As we prepare to board the plane in just 7 days, we are amazed as we reflect on how the Lord has guided us up to now. We are amazed at all the ways he has heard and answered our and your prayers. We have met so many encouraging people and churches through this process. It has not been easy. I have so many stories of how my faith has been strengthened in Him and he has sustained us by his grace when we were struggling and feeling vulnerable.
Many of you know how we got here and I have blogged about it before, but here is a summary. We first began to consider a move to Tokyo because a long-time Japanese classmate, friend, and fellow minister invited us to help him to plant a church in central Tokyo. This work is now called Grace Harbor Church and is located in the waterfront area. I had originally visited Tokyo for a whole summer in college to serve in university ministry, having already been exposed to Japanese culture through family members. We went to go check things out as a couple in 2010 and Lisa resonated with a desire to move to downtown Tokyo, being "all in" ever since to serve as a mom and counselor there. We were approved to join the Mission to the World team in the fall of 2011 and began to raise our personal support budget. Even though we are going to a very expensive city and nation, after a year and a half, The Lord brought it all in through the generosity of our financial supporters. We are blown away and humbled by those gifts. We arrive in Tokyo on July 16, and looking forward to trusting Him there.
Reflections on mission to Japan's next generation
