and I'm honestly too happy to spend my time jotting down these tales of imaginary heartache...so I just stop writing.

And, then I miss it. Writing is a part of who I am, so to neglect it is to neglect a joy in my life that I really do believe God put there for a reason. Maybe I'm not even remotely the best at it, but the process of creating something brings happiness to my life. That being said, I know there has to be a way to turn the boat around.

I often try to write about God. About His vast love, of His mercies which are new every morning, of His everlasting goodness. I can't stand to sound cliche when talking about Christ, which often leaves me with three lines I'm not impressed with and a bit of frustration. He's just too big for me to capture, which is amazing. He can't be pinned down with mere words.

I get the feeling He delights in my attempts, anyway, like a parent who puts a child's coloring page on the refrigerator. Maybe He enjoys it even though it isn't perfect, and it was done out of love for Him.

I deleted a post I made earlier today, something I wrote last summer that recently received a highlight on a poetry forum I used to frequent. I was excited to see that it had been recognized and thought I would like to share it even though it was perhaps a bit sad, but upon rereading it a few times - all I could see were my attempts to reach for praise from a world I no longer belong in. If I write, I want to inspire hope, not throw my voice into a chorus of all those still broken by their choices, or the choices that were made for them, or the choices they feel they never had the chance to make.

Sometimes, I just need to consecrate my thought process to Christ all over again.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." - Philippians 4.8

Until I decide to ramble on about random things again.
Amanda

Today:

2011-01-10T00:20:00.000+09:00

God really encouraged me through the first 6 chapters of the book of Joshua. Sakai Sensei's message was from Joshua 6, and Pastor Bill's was from Joshua 1. I read through these chapters earlier this week though in my personal reading time -- it's always so special when God speaks and then confirms His word through others.

Thank You, Jesus. You have great plans for this year!

(PS - thanks for the cards and letters I received through the holiday season!)

Amanda

木曜日。

2011-01-07T01:52:00.003+09:00

Dry.

This is such familiar territory.
I have wandered far into the desert -
tasting of the rough sands of my own selfishness.

Stumbling under the merciless sun,
I crawl until my fingertips brush stone.
My cheek drags up the side of the well,
the rasping of an animal tearing at my throat
and dying in the cotton web of my mouth.

You're weeping as I stare blankly into the sky,
a full cup of water resting between us on the rock.

You promised me there would always be a fountain,
but also that You would not make me drink.

adf 2010

I probably shouldn't post just for the sake of posting, but hey -- I was on a roll with the "days in Japanese" title thing...

I scribbled this on the back of church bulletin early in 2010. I post it as a reminder to myself in the new year. The fountain of life is found in God's Word and it is always available, but whether or not we taste of that water - the only water that would satisfy the thirsting of our souls - is up to us. When I wrote this, I was thinking of how Christ is tenderly calling me all the time, offering me His living water, but too often my pride has kept me from receiving it - and that breaks His heart. His desire is for us.

Anywho - don't neglect the fountain. The desert is no joke.

Until.

Amanda

Web-Image 水曜日。

2011-01-05T12:44:00.002+09:00

火曜日。

2011-01-04T14:41:00.006+09:00

It's Tuesday.

I'm sitting in the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at the School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, trying to keep my hands warm. The heater must not be doing it's job, we are all shivering a bit and keeping on our extra layers of clothes.

It's not even that cold in Tokyo - and yet, no one ever seems to warm up. Unless you are on the 8:15 train, in which case you will be sweating before the train leaves the platform. It's an awkward dance of coat on, coat off, made all the more challenging by the unnatural amount of junk I feel I must put in my backpack on the daily. I mean, come on...

But, all in all, it's good. The gust of wind at the top of the escalator when exiting Todaimae station, the sunlight through the trees and on the street, bicyclists expertly weaving their way between those in the process of foot commute...it all says it's a new morning, and you're alive to experience this gift. Drink it in before the day wears long and you don't feel like praising. More and more, I feel much of a day's end depends on how its first moments are approached.

