Cameron Clan In Japan: He's so pleased

Time to catch you up....
(and as much as I can I ask Holy Spirit to help me relay and type with me to enjoy this and reveal what is touching to those who read)

Japan is in Revival!
I'm filled with hope for this nation more than ever, I believe God's word is prospering and accomplishing what it's been sent out to do. Now we continue to rest and have faith and step out on the water.

It feels like I've been here a year and yet it's not even been 2 months! I say this in a good way that expresses my adventure here. Some day I pace in Neylor's apartment, or circle around a nearby park, or lay in my bed and declare and sing to myself in psalms hymns and spiritual songs, making a new melody to myself and to the Father about His words and enjoying every minute.

At times it can "feel" like I'm not doing enough, or working fast enough or even care about God's people out there; but I know in my heart, that to really KNOW God, KNOW Jesus, IS eternal life! Everything bears fruit. They will know me by my fruit. What I receive and have stewing on the inside is what I vomit up or a better visual, is what sprouts out of my fountain (out of the abundance of my heart). Therefore I trust that my intimacy with Father is always my aim and desire! It's not my great efforts and words that change circumstances nor people, but my faith. Bible says, it's my faith that overcomes the world!

At other times, we're (Paul, Neylor and I) crying and praying for people, watching tears fill their eyes because someone cares for them, or because they received change in their broken bodies and hearts!

Just imparting these experiences and "being" here right now, in Japan, in God's will, IN His love, I cry. Why? Because faith pleases Him. He's so pleased in me. He's so pleased in us. This isn't to brag on us because that would be impossible when it comes to His Righteousness! I'm bragging on the mere fact that I'm receiving (as is my desire) more of God's love than ever and that's my pursuit and heart's cry every day.

Coming here, just coming here, I get so emotional thinking about it. Every opportunity to share with others or "think" on loving Japan, I have been getting hit by God's presence so strong, I can't help but cry. It's been causing me to want to run away and bawl when it happens, but I stand and relay His love. Here's a few instances where it's come:

On Christmas Sunday service we joined Neylor in his church. It's a brand new building that they have been building with an inheritance provided (Neylor rents some of the space for his businesses), and so as we filled in the freshly painted building, so ordinate and heaters drawing us in, I saw the ladies who were there the previous night practicing carols in Japanese. The room filled with perhaps 25 people and that may have been the biggest there yet (which would make them a large church in Japan).

As the orderly service began, I gazed as these sweet ladies (almost the entire church is filled with ladies, and that accounts for most of the church in Japan as I've seen and heard. This could be for many reasons, but largely because of culture with the men working rediculous hours, it's rare to see their desire for a church serivice. This is changing!) So I'm looking at these ladies, and thanking God for their hearts for Him and the privilege of being here witnessing their love.

Then all of a sudden I can't take it! My eyes and heart wrenching with the emotions of God's great love for these ladies, for this church. I almost felt sick, love sick. Then a beautiful girl gets up to dance like a balerina to "You Raise Me Up" and again I am so gone I just am melting!

Then as the pastor preaches with such conviction and I don't even know what he really said, I knew it was obviously a Christmas message, so simple and all about our great saviour's love for us, Paul nudges me to look over at the back row of ladies who are at the edge of their seats with the biggest smiles you've ever seen! Don't ever take for granted the simple gospel, the simple good news of Jesus! And once more I melted.

With structure and schedule (as I'm finding most Japanese are good at), they continue with their program party, and we feast, they have some comedy skits, songs and even a magic show. However, the whole time, I just want to melt like a snowball to the floor. It's hard to express the emotion, but it's like Holy Spirit so desperately wants to heal and encounter these people, radically, that the games and food were almost repulsive to my heart. I almost felt HS so strongly to stop everyone and just grab people and allow HS to touch them, and yet I didn't want to ruin or override the pastor. Even thoughts came to my head asking God, what would I even say, I have nothing to say, but remembered many times in the Bible where just the touch of Jesus changed everything in a person.

Humbly I just contained my emotions but desired to try and get my hands on a few people secretly and share God's love to them.

Neylor helped me when I asked to pray for a woman who had a lump on her back and as soon as he asked she flung herself to me eager for prayer that I was almost shocked. I blasted her with my whole heart and she hugged me ever so tightly.

Then I moved onto sharing with the dancer how she touched my heart and I welled up again and right when I'm about to cry, they interrup with another "entertainment".

I see one of those older ladies who's been there helping, singing, etc., and I can feel I must pray and tell her how much God loves her and hears her prayers. (I'll preface with this: I met Nara, who warmly hugged me and I felt God's love on her and come to find out, she'd been saved since July, and guess how she found the church? A track. Yup she said someone gave her a paper at the train station. I've heard form missionaries that tracks never help. Well I'm here to witness, that HS is moving despite our negativity and hopelessness, trust that people are desperate and reaching out! Nara is actually from Mongolia but has been in Japan many years and up in this area where Neylor lives near Tsukuba, there's a lot of foreigners who have worked in labor type of jobs. Her and Paul hit it off with speaking Russian and I just kept telling her how precious she is and how the HS and praying in tongues is the next step for all the truth of Jesus)

With that being said, I was about to tell this lady God's heart and I realize we can't communicate but I still grab her to pray and without knowing what I'm saying her eyes are welling up and yet again she's called up for a skit.

