25/10/2008
Learning to let go of things
Over these past couple of months as I've thrown out, given away, sold or packed up a lot of stuff in preparation for the big move, I feel I'm continually be squeezed through a narrow gate. I also realise just how much I've treasured so many material things which in the end I can't take with me. This plane is just a sample of the collection which I sold off recently, and put I this photo here as a reminder to that doing God's will can be costly, yet I also know that He blesses us in so many unexpected ways.
One amazing thing is:- that as I was going to meet a guy who buys a lot of planes and other models, is that for some reason on that day he was not at the shop where he normally is. So as I walked back to the train station with my huge bag full of model planes, I was drawn towards a construction site (which is a little out of the way from the train station). As I walked passed the construction site I saw an old friend (who was lost) and she ask me what was doing with the huge bag full of planes. I told her I was selling them because I was moving to Japan as a missionary, she told me that her friend's son was also planning to go Japan as missionary in the future and put me in contact with her friend and her son. It gets even more amazing when once I spoke to them they told me they have a Japanese friend who is a new Christian and he lives just 8 minutes away from where we'll be living... BTW two weeks later I sold the planes to the guy who I was supposed to meet on that day.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21 (King James Version)
07/10/2007
A Place to Stay
Well two places actually! The photo on the left side is the house that we'll be renting in Nagaokakyo once we move there in November. The photo on the bottom right is our new spiritual home: Nagaokakyo Assembly of God Church. God gave us a truly blessed time during our trip to Japan, and everything is now ready for our big move to Japan. We'll depart Perth on the 7th of November arriving at Kansai Airport the next morning at about 7:00am... I must say that I kind of excited, happy, nervous, scared, and sad all at the same time!
02/09/2008
A Short Trip to Japan
Hi All, just letting you know that Ritsuko and I are going to Japan on a short trip and we'll be back late next week. This trip is to (1) Activate my visa and obtain a re-entry permit (2) Visit the church we'll be joining (3) Look at the house we'll be renting (4) Talk to a potential employer (5) Catch up with and pray with a few people up there.
Our intended date to make the move is in the first week of November. Still a lot to do before then, so watch this space.
19/08/2008
Through away the old bank statements
...or power bills, gas bills, water bills, phone bills, etc, etc... I'll confess I'm a bit of a hoarder, so in order to lighten my load I'm going through and shredding everything that is not required for tax, legal or warranty purpose. This is not the only type thing that I'm going through, but it just an example of how we can let stuff weigh us down.
I know for a fact: 1. in Japan there is not as much space in houses we can afford, 2. It will cost a lot to send it there 3. We might have to move more often because we'll be renting.
The following scripture came to mind:- "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" - Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
16/08/2008
Home Town Reflections
I went down to the banks of the Swan River for a short time of reflecting on the last 35 years and how it's all going to change very soon. I couldn't of picked a better evening for being at this spot! The sky was clear and the river almost flat. I'm definitely going to miss this place and all my friends here when I go. I know however that God is leading us on to Japan and He will work things out for us, as He has already done so far. Each time we take a step of faith He is faithful and provides us with what we need.