It's usually not until I'm on the street, heading to wherever I'm going, that I feel this way though. When I wake up...I still want to throw my phone, and thus its alarm, into a dark corner of my closet. I guess some things don't change.

I want change, though. I want to get up when my alarm goes off the first time - be ready with thirty minutes to spare so I can have some cereal and a glass of orange juice with Jesus before I head to Nakano station. I want to be more motivated to study, keep up with my schedule better, manage my relationships in order to maximize the potential I see in every friendship formed. I want to see God change Waseda, and Todai, and my church and I want to be a more dedicated part of it. I want to be the girl I've always wanted to be, not just the girl I settled for. I want to write and write and write and write and feel I've actually put something to paper that means something, even if it only means something to me.

I want to love God for the sake of loving Him, and I want to love Him in a way that prepares my heart to love others. I want to tear down a few walls, as cliché as that is, and let other people into the areas of my life I've kept closed. I want to be filled with evident light - no hidden corners in my life.

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”- Luke 11:34-36

It is often said the eye is a window to our soul. One of the greatest bits of encouragement I think I've ever received happened here in a Japan a few months ago, when a brother in Christ I'd just met told me he could see God in me - through my eyes. My heart's desire! But, you know, most days I just talk about how tired I am and I don't even give God the opportunity to fill my life with light. I read this passage this morning on the train　- one I'm sure I've read time and time again, but it took on a whole new perspective today. I love Luke 11:36 - "then your life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light." Beautiful.

A floodlight is a pretty powerful lamp. They are generally used to light a large area. So, I am led to believe that when we are filled with true light - our lives naturally touch the area around us with that light. We can be radiant, and who doesn't love shiny things?

That's something to aspire to this year - be so filled with true light that it naturally spills into the lives of those that surround us. It's more about the good God in our hearts than it is about the good things we decide to do. It's meaningless without that light.

I don't know that this post is very well connected throughout, but these are just some of the thoughts in my head today. Morning, change, light.

Anyways, an e-mail just came in, so I guess that's my cue to get back to work.

Until.
Amanda

A Post Holiday Update (pictures included)

2011-01-03T17:11:00.001+09:00

I could make some excuses about why I haven't been blogging this last month, but that will just make for one useless paragraph of slightly obnoxious reading - so I'll spare you and get to the ins and outs of the past month and, who knows, I might even throw in some new year's resolutions. Like being more consistent with blogging...or writing in general, really...I digress...

During my last post, I told you we were gearing up for a series of Christmas outreaches and parties at campus, class and church. It was truly a blessed time of ministry all around! For our first XA outreach of the season, almost 50 people came to the student center for our "Christmas Story" event. The Covenant Players, a YWAM team sharing the gospel through the dramatic arts, and Pastor Sakai from Tokyo Urban Church brought the Christmas message to us and our guests before we all participated in a candle service together. It was a special night, followed by a ton of food prepared by Irokawa Sensei - she's a pleasure to meet and definitely blessed us all with her cooking skills!

The next day, I attended a Christmas service at the yochien where I teach twice a month. Cutest thing I've ever seen....

...and I got to sing a few of our English songs with them for their parents!

The next week, we had a XA staff party and two Christmas parties at Todai - one at our weekly Bible study and another candle service that Wednesday night. It was a great time of fellowship and food...again! I ate more turkey this year than I ever have at Christmas time, I think. I was able to get to know some of my Japanese classmates better over the course of that week and it was, of course, great just to spend time with the Chi Alpha family in and around Todai.

The next day, Thursday, was the Christmas party for my English class at Megumi Christ Church. We started with our normal routine of a a few songs and a game, then we had our own mini candle service and reading of the Christmas story. It was so beautiful to see all those little faces in the glow of their candles singing Silent Night!

