Hello, one and all! Another month has come and gone, the air is starting to get a little more crisp, and summer is finally saying its last hurrah as we enter the colorful and slightly bittersweet fall, with its literal and metaphorical image of change with the tree leaves changing color and falling away, preparing for the long winter ahead. Changes too are happening to this missionary man and his family, so let's dive in:
First of all, please pray for all of North Carolina. There has been horrible flooding, which has devastated entire communities and even cities. My cousins are doing alright, circumstances being what they are, but my sister and her husband are in some pretty bad shape. Thank the Lord their house and animals are alright, but they cannot leave or get much help from emergency services, since the roads are washed out and they have little electricity, cell phone service, and no running water. He husband's place of work may have been washed away, so they lost a big source of income. Please pray for them and the people of North Carolina as they go through this horrible disaster. Thank you.
The trip to America was fantastic! We got to visit not one, not two, but three cities on the coast, visiting friends, family, and supporters alike! We started in San Diego for a few weeks, visiting up north to the Portland, OR area to celebrate my Mom's birthday, and finishing our trip in San Francisco, to visit my Aunt and Uncle there. Misako absolutely loved America and was actually sad to go back to Japan when our trip ended. She kept saying how much bigger American houses are, and more convenient appliances such as big dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers. Thank you to everyone we met on our journey! We appreciate your kindness and generosity! And to those we have yet to visit: see you all soon someday!
DTS is starting up in a week! I've been catching up with all the details and planning that goes into our schools. As I've written before, we have eleven students joining us this year, all from very different countries and cultures, such as Mexico, Korea, Australia, and even New Zealand! We even have a Japanese student joining us too! Praise the Lord! Please pray for us as our entire team enters this exciting and stressful new season, and that God can use this time to speak to the hearts of our students, staff, and to the Japanese people. Amen.
Speaking of asking for prayer, I have a major announcement to share with you all! As many of you know, I have a passion for filmmaking and video editing! Many have seen the animations I've made with Misako, as well as my older YouTube content (Links to both will be below), and I greatly have enjoyed it. But ever since I was a child, I loved making little movies, and now that I'm a missionary in Japan, one of my biggest desires is to make Christian movies for the Japanese people, as well as for the rest of the world! What's more exciting is that there is an official YWAM film school in Kona, Hawaii, located at the biggest YWAM Base in the world! And I recently applied for it!
My Ministry Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sorenssendaisaga2076
Our animation channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThroughTheSheepGate
It's three months long and covers all the artistic and technical parts of filmmaking, such as directing, lighting, editing, screenwriting, and much more! We even get to make two short films by the time the school ends! For years, I wanted an opportunity to learn about the movie-making process and create films of my own. Now, I have a chance to improve my skills and learn how to make full movies for Christ! The entire tuition costs around $7,000 and covers room and board too. Misako would come with me, of course, and live on the Kona base.
We have about half of the total cost in savings, and we are trusting that if this is the Lord's will, He will provide a way for us to get there. If you are interested in helping, please pray for us as we enter this new season and prayerfully consider donating if you feel led to. I truly believe media and films are a true key to the Japanese heart, and I want to be a part of the unlocking process through the visual medium, Lord willing. Amen.
Here is a link to the school itself: https://ywamkona.org/courses/school-of-digital-filmmaking/
As always, it is an honor and privilege to be here in Japan as a full-time missionary, and it wouldn't be possible without the grace of the Lord, and all of your prayers and support. Truly, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. God bless you all.
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Here are some more pics from the trip for your enjoyment:
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