So after all the fun and games, I'm trying to head out and I"m ready to forget praying and go on my way, but then I see those sweet ladies again and so I ask Nara to interpret and I just declare simple truth about how I feel God's great delight in them, and he hears them and seek first the kingdom and just simple things flying out of my mouth but I'm crying and I'm also embarrassed because I couldn't contain this. They're grasping enough of what I said and through Nara's interpretation because they too were welling up with tears and that older lady said she has been through so much and discouraged.

I hugged them and had to get out of there, but was grateful I at least declared life and truth and as Nara would say we're "holy" people I would just turn it around and tell her so are you! You're a daughter of the most high, you're holy!

This may be skattered and I'm sorry but it's been ahile so bear with my train of thoughts...

What I want to insert here now, is the great GREAT need that the bridge of Christ needs in Japan: HOPE, LIFE, Encouragement! She desperately needs to be reminded of who she is and how strong she is and that Jesus loves her and is for her! Every single Christian we meet seems to need such wind in their sails.

Now if those who have tasted and seen need such hope, how much more those who have never tasted and seen our great King Jesus? I'm feeling those prophesies already coming to pass, such as "we're going to pave the way for many to come and many to go. We're going to also pay the way for many to come and many to go."

I can see how being established here to make a bridge for others to come and prophesy, heal, bless, worship, pray, encourage, edify the beautiful church here in Japan is crucial and such a great opportunity! We already have many chomping at the bit to come, and I'm thrilled but we're also not very well established or embedded in with the bride. But I feel it's coming sooner than we think!

The 2nd time that same feeling of a heavy presence of God's pleasure and love for us and for Japan came as we were spending another Christmas party back in Yachimata at our beautiful Sasaoka's household. It was a blast with cooking up stew with Momo, singing songs, being around Reina and Ken of course :), making rice balls (instead of Christmas cookies), relaxing and of course having a beautiful party.

Lynn Chan brought 3 of her classmates (probably never heard of Jesus but excited for a Christmas party), another lady who's been involved for many years of their home church (she was saved by her English teacher), Momo and fam, Yurika and her fiance, Neylor came and even a new lady he had met at a meeting he invited and we blessed her.

Anyways, we had a schedule :) not that strict but it helped us stay on top of everything. Paul's part was to come up with an ice breaker game and my role was to share my testimony. Paul had a roll of toilet paper and told everyone to take as much as they think they would need if they were on a deserted island. Some took a few, some took 16, some said I take the whole role :) The point was that once they had their count, then that's how many things they had to share about themselves. hehe

It ended up being a hit because as many Japanese, they're very shy and reserved. So this helped us loosen them up and laugh together. (I'll insert here something interesting I'm discovering with "culture". Momo, who grew up in the Christian home, home schooled, fed Jesus and a walk with the spirit, also traveled and even experienced YWAM in Kona. Her, as well as Yurika her sister, we hear from them that they're not like normal Japanese , especially girls. They've said this is to their advantage but also hard because they don't fit in, but they also don't want to. Interesting that Momo even said when she was in the states in a culture of christians, she'd never felt so safe.

This all hit me at how unusual a person is with hope, friendly, joy, travelled, (English speaking) and especially throw the Jesus factor in there, they stand out of culture. I think this is incredible, and yet many have said it's hard because when they return to Japan some lose their confidence and passion. Well let's help ressurect!

Momo's daughter Reina, who's also my 4 year old Japanese teacher and interpreter, hehe, she is so outgoing and lovable with the biggest personality I think she needs her own TV show, that I asked Momo if she's going to go to a school. She hesitates she said because she really doesn't fit in here and for good and yet bad in some ways, because teachers expect kids to just follow order and structure. We wouldn't want Reina's joy, spunkiness, creativity and Jesus love to get squeezed out of her. So I feel for them and look forward to the kingdom of God growing in Japan!)

Long insert,
but to continue with the Christmas party, Saori shared with passion some interesting facts about Christmas and even how the Bible is older then the oldest Japanese book on record. I sure love her candid expressions and laughter. We are so blessed to know these people who love Jesus with all their hearts. Neylor even mentioned that it blessed him to see a Japanese couple who he can tell are so in love and have a great relationship (which he says is so rare in Japan).

Josh continued with a story of CHristmas, reading a bit of a story book with pictures about the wise men leaving everything and following the star.

As he shared, I sat back and pondered on Jesus and the Japanese and just being here, especially with so many who haven't even heard the name of Jesus before. Then those emotions and presence of the HS began to hit me again.

Then as Josh shared in Japanese, I noticed him tying the story in with Paul and I, how we left everything in America, to come to a place far away because we love Jesus so much and love Japan. As Josh trailed into this that broke me and I couldn't hold back. Then it's my turn to share my testimony and I think, oh great how am I going to be able to holdit together.

With tears, I break in front of all, and just couldn't say anything but how good God is.

