Tokyo and Phuket

Tokyo Christmas Party :) We didn't know how many people to expect, but we ended up with 50+ people :)

I’m going to assume that many of you are just a little curious about my time in Tokyo and Phuket, Thailand, mostly because I would be if I were on the opposite side of things. I have so many stories and things that I’ve learned that I feel like I’m still discovering them. The Lord is so active in this world that it is undeniable, and it is easy to look out the window and see the little ways that He is working, even if it is in the small smile of a Japanese man or woman on the street or in the rescue of a Thai woman from the sex trade. The Lord is working. He is active, and He loves each and every one of us so deeply that He can’t help but show that in the smallest ways everyday, as I am discovering.

Hiro and Myumi's Decision Cafe and Japanese Christians (aka Christians make up less than 1% of the total population of Japan)

I think the hardest lesson for me was learning how to love and how to receive love, no strings attached. I have spent much of my life working for God’s (and everyone else’s love), so the new and freeing concept that God and my fellow DTSers could love me no strings attached was hard to move from my head to my heart. I know that God loves me, He sacrificed His Son for me…. No greater love than that, right? But for someone who has spent most of her life working for love, it is a hard habit to break and even harder to move into her heart. However, I was forced to question how I was supposed to love like God loves when I didn’t even fully accept His love in my own life. It struck me that I was being asked to love complete strangers in both Japan and Thailand, and I couldn’t possibly offer them something that I didn’t even have.

Myumi and Me :)

I feel like God took me on a journey to discovering His love for me and in turn, discovering His love for both the Japanese and Thais. He did this in a lot of ways, but the main way He did this is through my team members and the local missionaries in both locations. Looking back at the place that I was at prior to DTS and seeing where I am now, I realize how much God must have loved me in order to bring me to DTS and truly rescuing me. God saved me through DTS.  He brought people into my life who love me and know me. In some ways, I feel like I have watched my team members show me God’s love. They have shown me time and again that love really pushes through the good and bad, it isn’t judgmental or condemning, it doesn’t ask how much you give, but asks how much will you receive, and it is there when no one else is. In a lot of ways, I am still discovering God’s love for me and others, but I beginning to understand that God is huge, and even if I were the only one still on the planet, He would have still made the world exactly the same. He has opened my ears and heart to all He has to offer me, and I’m excited to see what He has coming next for me…

* There is much more to tell, but that will come in time… 

The adorable Essie and I!!

Thai's paying homage at a local shrine. "To be Thai is to be Buddhist" is a common belief amongst all Thais.

My roomie and Joe (Mongolian Missionary to Japan) making an appearance. Joe has the most amazing story. He and His family became very dear to our team.

Update: My DTS Family!!

Hello to all of my wonderful friends and family!! I haven't blogged in a very long time because as you know I just spent the last 2 months living in Tokyo, Japan, and Phuket, Thailand. And I think it is safe to say that the Love of God changes everything...though I feel like I'm still discovering it for myself. And I can honestly say that the Lord has shown Himself in a myriad of ways. I would love to pour out my heart as to the little and big things we did in Japan and Thailand, but in many ways, I am still processing both experiences. I'll work on getting a brief *fingers crossed* summary of my time spent in both countries as soon as possible. In the meantime, I would like to dedicate this post to my DTS family. I left Port Credit in December close to a couple of my fellow DTSers, but over the last few months, we have truly become a very strange family. We don't always get along, but even though miles and oceans separate many of us, I know I will never be the same because of their influence on me. I will never forget the late night talks, tears shared, prayer time, long walks, and worship (though not all of our worship times our held in my heart with fondness). We grew together, laughed much, and became family along the way. I miss each and every one of you with every fiber of my being, and I just pray that you are all doing well. I love you much!!

For those of you who don't know my team, you will probably get to know them a little. Here is a link to a video we made during our last week of DTS (also called Debrief week) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlezndUDrN8. It is a promo video for my DTS and shows a lot of great pictures from our time together. DTS truly does save you.

 Enjoy!!

 

We got very close in Tokyo....literally!!

 

 Our time of intercession...yes some of us are sleeping and others are actually praying, but as long as we were together, that was generally all that mattered ;)  (Kevin on guitar)

 My entire team on New Years Eve in Tokyo!! Such a good night with lots of fun and great stories :)  Okay, starting from the front left; Tabitha (white jacket), Marvin, Jessie B, Isaac, Me, Max; Second row on the left: Hayden, Olivia, Cat, Jess G, Anna, Kyungmi, Harcourt; third row on left: Mat,
Andrew (not actually a team member), Kevin, Wouter, and Steve!

 

Late night Ramen anyone?? We decided to go out for a typical Japanese meal of Ramen... 

Left to right: Jessie B, Matt (missionary of the local YWAM Japan base and our tour guide), Kyungmi, Cat, Kevin, Me, Marvin, Isaac, Harcourt, and Steve

 Christmas Eve in Tokyo, showing our wrapping paper stockings from our DTS staff...

Last day together... I love you much!

Back row left: Marvin, Isaac, Steve, Cat, Me; Front: Jessie B, Kevin, Kyungmi

To my family and friends, I promise I will post more pictures later! Also, feel free to check out just a fraction of the photos on facebook :)