Summertime, Part 1!

Hello Everyone!

Here is an update from May and June, the first part of summer!

A brief compilation of photos and videos from my adventures the last couple months! 

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The Schoolroom

At the end of May, the schoolroom had an end of year/semester party, and celebrated the graduation of our one senior. Even though the school year wasn’t over for some students, it was great to celebrate together with all the Be One Academy families while everyone was still around. For the month of June, there were 5 students in the schoolroom doing summer online classes, but now the schoolroom is closed for the summer holidays! It will reopen at the end of August, so until then I have lots of time to focus on language learning and to visit friends and other missionaries!

Too Darn Hot!

This summer has been the hottest on record for Japan! In Ishinomaki it got up to about 87º, and reached a heat index of 94º. Since air conditioning is so expensive in Japan, they opt for a single wall unit, which only heats or cools the room it's in. Many houses and apartments are also designed to allow for cross ventilation, which is sufficient for keeping slightly cooler when there is a breeze. Because of the lack of A/C, we have to find creative ways to stay comfortable during the day at home or at school, as well as overnight. Thankfully it has rained some the last few days, and has cooled off considerably. The heat has made for perfect days to visit local beaches, which has been immensely enjoyable and refreshing!

A Harp At Last!

As you may know, I was not able to bring my harp with me to Japan, and I have been missing having my own instrument since I got here. Thankfully, a team member knows a lady who happens to have an extra harp, so she is letting me rent it! This is much more affordable than buying even a used harp, and it is definitely an answer to prayer! Even though it is smaller than my harp back home, I have enjoyed playing different hymns and songs on it in the evenings, and look forward to using it for worship soon!

Make Friends and Influence People (for Christ)

One thing that is important for new missionaries is building community and relationships outside the church and outside the expat circles. Being a language learner has been a great foot-in-the-door for making friends. While I have a Japanese teacher I meet with via Zoom, I additionally meet with a local language exchange partner for coffee or lunch once a week. I have also joined a Gospel choir Surprisingly, Gospel music is a popular style in Japan, I have joined a Gospel choir (which includes only one other believer), and I am part of an a cappella ensemble, which meets in Sendai monthly. 

Have you ever had corn sushi or okra sushi?

I have taken several Sunday afternoon train trips to neighboring towns, and shop owners have been so kind and willing to briefly chat with me in my broken Japanese. This is improving my conversational skills, as well as my confidence in speaking with strangers. Pray for opportunities and the vocabulary to plant seeds in those with whom I speak.

Church, Ministry, and Looking to the Future

As I get more settled into life here, I’ve begun to seriously think and pray about how God wants to use me specifically in this community. Since Be One currently has Life Groups throughout the week and only meets all together for Sunday Celebration Service once a month, I have been visiting a church that meets in the neighboring town on the other Sundays. This has provided the chance to make a few more friends and join in their outreach events in addition to Be One’s events. Since Japan has lifted the restrictions on the size of gatherings allowed, pray as the other church and Be One consider the best way to do outreach or have events going forward. Pray for guidance for me as I continue settling in and finding my place and purpose here.

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With Heavy Hearts

Shinzo Abe

Even though this is an update from May and June, I must include what happened on July 7. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated by a man with a homemade gun, while campaigning for a member of his national party. Gun violence is extremely rare here, and Abe was a beloved leader, as well as the longest-serving prime minister. This has shaken the Japanese people, and could cause a great deal of fear for the future. Pray for Abe's wife, who has visited Ishinomaki in the past and wears Nozomi jewelry often, and his family and friends. Pray for the Japanese people to not give into fear, but that they would seek the One True God, Who casts out fear and is near to the brokenhearted. Pray that we can use this as a way to share God's love and hope with the community.

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Praises:

• The school year finished well, and those who have traveled got everywhere safely!
• I have a harp to use while I'm here! What a special extra gift from God, and a great chance to bless the missionary from whom I'm renting it, as well as those for whom I will get to play!
• Language learning is going well! I'm making friends and connecting with the community in special ways. 
• I am comfortable traveling solo by train or by car, so I get to explore the beauty around me every week.

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for the summer break to be a productive time of both Bible study and Japanese study. Pray that I can learn a lot of Japanese over this break time, and that I can focus well to the end. Pray that my travel is smooth and refreshing.
• Pray for people to stay safe in the heat, especially young children, expectant mothers, and the elderly. Pray that the power grid in densely populated areas can stand up to so much power use for A/Cs.
• Pray for those with whom I come into contact in the community and in my adventures. Pray that I can learn and use vocabulary for witnessing that they can understand.
• Pray for church leadership as they seek God's guidance for the future of church and personal ministries.
• Pray for Shinzo Abe's family and the country of Japan as they mourn his sudden and tragic death. Pray that many come to Christ because of this, and that the people do not become fearful and make sudden and detrimental decisions and laws because of it. Pray for justice regarding the shooter, but also that he may come to know Christ and repent.
• Pray for each other. Pray for the person who reads this next, only God knows who that is, that they will feel God's love and know He is in control and is not surprised by anything.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Him,
Amanda