I prayed HS would help me speak what needed to be said and I trailed on into my path and the 2 major points of change in my life as a Christian. Being saved with my brother again and baptized, and then when I received the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues 9 years ago and how it just keeps getting better and better. I shared about how Jesus is real and speaks to me. It was a challenge in some respects to speak a language that the kids there could understand . Thank God for a wonderful interpreter like Josh :)

The 3rd time this same feeling and God's pleasure hit me was about a few days later as I'm laying in our small bed in our mini room hostel, just laying there meditating and praising God as Paul was next to me, and it was like waves and waves crashing on me of His joy. I felt so helpless like, come on God, I'm not even doing much here, I feel helpless and small most the time...but these what felt like xrays hitting me of his smiling face just saying, "I love you" "I'm pleased in you" "you're here in Japan, I'm so pleased in your faith" just over and over these emotions and my tears of joy, wow, they hit me just recollection it.

Thank you Father, for the privilege of knowing your pleasure in me.

Weeks back I was honored to visit an Aglow meeting with Saori and Momo. I had never heard of Aglow until I met Saori but I think it originated in the US, anyways it's a global network of ladies who pray and intercede. They're incredible!

The day I went, I ventured way across town for my first train experience alone and get this, without wifi! Yeah my phone broke the day prior, but it's ok we're cooking now with Neylor's help. Anyways it was a real joy riding the train alone, I had flashbacks of South Africa where I feel singled out because of the language and yet free because I have Jesus and stand out being white and blonde hair :)

Travelling gave me the opportunity to touch many, talk with many, practice Japanese and loving people. I'm discovering that many, especially in the cities speak English to come degree. Not usually much, but enough to where if I'm lost I can usually find someone close by to help. The Japanese are pretty 'to themselves' people but if you show any sign of friendliness, it's like they crack open like an egg, hoping to engage :) Hoping to be noticed.

I felt that whole day, and now, I learned that my main purpose was to get people to have hope. Even if I couldn't preach Jesus to them, just asking them what they do, but even more so, what would they LOVE to do, gets them stumped. Many appear as if they've never thought about dreams.

I'm learning to lean even more on the life of CHrist inside me than ever before because in the natural, it doesn't always appear what your desire is. For instance, I'm standing on the packed 'sardine-like' train and I'm just praying and praising God in my heart and for the people, and one woman gets in and I so want to say something so I just mention, I like your lipstick, in Japanese and pointing to her lips. She, (as is their custom) shy away and always reject compliments. But she sits and I wish to embrace her telling her much she's loved by Jesus, yet refrain and pray. When my stop comes, as I'm leaving I notice her scrambling in her purse, and she pulls out a Mikan (mandarine) and hands it to me!

I'm full on stunned at her gesture because they appear to be somber and non engaging, but her heart too was pattering:)

At aglow these older women praised Jesus and cried, and prophesied and danced and it was beautiful to see these hearts. We shared lunchtime and they played a few Christmas games.

The leader came to me and prophesied instantly a few words about God has called us to Japan, He is with us, the HS will help us bring revival etc., it was very confirming. Momo interpreted.

What I wanted to share about this meeting that was significant to me was the vision I saw just before I left: There was a sinking ship like TItanic, but the ship was Japan. These women, with their prayers, worship and lifestyle have surrounded this ship with lifepreservers, inflating and lifting the ship up, and not only that but have built a new rudder for the massive ship to be moving in the right direction! I felt the verses about never grow weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap what you have sown, if you faint not!

My interpreter left so I slipped out, but a few ladies met me at the door wanting to talk more with me and they spoke English so I asked them with tears to share the vision that touched me, as God has seen, heart their prayers and says because of you, I'm able to ressurect Japan from the pit of hell! Hallelujah :)

So a few weeks back during my bday week, Paul and I booked a few nights in Ichinomiya, a surf beach town out in Chiba. In fact we came to find it being the Olympic host city for surfing. What a cute beach town, and I found out that it's growing (unlike other cities dying in Japan) by 500 people a year. Many surfers in wetsuits, black sand beaches!

We ventured around, Paul wasn't feeling too well unfortunately but we still took a day trip south on a nice empty train to see some beach towns, and really see the land, like Abraham, which He told us about: CHIBA!

These beach towns were gorgeous, even warmer, with warm water than Tokyo obviously being more south. Very tropical and we ventured through these tiny towns with both new and mostly old buildlings/houses. It's incredible to truly see so many buildings empty, delapitated. The only real life we saw in these, what seemed like Ghost towns (at least for us in the winter, not sure about the summer) was these old retired men who live there and fishing off the rocks for fun.

These white beaches were picturesque and yet eerie at the same time. Hard to express, but we did see some demolition going on. But it left us wondering what God wants to do in these places and all these empty buildings. What jobs once filled these towns? We hear fishing but corporations have pushed them out. I'm not certain, but I think that with so much work online these days, it seems that families like Josh's could work remote and live in the countryside.

The Chiba trip seemed short lived with Paul in bed and my wanderings and interactions with folks, but I did have a dream one night of God encouraging me to give $100 to this one single mother. Well I had seen a sticker on our apartment (airbnb) neighbor's door, that said in english, Pray for Japan. I couldn't resist but had to knock.

