On The Plane

[Written while I was on the plane]

Nine hours have passed since I left LAX and all those beautiful faces that saw me off. My heart truly ached when I was giving everyone hugs and saying goodbye. I could hardly say a word because it was hard. The love and support I am getting from everyone back home will be one my greatest strengths during this mission. Not only does God love me, I know that my family both blood related and church, and also my dear friends who have been by my side for so many years, love me so much. (My eyes are teary now...)

Well, here I am on this Asiana airplane stuck between two grandmas and a crying baby in the next row and watching 500 Days of Summer. I’m looking at the time and it’s saying it is Sunday 10:32 AM, and my mind and my heart goes out to the people in California. I should be finishing practice with my Youth Praise Team and right about now just chilling with P. Rebekah and P. JP talking what we will be doing during the worship service. I pray that both the Youth and EM(gD) service goes well.

I am almost arriving in Korea for my layover, and I will meet a dear brother of mine, Joe Lim, for only a short period of time, but the fact that he will wake up early just for me and see me off. I didn’t know so many people are willing to support me. What did I do to deserve such love and support? I am so grateful, so blessed, so loved that it’s mind-boggling. No words can even come close to explaining how I am feeling and how thankful I am for everything good and bad thing that has happened. God has truly been opening doors for me and I don’t want to miss what He has in store for the things ahead.

I will be updating weekly (maybe even more than that) so I can let you all know what God is doing through me and to the people of Japan. I love you ALL, I can’t believe I’m gonna be gone for a year, but I pray for new challenges, new passions, and new encounters with God!

I have some prayer request that I would like you all to pray with me for…
• For me to manage time and work well so I won’t overwork myself. I tend to want to jump in and do everything I can all at once, so it is imperative that I learn to spread out my work otherwise I won’t make it past a month.
• To fight against any loneliness. I know that I have so many supporters back home, but please pray that I find people in Japan who I can live, share, and grow with too! I will be the only guy missionary until at least March on the guys floor. I want to take advantage of this time and get intimate with God even more.
• Personal health. You all know me and my work ethic, and sometimes ridiculousness, so please pray that I will stay healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• The people of J-House. These are people who are either uninterested in Christianity, somewhat interested but not sure what it’s all about, or gung-ho followers of Christ! Pray that they can see God for who He is and what He’s done for all of us! Also, the full-term missionaries (a.k.a. Jesus Soldiers [JS]) to have strength to do be the hands and feet of God and to see these people through His eyes and love these people with His heart.

Looks like service has started and I am about finished now too. An hour and 40 minutes to go, then a layover in Korea for 3 hours. Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!!!~ Arigatou! (I would write it in Japanese, but I don’t know where I have to go to type it on the Mac. Hahaha)

P.S. My precious youth group students, if you are reading this, please PLEASE encourage and always pray for your pastors! They love you so much and work so hard for you, always encourage them and pray for them not only at home, but sometimes just even go up to them and pray for them whenever! They need your love and support too! Always know that I am praying for you all too!!

P.P.S. It is cold in Korea, but not as bad as I expected. I am also very hungry. haha

I will update again once I get to Japan!