Reflections

Natsukashi ne… (Texas Translation:  Man, that takes me back…)

I can’t believe it’s already the beginning of a new year.  The time has flown by so fast.  The end of the year is especially a time for reflection.  All around me I am reminded of this past year.  Of going out with friends.  Of funny language mistakes (my last one was to wish my Japanese teacher a “heavy” Christmas).  Of students smiling.  It’s funny for me, I don’t seem to remember so much of the bad that happened this year.    I can honestly say, God has overwhelmed me with Blessings this year.

I have lived in Japan for a year and three months now.  Has it really been that long?  I no longer wake up in awe thinking “I can’t believe I’m in Japan!” but I do still wonder how I was so fortunate to have this experience in my life.

            Even though I love my life here, I have to admit, recently it’s been very busy.  But this is normal for Japan.  Most people are busy all the time, so we find ourselves matching their pace.  It’s easy to get priorities mixed up in the process.  My deepest apologies that I have not taken the time to update you.  I am so thankful for all the support, especially your prayers that sustain me while I am here.  So here is a quick update on things:

            In October I turned 26.  I had a great time, and I even got to go out for eel on my Birthday (yes, I like eel!).  Also in October, I met the new missionaries for the first time.  We have 5 new missionaries who have started Orientation.  They are currently studying Japanese and learning many of the things they will need for their new jobs.  They will start teaching in April.

            November was a month of travel.  We had our annual Fall Retreat in a very nice location in Japan.  Fall Retreat is a wonderful time for us to all join together and be refreshed from our teaching schedules.  It’s also a great time to catch up with my teammates I don’t get to see so often.  Two weeks after Fall Retreat, we all packed our bags once again, this time to go to Hong Kong.

            In Hong Kong we attended the Asia Ablaze! Summit.  All the LCMS missionaries from all over Asia came together for the first time in once place.  It was very exciting.  I met many people I already knew (it’s a small world after all) and met new people.  But the greatest thing was to see how everyone wanted to work together to share the love of Christ.  I learned many things from that trip.  If you don’t know about the Ablaze! movement, please find out!  It’s amazing what can happen when people united with one goal work together.

            November quickly flew by.  Now it’s December, well at least for one more day.  December also went by quickly.  I had a Christmas party to plan, and end of the year parties in my classes and other little things to take care of.  The Christmas party went quite well.  It was “American style Family Christmas.”  Japan likes to celebrate Christmas, but many people don’t know what it means.  For most, it’s a reason to give presents to their kids, or it’s a romantic evening for couples.  Also, strangely enough, Japan has developed its own traditions of eating Christmas Cake, and Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas.  This year, I had a wonderful Christmas.  God provided me friends, and plenty of caring people to be with me on Christmas.  I am very thankful for everyone’s kindness. 

            But I think recently, the thing I am the most thankful for is and answer to a prayer I had several months back.  When I first moved to my new house, I was afraid I would be isolated from my co-workers and I would be lonely.  God provided many people to keep me from being lonely.  But I found that while people were very kind to me, there was still an age difference that made me a bit uncomfortable.  So I prayed to God that He would provide friends for me, close by, who were closer to my age.  Only two months after I began praying, God answered my prayer.

            In September, I met two young men who were performing music for a crowd.  I was curious and stopped to listen.  I was very surprised when the singer began speaking to me in English (in front of the crowd, I was also very embarrassed).  These two form a band called Trash Box Jam.  Their names are Sing and Mako.  Sing plays guitar, sings and writes the songs.  Mako plays drums, sings backup, and can also play piano and violin.  They play a kind of guitar pop/folk type of music that I like quite a bit.  They also have what I call “groupies” who loyally listen to them.  Since that first meeting, I have returned many times.  Enough that I think I might become a “groupie” myself.  But the best thing is the acceptance I receive from the group.  (there might be 20 or so core groupies)  It took a little while for them to get used to me and overcome their shyness, but now I have many conversations not only in English, but also in my very limited Japanese.  They have been a wonderful blessing to me.  God has used them in my life to help refresh me and sustain me and I am so very thankful.  Now, I am hoping to return the favor.  I have begun a prayer ministry for these people.  I would appreciate it if you would join with me in praying for their salvation.  Please pray especially for Sing, who has great leadership abilities.  My prayer is that he not only becomes a Christian, but that he becomes a Christian leader who uses his awesome talents to help spread the Word in Japan.

            I am very excited today as I reflect on the old year, and look forward to the new.  What will the new year bring?  I can’t say for certain, but I do know that it will bring more change to my life.  But I’m happy to walk forward boldly into the uncertain future, because I know that I do not walk alone.  God my Father, My Savior, my Counselor walks with me, and walks ahead of me to prepare my way.  I do not have to rely on my own strength in this upcoming year.  I have His.  I do not have to rely on my own intelligence, I have His.  I do not have to rely on my own works, I have His.  I have the greatest gift ever.  I feel so blessed.  So now, all I want to do is show others this wonderful gift I have received.  I can’t thank or credit God enough for all He has done for me.  I also want to thank you for sharing in this adventure with me.  I know now more than ever, I could never do this alone.  Thanks so much!

                                                                                                ~Amber Lee Stephens