A New Day, A Changing Future

If there were a single word with which to describe the past nine months of my life it would be "challenging". A lot has changed for me since my last entry. In the midst of these changes, my life  was a completely uncomfortable experience, but I can now say that I am better off because of everything that happened.
My biggest psychological hurdle to overcome while dealing with these issues was the idea that, if we are following God (if we are in His "will") then He will bless us. While this idea is good and dandy, we need to be careful with it, because it leaves out many important factors. Our ideas of being blessed are all different and deeply personal. What we think would be a "blessing" to us may be very different from what God actually wants, and this is the trap that I fell into.
I looked at other people who had sacrificed everything for God, and how he had worked in their lives, and I thought that I would be blessed the exact same way. This is foolish thinking though, because, again, everyone has been designed completely differently. There is no secret formula to a "happy life"; the rain falls on the just and the unjust. All we can do is just keep God at the center of our lives, and adjust to the incredibly unstable universe around us. It's all about going with the flow.
When we look around the world, everything is constantly changing; fashion, technology, music, people's personalities, their looks etc. We just live in a universe full of change. And there's a beauty in it if we can learn to accept it. And when we can accept that tomorrow will most certainly be different from today, we will learn to rely on God more, since He is the only certainty we can cling to. Not only this, but we will learn to take full advantage of spending time with the people we love.
Even when our loved ones pass away, when we are sick, when our relationships fall apart, when our futures and our dreams fall to pieces, God loves us, and God is a God who creates, and seeks to re-create and restore every aspect of our lives and the universe around us.

So now let's get to business. What about Japan?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been involved with Lynnwood Japanese Church and a number of Japanese and international student ministries in the Seattle area such as Talk Time, JxJ and ICF. It is the highlight of my life.
I have met so many incredible people such as Makoto Iwabuchi, a famous musician who has written music for shows such as Doraemon and now uses his music and testimony to bless others, Pastor Akira who is the pastor of the church that was closest to the nuclear reactor in Tohoku and author of the book "Exodus Church", as well as many others. It has been very inspiring.
 Through all of this I have built a large network of connections overseas for when I do return to Japan. I have also been given the responsibility to help lead a new youth group at Lynnwood Japanese Church. I am looking forward to helping these youth discover their potential and to help bring out their best for God.
While all of this is very exciting and I am surrounded by opportunities, my calling is still to go back overseas. I realize though, that while I am here, I need to make every second count and to do my best. But on the other hand, I believe it is wise to keep things moving for my future return to Japan. And recently a new opportunity to return has opened.
Earlier this Spring, I began the application process to return to Japan full-time through TEAM (the organization I went with back in 2010), however, things fell through and they declined my application, effectively closing my door to return to Takamatsu. This was a very difficult time for me, since for the past two years the idea of returning to Takamatsu is what kept me going.
But through all this, my eyes were opened and I began to think outside the box regarding the purpose of missions and the Church (a future post series possibly? haha). And I realized that I didn't really fit into the box that TEAM wanted me to fit into. So I began branching out and looking at different options, but with each option I investigated, there was something that kept me back.

Then one day I was writing to a friend about my frustrations, and he recommended I look into a new organization called GLINTS that his friend was starting. I visited the website and I knew right away that I had found something special. It addressed many of my concerns with other missions organizations, and I set up a Skype interview with it's founder, Levi Velasco. All I can say right now is that I am very excited to see what happens with this organization.
The number one thing that stood out to me about GLINTS is their recognition that everyone has been designed differently, that not everyone is a teacher or pastor and that music and the arts is an equally viable way  to bring people closer to their Creator. Instead of trying to fit you into one kind of box, GLINTS looks at your own personal box, and plugs you into a ministry that can benefit from your talents. In my next post I will go into more detail regarding GLINTS and my possible future with them.

For the first time in three years, I don't really know where I'm going to be in the future. And that's okay. Although Takamatsu has closed for me, I know God may have a reason for redirecting me. And I am excited to see what will happen. I will keep everyone updated on these events.

