As my first post on this blog, I just want to share with you how the Lord has worked in my life to bring me to the place I am today. I started praying about going to Japan this summer about a year ago. I knew it would be the last time I was most likely able to because of school and trying to finish up. But I began praying about going, and there came a point where I thought I was not going to be able to go because of various reasons. But as the year went on, I knew that God had called me to go to Tokyo this summer, and I would go no matter what it cost. The Lord impressed upon my heart Isaiah 61:1"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..." God has called me for this specific task this summer.

God began to open doors for a leadership position. I was first offered the role of a Prayer Coordinator. I prayed about that and felt I should accept this position. Probably 3 to 4 weeks later, I received an email from our head missionary, explaining to me that he had prayed about this role he had that had yet to be filled, and he felt that God was leading him to ask me if I would fulfill this position. The position was the Lead Ladies Intern (LLI). I had about 5 days to pray about this decision. I prayed about this decision earnestly, begging God for clear answer. In the missionary's email, he said he felt as "if God had raised me up for this very hour." ("for such a time as this" Esther 4) After lots of prayer, I decided to seek wise counsel and just someone to pray over me. On my way to school that mornin' I prayed for God to give me some sort of sign, even if it wasn't written out clear as day... I then went to my mentor, who when I told her I needed prayer about making a very big decision, and as soon as I said something about a leadership, she placed her hands over her face and said "it's my fault" she went on to say that in her reference letter she had said that I should be in a leadership position, and she proceeded with words of affirmation. I felt that I should accept this position, it will definitely get me out of my comfort zone, it will challenge me in my walk, and give me a chance to pour into the girls that I am serving alongside this summer.
So, I am very grateful for this opportunity the Lord has given me, May He receive all the glory, honor, and praise! Please join with me in praying for my team members, for unity among all the team members, for the missionaries, and of course for the Japanese people, that the Lord would soften their hearts to be open to hear the Gospel.