THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Hello Friends and Adventurers!

I am so happy for those of you that are sharing in this adventure! It gives my daughter and me a feeling of family, though unseen! 

We are furiously packing and packing and repacking, culling out and repacking again! I never imagined just how emotional all of this would be. We both have desired this very thing for years. It should be a piece of cake, right?! Well, I love cake, (lemon in particular), but there is very little to love about this. I heard the phrase "go through the eye of the needle" in prayer a couple of weeks before we started packing. I didn't understand what it meant until now. Ridding yourself of all of the things that you have worked hard to own is very tough to do! I would love to be super spiritual and all, but alas, I am not! The pride of "having things" is very real, and I am not exempt. I have realized in this whole process that I not only have closets full of stuff; but of unforgiveness, pride, and fear of abandonment as well. Funny what God uses to reveal your true heart. I never imagined that packing for the mission field to do "God's work" would be the medium of His choosing. I realize with stark reality that I can take none of these things with me as I go and still be effective in His Kingdom. To be embarrassingly honest, I was completely unaware of the things I am grasping about myself. I thought I had forgiven! Stuff doesn't own me! I love God! I want His Will to be done in my life! "Really?!", He asks. And then in a period of two exhausting weeks, you suddenly become conscious of the fact that you have made something else your God! This has been the most humbling experience of my life: packing!

Thank you for your prayers! The best is yet to come!

Rhonda

NEW DIGS!

Hello Friends and Adventurers!

My daughter has been praying that we would have an apartment rented before we arrived in Japan next month. I actually never thought that would be possible. Well, have a little faith!! The Mission Director emailed me a couple  of days ago and said one of the missionaries was moving  and would we like to rent his small 2 bedroom apartment! Deposit was $260 and rent is about $520 per month. We jumped on it! Here is an example of one of the bedrooms:

 

 

This is a photo of the apartment above ours. It is exactly like the one we rented with one small exception...we have no furniture! So it appears that we may be sleeping and on the floor for a while. If you feel the urge to help us with this small issue, there is a PAZ Japan Donate button just to the left of this blog... yes, that's the one! Just click...and donate!! :-) Shameless, I know!  Your gift of any amount would be a great blessing!

 

You are loved and appreciated! We look forward to sharing our adventures with you!  God has good things in store!

 

Much Love! 

Rhonda

 

 







PACKING PROCESS BEGINS!

We are not leaving for another 7 weeks but it is time to start the packing process! We bought the ultra-light suitcases so we can stuff them as full as possible. It might take a few weeks to cull out all superfluous items, so we are starting now. We are starting with 3 suitcases each which I am thinking will expand to 4. We will have to call a semi to take us to the airport! And maybe Dwayne Johnson!! 

 

Our house is under contract and all inspection items are completed.  Now we wait in anticipation for closing on May 24th and departure on May 29th. This whole process is emotional even though it is something we have desired for some time. We need strength and absolute trust in God. I know there is always more pressure as you seek to enter into God's plan for your life, and we have certainly been feeling it.  Nevertheless, I am confident that we will emerge victorious! Thank you so much for all your prayers! 

 

Thank you so much for your gifts of love toward us and the people of Japan! Together we share in God's Grace! 

 

Blessings, until next time!

ABOVE AND BEYOND!

We are moving right along! It is exciting and scary at the same time! The prospect of a new life is what my daughter and I have longed for, yet at the same time, giving everything up that we have prayed and worked for is very emotional. We are forced to cling to God like that little kitten that I gave to the pet store many years ago. The store owner wanted to keep this particular kitten. She immediately recognized his fear as he hissed at her. She gently picked him up and put him on the front of her sweater. In order not to fall, he had to cling to her sweater with his claws until the fear was gone. This time of bonding was critical to their relationship. The store owner told me it may take all day but at the end of the day, that kitten would trust her and want to be near her. That imagery has never left me.

 

Anyway, we put our condo on the market and it sold in 10 days for cash! Wow! That was only done by a God that is able to do abundantly above what we can ask or think! No, we didn't get what we thought it was worth, but how can you put a price on sentimental value? This place has been a new beginning and refuge for us, and we are so grateful for it. We hope that the next occupant is as blessed as we have been here. 

 

A huge THANK YOU! to all of you that are giving to the need in Japan! Our hope is to take as many to Heaven with us as possible! My greatest desire is to hear my God say, "Well Done!" Everyone who shares with us in our work in Japan will also share in the blessing! Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed by God or by us!