I miss these kiddos a lot. I can't wait to start class again!

Friday, Dec. 17, was also a day of celebration - but of a slightly different nature! In November, my dear friend Izumi asked me to help her throw a wedding party for her and her soon-to-be husband Kyungmin. Before I knew it, the day was at hand! It was so much fun to help host this party for her, and I had a ton of help from all her other friends from LOGOS at Todai and all the people of Chi Alpha whose lives she has touched over the years she has spent with us. Bridal showers aren't really a common thing in Japan, so we threw a party with a bit of American flair -- strawberry slush punch, shower games involving toilet paper, and surprises! She's beautiful, and I couldn't be more happy for her!

After an exceptionally great (and busy) week, I was ready to celebrate Christmas at my home churches in Tokyo - Tokyo Urban Church and GAP. Beautiful services! Tons of food...I guess some things about Christmas are the same in every country! It was really nice to be surrounded by my family in Christ, singing Christmas songs, and celebrating the birth of Christ with those who share my faith. I missed my family a lot during these weeks - Christmas being a major staple in my household - but God was faithful to provide the comfort and support I needed.

The official break started the next week, and a lot of my friends from the US started returning to Japan for the winter holiday and job hunting. I had an amazing opportunity to spend an evening out on the town with some Chi Alpha and The Bridge friends from NSU! Kaori, me, Aya, Yoshi, and Sho in Shinjuku --

December 23 is a national holiday here (completely unrelated to Christmas), and Tokyo Urban Church had another Christmas outreach that day so I went --- and had so much fun! We had a lot of guests, as well, so that was awesome. Please be in prayer for all the guests that attended the various events we had this Christmas season!

On Christmas Eve, I headed over to Debbie's for a holiday stay! She and Susan were gracious enough to have me over while Susan was visiting family in the US. Christmas Eve, Debbie and I headed to Harajuku to meet some friends from GAP for dinner, coffee and Christmas lights. It was definitely an memorable evening, but also very cold! We had dinner at an American style diner called The Sad Cafe and ended up in a cafe for coffee and cake a bit later that had "Happy" in neon lights over the entry....it was amusing...

Christmas Day, Debbie and I just kicked back and relaxed at the apartment - watching movies and preparing for the evening festivities. Joyce, Octavia, Kohei, and Teiko came over for games and movies. We watched the Ultimate Gift and I beat them all at Phase 10! (I don't care that we didn't actually finish the game...Joyce...haha)

Sunday was such a special day - a new friend of mine from Tokyo Urban Church was baptized the day after Christmas. It's been awhile since I've been present for a baptism service and I think I'd forgotten what a significant moment that is in the life of a believer. On top of that, it was the first time to attend a baptism service in Japan and it was so beautiful to witness this public confession of faith - here, in the country I came to serve Christ in. She gave her testimony and pretty much all of us started to cry a bit. So beautiful, Jesus is so good to us, ne!

Which brings me to the most recent week - and the year end and new year festivities! It being holiday, my friends and I spent a lot of time hanging out this past week - just relaxing and enjoying Tokyo together - but the end of the week was something truly special. As most of you know, over three years ago I met a girl named Jinny who started this whole thing. She was the catalyst for the life plan God had been preparing me for. On Thursday, I met Jinny for the first time in three years at Gotanda station in Tokyo! It was completely surreal, but amazing. As it is for all true friends, we fell into easy conversation right away and spent the day exploring, shopping and meeting up with other NSU friends. I saw Ai - one of my first year Bible study girls and a great friend - who I also haven't seen in three years, and we met up with Shugo that night at Tokyo Tower.

Then it was New Year's Eve! I couldn't believe it. 2010, already gone. Time has flown by this year, whether it was when I was heading to graduation, or waiting on paperwork this summer in order to come to Japan, to actually being here -- everything has gone so quickly and yet it all feels somehow disconnected. I can't piece together that I finished school in Tahlequah and spent over three months in Japan in the same year. I can't believe how outrageously blessed I've been this year. It's been a journey, that's for sure!

