oops i did it again,, literally

double love from tk.

finally, the last team member

Nicknames: Tku, TK, T

Person in the bible you like most//most want to be like: Im assuming this is besides Jesus, that's given. I suppose, Noah. Not because I love animals or because I just watched Evan Almighty, but because he took a leap of faith and built that insanely huge ark even though everybody was against him. He was obedient and the Lord provided.

Favorite Japanese Thing: Language. I love the Japanese laguage. I wish i could speak it fluently.
Favorite Japanese food: oh no. there's too many. I love shabushabu, I love sushi/sashimi, I love that sweet tamago (egg), I love mochi balls, i love green tea, i love tempura, i love soba, etc. conclusion: it is impossible to have a favorite japanese food.

What are you looking forward to the most? I have no idea. I want to see the city, I want to see what a Japanese house looks like, I want to see a lifesize doraemon, I want to eat Nato. JUST KIDDING. those things are great, but im actually looking forward to just meeting people. I cant wait to talk to the lil kids- I love kids. and cute lil Japanese kids?! omg im going to melt. also, i'll be able to talk to them more easily since my J is like 5th grade level. :)

What are you looking forward to the least? The hot car. Sea sickness.

Expectations: Great ones. like the book. to be more specific, i just want to make friends. I expect that our team will grow close and that we'll have a better sense of where God wants to use us over there. Everything is going to be wonderful.

I love you, the Garden J-team

I can't verbalize how much i appreciate each member on the Japan mission team. I just can't express my feeling in any language. yes, it is not a language issue. I also can't express how much i have been blessed and inspired by each of them.

Our skit was "sukiyaki" on the mission ministry lunch/silent auctions. I love our skit because we are like sukiyaki ingredients which make a delicious sukiyaki. We need meet, tofu, eggs, vegetables.... each ingredient is needed for sukiyaki.

Of course I am excited about the mission but still feel a little bit weird in a good way. " Wow, i am so excited!! Is that true?" God is smiling at me and says, " Yes, it is. Hiro" He will send us to the nation which i was born and raised. He knows how much i tried to reach Him when i was in Japan. I thought no one knows how sad i was when i gave up looking for a church in Japan about two decades ago. He knew it. Now, I finally go to my motherland as one of the J-team. And i am so thankful to the Lord that He has given us this opportunity. It is His mission. Not ours.

Thank you for being one of "ingredients", everyone!!

Support your local mission team!

Konnichiwa! We are selling our church's mission shirts to raise funds for our trip, so if you'd like a new black t-shirt, please let us know or leave a comment by July 8th. $12 per shirt, and all the proceeds go to our team's general fund. Arigatoo!

a prayer warrior

though we're all brimming with the fondest memories of japan, as i pray more and more for this mission, i'm reminded of one precious memory of the time we met with the Mukonoso church to pray together. though our tongues were nations apart, the Spirit of unity was there. One specific prayer request i remember was for the history of barriers to break down. it was not only for the ill history between korea and japan, but also the history between believers and non-believers. God's been convicting me more and more to pray for the falling of these walls! and with that, a greater desperation to depend on Him is building. thanks, God.

this was the woman that prayed that profound prayer. her heart and faith inspired me:

Like a Broken Record

FINALLY finished Job. Reading through chapters and chapters of bunk advice seems a bit pointless by the time you hit the 20s, but the payoff at the end is worth it. Seriously, what the heck do we know about anything? God is wayyyyyyy bigger and powerful-er and worthier to be feared than we can imagine. Man is seriously ignorant and stupid when it comes down to it. Who are we to rail against the one that knows all and created all the intricate mysteries of the universe? So again, I was brought to the place of HUMILITY. Not only a key word for this mission trip, it is definitely a key word in the life of a follower of Jesus. He could smite us in a second, and yet chooses not to for some reason.

Flying by....

2 months to go! It's crazy to think we will be in Japan so soon. Time is just really flying by. The other day I was looking at pictures from Japan and I got so excited. Why do I love Japan so much?? But as I was looking at the pictures God was telling me to leave my expectations at His feet. This trip will not be the same as the last and I have to let go of any pre conceived notions about this summer's mission. He desires a new thing and that makes me both nervous and excited. A familiar feeling. Either way though I am looking forward to our time in Japan and wish we could leave sooner! (For some reason that use of "sooner" doesn't seem grammatically correct)

I wonder if it will be really hot and humid like last time or if it will cool down since we are going later on in the summer. Hiro??

