A new Spring. A new Season...

Greetings! It's been far too long since I last posted, if one can even count the April Fools joke. So many things to cover, so let's not waste time:

My FMX (Frontier Missions Online) school is finally over! Eight months of online study can be draining, but it was an experience I won't soon forget! Speaking of, I think I truly have re-discovered one of my true passions: filmmaking; specifically film editing. Ever since I first got a camera back in high school, I loved putting together dumb little videos, adding music and silly special effects over the footage. Something about taking raw footage with no structure or pacing, and chipping away at it to create something substantial and watchable is appealing to me. Almost like stone carving, in a sense.

For my final project, I had to make a presentation about what I've learned from the school and what I want to do in the future, and show it to the rest of the class. Therefore, I took two days to create a sort of mini-documentary about myself and my old dreams. It's kinda personal, but I truly tried to show where my heart and mind is at for sharing the gospel with the Japanese people. Here it is:

My Project Final

If I must make one correction in my video, it would be to state that I don't only want to make stories and games for the Japanese: I also really want to make more videos for Japanese ministry, whether they be drama skits, promotion for our base, education, or entertainment. I have a passion for editing, and I think God wants me to use whatever gifts I have to spread His kingdom. Even now, I'm helping another group of missionaries here in Sendai make a short-film about broken families and forgiveness. I can't say too much about it right now, since its still in pre-production, but we hope to film in the summer, Lord willing. The cast is all Japanese!

The laptop and software I use to edit is decent, but I have been praying for possibly a stronger computer which can handle all the rendering and processing of videos, which can be a drain on the computer at times. Something not super fancy, but can handle any video I can put together at my level of experience. Who knows? Maybe I'll do some freelance editing on the side, or take video editing classes. May the Lord's will be done and all I do be apart of His plan. Amen.

Sadly, it doesn't look like I'll be able to visit the USA this summer... I was strongly advised by multiple people, family and so, to not visit until I get vaccinated against COVID. Which is smart and wise. However, Japan is taking a while with the vaccine distribution, and is only now injecting the elderly and medical staff with the latest shot. Everyone else won't be able to receive it until July at least, or even later, which thankfully will be free to everyone who has health insurance, like myself. Indeed, it is sad that I have to postpone a trip. I do so desire to see as many of you as I can, but it'll have to wait a tad longer. I want my visit to be one of joy and encouragement, not stress or fearful. Though I do not fear the virus, I do not want to cause my family and friends unneeded strife. So for now, I will be staying here.

But I do want to see as many of you as I can! If you're interested, I'd love to chat online through zoom or skype (my preference), and catch up on old times! It's wonderful how we can talk all around the world far easier and faster than ever before in the history of humanity! Please let me know!

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support, and have a most wonderful April!

Matthew 5:16

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."