We welcomed the New Year in my favorite place to chill in Tokyo - Odaiba. Handra, Kohei, Teiko, Octavia, Katie, Anna, and my dear Jinny took in the sights from Fuji TV, marveled at the beauty of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower, ran into more friends from NSU and a family from Arkansas, enjoyed Hawaiian burgers and bowled 2011 into existence. Needless to say, it was a fantastic evening.

In one of the quieter moments of the night, Octavia and I had a great conversation about God and how He brought us both to Tokyo for this time. The scope of God's plan astounds me. How closed doors are so often just His way of directing us to His perfect plan. How His love and His mercy never fail, but it doesn't stop there - He's a provider and a friend and a father, as well. I'm not sure where this next year will take me. Every day is a new adventure. Some days I fail, some days I don't leave the mountaintop. More than anything, I just want to trust God more. It starts from there - being used of Him more, being sure of His plans - it starts with more trust in His absolute goodness, strength, and divinity.

There are still days I wake up thinking this isn't really my life. I'm not a brave girl, I'm not particularly faithful - I still have a lot of growing up to do. Yet, here I am. Here I am in Tokyo! And I can't thank God enough for this opportunity and another eight months to see His hand move in this city. May Your glory shine bright, Jesus. 2011 is Yours.

Until next time,

Amanda

Update Coming: Tomorrow.

2011-01-03T01:33:00.000+09:00

seriously this time.

Hello out there...

2010-12-05T23:57:00.000+09:00

Wow. It's been a long time.

Sorry everyone! My internet has been a bit in and out these past few weeks, but that's really no excuse for my total negligence of this blog. I'm pretty busy these days, but I have settled into the swing of my daily life and I'm enjoying my life in Tokyo very much. God's blessing on Chi Alpha and the various ministry projects of each of the Chi Alpha missionaries, YWAM friends, and pastors I've met is really astounding. The depth of His love for this nation is unfathomable - if only more would open their hearts to receive it!

I have had some incredible opportunities lately. In my Japanese class, I participated in a traditional tea ceremony last week. At work, I met a representative from a U.S. Department of State funded educational project between Japan and America. They want me to help them next summer when they bring in 30 American high school students. The native check job is educational. My most recent project is checking the homepage for a Nano-satellite project. I get to constantly explain why I'm really in Japan - which is great. I started tutoring a 12 yr. old Korean boy last Thursday nights after my English class at Megumi Christ Church, which is also going well. On average, we have about 20 kids each week and the parents are really getting involved. Teaching English has actually been super refreshing for me. I love going to the yochien and to Megumi each week. The kids are adorable. I was worried about how I would feel about these classes when I first came to Japan - as I'd never taught children before and didn't really know that I'd be able to do well at it all - but God has really used it to bless me! This weekend, I was finally able to meet up with the girl who sat next to me on the plane in September. She took me to an incredibly beautiful open-air architecture museum. On the way to meet her, I saw Mt. Fuji on the horizon for the first time. Words can't describe it.

Japan is beautiful. Even in the city, everyone is out and about taking pictures of the fall leaves. The trees on Todai's campus are unbelievable! I have some pictures up on Facebook - but they don't do the golden leaves justice at all. Everyone loves the leaves, so they leave them on the major walkways of the campus while they are turning and falling. It's a bit like walking on a street of gold, and the leaves are continuously falling - it's just amazing!

We had a Monopoly game day a few weeks ago at the Chi Alpha Student Center. I think 44 people came! Praise God! It was so, so, so much fun! We played Monopoly for HOURS and then fed everyone curry rice! Pray for the new friendships we made that day! I have been meeting weekly with a couple students from each of the campuses we focus on, so please be in prayer for those meetings as well! I need more wisdom, and they need more understanding - and God has plenty of both! Thank you!