I'm Paul

Nicknames: Pavilion, Luap, Pwawl, Chupa, Cha-dol.

Person in the Bible most like you // most want to be like: King David: tender with the Lord at times // Want to be like Paul: to know his Lord in intellect but more so in spirit. not to just understand, but to really know the Lord.

Favorite Japanese thing: Miyazaki and Kurosawa films. And "Shall We Dance?"

Favorite Japanese food: Sesame chicken (w00t!)

Why Japan?: God really loves his people in Japan and he wants to show them through my hands and feet and heart. :) so i gotta go. and i really want to go. He put that in my heart 1 year ago and it's been simmering since.

What are you looking forward to most?: Flying overseas. Seeing Japan, its cities, villages, its people, meeting with the churches there, playing with the kids, singing and praying, sharing and laughing with people, meeting new brothers and sisters.

What are you looking forward to least?: Flying overseas. Not being able to communicate well enough.

Expectations: Have a fun time with brothers and sisters there. To make new friends. Be like church in Acts; real family.

I'm Justin

Nicknames: Jay
Person in the Bible most like you // most want to be like: Maybe Moses? But, i'm not sure why // David: He represents to me a man who passionately Worshiped God with no reserve.
Favorite Japanese thing: Animation
Favorite Japanese food: Everything!
Why Japan?: God taught me so much by going to Japan last year. I just cant wait to see what he has in store for me this year
What are you looking forward to most?: Seeing everyone i met last year, eating the amazing food, and just having fun!
What are you looking forward to least?: I agree with TJ, the humidity is not something im looking forward too.
Expectations: I expect to see God's will be done.

Oh...em...gee........

Random Cuteness

japanese scarecrows are not scary! they're so cute!!

Reason to love Japan #254

Legal fireworks! This video almost brings tears to my eyes as I recall all the emotions associated with these fireworks. Tilt your head 90 degrees to the left to view...

My name is.... have you seen the TV show "Heroes"?

I have only one picture so far.... oh, i must buy a digital camera before the mission. that would be my first camera in my entire life. Yes, yes, i came from Japan.. haha...

Nicknames: Hiro, Super-Hiro da! ( from the TV show "Heroes", do you know the Japanese guy's full name? Yes, it's funny...), you are my hero ( thanks for your complement), Macrophage ( when i was in a dental school. because i eat like a horse), Korean-food lover (addicted), Coffee-lover... hmm... yeah. every nickname tells you "who i am"

Person in The Bible most like you//most you want to be like: Barnabas. My former Bible study group leader told me i reminded her of him. I love this complement because he is very encouraging. I try to be.

I also want to be like Joseph because of his forgiveness and faithfulness.

Favorite Japanese things: My friend Stanley has taught me how beautiful/sophisticated Japanese classic movies ( Ozu and Kurosawa) are. I fell in love with Ozu's movies.

Favorite Japanese food: Sushi and Hakata tonkotsu Ramen ( i came from Hakata (Fukuoka)). I usually cook Japanese and Korean ( sort of ) food every day. My dinner table is " Japan-Korea reconciliation"

Although i am not a snack-eater, i love Maccha (green tea) ice cream. that is "to die for".

Why Japan?: I still remember when i was non-believer living Tokyo, i was looking for God's presence. I could not find Him at that time. I'd love to help people to find Him and I am willing to be used by Him to tell j-non-believers how amazing He is.

What are you looking forward to most: I look forward to seeing how miraculously/amazingly God is working in Japan. I felt He was shaking Japan, which used to a unshakable mountain, when i went there last time. It is NOT an unshakable mountain ANYMORE! Praise the Lord!!

Expectation: I am just following Him with our J-team members. I want to be flexible for Him.

jean.young.choi

hey, so i realized that i don't have too many, if any at all, self-portraits! so, sorry to all those in the picture with me, i had to smudge you guys out!
but here goes, the oh-so-interesting tid bit about me!

