Thank You

Tonight I go onstage as the focus missionary for my church's annual missions dinner called Extravaganza.  And all I want to do is say thank you. 

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

Thank you, Calvary, for being a loving and supportive church not only to missionaries, but also to me personally.

Thank you to the Missions Committee who have spent hours and hours planning, preparing, and putting together the best event at Calvary all year.

Thank you to all of the table hosts who have put time, energy, and creativity into decorating each and every table to look its finest.

Thank you to all of the young people coming to volunteer their smiles and servant's hands to help serve drinks and greet every guest who walks in.

Thank you to all of the pastors who are about to make fools of themselves in front of all of us to make us smile.  You're the best staff a church could ask for.

Thank you to the decorating team who brought a little bit of my home away from home into Calvary's atrium.  (And seriously, that koi pond!)

And lastly, thank you to all of my Panera ladies who folded countless origami cranes and who encourage and uplift me more than I can say every single week I'm there with them.

You all are part of the great work God is doing over in Japan and around the world.  May you be blessed for all of your efforts!

Tomorrow I go to Columbus to be a part of a pioneer church's Sunday service, but I want all of you to know how much I value, love, and appreciate Calvary's blessing in my life.  

So just in case I haven't said it enough, THANK YOU!!!

Toledo to Tokyo

Update time!

Fundraising is going well and I'm now over 60%!!  Praise God!

Toledo skyline with Michigan way off in the distance

Working toward my goal of 100% by January, I've been traveling around Ohio to different missions and ministry functions - one of which was a ministers' meeting for all the AG pastors in the Northwest Ohio area.  The meeting which was held on one of the highest floors of the One Seagate Building in downtown Toledo.  We got a unique perspective of the city as we talked about various ministries and people who are affecting the city positively toward the gospel.  Towards the end, we got to pray over the city as we looked out the windows, giving us a clear view all the way to Michigan (thanks to the pancake flatness of NW Ohio). 

Tokyo's urban sprawl looking outward toward the suburbs

While we were praying, I couldn't help thinking that from 20 stories up, my hometown looked very similar to Tokyo.  I remembered looking down at the urban sprawl of Japan and praying for Tokyo just like all of the pastors gathered in our meeting were praying for Toledo. 

As a missionary, I feel like to have two hometowns.  Both are very close to my heart and I get to call both "home".  It is inevitable that when I am in one, I miss the other, and so when I was looking out over Toledo I found myself praying for Tokyo.

I love Toledo, but I long for Tokyo.  Until I get to leave home to go home, I'll stay at home and pray for my home. :)

On a different note, I've also been traveling Ohio with the Ohio Ministry Network's Celebration Tour to all of the area dinners to introduce myself as a new missionary and to make connections with other leaders outside my area.  They have been wonderful and encouraging as I get to see some of what God is doing all over Ohio. 

Quick Updates:
~ The journals project is going well and I'm up to my eyeballs in commissions!  If you have an idea for a journal that you don't see in my Etsy shop, feel free to email or Facebook me and make a request.
~ If you know me at all, you know how much I love students.  This weekend, I get to participate in an event my home church's youth group is hosting called "Insomnia".  You guessed it, it's an all-nighter!  The theme is "samurai" and I get to be the missionary guest for the duration of the event.  Can anyone say "I survived a Japanese game show?"  It's going to be crazy and so much fun! (A report on that later!)

Pray that my energy remains steady as I gear up for the final stretch of my fundraising marathon! 

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support!  This wouldn't happen without you!

Journals and Noodles

Things have sure been interesting lately!  Let me share two stories with you.

Journals for Japan

At the beginning of the summer, I had made it a goal to begin a new hobby.  I chose bookbinding as it held an interest to my book lover's mind.  So, I began by fiddling around with some materials, looking up ideas on Pinterest, and generally watching a lot of how-to youtube videos.  It turned out, I liked it a lot.  A whole lot!  It was a fun summer hobby that scratched the creative itch I'd had for a while.

Then, in May, I was thinking about journal-making when a thought crossed my mind.  I could make journals and sell them for Japan .  Immediately, I dismissed the thought.  I was overloaded with work and didn't have the time for a new project.  Until God grabbed the idea back out of the air and said "I think you need to take a look at this."  I argued that it was too much for me.  I was busy!

And that's when he smiled at me.

"Just do this for one month and see what happens." He said.  I had the feeling that he was challenging me.   I said okay - though I was not yet convinced.

I told one of the girls from my small group about the idea and she encouraged me to give it a try.  

A month later, I had a small shop on Etsy (a site that sells handmade and vintage items online), about a dozen journals for sale, and had sold enough to make a profit.  I was thrilled!

