TREATS.

There isn't much out there that can beat good ol' snail mail care packages! :)


This accumulation of happy items was sent with love from Kevstar and Mama G (Kevin Teh and Grandma Grace). These gifts (consisting of some of my favourite snacks) will be scrumptious, but what is M O S T heart-warming is the reminder that people have my mission on their mind, that they care, that there is a family so big and so great. To Gramz and Bun and EVERYONE else who has been praying for me and supporting me with their encouraging words, THANK YOU, because you are most definitely part of God's plan for Japan, His plan for me. Your prayers have become my greatest treasure in a foreign nation, my hope in times of fear and reminder of His Beautiful Body, the Church.

I love my Family... (that includes YOU!)

More updates to come!


How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
-Isaiah 52:7

PIE BUFFET (have any two words put together sounded any sweeter?)

So this post came a little late since this event took place last weekend, yet I just HAD to post some pics from this epically amazing and scrumptious event! Ruth holds these phenomenal Pie Buffets around every few months. I had the privilege and honour of being her student! While learning how to make pie was really fun and interesting, eating limitless amounts of savoury AND sweet pies was exhilarating. . . I have never liked quiche or shepards pie THAT much until I tried hers! My life has changed forever! *prepare to drool*










Interesting Fact: Although Ruth doesn't mind baking and cooking, it really isn't one of her greatest passions in life. For a long time I just assumed she was really interested and passionate about cooking, however, she told me that her main reason why she spends hours doing it is to bring people together and share the name of Jesus through these events... What a woman! : )

3.11

Today I cried for this nation, and their brokenness that reflects a greater human condition : disaster, disorder, fragments of time lost and wasted... and taken away.

Japan...How this complex nation has changed me, uprooted and rearranged parts of my soul. Tonight I sat and cried with a group of young people thirsty and passionate about their God and their salvation. It hit me hard in the stomach that so many lost souls were washed away this day one year ago. It hit me hard that too many have died even today without hearing the heavenly, true story of Jesus and His Bride. It hit me hard that Christ-followers are stretched thin and weary and overwhelmed in order to somehow plant millions of seeds in rock-solid, bitter soil, the souls of the Japanese people... What hurts the most is knowing our God is right here, in the midst of the haunting, the remembering, just pleading and weeping for us to notice how He is everywhere. His fingerprints and footprints are left and linger for us to embrace, but we are so hardened, so blind. He grieves for the empty spaces, the dusty voids that fill Japan.

But there is hope. There always is when Jesus enters the room.


Please take a moment, even right now, to pray for the hearts of this nation...


If you have time, view this youtube video made by those affected in Japan. I can't watch this video without tearing up, but it is extremely encouraging and eye-opening. I pray it touches you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-sWdAQsYg

I hope you like cookies... : )

So the latest news is that our bookstore/coffee shop, Lighthouse/Iris, is working on a project in order to bless some of the nursery schools and old age homes in the tsunami affected areas. Micah and his team will be helping to distribute, along with Martin and Ruth who are in Iwate Prefecture now. Can you believe it has already been a year since the earthquake/tsunami? Time is flying...

We are making and distributing around 2,000 cookies! I have probably helped to make hundreds by now! Haha... It is a detailed process because we package and seal each one individually, by hand. The cookies are also known for being good-sized, nicely shaped circles, so it takes a while to weigh each one and shape them! On top of the cookies, we are giving a donation of Christian books to the young students at the pre-schools. We are so excited and pray that these books will touch their little hearts in a way that offers hope and meaning during this time of loss and recovery.
A broken cookie in the hands and mouth of little cookie-monster-Koya!