Now, we are preparing for our Chi Alpha Christmas events. Our first outreach is this coming Friday, Dec. 10, at the Student Center. The following week, we have two Christmas parties at Todai, I have one at Megumi Christ Church, the yochien, and a friend's bridal shower that Friday as well. It's going to be a busy couple of weeks, but I'm excited about what God has in store! Please remember Chi Alpha Japan this holiday season - as it is everywhere, Christmas is a time of special openness to the Gospel - so please remember Chi Alpha and the churches of Japan (specifically my churches here: Tokyo Urban Church and International Christian Assembly - both have Christmas services on Dec. 19, and Megumi Christ Church - our English class has a party on Dec. 16 and they will also have a main church service). Thank you so much!

I'll try not to stay gone so long next time! Thank you for all your encouragement and your prayers - they really mean the world to me!
Until soon!
Amanda

Web-Image Wednesday.

2010-11-18T10:21:00.000+09:00

Field trip, kiddos!

Please follow the link below to see this week's image:

Tough Love.

(occasionally I just pull this page up to remind myself...)

Web-Image Wednesday, among other things...

2010-11-11T00:18:00.001+09:00

I hope you can read the text - these are some random web cards I found online. Hilarious.

Happy birthday to my mom -

and the plethora of other friends who share November as their birthday month!

(that includes me.)

So, I turned 23 years old today. This week I celebrated my first birthday overseas. It was pretty epic! Monday, I had a really fun night with a lot of friends here in Tokyo. We ate at this great Japanese restaurant called "Harvest." I was really surprised by how many people came and all the presents I received. Thank you to everyone who has wished me a happy birthday! It was a great week!

In general, things are pretty fantastic actually. The kiddos were super excited at the yochien today. We sang "If You're Happy and You Know It..." and I thought they would never stop shouting hooray. So cute! I also met a really cool girl at Waseda University - one of my first new contacts for this year - so that's exciting and I can't wait to see what God has in store for our friendship! At Todai, I've been working on checking the English website for the School of Engineering. It's a daunting task - but I'm learning a lot about my new workplace during the process. LOGOS, our Chi Alpha Bible study at Todai, was great this week with Ty and Cina Silva - the Book of Hope and Chi Alpha directors for Asia Pacific.

God is showing us more and more that He is ready to move in a new way through our ministry at these campuses, especially Waseda University. Please be in prayer for us as we seek His will for our Bible studies and our outreaches! I'm so excited to be a part of what God is doing in Tokyo right now!

Until soon.

Amanda

Hisashiburi desu....

2010-11-04T23:04:00.000+09:00

hahaha - not really!

I totally missed Web-Image Wednesday yesterday - so here's a little somethin' somethin'. I actually was going to post yesterday, but experienced internet failure mid-web-image-Wednesday-search. Anywho...

So, those of you who keep an eye on my Facebook know that I was battling an illness for about two weeks. I'm happy to report that I am feeling pretty much 100% better. Sadly, due to my sickness, I have little to tell you other than I feel like I slept for days!

Though I was sick, I do feel like I settled a bit into my schedule last week. My Japanese class is really great and I'm meeting a lot of international students there. The job at Todai rocks. Chi Alpha is amazing as usual - and I'm enjoying spending time on campus again! Singing at the yochien(kindergarten) and teaching the kiddos at Megumi Christ Church has given me a new appreciation for those who work in childcare and elementary schools, but I always leave these two places with a huge smile on my face. I love both of my church families - those at Tokyo Urban Church and at GAP. I feel super blessed to have this amazing opportunity to live and work in Tokyo alongside some really amazing people. Thank You, Jesus!

