On My Way!
Hi friends,
I can't believe the time is finally here for me to get on a plane and go to Japan in less than a week! I am heading to the Ontario airport on Saturday June 17th, and fly out just after midnight on the 18th.
I wanted to send out one more update before I leave, and include some praises and prayer requests!
Praises:
I graduated from Eternity Bible College! It don't think it's fully hit me yet that I'm finally done with school after 5 and a half years!
I presented my senior project about Japanese culture. If you'd like to watch the recording and learn more about Japanese culture, you can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/830086131
My parents were here for my graduation week and also for my 30th birthday! We also got to explore San Diego for a couple days. It was a fun and busy time, and I'm so thankful that they were able to come!!
I am fully funded for my trip and am blessed to have received extra gifts, allowing me to purchase specific items I needed, and also cover any personal items I might need while I'm in Japan (if anyone would still like to give, let me know). Praising God for his provision, and thank you so much to everyone who has blessed me in this way!
Japan's Covid-19 policies and have changed, and I no longer have to get tested before flying. I was expecting to have to have a negative Covid test the day before my flight, but praise God I don't have to worry about that anymore!
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for health. Although I don't have to get tested for Covid, I would still like to be healthy for travelling!
Also pray for rest. I was left feeling exhausted after the whirlwind of finishing school, graduation, and my parents being here. Then I had to turn around and prepare to leave with only 2 weeks in between. I haven't had much time to rest and process - desiring to settle back into normal life, but instead facing more change and transition. Pray that I would have time for rest this week so I can feel refreshed and ready to fully engage when I arrive in Japan!
For packing and other last minute details to come together.
Pray for peace as I travel. I don't mind travelling, but this will be one of my first times travelling internationally by myself and I'm nervous about it. I have a 14 hour flight with a layover in Taiwan, and then a shorter flight to Osaka where my teammates will pick me up.
Pray for my Japanese friends who I will be meeting in Osaka! I have 4 girls I am making plans with, and I'll also get to see my Japanese host mom who I previously stayed with! Please pray for good connections and conversations, and for their hearts to be open.
Pray for the team I am joining (the Higby and Malarae families). Pray for deepening relationships, and for clarity as we spend time together to know if we are a good fit for each other.
Finally, please pray for my Japanese language ability, that I will have confidence to practice and use what I know, and will continue to learn and grow in language!
Thank you friends for being on this journey with me. I'll be sending my next update from Osaka! I hope to write at least once or twice while I'm there.
Blessings,
Allana
