Christmas Gift

This year, i haven't asked for anything really. I've gotten some really nice gifts though.

I've received candy, hand warmers for my pockets in Tokyo, a free jacket, socks, leg warmers, and some various other things.


But this year, i received something really special. I received a gift from someone really close.


This friend took me way up high on a hill, to the very top of an old Castle ruin. We gazed at God's beautiful creation all around us, captured some of the beauty with pictures, and watched the sun
go almost down all the way.













But then, there at the top of the castle ruins, in the Kings courts, i was given a promise backed up with a hear full of love, and asked a simple question, "will you marry me?"

On December the 10th, Eder proposed to me and gave me my Christmas present.



For those of you who were praying (and still are) for us, we really thank you. None of this has been an easy journey (so much learned and so much pride worked through), it's all been by God's tender hand leading us. We really just want to let you know we appreciate your prayers, and to tell you how much we need them. We are both just two people with many faults, following after the Lord because His redeeming work in our lives changed us. His love completely changed us forever.

I just wanted this post to be it's own special one, because it's a really amazing thing that God gave into my life. I don't deserve or expect for God to give me such great love and such a great gift to have in my life serving Him here, but i really am thankful. I hope this thing brings glory to Him, that it would encourage you somehow in your life, that it would make you see God's love more and more.

Stay tuned for more stories of the adventure God is taking me on :)


God bless you,


-'Manda

Break Begins

December: it never ceases to speed by with the utmost intensity. It's almost CHRISTMAS!!

Wow, as a kid, this NEVER happened. It was always an agonizing thing to wait for. And now i find myself thinking there isn't enough time to do everything.

Semester ends the 10th (today!), four students have already left, with a couple more leaving this weekend.

I can't believe how fast this semester sped up. Tommy even said it when we had a retreat up in Okuma, how it would speed by.

Well, here are the updates since the last time i posted (sorry for the absence...):

We have had several women's and men's breakfasts and a married couple's dinner, serving at different chapels, teaching, playing worship, and THANKSGIVING!!

We had two Thanksgiving meals here at the Cafe: one on the Japanese holiday, and one on the American holiday. It was cool to have both kinds of foods; two big turkeys, two hams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, all that good stuff. And then Sushi rolls, fried rice, and other assortments of Japanese foods. It was a really blessed time, mainly because people got saved.

There were some Japanese girls who came, one was just a friend who came first time with someone we knew. It was a really cool time.

Ministry at Kadena Chapel (Child care!) ends for the winter break, we have had some great times teaching these kids about Jesus and what the Word says. These kids are smart, and they are so precious and cool to hear talk.

the kids made different fruits that are supposed to be in our Christian lives (Fruit of the Spirit!)


This is Nathan. He is one of the coolest kids. "Hallelujah! The blood of Jesus Christ SAVES us!" He said that once. :)

We also went on a trip up to OKUMA!! We had a camping retreat for all the students and Bible interns. The past from the Calvary Chapel church in Fuchuu (mainland), Rich, came to teach for the retreat. it was a really, really blessed time. We got to trek all around the beautiful beaches and camp outside, have bonfires, and enjoy each others company. There was even a nice restaurant with cheap prices!

We studied through 2 Timothy, just learning to be faithful to God. It was refreshing, a lot of people really got ministered to by Jesus there. "God doesn't call us/ask us to be successful, but to be faithful."

We had graduation this past Sunday night; Fukiko graduated! She was the first student to graduate from this Bible college in a real Kimono! (The rest have been in Yukata, the summer version).

It was a really special time, her whole family flew in from Osaka to see her graduate. They are an open and loving family, so happy.

Just some random little pictures i took during the past month and a half:

the roof view to the left.

Panda Nikumon (steamed bread with meat inside!)

330 at night.

The rest was just giving finals, finishing up grading, cleaning dorms, saying good bye.

This time of the semester is always sad and happy. Happy that we get a break from the busy schedule, happy to visit people, and happy to spend more time together. But it is sad because people leave, people don't come back (sometimes), and a chapter ends. But its always something good. God is always doing good works, things end, but that means new things start.

Also, this past Monday, i took off to Tokyo for 3 weeks. I have the privilege of spending my Christmas with my two best friends: Amber and Rusty Spearman! I also get the privilege of being here when their first child is born. I have waited so long to see their children, to buy them cute things, and to watch them! She is due December 24th, but she might come sooner.

So currently i am in Tokorozawa! i don't have time at the moment, but i will be posting pictures soon. Pray that God keeps us safe, and that everyone back in Okinawa would stay safe too!

I've been praying that God keeps us all safe this break, that we would stay strong in Him, in His word and spending time with Him in personal prayer. If we walk away from that, we will fall, we will get weak, and we might compromise that witness we have for Him.

Stay with the Lord this winter break, stay close and keep on loving Him, keep on seeking Him.

Take extra time to just sit with Him and rejoice in who He is! He came to die for us, He put away our sin forever, so we can be with Him forever. Praise God!

More updates will come (from Tokorozawa!), along with photos and new stories.

God bless you,

-'Manda