Hey, y'all. It's been a very busy and dramatic couple of months for me, Misako, and the entire team, with various ups and downs in between it all. I've been working 50-hour weeks as a DTS staff member, including mission trips to other prefectures. I have some good news and bad news to share, so let's begin with the good news:
I've been officially accepted into YWAM Kona's School of Digital Filmmaking! Starting on July 2nd through September 25th, I will be learning all of the technical skills and creative theories of filmmaking for ministry and missions! Ever since I was in high school, I've dreamed about making films of my own, and I've been desiring to attend film school since college. However, I haven't been able to due to finances, time, and my own self-doubts. But finally, the Lord has given me a new opportunity to revive those dreams once again, for His purpose of showing the message and power of the Gospel through the visual medium of movies to the Japanese and people all around the world! I'm truly humbled and excited to begin this new journey in my career as a missionary in Japan!
Here is a sample of some video shorts that YWAM Kona has produced through this school. Seeing the quality and emotion of some of these fills my heart with excitement!
The total cost of the program, including tuition, room, and board, is $6,995. Misako and I have saved up almost 2/3 of that amount, but with flight tickets, health insurance, and other expenses, it will most likely add another $3,000 to that amount. The full tuition amount is due by June 22nd. It's a lot of money, but Misako, myself, the YWAM Sendai Staff, and some YWAM Elders all believe this is God's plan for me and Misako, so we have faith He will provide the means and way to go to Kona.
If you would like to help me attend film school, please consider making a donation through my blog, as usual, or by paying directly towards my tuition costs by clicking the link provided below. But above all else, please pray for us, that not only will we receive what we need financially, but that the Lord will be with us every step of the way. Pray for us to meet other people passionate about filmmaking for missions, to have new opportunities for ministry, and for the skills learned through this school to be used to the fullest to further God's kingdom. Amen.
To donate directly toward my film school tuition, please click here: https://apply.ywamkona.org/s/payment?cId=003Pj00000OBMNa
Now... For the bad news. It is with a heavy heart that I announce my beloved 2-year-old nephew, Rei Seddon, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood cancer. We got the diagnosis a week ago when he had a high fever and his platelet cell count was low. He just started chemotherapy this week, but thankfully, the doctors are hopeful he will recover well due to the low amount of cancer cells in his blood.
Nevertheless, this has been a heavy and sad blow to Gary, Naoko, and Kai Seddon. They understandably have been unable to fully work in ministry or DTS, as one parent needs to be with Rei in the hospital at all times, and this has caused many stresses. Our awesome team is making dinners for them every day of the week, and Misako and I watch over Kai when his parents need us to. But still, it's hard. Rei will need to be in the hospital until June, so please pray for full healing of Rei, and for the Seddon family as they go through this difficult time. Thank you.
Speaking of, when I first heard about Rei's cancer, I was seriously considering forgetting about film school entirely and just focusing on helping the Seddons. Originally, the film school was scheduled to start in April and go until June, meaning I would be away from the Seddons while Rei was still in the hospital. I felt guilty and selfish focusing on my dream when my extended family are in serious trouble. Why should I be happy and light as a feather, when the Seddons are heartbroken and dealing with a heavy burden?
The next day, I prayed: "Lord, if you want me to forget about film school this year, please have them reject me. But if not, let it be only in Your timing and will." That afternoon, one of the head teachers of the school called me for a phone interview. They said that I was pretty much accepted, but that there was a film opportunity for them in the spring of 2025, so the school wasn't going to be in April. I knew at that moment God's answer was that I wasn't meant to go this year. But then the teacher asked me: "Would you be interested in attending in July instead? We just rescheduled." God is so, so good. With this new change, not only can I still attend, but I can be here for the Seddons 100% until Rei is officially discharged from the hospital! Praise Him!
Nevertheless, please continue to pray for little Rei, that this cancer will be gone, never to return, and for the Seddons as they deal with this sad and stressful time. Thank you, everyone, for your continued prayers and support, and God bless you all.
Deuteronomy 31:8
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
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