It ended up being a single mother and her daughter and through our broken English and Google translate, it was a little awkward but they apparently weren't Christians. But I shared a little and blessed them and went to bed praying for them. Next day after the dream I thought, heck this might be their only hope to experience Jesus' love. So I bought a little card and put $100 in it and wrote out in English and japanese, (I trust HS will convey my heart) and shared Jesus and slipped it in their mailbox as we left. Thank you Lord!

We would have traveled all around Chiba peninsula but the train ride in 1 day would have taken about 6 hours back to Itabashi, and that's not including stops to explore, so we took the shorter route and said we'll come back :) The central part of the peninsula we found out was filled with 150 golf courses. I think Tiger has graced chiba with his presence.

On my birthday, we connected with Shelly from Hope Church, who's from Oregon and been here 30 years and transitioned their church to her daughter and husband, and now Shelly and her husband are open to what HS wants to do next in their adventures with God.

The fellowship at Dennys (she treated us) was so rich, I was overwhelmed by Shelly's heart for the Lord, and even mentioned that when I first saw her at the church as she briefly shared that all she wants in this life is to be loved by Jesus and be with Him and follow him, I held back tears feeling her passion and intimacy for our great Lord.

We dove into great conversation on her exploits in Japan, her miracles left and right they've experienced, even in adopting without any price! We admired her fervent steadiness to be in Japan so long while most tuck tail and run. She said you have to fight to be here and many lay down and ask me to drive them to the airport. Shelly sees the spiritual life we live and takes it seriously and wins!

We're grateful for them being here and loving Japan, even with her saying how it took her 6 years to get the 'heart' to be here following her husband's dream, and never even really getting the full Japanese language, she really has found the heart and is faithful! She shared the numbers of pastors who have back slid by sneaky deceptions and sexual sins, and suggested Paul never visit a 'massage'. Luckily, her and her husband have been pillars it seems and are helping restore, pray every day and strengthen God's bride, never giving up! So glad I"m on their team :)

I told her, anytime you'd like to get together and pray and worship, please let us know, it would be a pleasure!

Interesting how she shared that at the beginning years of their church they had this radical revival, that they believe came with the revival in Toronto, and HS was wrecking people. She said literally we look back at videos, and you would think we were a cult. Crazy encounters of healings, laughing, power of God just blasting people and there's obviously was no denial that Jesus wasn't real! Thank you Lord for bringing this more and more and helping us stay grounded in your truth and love!

We also had visited Paul's new pastor friend Christian's church with his lovely family, and they're trying to be an international church. Our delight was being able to hear Christian's heart of how ever since he encountered Paul at the Alpha meeting, Holy Spirit has been moving on him more and more, like reviving a fire back.

Even one of the ladies we could tell was being touched by the Holy Spirit during the service, as she couldnt' contain her tears and I know that's not coincidence, Holy Spirit is moving! God has told us to come, and just share the vision. Share hope, and this simple obedience I fell is allowing Him, with our obedience and hearts to help others received God's love.

Thank you Lord, we want more we are hungry for more!

Christian has a lot on his plate, but I could feel God's pull on him and his family to rest and relax and fall more in love with Jesus, trusting him. We were blessed to get to pray for a few folks after church and we all went out for burgers down the street.

What we really appreciate about a pastor like Christian and his family, is they're truly sold out in the sense that they don't care where people attend, they just want the kingdom to flourish. Very apostolic, they're always wondering how to unite the body and grow up the body of CHrist! More and more pastors will understand this concept of the kingdom and no longer fight over their flock and lord over them, but rather come alongside and encourage them!

Sure there were a handful in church, but it's great to gather and meet other internationals who are obviously desperate for encouragement and brotherhood.

Christian has 5 children and he asked us to pray for a few, and by the end of the night, we were praying and encouraging them all. It is clearly not easy being the oddball white American girls in Japan, top it off with being a Christian and homeschooled. We had an incredible time with them, and I was pleasantly surprised to get to hopefully show them how much God sees them and love them!

We even were able to encounter another young high schooler sitting nearby who could obviously hear our convo and I sat with him and asked to pray God to come into his studying and even future, it was so powerful and he was completely open and excited! His English was great having studied and travelled.

Few weeks back, Paul attended a tech startup meeting/social with Neylor and I pioneered by myself to a lady's startup community I found on Meetup. My motivation was to go and love people and also hear if there's some heart's that have a passion in business that we in the future as an investing firm can help them take off.

Paul took off and they had a fun time, a dynamic duo in a pond of fish that Paul felt were way too nerdy for him; however he put on his nametag, Investor, and as he talked with many, he realized how little people know and yet how much they've accomplished. Paul's understanding that startups have succeeded and also failed miserably, to the point that many took investor's millions and lost it all.

My great husband is feeling the Lord's heart in that with Him, we can truly do great things, and to not be in a hurry to jump in bed with just any business partner, but wait and see the right man of God that Holy Spirit leads to us.

This was confirmed that night by his brother Andrey calling and sharing a dream he had as well as a prayer meeting with a few friends whom the Lord was taking them into Japan in the spirit.

