That is the question I have been asked a lot lately, so I wanted to use the May Newsletter to answer it…
When would I like to go?:
OMF Japan would like me in Japan as soon as possible- as early as July 1st… as late as August 1st.
The supervisor for the Serve Asia Program will be going on leave mid-August so I need to arrive in time to settle in, learn my job, and learn hers. 🙂
What is keeping me from going?:
I have completed all the steps, processes, and clearances to go, except one: financial clearance. I have raised a little over 30% of my budget but need to raise the remaining 70%.
How much is left to raise?
I have a yearly budget is roughly $48,000 which is available for review on my website (Brittney’s Budget) This budget includes my housing, health insurance, retirement plan, transportation and food spending, and savings for the time I am back in the states and more.
In order for me to be cleared to go to Japan this summer, I have to have my three-years pledged before I leave. Which means I have to raise $144,000 in pledges. I currently have about $100,000 left to raise.
When is the deadline?:
For July, I need to be fully pledged by Friday, May 22nd.
For August, I need to be fully pledged by June 1st.
It takes roughly 6-8 weeks to set-up the visa, insurance, retirement, housing and all other pre-departure necesseties.
Is it possible?: 🙂
With God all things are possible Matthew 19:26 😉
If I can find 100 friends to sponsor me $1/day for three-years ($365 a year or $1,098 total) I will make my goal.
or
If I can find 350 people to sponsor me a $99/year (representing the 99% of Japan that does not know Christ) for three-years ($297 total) I will make my goal.
How can you help?:
You can PRAY (be a Prayer Warrior)
You can GIVE (be a Financial Partner)
If you feel lead to pray: (God bless you ;))
Please pray for:
- God’s Guidance for You (Your Heart for Japan):Please pray as to whether or not God is leading you to support the work in Japan thru me and OMF.
- God’s Guidance for Others (Other’s Heart for Japan):Please pray for God to guide and raise up others to partner financially with the work in Japan thru me and OMF.
- God’s Provision for Me: Please pray for God to provide me with both prayer warriors and financial partners for this new chapter in my life. Please pray that He will free me from the Spirit of fear and that I will be courageous and bold in talking about the next chapter of my life and the work and support needed in Japan. Please pray that He will provide me with peace and confidence in His timing and provision. Please pray that God will open up the way for me to move to Japan this summer and start His work there.
If you feel lead to give: (God bless you ;))
Please check out “Ways to Give”
Please pledge on the OMF Site
Please know:
- Your donation will be tax deductible. 🙂
- You do not have to pay now- you can set the payment day for when leave or any other date in the future. 🙂
- You can make a one-time, yearly, quarterly, or monthly pledge. 🙂
- You can pledge for the future. For example, if you feel led to support me each year I am gone you can pledge an annual gift which will triple the amount of money towards my going to Japan (ie. a donation of $100 becomes a ledge of $300) 🙂
- A pledge is a pledge, so if you need to change tone amount of cancel it at any time, you can. 🙂
I am excited to see prayer and financial partners God will raise up thru you and others.
I trust and believe in His provision and timing.
Look forward to the June Newsletter (mid-June) for the next Japan update. I hope and pray that I will have a lot of joyful news to share with you.
Cultural Reflection: A Carp Spirit
May 5th is Children’s Day and one will find many carp-shaped flags of flying in Japan.
In many of the Japanese and Chinese stories, Koi are transformed through their efforts and perseverance, able to climb waterfalls or become dragons. The Koi as a symbol that represents perseverance in the face of adversity and strength of character or purpose. The Carp can also represents wisdom, knowledge, longevity, and loyalty.
Many of the attributes of the koi (“carp”) symbolize several lessons and even trials individuals often encounter in life. The koi fish has a powerful and energetic life force, demonstrated by its ability to swim against currents and even travel upstream.
Some of the characteristics associated with the koi include:
- Good fortune
- Success
- Prosperity
- Longevity
- Courage
- Ambition
- Perseverance
Koi fish symbolism has gained strength over the centuries to encompass numerous positive qualities related to courage, overcoming adversity, the ability to attain the highest goals, and strong character.
The koi is a perfect symbol for me this month and next. 🙂
Spiritual Reflection: Everything Has Its Time
“To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3: 1
As many of you know, I have dreamt of returning to Japan as a full-time missionary for the last ten years.
On 2011, after seven years of waiting and preparing, it looked like I was finally on my way back to Japan. I was debt free, had found supporting churches and had acquired a paid teaching position at a Christian private school.
Then my car accident happened and the last four years have seemed like one long winter.
Finally last year with my acceptance into OMF, I felt like spring was coming. All the work I had put into my recovery: physically, emotionally, and spiritually; all the biblical and teaching trainings I had completed, and all the church and individual relationships I had developed were finally going to bear fruit.
So now Spring has come and summer is fast approaching with the heat and burden of timelines and clearances and the need for extra provision and protection from the heat and trials of this world.
I hope that you will celebrate with me as I say goodbye to winter and hello to spring and that you will help me prepare for the summer heat and trials ahead.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11