Nicknames: Beanie, Beanie-Baby, Beano (yes, the gas medicine), Jeangle, Jeanie in a Bottle, Jeaners, etc, etc...you get the point

Person in the Bible most like you // most want to be like: I'd probably say I'd most want to be like Ruth. It is her gentle obedience and loyalty that stirs me. Either that or a woman version of Daniel. But the favor Queen Esther had is a bit appealing..hehehe

Favorite Japanese thing: Oh man, the green tea madness! Green powder tea, Green Tea Wafer Ice Cream Bars, Green Tea Snacks!

Favorite Japanese Food: Anything noodles, really. Which is fortunate for me because a lot of it is! Yakisoba, Soba, Ramen, Udon

Why Japan?: Like Hannah mentioned, actually going last year had not only sparked, but lit ablaze a huge fire for this nation, and for the people in it, believers and unbelievers alike. And I once shared that in all honesty, I have never prayed for a specific nation, and for specific people so much before, during, and after (till this very day) the mission trip. So I know it's not a self-proposed conviction, rather a divine one.

What are you looking forward to most?: Oh gosh, where the heck do I start? I'm looking forward to seeing how God will use this new, fresh team this summer, because last year was just incredible, and to think, what incredible things will He do with this new group? So excited. In addition, I'm SO STOKED about seeing the people we met and partnered up with last year! Oh, it'll be all smiles!

Expectations: As contradictory as this will sound, I expect so many things because our God is THAT huge, and yet nothing at all because I can't begin to fathom His greatness. But I guess to simply put it, that His heart will unveil itself on this journey.

I Made it onto the Interweb!!

Ok so I have NO technical ability or skill whatsoever. It's taken me this long to figure out how to blog again and also recover my sign in information.. then link it to gmail. This is just too crazy for me... I like the old fashioned pen and paper - but I suppose this is more public and more "hip" - haha ok so if you don't know me I'm not really old... i'm just not technical. Anyways before I start writing about my personal life, thoughts, etc.. I will follow TJs lead and give you some info about me-

Nicknames: Hansa, Hansel (lets leave that one alone), Hanny...
Person in the Bible most like you // most want to be like: Hannah the mother of Samuel. She was a woman of prayer and great faith and I really admire that. She also reminds me of my mom.
Favorite Japanese thing: HELLO KITTY!!! oh and the apple juice. Jean Choi can second me on this one... it just tastes different. Sooo good. Oh and of course MATCHA! My other favorite discovery - matcha time, all the time.
Favorite Japanese food: Okonomiyaki and I've taken a liking to jelly :)
Why Japan?: Good question. God somehow put that seed in my heart and a conviction for the nation and people of Japan. Going last year only grew the seed and now... I am c0ntinuing to seek out how He desires to use me in the future for Japan. I have a feeling He's not done using me yet...
What are you looking forward to most?: Everything...literally everything is so exciting to see over there.
What are you looking forward to least?: Nothing - I enjoy it all.. even the stifling humidity. It's all part of the experience.
Expectations: None. Just that God will move our team and reveal why He desires to send us.

Oops I forgot

Jeff sent me this:

These firefox extensions bring up dictionary entries in their respective languages when characters are highlighted

Chinesehttps://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3349

Japanesehttps://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3343

Just in case you wanted to get a head start.

maestro please...