While in the spirit they were fighting off so much and doing warfare and really felt that we need to just move slow, and pace the land. Our goal is to rest, trust, and be on alert for the right connections and realize there is a spiritual battle happening here. We so love our brothers in the Lord! Thank you!!

While they paraded around Tokyo, I almost chose to stay couped up in my room, but said no let's do this Lord and let's have fun!

As soon as I stepped outside and was inviting the Lord to have a fun night, I saw a man limping terribly with his wife. Oh Lord help me get the change to pray for him, I thought. Then as I decided to go for it, I turned around and realized they were carrying heavy luggage up the steep walkway and I thought what a great opportunity to love them. I rushed over and grabbed the wife's 2nd piece of luggage (since the husband couldn't help) and I started walking up the ramp with them over the busy street.

They were overtaken with shock I could tell, and when I attempted at some Japanese, I realized I don't think they're even Japanese. So here I am lugging their suitcase for about 1/4 of a mile and I can't preach Jesus, I can't even ask how they're doing, but I could SHOW them that I loved them and Jesus loves them. They smiled and laughed and I could tell we're so grateful, so I just kept walking to wherever they needed, and just as we went down the other side ramp I was prepared to go all the way home with them, when they stopped me and the husband caught up and I realized that was all they needed.

Now the door was wide open and I motioned to the husband's limp and could tell he had a stroke. I just grabbed him and prayed and hugged him and hugged the joyful wife and they were openly so grateful and accepting. It was a blast! I thought, I could go home now Lord, but felt to see what else I could get into...

At the event I instantly met a girl from Pakistan, and we hit it off instantly (everyone there spoke fantastic English and about 1/2 were Japanese). The event was an end of the year party and meetup. This girl and I dug into so much to the point that I was even allowed to share our story and much of Jesus' great work and she kept saying, Wow that's so divine, such divine help and inspiration! I was like, you have no idea!!!

She shared how she's Muslim and yet they believe in Jesus return, and with our in depth conversation, we came to the point where she shared some health issues and fear of unable to conceive (she's been married a year and her husband is the one working for Japanese company). I just grabbed her hands and blessed her body and spoke like and hope to her. Wow, I felt like I had a new best friend!

We laughed together of the frustrations with no clothes dryer in Japan and the sinc's without garbage disposals :) I look forward to hopefully meeting with her again and growing in our new passion for Japan.

Now I've learned as children of God, that there's no such thing as coincidence anymore, no it's all divine as spirit beings. When I was checking into this event, I saw this girl Maia for the 3rd time! In the biggest city ever and I run into the same person 3 times is God all the way! Even she was completely shocked and I saw we much get a picture and meetup again.

Maia I met while at a store a few weeks prior after church, looking in this wealthy shopping area at the peanut butter and imported products, and I saw her getting butter and instantly asked where she was from and chatted. I was blown away to hear she was from Moldova because it's so rare, and I flipped out saying my husband's from there too! She had acted a bit aloof but came to find out the 3rd time, it's because she was so shocked because no one in Japan talks to others and 2nd of all, I said my husband was from her tiny country!

After that store we went into another produce shop nearby and there we ran into one another again. She's a scientist here and part of her being at the startup is because of new technologies she's part of such as this wristband coming out for diabetics that helps regulate their levels without shots.

So finally meeting there I hugged her and put in there, was God is definitely orchestrating things and there's something about her that must be so special. I hope we get to meet up soon :)

Lastly I want to highlight another girl I met who is Japanese and part of volunteering at this Lady Startup community, who was such a rad girl, I could hand out with her all day. But as I shared our visions, God's heart and ideas for Japan, at one point she stopped me and said wow, when you said you're here forever for Japan to become great I had chills run through my arms!

It's very evident of the lack of hope of those who especially are here and see the state of their nation behind in so much and engulfed in tradition and what we would term, religion and spirit bonds, but speaking life and what God sees is truly awakening all! I'm seeing it countless times that when we share God's heart for Japan and how we're fully on board they light up and are revived!

Another prophesy that we've clearly thanked the Lord for seeing it come to pass already, is He said we wouldn't have to go to Japan, Japan would come to us, and that He would send people to help show us around and that someone has clearly been Neylor! He's been incredible friend and guide, interpreter, prayer warrier, driver, encourager, land-lord (staying with him often), business partner, and just overall amazing man of God. Hats off to him because he's been here 8 years and he said I lost track of how many times I've wanted to quit and go back home.

Neylor has stayed faithful to God's word and been steadfast to not give up! If it wasn't for God's comfort, he would have left. Just as we feel, that if we gave up on God's word for us in Japan, we would have gone home and feel empty the entire time because we know it's not where we're supposed to be. We're to be here in this nation at this time and it's so comforting to know we're in His will. Same with Neylor :)

Neylor lives in Tsuchiura, which is about hour and half away from Tokyo, but his lives in this very empty apartment complex for $400! That's unheard of, however it's not near a train station, so you must have a car to live here.