This week, I had a truly Japanese experience! Early (eeeearrrrlllly) on Tuesday morning, my friends from Oregon - Lydia and Lexy - and I went to the Tsukiji Fish Market. This is one of the largest seafood markets in the world. We were there by 5 AM - but missed the huge bluefin tuna auction that Tsukiji is famous for. We didn't let that get us down, though, and spent the morning roaming around the outer market, eating sushi, hanging out by Kachidoki Bridge, and ended the adventure with a self-guided tour through the busy inner market. I don't even really have the words to describe it - but I'm really glad we decided to go. Being there was a bit overwhelming because there were so many sights, smells - some good and some bad, and sounds to take in.

Anywho, I'm feeling much better so I should have more to tell next time I update! Thank you to everyone who was praying for me while I was sick! I appreciate it. Please continue to pray for Chi Alpha at The University of Tokyo and Waseda University!

Until.

Amanda

The Return of Web-Image Wednesday.

2010-10-27T23:49:00.000+09:00

please feel free to send me your picture books via post...

Encouragement.

2010-10-23T22:53:00.000+09:00

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

2010-10-21T09:59:00.000+09:00

Amanda Fosburg

3-27-10 Kamitakada

Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0002

Japan

Psalm 30:2

2010-10-20T23:01:00.002+09:00

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
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

A Lovely Day.

2010-10-13T15:56:00.003+09:00

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

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.

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

Joy Unspeakable.

2010-10-02T08:05:00.001+09:00

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

My Second Life.

2010-09-29T23:18:00.002+09:00

It's almost strange how natural it is to be back in Tokyo - almost like I never left. I have two lives now, and yet I am the same person in both. There is my life at home in Oklahoma and then there is my life in Tokyo, which is just beginning. Again.

I woke up this morning with the immediate desire to run down the street to the combini store and buy some orange juice or something - like I did last summer - before heading out into the day. The sights and sounds of Tokyo are still familiar to me, and I'm glad to be back with her and her 34 million citizens.

So, as I'm sure you've guessed, I made it back to Japan! There were no problems - just a few really long flights, but I made some new friends and I got here safely so praise God! Now, I'm just tending to my jetlag and getting my schedule in order for the weeks ahead.

Today was pretty busy, but I was able to experience some new things and we got a lot accomplished. I stayed at Susan's apartment last night (which is where I stayed last summer) so we could go to the yochien (kindergarten) this morning together. She's been teaching there twice a month, but I will be taking over the English class now. Those kiddos are sooooo cute! We sang some children's songs and then we headed out so I could get my outrageously heavy luggage to the student center! We dropped the luggage off and went to the city office so I could apply for an alien registration card. I'm glad Susan was there because I would have been so lost trying to figure the application out, let alone talk to the woman about where I live and what I do exactly. We took care of that, then back to the student center where...

...I'm only halfway unpacked. I quick after my clothes were put away so I could lay down for 2 minutes.

After that, the Hawaii team that is staying in the student center for the next few weeks showed up with Joyce (I finally met her! yay!), so we were able to meet them before we went to our meeting at Waseda University. Waseda University is one of the primary campuses we do ministry, so I'll be there a lot. Please pray for our Waseda group! There are a lot of new things happening there, and maybe a few schedule changes, but we are blessed to be working alongside a YWAM (Youth with a Mission) team from Hawaii for the next six months. They have just a huge heart for this campus and God has made divine arrangements for us all to cross paths and join together to reach the students of Waseda University.

Now, I'm back at the student center staring at my unpacked stuff, but knowing I should go to bed soon because tomorrow is another full day! Jetlag is killer, but I'm adjusting. So I'm off...

Until soon.
Amanda

2010-09-27T13:16:00.000+09:00

So - I'm on my way tomorrow morning pretty early and it may be a few days before I can get back on to let you guys know how Tokyo looks in September. I miss you guys and girls already and I can't wait to update you on my happenings and whereabouts.

Thank you so much for your continued love and support, it means more than you could ever know! Talk to you soon.

Until.
-Amanda

A Week Away.

2010-09-20T14:22:00.000+09:00

2010-09-17T14:41:00.002+09:00

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

- ee cummings.

