Garry applied to enroll in Hope International University's intercultural studies program. Team Expansion highly recommended this curriculum as a way to jumpstart our effectiveness on the field. It doesn't get any more intense than this. Classes will be taken completely online beginning April 7th with 50% of the program needing to be completed before we depart for Tokyo. The remaining courses can be completed in tandem during our full-time language acquisition. Please pray that we raise sufficient funds to cover this additional expense, and that Garry would maintain a balance in life during this time of discipleship.

Labels: prayer

We just returned from LAUNCH training in Louisville, KY where we spent an entire week planning what it'll take to get this mission off the ground. We met 16 other missionary candidates who'll be serving in areas like Italy, Africa, the Far East, and the International Services part of the home office. The training covered things like raising support, preparing to enter the field, what to do with your kids, dealing with safety, and tons more.
We learned the importance of having a strong prayer group supporting us. In fact, we need 100-200 prayer warriors on our team before we can prepare for departure. Likewise, we need to have raised at least 80% of our estimated budget before we're cleared for takeoff. There are other factors to consider, but these are the primary two we're focused on. We're thankful for Glenn and Wendy Gibson, Dana, Tim, and Doug Lucas for assisting us with preparations, and extra thanks go to Bill and Sharon Reynolds for opening up their house to us for the whole week!

Weiling and Garry will be in Louisville, KY March 15-21 to attend Team Expansion's LAUNCH session. This is an orientation/strategy program designed for get everyone ramped up for what's going to take place between now and departure, plus setting the foundation for the work that will take place in Japan. Please pray that spirits would open to God's will and that there be unity among leadership who are responsible to nurturing this sprouting missions. May the right questions be asked and may the right answers be given during this critical gestation period. This really is the birth of something special we hope will impact many people both in Japan and the United States. May the same fire of the Holy Spirit that started the first church of Acts, be present to anoint everyone in attendance. It's no coincidence that Japanese people love them some KFC, so it's appropriate that we be in America's heartland for this training week.

Labels: prayer