Just so you have a feel for prices, we went to Roppongi Hills, wealthy area last weekend and we looked into the apartment rentals to see their cost, and a tiny little place was $4,000 a month!

We're praying and taking it slow, but trying to find out where to live when we return next. It's possible, if all goes well and if needed, Paul can get an international license for 1 year once we get home and apply. But it's all relative to what is our intention and need, because in the city it's not convenient to drive. So we trust the Lord to guide our steps.

The hostel has been very good in the sense that we're getting to love on and meet new people, but I truly desire (and I've already told Daddy what I want) to be able to walk the floor and praise, worship, declare and even workout :) Being at Neylor's has been so relaxing and it's peaceful to keep our focus on Jesus and remind ourselves of His word.

We've thought about Funabashi area or at least a place between Chiba and Tokyo for now, but it's all in the Lord's hands right now as we take step by step, day by day :)

Also interesting fact we've learned, is that the cost of heat is 4X's more than back home. So when we used to complain about our heat bill, I have nothing to open my mouth about now. So we understand why most do not have dryers etc. But there must be a better way to heat and keep the houses warm!

Neylor has been the life of the party wanting to take us to fun places and just get out as we can tell he's been very lonely for years and lack of fellowship. So he's taken us to a petting farm place where we could touch all the animals like Kangaroos, Lamas, Ostriches , Kappibara, chicks, etc. We managed to get our hands on a little girl there and speak life to her body and bless this lady who runs the place.

Paul and Neylor planned on going to this Brazilian restaurant and we invited his friend Natsuko he met recently and looking for new American friends (she speak fluently and lived many years in US), and we invited our new Hong Kong friend Ozzy who's here marrying a Japanese girl (we met in our hostel, he's been an incredible friend, cooking dinner for us, working out with Paul, going to Japanese classes together).

So all 5 of us went into the intense part of Tokyo Shibuya where you see a rediculous amount of people on the streets, and hundreds crossing all around. Neylor led us to the restaurant and treated us in this increble meal. It was awesome and the meats are unending and the salads were super tasty and unique. We obviously shared about Jesus and how good he is and our mission being in Japan. I hope it wasn't too intense (Neylor is very intense) but they're still our friends, so I think it's ok :)

Natsuko helped me shop at Gi, and pick out a dress for Kale's wedding. We're looking forward to getting to know her more (she's coming to our New Year's party at the Sasaokas.)

We ventured to Shinjuku and saw their famous area for shopping and yet the disturbing part was seeing these black guys parked in many areas of the street looking so suspicious , and Neylor said they're working with the prositution. What shocked me, is Neylor claimed that it's the #2 business in Japan, the sex industry. WOW! Well that's just another area on God's heart he has said we will help change for His glory!

We've been looking into the free classes at the community centers to learn Japanese. It's been a place to get to talk with elderly people who are retired and just giving their time volunteering to help others learn Japanese :) When conversing, my one on one has obviously led to why I'm here and what I'm all about so clearly Jesus is declared, shared, and his words are penetrating!

Ozzy our housemate is also learning Japanese to better accommodate living with his new bride in Japan. Interestingly, I've heard few things about praying for Hong Kong, but I had no idea until I heard from the horses mouth how bad things really are there. Ozzy said that his son's friend was killed at the university. So please remember to pray for the situation as it's very heated.

We were Japanese class crashers one day, because we went to check out another center Ozzy goes to study, and it was their end of the year party. So as we sat with the old sensei for about 10 minutes, we then were blessed to join them for lunch at Denny's. Another great meal at the more upscare than American standards, Denny's. :) We were with other Chinese students and the sensei loved Paul immediately and we hope to go back in the new year.

That same day Paul checked out a community gym for $3 drop in with Ozzy and as they worked out, (very strict rules btw with shoes here and but not there and go here but not there and sign in here to use this equipment but for only certain amount of minutes) anyways the girl tending to the gym was so touched by Paul, it was clearly Christ in him that drew her constantly wanting to talk more and he said she didn't want to let go of his hand when they shook.

She looked hurting, as most do here, very lonely and she asked multiple times for him to come back to the gym :)

People are so lonely in japan, that we found out you can rent a family by the hour if you want. Even the lady clubs start out at $30 an hour just to talk, and that's just to begin. So just smiling, saying a compliment, even saying hello usually throws people off and many times they don't even look up because they are out of it.

One day I saw this boy smiling so big at the train station, that it even threw me off since you never see that. I was so touched and wanted him to know that it's contageous, so I went up to him and thanked and motioned to him he had a wonderful smile.

Last week I had an incredible day that Holy Spirit did exceedingly than I could have imagined, because I was planning on meeting with this young girl I met on the train briefly. I'm finding that anyone who speaks English (normally has traveled and spent time overseas) is a great person of peace to connect with. That brief conversation on the train led her to find me on Facebook and I said let's get coffee since you're so close to me!

I had no idea what we were going to engage about but was excited to talk with someone who spoke great English so that I could better express myself and learn about her.

Hitomi is an extremely beautiful girl both inside and out, and our coffee time was so refreshing for us both that I almost forgot about my Japanese lesson to get to. Even though she's not necessarily a christian, yet, I felt I could totally share all about my life, why we're here, what God's doing in my life, my passion and ambitions and heard hers and it was so free and open. She spent time in Canada studying and just that 1 year has completely changed her, her perspective and even her family.

