Ancient Work

This summer has flown by. I am a few days short of being here for a month. The high school interns, or GTs, get here next week. What? I think we are all in just a little bit of shock. God has really been waking me up to how little time I have here. I don't like to think of the end when I still have about two months left, but it will be here before I know it. The more I have thought and prayed, the more I feel like this summer is my last in Japan, perhaps forever. As much as I hate that, it pushes me to take things a little more seriously. I have only a few more short weeks before I go back to America and pick up where I left off with my family, friends, and school. To be honest there is a huge separation in my mind between my life back home and here. I never forget about those I love back home, and miss them when the Lord brings them to mind, but I do sometimes forget that this is not where my life is completely. I just feel so much at home here. I hope and pray my whole team feels the same way. I love these men and women. I am learning so much from them by watching them and through our conversations. It breaks my heart to think of the day when I will wake up and not share a room with 10 other girls. But, at the same time, I know that there is still a lot of work to be done, a lot of things still to happen. I am excited to see what God is going to do. For the longest time I was waiting for the summer to really get started. Father has shown me that it is in full swing. I am excited to go back to work tomorrow and life for Him in this nation as I pray for the people God has broken my heart for.

Every trip that I go on I think God reinforces a different core value. My first one week trip to Germany in 2007 taught me that everything is for God's glory, that is the bottom line of scriptures. In 2008 in Greece I think God reinforced hope of the world, God's church is alive all over the church and no matter who sends me on a trip God is going to use the work we do. Last summer was definitely the summer of joy of the sower. I learned how to count conversations instead of conversations. I learned that no one's salvation or discipleship depend on me, that's all God. I learned how to be joyful even when I lose a contact and trust her in God's hands, the only one who can bring growth any way. This summer, the Lord has really been showing me His ancient work. Ancient work means that God has been doing work long before we arrive anywhere, we don't "take" Jesus with us to a new place because the truth is He's been there since forever and isn't going anywhere. As of right now, ancient work is my favorite because it really shows off His sovereignty, His plan for the world since before He even created it. I mean, all the core values blend together to amount to the same thing, but still haha. In the past month we have run into more people who have either been to American and gone to church, went to a Christian school of some kind, knows a Christian, or was even friends with someone who came last summer. One of my teammates just texted me and said that she met a women who still writes letters with a girl who was an intern here last summer. How awesome is that! Every time I have gone to the big Buddhist temple here I still feel the darkness and am broken for the oppression, but the darkness does not feel as heavy. The air in general doesn't seem to be as heavy as it was last year. Our Father is moving in this place, revival is coming! I firmly believe that it won't be long until Japan become a nation after God's our heart. Of course, it's God's timing and not my own, but I just know He is going to sweep this nation for His glory and renown. Your prayers have been a part of that as much as your support of my trips here. We as a body of believers are working together to reach the ends of the earth. It is such a beautiful thing. So, again, thank you for all your prayers and support! It is definitely not in vain.

Please continue to pray for the people of Japan and their hearts. Pray they will continue to be more and more receptive to the gospel and that it would really take root here.

Please pray for our team. Satan is stirring. Nothing serious, but I think this past week as we have had a big team he has really been working on us, attacking a lot of us to discourage us. Pray for healing, pray for strength and energy. Please pray that we would really start to be unified as a church, not just a group of believers living together. It is my desire to see true community really take place here.

Please pray for the GTs as they get ready to join in the work here. I am so excited for them to get here!

Please pray for wisdom and discernment for me as I pray for and minister to the beautiful women God has put me with this summer. I really do love them all and have truly enjoyed watching Father work in their hearts.

Thank you for your prayers. Please please please keep them up!!