And it continues...

It has been three days since the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. And each day that passes by we are hearing about just how bad this really was. We knew it was bad from the time we turned on the news that day. But now there are over 10,000 people missing...and that's just one city. People are suffering so much here.

And it's hard to believe I am here. I felt the earthquake happen. I wasn't sitting in my living room watching CNN in Texas or any other part of America. I feel a part of this place and these people and my heart is breaking. It is something I have never experienced before.

I wanted to give a few more prayer requests today. Please also look at the ones posted yesterday and just add these to the list:

*Please pray for the people in Tokyo, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Yamanashi, and Shizuoka. On top of the damage they have already experienced they will be having rolling electricity blackouts to conserve energy. They estimate that there has been about a 25% reduction in available electricity because of the nuclear power plant situations.

*Pray for these nuclear power plant situations. There are continual problems with the plants. Please pray that these problems will be contained.

*Please pray for the survivors that are waiting to be rescued. Pray that they will be found quickly.

*It is still winter in Japan, and the areas most affected by the disasters are experiencing temperatures in the 20's and daily snowfall. Without electricity, the survivors and rescue workers are bearing the brunt of the winter weather. Please pray for God to give them strength as they persevere through these harsh conditions.

*There are still several small earthquakes and aftershocks going on in Japan. Please pray for the safety and the emotional health of the people who are still experiencing these things.

*There are almost 250,000 people who have been displaced. Most of these people are without adequate food and water and have relatives unaccounted for. Please pray for these situations.


For those of you who are still concerned about our family:

Justin created a map so you can see where we are in Japan. We are still OK and as of now we are in no immediate danger. We will let you know if anything happens here in Nagoya, and we appreciate all your prayers for us during this time.



Thank you for your prayers.

Please Pray for Japan

I have been sitting here for the past few days watching the death toll rise after the quake and tsunami. I have been watching the missing number of people rise as well. Now there is the concern of the nuclear power plants. I then watch the videos and pictures of cars, trains, houses and people being swept away when the tsunami hit the city of Sendai. It is unbelievable. And as my heart breaks for the people in the middle of this horrible natural disaster one thing keeps playing in my mind: Pray for Japan.

I want to encourage all of you to pray with me. Northern Japan needs all the prayer they can get. Here are a few things I can think of to pray for right now:

*Pray for the people who have lost everything from the flooding in Northern Japan.

*Pray for the people who are missing. Pray that they will be found and reunited with their loved ones.

*Pray for the rescue teams coming in from all around the world. Pray that they would be able to find those who are lost and take care of those who have been injured.

*Pray for the nuclear power plant situation. It looks like one is partially melting down already. Pray that the people who are working on the situation can find the answers to the problems and the people around the plants have all been evacuated.

*Pray that the people in Japan may come to know Christ through this tragedy. Pray that this would bring them comfort and joy in the middle of this disaster.

Thank you for lifting this beautiful country and the people who live here up to Christ. May His hands continue to be at work in this horrible disaster.

Picture from: http://www.jusrhyme.com/category/tsunami/

Prayer Focus: The Homeless in Nagoya.

Today it is snowing. We are again being blessed with wonderful, beautiful snow. And I am again enjoying watching it fall from the sky. Of course I am watching it from my very warm apartment.

I must admit, last week when I was deciding on what topic to start our prayer focus Mondays on, the homeless were not the first thing to pop in my mind. I actually decided on it this morning. The snow was what changed my mind. And a comment from a friend that I remembered from the last snow in our area. The comment was about praying that the snow would go away because of all the homeless in the streets. In the enjoyment of the last snow fall I remember thinking to myself, "I would have never thought about that. I would have never wished the snow away for the sake of the people who have nowhere to go to get out of the snow." So I have decided that during this snowfall I too will remember to pray for these forgotten people. So let's pray for the homeless in Nagoya.


Prayer Points

*Pray for the health and safety of the homeless, especially during the cold of winter.

*Pray for the homeless ministry here in Nagoya that meets every other week. This ministry has a church service for the homeless; afterward they share a meal together. Pray that God will touch the hearts of these people who feel so hopeless. Pray that through this they will come to know him. Pray for the people who put this service together. Pray that God might use them to share the Good News of Christ. Pray that there will always be enough food to go around during these services.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. Hebrews 13:1-3

Photo taken by:Winnette Glasgow

Let's Get Excited...

I want to just take a moment and thank all of you who read my blog. It means a lot when I get a comment or feedback via facebook or email. Although even if no one reads this it will be excellent for me to look back at our time in Japan, I feel extra blessed to know that there are some of you out there who really care. Thank you for that. You guys rock!


I just wanted to mention a few new things starting up in February. First off I will be posting every Monday a prayer focus for the week. This focus will be something about Japan, Nagoya or ministries in the area. Please join me on Monday as we start to pray for something specific every week, once a day.

I am also pleased to announce that I will be starting a series called "Around the World Wednesday". This will be a series where I will have guest posts written by other families around the world in ministry. I am really excited about this! This month we will have families writing from Thailand, South Korea, Spain and other places as well so make sure you stop by and check it out!

On Fridays I will be posting a series specifically for mothers overseas. Each week I will post things I have discovered about being a mom living in another country. I would really encourage other moms out there who are living overseas to comment on these posts so we can start discussions and help each other out. Please stop by on Fridays and join in on the conversation!

And finally there will be a couple of giveaways (woo-hoo!)and maybe a post or two from my other half so you don't want to miss out on the all the fun here next month!

So get ready! Subscribe by email, follow our blog, "like" us on facebook and you won't miss out on anything!

A Sad Passing.

Yesterday at one of our sister schools in South Korea the director's wife passed away. And although I do not know this family by face, only by name, my heart is aching for them. She was a woman in her 50's, not someone who would be waiting for their time. She had a brain aneurysm suddenly and several hours and surgeries later went to be with the Lord.

This really had me thinking deeply about preparation when it comes to going to meet my Savior.

We are not promised another breath on this earth.
We could be gone today or 70 years from now.
No one knows when their time will come.

I asked myself this question last night and thought seriously about my answer:

"If I were to leave this earth today and meet Jesus Christ, would I be ready?"

My answer would be yes and no.

Yes, because by the grace of God I know Christ as my Savior. I know that one day I will be spending eternity with HIM.

No, in the sense that I would be ashamed of what little I have done with my life for Him.

This has me really thinking now about what I can do to change this in my daily walk with the Lord. I have been praying about this the past 24 hours and will continue to as I ask Christ to continue changing my heart for Him.


To this precious family who lost their mother and wife last night,

I am praying for you.
My family is praying for you.
Our school is praying for you.

May you find comfort and joy in the fact that she is now dancing and laughing in the presence of her Jesus.

No more pain.
No more suffering.
No more heartache.

Just beautiful,wonderful joy fills her now. And one day, you will see her again.

Will you join me in prayer for this family?

Psalm 71:20-21
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.