Hi, everyone. It's been way too long since I last posted, so I'll jump right into the updates:
Well, February came and went, but sure did take its time. How could a month with the fewest days feel like a total crawl? Could be because of the 7.2 earthquake a few weeks ago, which is sadly an aftershock of the 03/11/11 earthquake that devastated Tohoku. Imagine feeling the apartment shake around, just a little, and thinking it's one of the usual 3.3 quakes which pop up around the year. But it keeps going, and getting stronger, and moving up and down and side to side. Suddenly, the walls of your tiny apartment lean dramatically this way and that, not helping is the sound of glass breaking in your kitchen. Yeah. Not a fun experience at all.
Thankfully, no one on our team was hurt, no tsunami, and no deaths. Just a broken glass cup and slight paranoia as the various aftershocks came about. A few days later, I bought an emergency bag online, containing medical supplies, a flashlight, water container, etc. It's one of those things you put off, knowing it's something you really should do but don't bother to, until a big quake occurs. Suddenly, that $40 supply kit doesn't look so expensive anymore. It's important to not be full of fear, but to be ready for the worst, if it comes to it.
Speaking of shaking things up, I got a new roommate, Ryan! He's an old friend of Gary's from way back in YWAM Tokyo, and now he's here in Sendai to start a small business! It's a big change from having the place to myself to now sharing halfsies, but it's a welcome one. Living alone for the past two years was getting a bit much, so it's good to have company. I get one bedroom, and he gets the other, which used to be the "living room". Technically, the apartment is two bedrooms as advertised. Japanese apartments, am I right?
To be honest, with this COVID going around, and everything slowed down painfully, I've been praying for some kind of direction from the Lord. I'm grateful that everyday I get to wake up as a missionary in Japan. However, I find myself feeling kinda homesick and wanting to visit the USA, despite COVID still being a big problem. Therefore, please pray for the Lord's timing for me to visit the States for a few months, as a sabbatical. I'm praying I'll fly over in early summer of this year, but I have no solid plans yet.
Please pray that this upcoming Spring will not only bring warmth and color, but Christ's hope for the Japanese people! Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!
Romans 8:22-25
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
Almost forgot! I made a "cheesy" cooking video for my online class! The assignment was to make a dish from my home country for my friends. Introducing my old roommate: Kumo-kun!
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