Chapter 15: Saying Goodbye to Japan
January 31st — February 22nd
Wow it’s been awhile since my last update! I am so excited to write one last blog about my time in Japan :)
Game nights were a common occurrence for Team Japan! Here we’re playing Suhsi Go! One of my all time favs ;)
Team Japan organized a 24 hour prayer and worship burn. We spent our timing praying for the nation of Japan, their government, families, schools, religions and all of our friends we had made. Lou and Yeeun also lead times of worship where we praised the Lord for all the goodness He pours out.
Another game night in the books! We played Fish Bowl guys vs gals and we won BIG TIME!
This is our sweet 101 year old friend Aiko :) We passed her window everyday on our way to the train station and stopped every time to wave. After weeks of waving one day she opened her window and we began a beautiful friendship with her and her daughter. Ever since then we would stop and talk with Aiko giving her handwritten cards, origami and flowers. We got the opportunity to tell her and her daughter about Jesus Christ and give them a gospel of John in Japanese! I hope to see her again one day ❤
One of our days of evangelism lead to an apologetic conversation with two Japanese gentlemen. God willing they spoke some English and we were able to have a conversation about Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Kyla got to show them Isaiah 9:6 “For us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This is Haru and Corbin! Haru is the son of a missionary family living and serving the Lord in Japan with their three children. Haru and Corbin were fast friends and we all have so many special memories with Haru :)
Most of Team Japan got the super fun opportunity to volunteer at Hinoki Academy a couple days a week. This is Corbin, Kyla, me and Ella’s last day with our kiddos. We had so much fun teaching ethics, Bible stories, gym and art. I can’t wait to see how the Lord leads all of their lives ❤
It’s Japanese tradition for girls to give to guys on Valentines day so us girls put together an appreciation wall for our men of God, bought them flowers and wrote them special notes. They truly served us so well and are amazing examples of what God fearing men should look like!
Here’s Team Japan with three of our best friends we made at English Conversation Club at Oita University: Qusai, Yuki and Koharu. We spent our last weekend with them walking around a popular tourist town called Yuifin in Oita, Japan. It was such a fun day with the three of them!
Final picture as a team with Julianna and her AMAZING finished mural for Hinoki Academy. You could say we were pretty proud of her haha!
Our last night out with our Oita University friends! We went to our favorite Indian curry restaurant and then took a pic with our favorite worker :) Sometimes ministry looked like just hangout and loving our friends well!
Julianna spent time drawing portraits of our ENTIRE team for an encouragment wall we created in our house! We left sweet notes, encouragements or words from the Lord for each other.
Our last morning :( some of the YWAM Oita staff came over to help up pack up and send us off back to Maui. Here’s our final selfie in front of this house we learned to call home for seven weeks ❤
Our final goodbye outside of Oita station before catching our bus to the airport. It was so so sweet for everyone to come meet us and say goodbye. I miss them all SO MUCH!
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After seven weeks we had a bittersweet goodbye full of tears and laughs. It was a beautiful balance of sadness to be leaving this place with so many people we love, gratefulness for the friendships we had made and excitement for what’s to come.
Oita, Japan will forever have an extremely special place in heart. The Lord used this lovely Japan prefecture to change my life. I was continually humbled and equally loved by God as he taught me more about who He is and who that makes me.
I am so grateful for the way He allowed me to work for His kingdom. From prayer walks, to Glory Bubble to hanging out with our university friends God never failed to love all of us. I am endlessly grateful for Him and the team He gave me — my famo — Team Japan!