God came through just like he said he would.  As usual.  :)

I now get to use my journals as not only a way to help my budget along, but also as a tool that helps people to recognize their story and how they are important in the Grand Adventure that God is writing.  Check out the inside cover of one of my journals sometime and see what I mean!

More of the story of how God is using my shop for His Purpose can be found in the About section of the shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/JournalsforJapan/about/

Please take some time to browse through the Journals for Japan shop and see if anything piques your interest! 
 

Taste of Missions

Last Sunday was Calvary Church's event called Taste of Missions!

Tables full of food from all over the world filled the atrium with exotic smells and flavors.  People dressed in clothing from their host nation served small portions of food to give Calvary a taste of their country.  Many local ministries hosted tables as well, making it a full missions experience!  

I got to host a table for Japan with the help of my mom and my mentee, Ashley!  We served cold soba noodles and hot green tea while sharing some of the culture of Japan with people.  I also hosted a table full of my journals, which many people graciously supported.  It was a wonderful event at Calvary that helped more people understand why missions is vital to our purpose as a church and how it all works together to build the Kingdom of God.  

That, and I got to talk to a lot of wonderful people about my heart for Japan!  

More interesting and exciting things are on the horizon!  Can't wait to see where He leads me!

Me and Ashley in kimono!

 

The "Ends of the Earth" tables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Storytime

Grab a carpet square - it's story time!  

I've been working steadily on my fundraising these past weeks and over the course of which I have accumulated some stories to share with you.  Some cute ones, some clever ones, and all of them giving praise to the God who guides and lights the adventure that is my life.

The Soap Ladies
Back in January, I had the privilege of teaching two young ladies named Kennedi and Lindsey (both around age 11) the art of folding paper cranes.  A little while later, they pioneered their own soap making business called "Sud Sisters".  They remembered me and dedicated a percentage of their profits to help me get to Japan, calling their project "Soap for Hope!"  

Flash forward to a few weeks ago.

The Maumee Garage Sale
The parents of my soap ladies are part of the same small group.  I spoke to them about Japan the same night I taught their kids origami.  They decided to hold a garage sale.  All of them donated items to sell and then gave me the profits of their work.  I was stunned!  I love watching people use their creativity, ingenuity, and elbow grease to work for the Kingdom!

So that got me thinking, "what if I had my own garage sale?"


The Holland Garage Sale

The items left from the Maumee garage sale were graciously transported to my house where it was added to the small thrift shop's worth of stuff from my own family and some friends.  The sale went really well and some more income was added to the Japan fund!

During the sale, 3 little girls (probably between age 4 and 7) came up to my table where I was sitting.  One of them, the littlest, handed me a drawing she had made of Strawberry Shortcake.  "This is for you!" she said, shyly.  Another one of the girls handed me $3.  Confused, I asked "Did you find something you wanted to buy?"  "No," she said, "It's for you to get to Japan."  Overcome by their sweet hearts, I thanked them and asked for their names.  They were Mariah, Lydia, and Mateya (guessed at the spelling, but pronounced "Mah-TAY-uh").  Their mom was watching from the van just at the curb.  I waved to her and thanked the girls again, watching as they held hands down the driveway, got into the van, and drove away.



Their offering, though it was small, was one of the most generous I'd ever been given.

Another generous moment came during the sale when a retired Army Chaplain and his wife (now ministers at a local church) came and encouraged me in my calling as well as prayed for me right there in my garage.  I am constantly astounded how the Lord seems to always know when I need an encouraging word and sends someone like the Chaplain and his wife to build up my faith.

Cupcake

I get the opportunity to not only minister in Japan but also to be a teacher of missions here in the States.  Some of those moments look like giving, some like receiving.  One moment came when I had visited with a family in my church and talked with them over dinner about my call to Japan and what Christianity is like there.  A few weeks later, their young daughter, Hope, approached me at church with a small envelope in her hand.  She had started a cupcake business and wanted to give me an offering from what she had made.  After thanking and hugging her, I thought to myself, "There is a family teaching their children to give."  

That is a lesson that will not return void.

The stories continue as the adventure unfolds.  Thank you for supporting me in life, love, and prayer!  More stories to come!

Simple Things

Little kids have a way of making complicated things simple.  That is why in the midst of itineration when a lot of things seem very complicated I like to work with kids.  They help me remember that this is all very simple – and that I can trust God to do the impossible.

I was asked by a wonderful lady if I would come teach her Stars class one Wednesday night.  Stars is a branch of the Assemblies of God’s Girls’ Ministries for 3^rd through 5^th grade girls.  It’s a little like girl scouts plus Biblical teaching.  I was an Honor Star (graduated from the program) when I was young, which is a very big deal for someone of that age.  I was honored to be asked to teach; to pour into young girls’ lives just as someone once poured into mine.