So what can you do for me during this time? You can lift a few things up:

1. I am currently in between jobs.
I have been blessed with a great place to live, but I will need a little income. There are many job opportunities within walking distance, so one of these would be a huge blessing.

2. Continued drive and passion to reach out to others while continuing to pursue my future plans.

3. Resistance against apathy, and perseverance to return to Japan.

4. Maintaining a strong connection with God.

There is a lot going on right now, and I want to keep everyone up to date with these wild events in my life. Please go ahead and leave some comments and be sure to check back from time to time.

Thank you!
Trevor

Trevor in Seattle

Greetings to my friends around the world! 

My last update was over a year ago. It seems fitting to pick up the torch (or keyboard) where I left off. There is no better time of year than when we are saying goodbye to Summer and hello to Autumn to flip the page and open to a new chapter.

Rather than being a victim of neglect, this blog has been a victim of my processing; processing all the events that occurred in Japan, and even prior to Japan. So much happened while I was there that I was left with some heavy emotions that I can't even explain.

Now, a year later, I feel I finally understand and am ready to move on to the next phase:  and the next phase is going back.

When I was in Japan, I felt like I was at the height of my existence; that I was finally where I was supposed to be. Once you feel that way, there is no going back to "normal".

So what am I doing? In order to serve long term (3+ years) you need to have a coupla years of Bible School under your black [bible?] belt, so I am attending Calvary Chapel Bible College in Seattle. I am officially moving out in two weeks,

and am super stoked to see what God has in store for me there.

Several doors have opened for me as well. My friend and his wife pastor a Japanese Church literally just a few blocks from where I'll be living, so I am hoping to do my internship there and help all I can with their ministry to the 留学生 (foreign students).

I am also hoping to take saxophone and vocal lessons on the side to help prepare for my future ministry plans.

As I near my four year anniversary to the day I was called to Japanese ministry, I can't help but look back and bask in the glory of God and all he was able to accomplish through my broken life. It has been an incredible beginning to an incredible adventure. My eyes have seen amazing things, and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Thanks to everyone's loving support. You're the best.

Day Forty-six

Well, the day finally came. I woke up to my last sunrise in Japan, had one last meal with Bruce and finished packing up some last things.

Michie came by early and soon some of my other good friends came to see me off. I'll never forget how sad they looked.

There wasn't enough room in Mike's car, so the guys stayed behind. The car pulled out and I waved goodbye to the life I had lived for two long months.

The ride to the airport went by in a flash, passing all the things that had now grown so familiar to me.

I checked my baggage and walked up the stairs. At the top I said farewell to everyone who had come to see me off. I entered the line and one small step by one small step I walked away from the most fulfillment I've ever had in life.

I walked through the long tunnel to the plane at the end and took my seat. Once again I felt very alone. This was the end, I had no more projects, no more plans for the day, no one to meet with. Just myself and my mind full of memories.

The plane took off and I soon landed in Korea. I spent the day there, thinking through all that had happened and wondering what I could expect next in life and where I would be in the next year.

Before long my plane arrived and I was returning to Chicago, the western world and everything that was at one time familiar to me.

Day Forty-five

Today was my last day in Japan. I finished all my packing and then had my last English class with Rumi. Afterwards, I said a sad goodbye to Shi-chan, had one last look at my finished closet then went for  one last pizza at Mandolin. I rode home slowly, soaking in all the good memories I've made.

Day Forty-four

Today I met up with some ESS friends and went to Joyful's for a farewell lunch. We shared a lot of laughs, which is the best way to say goodbye. Afterwards I began packing.

Later this evening Michie came by to pick me and take me out to dinner with Mayumi. We originally were going to eat at "Big Boy", but after looking at the menu, we realized that none of us really liked meat. So they decided to take me out to eat at a traditional Japanese seafood restaurant near Yashima. It was delicious. Lots of raw fish.

Afterwards we went to a Karaoke bar above Toys R Us. It was so fun!