So, here are the things that have happened since i last posted:
We had MIDTERMS! The students did great, everyone studied very hard and didn't get too stressed out.
We took the students and youth to the small Island Tonaki Jima (Jima means island) for a 4 day youth retreat camp. It was a BLAST! We set up 7 tents (most people we've ever brought there, we bring the population up by over 20%, only 400 people live there), and one main tent to eat our food and have our studies under. We had afterglow bon fires, marshmellow time, hot cocoa and cookies. We had a total of about 6 teachings, all from the interns or bible college students. It was a very blessed time, God spoke to everyone in a really special way. The camp theme was "Search My Heart" out of Psalm 139. "Search me, o God, and know my heart, try me, and know my anxieties, and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Interns, students, and youth were all spoken to. And God gave us AMAZING weather the whole time, it never rained, and the sun came out every day (wind was a little cold, but people still swam).
After coming back, we jumped right back into classes. There are only 5 weeks left of school! Everyone is preparing for finals, and finishing up their ministries at the different churches this month.
We've also been sending supplies or sending people to help out in mainland with the relief efforts. CCOkinawa and some from CCGinowan have already gone, helping with the churches out there (CCTokorozawa etc.). Keep on praying for Japan, they got hit with more earthquakes in the past week, even one this morning.
Pray for this to be Japan's turning point, God is calling out to them strongly. They need Him as their hope.
Pray for this to be Japan's turning point, God is calling out to them strongly. They need Him as their hope.
We also have the worship conference "Worship in Hard Times" that we are hosting here at the church coming up. It will be a three day conference, with teachers coming from all over Japan.
It's cool, because the theme was picked out before the disasters hit mainland. It's something we need to learn about, because it's hard to worship in hard times.
It's cool, because the theme was picked out before the disasters hit mainland. It's something we need to learn about, because it's hard to worship in hard times.
The Guam missions team is also heading out tomorrow (Wednesday), so please pray for Tommy and the College students who are heading out. A team of 12 students will be heading out there, first to mainland to stop in Tokyo and do a one day conference there (worship conference) and then head out to Guam to do a longer one there, and minister at the church.
Easter is also coming up, we are doing a breakfast and one easter service on sunday (normally we do a sunrise service), and possibly a children's outreach at the park later that day.
Then, it's finals! It is going by so fast, really only less than 4 weeks until semester closes.
Easter is also coming up, we are doing a breakfast and one easter service on sunday (normally we do a sunrise service), and possibly a children's outreach at the park later that day.
Then, it's finals! It is going by so fast, really only less than 4 weeks until semester closes.
It's exciting to see the things God is stirring in the students hearts. I've talked with a few who are really feeling called back here to Japan, even Okinawa. I hope to see many faces back here again.
Times flies, and it's almost our wedding time. We are very busy with work schedules here at the school and other responsibilities. Sometimes it's hard to find time to plan for the wedding, but it keeps getting provided for. So many people have offered to help and are pitching in to either make things, plan things, or even buy some things. It's such a huge blessing, i know not everyone gets this much help when they plan their wedding.
Thank you everyone who reads this, your a real blessing to us. We are excited to get to share in celebration with you soon!
God bless you all,
-'Manda