 

We had a great time.

We talked about the population of Japan, showed it to them on a map, told them how less than 1% of Japanese people know Jesus, and explained a bit about their beliefs.  We looked at pictures of Tokyo and the girls marveled at how many people there are.  I let them touch real Yen (Japanese currency) and we ate Japanese jello snacks and Pocky after a simple prayer to thank God for the food (in my limited Japanese).  We made origami cranes which was harder for the adults than the kids!  Then, for the grand finale, I pulled out two of my summer kimono and dressed the girls up in them.  What little girls don’t love playing dress up?  (I still do!)

Afterward, we took pictures and they prayed for me to “be able to tell people about Jesus’ love and raise all my money really fast.”  Simple things.  That’s what it all boils down to: faith like the heart of a child.

I might not be going to Japan in May or June like I originally thought, but I trust my God to provide for my every need.   

Everything according to His timing.  God be praised!

Something SO big...

When I was in junior high, I had a youth pastor who had a few sayings that he liked to repeat often.  One of them went like this: "At least once in your life, you ought to attempt something so big, so crazy, so adventurous that if God does not intervene, you are bound to fail."

In the journey of my itineration, I have realized that what I am attempting is just what he described.  This is my big, crazy adventure. And it is bound to fail - unless God intervenes. 

I know He will.  Because it's His dream too.

Many people have asked me about how my fundraising is going and what my perspective departure date will be.   Currently, I'm at about 10% of my goal.  Much of my time lately has consisted of visiting small groups, churches, and individuals and contacting people about joining my support team.  If you're interested in joining me in what God is doing in Japan, check out the "Contact Me" and "Give Online" tabs above.

My big, crazy, adventurous dream is to be in Japan in May.  For this to happen, God is going to have to intervene.  I'm believing for some miraculous intervention and I can't wait to share it with you when it happens! 

Thank you and God bless!

~ Amanda

From the Mouths of Children Comes Honesty

The promised post has arrived!  This past Sunday, I was given a special privilege that not all missionaries have.  I got to be the special guest at a local church's children's ministry!  Kids are truly a gift from God, full of raw openness and honesty.  Because of this, I get some of the best questions when I'm talking to kids about missions.

Dressed in my kimono, I walked into the classroom and immediately garnered the attention of everyone under 12.  "Why are you wearing that?"  "Are you a karate teacher?"  "What's your name?"  "Can you speak Chinese?" My wonderful cousin, Jen, faithfully handles this inquisitive class every week.  She introduced me to the class and then turned it over to me for the next 45 minutes. I showed them where Japan was located on a world map, pointed out Tokyo, told them what I do as a missionary. After a game of Janken-Pon (Japanese rock-paper-scissors), a jello snack, and a quick Japanese counting lesson, we all gathered on the floor to make origami cranes.  You can see a few of them in the picture below. :)

The very best part by far was when Jen asked three kids to pray for me.  They stood up, placed their little hands on my arm, and prayed with such sincerity that I was humbled to the core.  I believe that God honors the prayers of children and those were probably the best that I've received as an itinerating missionary. 

To all the kids (both old and young) at The Dwelling Place, thank you for letting me come and share about Japan!  You guys are great!

Off the Diving Board

Well, it's been a while indeed since I've had something happen that was post-worthy, but this certainly meets the criteria! 

This week was Calvary Church's Missions Summit, (my home church's missions week) where I got to be a missionary guest along with some other missionaries from all over the world.  It was a whirlwind experience that left me feeling truly humbled. 

I got the opportunity to speak at several small groups, have meals with delightful people, talk to kids in Japanese, and be prayed over by wonderful individuals whose hearts are broken for the world.  I met other missionaries who like me are just starting out and got advice from some veterans in the field. 

One of the most interesting surprises came on Sunday when Pastor Chad (our lead pastor) used me as an illustration in his sermon.  Our church has recently moved into a renovated movie theater and when they showed my picture on the screen, I was 30 feet tall!  Pastor Chad laughed a little bit at seeing the shock on my face which didn't diminish in the least after seeing it 3 services in a row.

I want to send out a great big THANK YOU to all of the people at Calvary Church who made the event possible and who believed enough in this new missionary to let her be a part of it.

I also want to thank the many people who agreed to be my prayer partners during this time of fundraising and while I'm in Japan.  To everyone who has my card stuck in their Bibles, on their mirror or fridge, THANK YOU!

Finally, I want to thank those of you who support me financially.  Without you following the Lord's leading, I wouldn't have the privilege to serve Japan.  You are much appreciated!  THANK YOU!!!

Another post will follow shortly, giving an update as to where I am with raising my budget.  God has been so good and I know He has some surprises up His sleeve!  There is more to come!

Blessings,

Amanda