Precious Japan <3

well here I am in Plano, Texas... sitting, thinking about my time in Japan.

I'm trying to get my thoughts and feelings all together.

This summer living in Tokyo, Japan has changed me in many ways. I'm going to try and write all that I have learned and just my overall experience in Japan.

This summer was very humbling. God used me in so many ways...and often times more than others. Why did He choose me? To lead people to Him, have many contacts, and just overall allowed me to love people more than I ever have before. God blew me away. Maybe it's because I set the bar pretty low for God. Before coming to Japan I prayed that I would be able to at least tell one person about Jesus and that's all I would need to be satisfied for my summer. well....God allowed me to tell hundreds of people about Jesus! The Gospel was in my everyday speech...it became my love language. It was natural. How this happened was only because God chose ME and worked through ME. to love people and speak truth into many people's lives.

I am still in awe.

I have countless stories of how God moved not only in my life, but in the lives of people I met. I was able to see a person's life change in a matter of minutes and see their heart change from disbelief to having faith.

July 15, 2009. I was able to witness what life is all about. Seeing my precious friend who I had been having Bible study with...finally put her faith in the Lord made my whole summer worth it. and I will forever remember that moment because in that moment I was changed. I finally figured out that this is what matters in life. My purpose for living is to share with people Jesus' love for them. Then on July 30th I was given the privilege to baptize her! If this isn't humbling..I don't know what is.

I have learned to listen. This definitely was not a part of my character before coming to Japan. I have always been the talker and initiator of conversation. Learning to just BE. and listen to others has taught me way more than if I hadn't listened.

God is teaching me to be content. I haven't quite figured it all out because I am continually learning to delight myself in Him. I am learning to be found in Him. Christ is what defines me.

Through this experience I have acquired a somewhat different outlook on life. I desire nothing more than to love people regardless if they are Japanese or not. Jesus' love is for EVERYONE. I pray that this wouldn't just be something I did in Japan..but that I would continue living a missionary lifestyle wherever I am.