I tell her that she's a world changer beginning in Japan and I really feel it. She's really special and I know I'm not the only helper of her joy in this life because she mentioned her Canadian English teacher right now who's also a Christian.

What I'm discovering is like many people who have just been sheltered and only believe what they've been taught rather than discovering for themselves, keeps them in certain mindsets. Similarly to Hitomi, her family being Japanese have always thought negative towards to Chinese, and vice versa. But while living in Canada and working at a Chinese restaurant , they harassed her and she said she tried to quit but the boss said she's the only one who knew how to do everything so they needed her.

AS she stuck it out, they began to see that she really wasn't a bad person and she also realized the Chinese were people just like Japanese. In the end they grew together and she's glad she stuck it out and learned from all of this. She says even coming home and sharing these things with my parents and siblings has changed even their hearts. I know this is just the beginning with this young 20 year old girl! Thank you Lord we get to meet again and help me to help her shine in her path of life!

These are the sorts of encounters I feel we want to be led more and more for we meet lots of different people, but where do we sow and water and which do we nurture? Glad I have the Lord to help us :)

The greatest Christmas gift was given to us by the God encounter of going to visit this small church fellowship on Christmas Eve...

Neylor met us at this building downtown where a lady I met on the train my first week here after the prophetic conference, and Yukiko shared with me how she's a part of a home church and I shared a little of how God's excited for Japan! Anyways we've been emailing ever since and finally she was able to invite us, I guess their church is now trying to meet in this building (it could possibly be because Japanese feel more comfortable meeting in public places, I'm not certain but we do learn that they're very private and respectful people). So we show up, and literally about 10 people come, but Yukiko and her husband are setting up as if it's going to be for thousands, and so my heart was so excited to be there and share this time with them, supporting them.

The few (all ladies about in their 60's+) show up and Yukiko even said she was hoping to help this be more "international" so she not only sand in Japanese carols but also interpreted her own preaching :)

Once again our hearts melted hearing the simple gospel, and we fully loved what she was sharing of it's all about Jesus, and this is Christmas, everything was tied into the true meaning of Jesus is Christmas. As the service ran, I prayed that HS would intervene and really bless these people. I was more than impressed...

They had desert and tea after to fellowship, and as I'm seeing a trend for xmas parties in the church, they asked for people to share something: the eldest lady played a beautiful melody on the piano, another sang a song from her heart, Yukiko's husband Yoshio (who's a professional opera singer btw) sand a song, and then another lady who had a contagious smile shared her testimony.

We were blown away by her testimony of how she was saved 30 years ago from a painting!!! She was drawn to this painting and I can't remember all the details through translation, but Jesus spoke to her through he painting saying to cast all her cares upon him and let him carry her burdens and that was the beginning! Dang! We were blown away at these ladies who had been save 30+ years who have remained in the love of Jesus in a nation so sparse. The painting if you'd like to see is very unique by Chagall.

Then they asked Paul to share something "entertain us" and I knew if he took the attention, Jesus was going to wreck the house. Sure enough, Paul began to share about how Jesus took ahold of his life, and how the Holy Spirit rocked him, and led into Jesus sharing to us about Japan and how he's not forgotten them and hope is here!

Paul was shaking and holding back tears as the presence of the Lord became so powerful! One lady exclaimed this is the Lord and a miracle we're here tonight with them for they have prayed for years and it's obviously been hard.

With great joy we shared and then Neylor's like let's ask who would like to receive the gift of HS. I said that's exactly where we're going with this, and we felt such grace to be free with the pastor and her husband. The hunger was in the room!

We shared, built up faith and asked who wanted it and a few had some scepticism, but nothing like some of the religious debates with religious people we've had in the states, because once that fiery elderly lady replied how she asked her pastor for HS and he couldn't help and then how she went and said Lord, the Bible says I can have this gift so I want it and she was rocked in her room all alone and Holy Spirit filled her up! So we gotta respect our elders and therefore they said let's do it!

3 came up to receive, 1 including the pastor's husband who said he received years back but felt I didn't get it fully. They came shyly but with 15 minutes until we had to go we said let's do it! 2 other sweet young lady's came up and in 10 minutes they were praying and the presence was so sweet! We asked how they were doing and they said they felt such peace. One lady even said, WOW, you're eyes look different to Yushio and the other lady.

The whole place was thrilled and we didn't realize how wonderful this encounter was until the email we received the next day. We drove home to Neylor's and celebrated the excitement the whole way, even Neylor saw a vision of a building while praying for them and it made clear sense that when we pray we build ourselves up! We ate Ramen and rejoiced in what priveledge to meet such hungry people and stir them up to grow in their love with the Lord!

Christmas Day is just a normal day here in Japan, but we 3 stooges went to Yaku Niko a type of buffet and enjoyed ourselves while they played Christmas songs. We've been relaxing at Neylor's and Paul's been helping him Buckle down getting himself setup in what the Lord's asked of him with his import export business. Paul's been organizing with him his office and labels for inventory. My part was to enjoy the Lord so I cleaned up his home and did laundry :)

We spent the evening of Christmas at his church hearing a short message and praying for a young woman about to give birth.

