Reflections at 11:13 pm

Annie McInnis- aka a real missionary- Praise God I got to meet her- wow God is good! (oh and missionaries can make the behhh-Japanese what-face.)

Irashaimasen. Welcome to my blog again. For a while I have been out of order-since I have been given the wonderful opportunity to serve my rents by giving them a trip to Japan. I have been so blessed this year and wanted to serve my rents who have given everything then some for me and Katy. I just praise God for this opportunity- it doesn't happen a lot. And as Thursday approaches and Mom returns to the US- I have been taking sometime reflecting with them all that has happened this year- in order to give Glory to God. Here are a few praises- I have been lead here to Japan, lead by God- struggled with many things but never alone- have learned so many great things about another culture and myself- begun to learn how to live alone- and THE one I want to focus on now is God placing me here to be a witness and barnabas to some Paul's here in Japan.

First, I met a wonderful lady Roberta Koishi who started as a missionary in Japan, and then married a wonderful man Takao and has lived here in Japan for over 40 years. She has become the mother of the Program I am a part of and I love her more than words. Her stories of life in Japan, of struggling to learn this culture and language, and seeing God move in so many ways has been a huge impact on my life. God new what I needed - a wonderful women of God to encourage me and encourage my short-term missions work here in Japan.

Second, I met Annie McInnis. She came to Japan at the same time I did. She graduated from Morningside College (which is a rival to NW- but I forgave her for that too!) and runs, praises God, and is a God-sent sister in Christ for me this year. We have started a Bible Study, helped in the church through our ability to mime dramas, sing and raise our hands in church, and just become sisters! She is a unique lady- she loves God- has been called to be a missionary in Asia. She teachers elementary students and works so hard at church and has a wonderful boyfriend who loves the Lord so much and has been called to seminary in Tokyo for three years. Her life is just started here and her language is just blooming. 

Who am I that God would bless me and give me the chance to serve these ladies and be so blessed by two missionaries in the field? Though I have not been called to serve Japan for life- God has shown me that I am here to help and support those who are staying. I see that the reason I came to Japan has been less about the teaching and more about seeking God and just saying yes to what he has for me to do. I was just thinking about that and wanted to share this wonderful reflection at 11:13 pm.  

Roberta- seriously how cute is she- what a great lady (so brash- but not the bad kind)!

Remember: Drinking Tea is not just for the weak- seriously- Takeda Shingen (a popular-terminator style-samurai) drank it.

~MOlly

ps- this weekend is the HUGE Takeda Shingen Parade. I will be a fully dressed samurai guard on a horse. More updates as I experience being a samurai! I promise to slice a few bag guys. (You are thinking a girl samurai- seriously if Mulan can do it in china then I certainly can do it in Japan!) 

pssssss- Since this is a parade I have suggested adding a more American tradition- throwing things into the crowd- everyone was very excited and thought we could throw houto (a mix of noodles-and veggies that the samurai would eat before battle) Well that is a start....??? I thought a sword would be cooler but veggies it is...