Commence!: Break Is Over

Wow, this past week has been great! Though I had a great time, it just made me more tired. Hahaha… but I definitely feel a bit more refreshed. This past week, as most of you might have not known (or maybe you did), it was the Jesus Soldier’s break. Much needed break for all of us. We (Jia, Jenny, Kyle, Cana-san and her son Luke) were invited by Ryo (one of the old J-House members and the 2^nd person I’ve ever met in Japan since 2006) to go to Ehime/Matsuyama (countryside area, also Ryo’s hometown). At first, I was thinking what we could do in the countryside, but after going there, I realized that I don’t have to do much besides enjoy God’s beautiful creation. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been too! I have never seen SOO much green lush plants and trees in my life. Hahaha…compared to California where everything is either dead, newly planted (and soon will be dead because it’s so hot) or was burnt from brush fires. I also went to Mie/Nara with Sasaki on Friday. We went hiking up to the top of this mountain and then went to an onsen (hot springs) which was really nice!

I felt like this break was a good reminder for me to care and love Japan and the Japanese people. The heart that I had for Japan has been revitalized when I was just looking at nature. ‘Nature?’ you might be thinking, but yes, nature. ‘Why?’ well, because I was just pondering on how beautiful God made Japan while I was sitting on top of a mountain looking all around me. God loves Japan; he made this beautiful country, yet there are still so many people that don’t know that…That is why I want to go strong these next…4 and a half months I have left here and not look back on this time and say “I should have done this or that” but to leave here knowing that they are in good hands and that the seeds that I have planted will someday grow to be fruitful.