Have you guys seen that really stupid commercial with 50cent? He's the guest conductor who is conducting the orchestra to perform his played out-not even tite-sorry lyrics-rap. Anyway, the commercial is dumb and it does nothing for Smartwater. I dont know if it was from this commercial or whatever, but I was realizing how God is like my orhcestrator. This past week, I've been pretty chill considering it was my last week and that all my assignments were due n stuff. Let me give you a synopsis of what went on in my brain: (caution, this may not make sense to you if cannot comprehend incorrect grammar)
SO monday, Im like great....when is friday going to be here. I cant wait till its all over. I have all these deadlines to meet.. i have a paper due tomorrow and im nowhere near done. Im going to stay up all night. AND THEN, my computer jacks up and starts shutting down on its own. The 2/10 page paper i wrote is now unavailable. for some reason I dont freak out.. instead im like "great! i can use this to get an extension!" and BAM, on Tuesday i got an extension. PRAISE GOD. so then ok, thats taken care of. Tuesday night we have a senior girls night out with dinner at the stinking rose garlic breath for a week restaurant and stuff.. I got home that night and I was like Crap! i have to write up a protocol for tomorrow's lab. But i have research lab at 8:30AM. again no sleep for Tk. So the next morning i travel on over to lab, and my PI is nowhere to be found. So i bitterly walk back home thinking, he could have at least emailed me and told me not to come. but after 1 minute of disgruntledness, I was like PRAISE GOD i can work on my protocol and be done by 1 for class. Again, God to the rescue. That same day, i got my computer fixed at ackerman. i smiled in my sleep that night. So now, Thursday, I got 99% of my paper done and I go to OH and she tears it up like a wildebeest.. its really 50% done. That night I have accountability with raina, candace and minky and since its our last one we went to raina's and cooked dinner together. We had so much, but i got home around.. 11 and had to start on my paper. So this time.. i actually didnt sleep. My former roommate Thuy came over and during one of our chats she asks "where are you living in the summer" and im like "iono" and shes like "you can room with me, my roommate needs to find someone to take her spot" and im like "ok." BAM, God provided me a place to stay. CHACHING!! On friday, i finally turn in my paper. Discussion gets cancelled so i got to work on my last lab report and turned it in with 20mins to spare. It was my last assignment as an undergrad. I thought i was going to get all sappy and sad about it, but i shoved it into the turn in box and zoomed off. I was so happy I couldnt tell I was happy. ya feel me?!

A reoccurring theme was that even though I didnt deserve any of God's grace.. I got it in abundance. I was totally expecting to have at least 3 sleepless nights and no fun but i got the opposite. Also, if you didn't notice, if it wasnt for God's mercy i wouldnt even had time to do any of my assignments.. i only got them done cuz God gave me time. God orchestrated this whole thing so that I was able to get everything done + enjoy some time with my accountability group and the senior girls. He provided me a job, and now He provided me a place to stay. it feels good knowing that God is the one behind it all, small or big. He is the only one i was able to attritube my success to. How refreshing.　神様は一番です。(God is #1)

random thought: i need to raise 2000$. God?

TJ

Nicknames: Ummmm TJ?, Tito, Tyrone, Taejinah-san
Person in the Bible most like you // most want to be like: Elijah::Black&white [e.g. choose God or Baal = hardcore], emotional, not a big talker, loner // Daniel::Influential leader, man of integrity, culture-changer, fearless
Favorite Japanese thing: Ninjas
Favorite Japanese food: Tonkatsu
Why Japan?: God put a seed in my heart for Japan about 6 years ago, and I have yet to see what that means for my life. Why would He put a love in my heart for a nation that I had never been to? Why would He allow that love to multiply after going last year? What role do I play in God's endgame for Japan? Inquiring minds want to know!
What are you looking forward to most?: Seeing those beautiful Japanese smiles. And okonomiyaki/ramen/yakisoba/curry!!
What are you looking forward to least?: The humidity, of course.
Expectations: To receive greater vision for my life in regards to Japan, and to fall deeper in love with His people.

A Blessing to be Stressed

For those who don't know, I'm in the middle of Finals. Papers and projects are all due this week as well, save one (Thank God!) and as you may have already guessed, I'm stressed! Seminary is no walk in the park, not that I went in thinking that, but as a statement it's sufficient. I'm finding it difficult to study for my finals, work, and finish the remaining assignments i have to turn in, without going totally bonkers. "I only wish i had started my work sooner" is a familiar statement of mine, but now more so than any time is this really something i had really wished to have done. Besides all of the stress, my time here at King's seminary is very fulfilling. Having this opportunity to learn so much about God, the Word(son), and the Holy Spirit has truly uplifted my spirit in wanting to preach the good news! So though its a stressful, it's also a great blessing!

Not to us...

The mission prayer meeting we had last sunday was beyond powerful. I believe that God was orchestrating whole meeting. He was there. He really was there with us. All of us. It does not matter who is going or not. He was talking to the senders who have been supportive to us, the goes. We all were united in the meeting by His presence. He was there.
As for us, J-team, we are not sure about our schedule. Seems like there are so many uncertain things waiting for us. It is totally okay. As our leader TJ says, we just follow and obey Him. This is His mission, not ours.
Thank you for this opportunity, Lord.