The Bridge.

2010-09-15T06:28:00.004+09:00

So, as many of you know, I helped found an international student ministry for Chi Alpha three years ago. When I graduated in May, I was a bit concerned about what would happen to it because I didn't have any student leaders in this last year. I did, however, have a few girls who'd been slipping into Bible study from Chi Alpha during the final weeks of the semester. These girls are lively, friendly, and passionate about Christ, so I immediately started praying that He would give one of them a heart for this ministry.

And He has.

Maybe it wasn't the way I'd pictured it in my mind, but God's ways are higher than my own. Through a combination of my own busy schedule in Tokyo and Heather's insane schedule with class and Chi Alpha - I knew that The Bridge couldn't operate the way I had originally planned. As I was looking back through all of my ISM material to prep for an impromptu meeting- I stumbled upon a link to Student Alpha. You may have heard about the Alpha Course. It's used worldwide to introduce the gospel in a dynamic and approachable way. Well, I came across the student version online and thought - "this could work!" You see, Heather is also the worship team leader for Chi Alpha at Northeastern State University. She's busy with ministry activities all the time, and yet she still has found a way to make time for the international students around her. So we ditched our old method for Student Alpha - which I love. I know this is God directed, and as I watch the Week 1 video, He's speaking to me about who He is as well. (for more information about Student alpha visit www.studentalpha.org)

Tonight is my last night with The Bridge for at least a year, although I imagine I'll see most of the members in Tokyo in the spring or summer months. It's bittersweet handing off something that has been such a key element in re-shaping my heart to fit God's plan. I can't wait to see the girls and just kick back for awhile - soaking up what the Lord has for us. After all that is said and done...it's off to be with the friends who made my college experience. My NSU family. I get the feeling it's going to be epic!

Oh, and today was pretty productive:
- Sent my résumé to Yuri for the Todai job!
- Received my Certificate of Eligiblity from Japan!
- Overnighted that to the Embassy in Houston!
- Mailed my insurance forms!
- Bought my plane tickets!

Hallelujah! I'm on my way! I've booked my flight for September 27! Please remember us in your prayers as we prepare for the weeks ahead!

Love you guys & girls,
Amanda

Packing, again!

2010-09-12T01:06:00.001+09:00

Hey guys and girls - I finally have my leave date! After supplying me and my family with much encouragement this week, the Lord has made it happen!

I'll be setting out on Sunday, September 26! I hope to catch up with as many friends and family as possible before then. If you would like to keep in touch - please e-mail me at fosburg@alumni.nsuok.edu -

More soon!

It's True.

2010-09-10T13:33:00.000+09:00

Almost Time.

2010-09-07T12:17:00.001+09:00

Hey gang, sorry it's been awhile. I've been in "waiting" mode. You think this would give me ample time to post a blog here and there...but alas, I have just been enjoying my time at home. I'm just a few weeks away from leaving now. We're just waiting on a few documents to get here from Japan, then the Visa application will be completed and I'm free to go! Please be praying for my documents as they are being sent off - we need speedy processing and favor!

A few other things, my friend Debbie Shaw is a missionary associate in Tokyo that I met last summer. She had knee surgery last week and will be doing physical therapy for awhile and needs a quick recovery. Also, my friend Kohei broke his arm and is in surgery today. Please remember them both in your prayers so that they may be healed and feeling even more whole than they did before!

Most importantly, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying, supporting, and keeping in touch about Japan. It's really been a blessing and a constant source of encouragement and confirmation. God is using you to bless my life, and my family's lives, in ways you couldn't imagine.

I can't wait to be back in Tokyo with Susan, Yuri, Debbie and Joyce - and all of the Chi Alpha members and church family from Tokyo Urban Church. I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Until soon ---

You can contact me in the usual ways, or check out the Facebook page
Amanda in Japan

2010-08-20T13:33:00.000+09:00