GRIT begins!
Well, a few GRITers are here, a few are stuck in Tokyo and one in in Korea but all are in route! A day or two to get over a little jet lag and we will begin serious outreach and study on Tuesday. I will be updating the GRIT blog from my cell phone so head over the the GRIT page to follow the summer adventures.
Life in the fast lane...
Life is getting hectic for the Smith clan. We are almost ready for GRIT to start.... but not quite. In the midst of getting ready (read more in the GRIT blog, updates there throughout the summer, plus photos) I am getting my motorcycle license, looking for and buying a used motorcycle, continuing regular outreach activities with various groups (some of which GRIT will be joining for the summer), oh, and trying to prepare for two interns who will be with me for the next year! Susan will be abandoning me and the kids on Monday and Tuesday for an ABWE ladies retreat so that affects things as well. Sounds like business as usual for us!
Chugging along...
We had the years second discipleship retreat this past weekend. This time we were joined by Kayo and her 5 month old son. She is a new believer who has just moved back to the Kumamoto area. Susan and Keiko will be meeting with her weekly in the coming months going through a beginning Bible study. Pray for her continued growth as a new believer!
GRIT planning and prep is in full swing. The schedule has a few things on it already and it is looking to be a great summer for making new contacts. We will have almost daily outreach activities in Kikuyo and Kumamoto. In addition to making contacts we are praying for the spiritual growth of the participants. The economy has kept several people away this year but we rejoice for those who are planning to make it.
Andrew Murray will be joining us just in time for GRIT. He is coming to Japan for a two year internship with eventual plans to return as a career missionary. I am looking forward to the fellowship during his time in Japan.
Warmer weather, thoughts of summer...
As it gets a little warmer in Kumamoto, I am starting to think and plan for the summer GRIT program. Unfortunately, due to some false assumptions on my part, it looks as if we will have a small group this year. I am still praying that God will bring a few more people in, it looks as if the schedule will have the most outreach time of any of the last three years! We will have outreach events 4-5 nights a week with the schedule as it is shaping up right now. Fun, fun!
I have been able to spend some time recently with a friend from our days in Aira, Ryouji. It has been good to see him again and to know that he is still interested in spiritual things. I do wish that someone who lived closer could spend more time with him, but will do what I can to encourage him from a distance.
Still here...
I have had a weird last few weeks so life has been abnormal in an already strange house. I won't go into details but it involved a week rooming with various old men and 2 weeks of not getting out much. Glad to be moving on...
One interesting side note to the last month, I had the opportunity to work on a short video intended to be a help and encouragement to Japanese churches. It was fun working with some semi-pro actors and see them do their thing. There is a huge need for more of this type of material in Japan, Christian books, videos and music are all in short supply. We are praying about how we might help meet some of this need and encourage others to use their creative talents for the glory of God as well.
Tonight I will be going to the Kumamoto YMCA for the second time to help out with a high school/ college aged youth group. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better and to having a chance to share Christ with them.
Snow in Kumamoto
OK, more like a few gentle snowflakes, gone before they hit the ground, but Hey, we will take what we can get! You should have heard the kids yelling.
It is cold inside and outside today. We can't seem to get the living room warm. Or maybe it is just me, Chloe and her friends are outside playing happily! Cameron was playing with them until naptime and Melodie wanted to join them but Susan couldn't go out with her so she was sad.
These first few weeks of the new year are full of paperwork and planning for the coming year. Many businesses and churches as well are thinking about the year ahead and trying to determine when to schedule their major events. After the holidays there is a down time for everyone before it begins to warm up and the busyness of the new year sets in.
FYI, I have updated the rest of the site....finally. The biggest change is that I have started a ministry specific blog on the ministry page. I also updated photos on the family page and added a link to the GRIT blog on the GRIT page. You can read the entries from 2006 and 2008 as well as check out the planning or this year. There are still openings for GRIT is you know anyone who is interested.
2009
We begin the year 2009 with much fear and trepidation. As I am reviewing my thoughts over the last year and turning to the new year, I am struck by how little I know and how much I rely on the grace of God for even the little things of life. There is no way for me to know now what joys and pains 2009 will bring, but it is comforting to know that God does know and is preparing the way before us as well as preparing us for the way. It seems that each year I am reminded again of how little I have to offer and how much I am in need. Susan and I are in Japan with the mission of seeing Japanese men and women and children come to know Jesus Christ personally and turn to Him for eternal life. This is a mission that only God can perform. He is the only one capable of working in hearts and lives and changing people. Our prayer is that we will be better tools for God to use in 2009 than we were in 2008. May He be glorified as He uses us to accomplish His purpose here in Japan.