PS: When i passed by a very small hispanic church in downtown tonight, i saw the room was packed with tons of people who were passionately worshiping and singing a spanish christian song. I was so touched even though i didn't understand even a single word they said. I was moved by their worship and prayer. I do remember when I heard Mrs. P praying in Korean, even though i knew only one part, "thank you, Father" I cried and cried. She said, " Hiro, it was not me. Holy spirit came down upon you"

words words! words!!

one teammate prayed for what we speak to give glory, for what we hear to give glory, and for what we think to give glory to God.

and i was encouraged by that and in addition, by a verse in yesterday's qt:

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. ~Psalms 19:14


these days, with the busyness of my so-called life, i haven't been so careful with what comes out of my mouth. it's not profanity or anything, more along the lines of words of complaint, cynicism, and judgement, definitely no bueno.
please keep me accountable because i really want what comes out of my mouth to be honoring to Him. and it's DEFINITELY good training for missions. :-)

Here + Now

Lord, teach us what it means to be a missionary here in our circumstances now. How can we begin to love the ones across the globe that we cannot see before we love the ones we see everyday? Challenge us, change us, convict us. We want the mission to start here and now.

In Jesus' name,
Amen...

Here we go...

I met 3 Japanese people yesterday. It's a sign!!! I'm just kidding. But there is an enlarging of my heart for the people of that land. I've not been outside the country since the age of 2. Well, Tiajuana, and only once! Catalina count? For the last 2 years of Navajo missions, I felt His tug to a new place. And that new place was Japan when last year's team shared upon their return. I knew it then. But even then, it's a struggle to step up when the time comes. But in doing, you remember that new place He wants you to be. I'm so blessed to be a part of the this team to Japan and for many reasons. And many more only understood in hindsight. Pastor Daniel Brown once said that he can't think of a better way of expressing his love for God than loving [God's] people. And that's what missions is, isn't it? It may look logistically in vbs, bbq's, building homes, seminars. But it's loving people, even if it's not convenient for you. So, the 7 of us are going to Japan or at least that's the plan for now. I think there were 7 that went on a boat trip and landed on Giligan's Island. We're 7 and we're going to an island. Who's Giligan? Hannah....

CAN I GET AN AMEN

The Lord is Good. Good like food. Good like buying new clothes, good like mastering the piano, good like washing your bedsheets, good like running a mile nonstop, good like free stuff... but a bajillion times better.
This week was numbing, but in a good way. What I mean by that is so much has been going on, good and tough, I dont think i was able to take it all in. Schoolwise ive been running around like a rabbit being chased by a hungry fox, but Godwise, i've been so filled and incredibly blessed to the point where its overwhelming. I was reading Job ch. 38 one day and it really struck a chord in me. God is so vast, so mighty, so clever, so nothing-can-compare, so champion. Ive been so blessed this week and I cant attribute that to anybody else, only God. God provided me with a family at Rev, God provided me a way to graduate, God provided me a way to finish up that 2304098509485 pg lab paper.. .. how can I doubt that He will continue to provide. DUH TERESA. And thats only a taste of it. Theres more to him than just a wizard of oz goodie bag. I will praise you when the sun is shining down on me.. i will praise you when im on the road marked with suffering because you will never let go, through the calm, through the storm. Blessed be your name.
BTW, thank you Hiro Jean Soomie and others who have been encouraging me and helping me find a job. I am so grateful. God provided them too.

Ready to be used by Him

I am so excited about our mission. Finally, His timing came. Last year, i thought i would be able to go on Japan mission but every single thing didn't work. Now, I am glad that i could not go last year because through my suffering and frustration, i have learned to rely on Him and obey Him completely. It was a huge breakthrough.

I can't help being excited about our mission. I am so excited what He will reveal to us and how He change us through the mission trainings and mission itself. Praying for people in the nation who don't know His presence. I was one of them when i was young.

I already fall in love with our team =) We all are mission-minded-matched in Heaven!

Hiro

A New Hope...An Epic Adventure of Seven...

Like the title? haha...i just love the word "Epic". Anyhow... i dont really have much to post right now, but what i could say is that i am very excited about being able to be a part of this team once again. Now that Paul Yoo, Teresa Ku, and Hiro have joined the team, im super excited to see what God is going to do through the team. These sisters and brother (paul) haha, are truly God fearing people with such great hearts to serve others. What a blessing and honor it is to be serving with them.