April showers

I've heard it's raining a lot for April, but for the most part it's getting much warmer in Tokyo!

On Monday, we had our staff meeting at Hinokashira park! So nice, and it didn't rain!

Tuesday we had world-wide day of prayer. It amazes me how the Japanese staff care so sincerely about the whole world too. Even though there are so many people here that need to know Jesus, we prayed for the entire world also! Then, I went to my second badminton practice. My friend Aya is pretty much pro. Her and Nao are good teachers!

The next picture is a bunch of my teammates at about 8:30 a.m. at Toyo university. We were getting ready to invite students to our lunches by going into different classes.

Then there's the American portion of our team on the way home from Todai. Just riding on the train, the Japanese way.

Thank you for your prayers, Bryant got to go home on his birthday!

goodnight!

One beautiful thing about living in Tokyo, while my family lives in California, is that when they are waking up, I am getting ready to go to sleep. My brother gets so jealous (except not today because it's his birthday.) I just got to talk to all four of my siblings, and I am seriously probably the most blessed person alive. Also, Bryant is doing much better and is just waiting to get to go home now!

Also, badminton, apple to apples, my roommate's new dance, the blissfully warm weather today, and my incredibly stunning Shinkan team are real blessings from God!

class

I've been smiling a lot lately. First of all, this song I'm listening to right now brings joy to my life. Most people don't know that rap makes me happy.

"Hey, yo man, let the beat drop on em...Let me tell you where we from...New Jerusalem that's my home, let me put in the song so you never get it wrong. No shame in the message that's the reason I live, Christ up in every song, He's the reason I'm here."

Ok, that's not the reason I decided to write right now, but in case you're interested: "Unashamed" by Lecrae

Actually, my mom wanted to know if I had any new pictures, so here's the latest. It's Anita, Kermit, Jonathan, others (in the back passing out flyers, not shown) and me in a classroom telling them about our lunchtime and other events. We've been on campus a lot lately, so I smile because I have a lot of time with my wonderful Shinkan teammates and cool freshman! Also, yesterday I received a present that made my day!

Some things have been more sad and made me cry lately too. Bryant, practically my cousin, is in the hospital with pneumonia. God is keeping him alive, but his condition is really rough and he needs our prayers! Lord, please protect and heal him! And, Lord, please help people that don't You to find You. Jesus, please help people that know You to rely on Your strength!

tour and home

Tour was indescribable. See the love in the FREE huddle! I've really been enjoying getting to know people and meeting new people! Since being back from the choir tour, I went to a basketball tournament (and felt like I was in America), we had a party for the graduating students (got to see everyone a little dressed up) and I've been enjoying the cherry blossoms.

blind man

I call this the blind man song. It's really called "Please Don't Pass Me By," by Fred Hammond. I said I wasn't going to post the lyrics, because everyone should hear this song, in my opinon. However, I changed my mind. If you didn't have the chance to hear this song, please enjoy the words:

"There was a blind man on the road side, and he heard a commotion yeah
It was Jesus passing by with a crowd and it stirred his emotions
He'd been displaced his whole life, should he even try
Ohhhhh
Don't bother Jesus (they say you have nothing)
You have nothing to offer (stay in your place)
Right then he knew (he had to choose)
He had nothing to lose
So he cried Jesus (Jesus), I need you, (yeah ah) please don't pass me by
He cried out Jesus, I'm not ashamed (to tell you) I need you in my life
(I need you in my life yeah)

I'm not much different from that man, and this is the honest truth
Could this sinful one, with this messed up life, could I ever serve you
(Oh oh oh oh) people and things clutter my mind, should I even try
Ohhhhhh
Don't bother Jesus (they say you have nothing)
You have nothing to offer (stay in your place)
I must admit (when I think about it all)
I need you in my life
So I cry Jesus (Jesus), I need you
Please don't pass me by
I'm crying out Jesus, I'm not ashamed to tell you I need you in my life

As the deer (as the deer panted)
Thirsty for the water yeah (thirsty for the water)
My soul desires and longs to be (to be with you)
Jesus, I need you, please don't pass me by
I don't mean to waste your time but I can't listen to the crowd,
situations in my life telling me to keep it down
but I need you
I know I'm broken, but you can heal me, Jesus, Jesus I'm calling you
(I might not be worth much) might not be worth much, but I'm still willing
Jesus, Jesus, I'm calling you"

Also, please pray for our gospel choir tour! We leave Wednesday (March 12-21). Our desire is to see the nine non-Christians accept Jesus into their hearts. We also hope to bless people in Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Yokohama as we sing!

Ready Post Mailing Carton

I think my new favorite words are "Priority Mail". My family just sent me love in a box.

This week was great too, hanging out a lot with other STINTers, staff, and students!

help

We were blessed with a couple amazingly beautiful days in Tokyo, but tonight there are some icy winds of death blowing. I'm gonna try to stay inside as much as possible : )

So, today at gospel choir practice, we focused on a really good song for a while. It's called "Please Don't Pass Me By" by Fred Hammond. Please listen to it if you can! It talks a lot about how much we need Jesus and how much he loves to help us. I would give you the lyrics, but the song is just so beautiful. It wouldn't do it justice.

Along with that, I was just reading about the help God offers. This might sound slightly psycho, but I'm reading a book in Spanish because I miss it. Probably not the best thing to do to work on my Japanese, but that's coming along a tiny bit anyway. Basically what this book (El campo de batalla de la mente) was saying is that you should know that God "loves you, that He's full of compassion, that he will help you. Know Jesus. He's your friend. He died for you. Know the Holy Spirit. He's with you all the time as your Helper. Allow Him to help you."