Few days later we were invited by one of the main ladies for dinner and it was so wonderful! Very traditional Japanese home, but I knew that this woman whom I prayed for at the church was extremely hungry for the Lord and had insisted we come asap.

We feasted with a few of her hungry ladies from the church and eventually her husband came home and silently ate with us hearing about the passions of the Lord. What kicked it all off was when she asked how to grow in the spirit and hearing God and then it took off from there and we glorified the next part for their lives which was praying in the spirit a lot!

I felt we talked a lot but I sense her pulling with their spiritual hunger for more and more!

Paul had an impactful dream the other night about not glorifying the message, or tongues, or a pastor, whatever it is that's not pointing and glorying Jesus. We must be sure to glorify Jesus, so I find myself moving cautiously with Holy Spirit to help lead people to Jesus and not a 'method' However, once saved and the spirit is on the inside, we have a Bible for the classroom, we need a teacher. So the HS is our teacher and that's all we want to point people to because he's sent to guide us into all truth of Christ in us, the hope of glory!

Since then, that woman Tomoko said she's been healed by our prayers, praise the LOrd!

Sunday was planned to visit Lifehouse, a hip Hillsong church in Tokyo (well they have many locations), but we heard there's tons of Christian entrepreneurs there, so we've been desiring to fellowship.

We joined one of the services in a rented building in Roppongi , very rich area and it reminded me of American churches with lights, band, few hundred people with kids programs etc. They had 3-4 services that day. Compared to other experiences in Japan, churches, this was huge! Tons of young people and you could clearly see why. In fact, they were on the news once for their concert-like scene.

Not normally our style and desire, but after meeting people, seeing their simple message and simple gospel songs of truth, gaining 150 new salvation that year shows that some thing's going well. Like many churches, they said they do small groups that same day for about an hour as people are usually way too busy during the week. So they have the ability to be intimate.

Rod Plummer the pastor and his wife said they moved 16 years ago to Japan after she saw a vision of a spiritual Tsunami fully encountering hearts for Jesus. This greatly impacted them to the fact that they didn't know where this might be but knew Japan had Tsunami's so they came to check it out, and much to their surprised that no one even knew the name of Jesus, they said, that's just not fair. They moved and have never burned out but seem to be burning in more and more with passion for the kingdom.

We met a few people but for the most part they said their main business guys were out of town for the holidays so it's good to come after the new year. We joined a lovely couple (whom by the way most people there speak English and their service is obviously in both languages), whom though on the surface I almost judged the church for being plasticky, but once I heard many testimonies and their love of Jesus I could tell, no matter where you're at or the circumstances, the Holy Spirit can and will encounter people if they just step up and say yes.

The church says the go out on the streets and do these evangelism by just playing music and having people around to talk to people and just engage and invite them to come to church. It's truly saved many! Also they're doing an online community and said it's really growing with many who can't come join a body of believers in small towns, and I said well soon you should connect them and have them develop churches in their areas. They said that's exactly what they plan!

This sweet girl May we had lunch with shared with me how she's leaving her job to help full time with the media for Jesus. She said she received this in a vision from the Lord and she wasn't really a media type of person, so this is God's doing.

I was excited to hear someone help full time because what we're seeing here is such a desperate need for media in Japanese! In America I had so many great messages and Bible resources to send people who don't need us to be there to hold their hand or force anything but leave them options if they're hungry. Here, I hardly have much options and Neylor said that even the Bible that best interpret the word is expensive and most say they can't interpret it. Anyhow, we know that there's nothing too hard for the Lord and clearly why we need the HS who guides us no matter what we have or don't have.

Few days ago we went to the mall (Paul and Neylor craving donuts) and I thought what will I do? So I looked around for folks to bless. My hands got ahold of a few and the best was a young woman with a cane clearly limping holding her husband. I followed the urge and went for it! In the end after Neylor's help interpreting, speaking life to her body 3 x's, and sharing about my heart hurting to see her limping, she was in shock saying her walking was so light, and she was tearing up in clear shock. It was such a sweet moment and they were really open to love and we hugged them and blessed them (thanks for Neylor's language skills!) He said I never said the word prayer or CHristian, but sure mentioned Jesus. (There are many cults here which cause such scepticism on hand outs, the name of 'christians', etc.).

Currently we're spending the New Year in Yachimata with our lovely Japanese family and Neylor's BBQ's Brazilian style and it seems like Thanksgiving for days :) Supposedly they have this tradition where they eat these boxed meals throughout the days so women can relax and not cook, but since I've been here, they're still in the kitchen constantly :)

The fellowship is rich here and we're looking forward to more adventures to come.

Walking out here in the cold sun today, I reminded myself what we were doing a year ago, following that craving inside to get to Japan, moving to Paul's parents, unloading and digging into more of God's heart and plan...here we are!

It's a long update, but better than nothing, and I know I"m leaving things out but let's just say, Jesus is King!