reflections

Today is Tuesday March 6, 2007, only 22 days until departure. We have been so blessed to be supported by so many different people. Last night at Calvary Chapel Monterey's prayer meeting, brothers and sisters prayed over me and officially sent me out to minister in Japan. The day before that I was able to share how the Lord put everything together with everyone at the missions luncheon at CCMB. Looking back, I remember last month when pastor Arai and First Japanese Baptist Church officially prayed over us and sent us out to minister in Okayama, Japan. I am just so thankful to know that when God guides, He provides. I will be working in Niimi with elementary school students shortly after I we get there. Once again, God has blessed me to be able to have a day job while things begin to get set up. This weekend I will be going to the men's retreat for CCMB and I am sure it will be a blessed time. It will be a time of great fellowship which I am sure I will remember fondly as I begin to situate in Japan this coming year. I really just wanted to take time right now, to write a few things about what has been happening and what will be happening in the near future. As I keep focused on the prize, I pray that the Lord may keep me focused and strong, so that I may continue running the race for His glory. What a joy it is to serve the Lord. Last night our dear sister Nora Braselton prayed with recollection of Neimiah8:10, as it was written, "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." This was such a blessed prayer for me to receieve because "the joy of the Lord" has been the theme for ministry in Okayama since the beginning. As I read on in Neimiah 9:24, "the children wne in and possesed the land," and I again am reminded of another Word from the Lord that was given to me, as brother Dan Thornton encouraged me by the power of the Hoy Spirit from the book of Joshua chapter 1. To be supported and to give support is essential, that we may help and encourage one another in Christ, with the love of Christ. Another prayer that was prayed for me last night that ministered to me was by sister Melinda, who prayed, "that the Lord may give me the humility of Christ so that the people of Japan may receieve me with love and know that I am there for them to share Christ. Togetherness. As we bless one another through encouragement in Christ, this must be one of the reasons why Jesus said that the greatest commandment is that we first love God, and then love one another.