Kunena Site Syndication http://go2japan.org/a2/ Sat, 19 May 2012 04:20:28 -0700 Kunena 1.5.11 http://go2japan.org/a2/components/com_kunena/template/pearl_white1_153/images/english/emoticons/rss.gif http://go2japan.org/a2/ Kunena Site Syndication http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=11&id=1024#1024 Good afternoon to all, several years of planning, praying and really seeking the Lord and His will for our family has lead me here. The subject of this post really states the call for my wife and I as we share the burning desire for missions. I am excited to begin this process as I feel God has directly led us to this site to seek further in the possibility of making a career move and change to "go". I would love to find out more information on pursuing a career path with your group. Thanks in advance, Cecil and Christy Mills Tue, 08 May 2012 22:30:06 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=3&id=1023#1023 I am looking to participate in a short term missions trip to Japan in Jan-Feb 2013 as a sort of pre-experience as I have felt called to serve there since middle school. I intend to study East Asian studies in college, but I would like some practical experience working with the Japanese people and using the language before jumping into full time missions during/after college. However, I will be a couple months shy of 18 during the time window which I would be able to make the trip. Is it possible for a younger member to apply? Everything I've read about the program sounds like exactly what I am interested in. I read the exception about having 2 people over the age of 21, and this leads me to my second question: I come from a very small church and am Homeschooled, so the likelihood of finding 2 or 3 other people interested in taking the trip is very small. Is there any way that I could join another team, not necessarily from my own church? If you could give me some answers that would be great :) your program sounds amazing and I'd love to be a part of it. Mon, 07 May 2012 06:06:04 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=11&id=1015#1022 Thanks for the response, Jeff! Your post wasn't too long and it made a lot of sense. The time that I've spent in Japan, I've come to find so many that seem to view evangelism as the westerner's job, so the idea of training people to share the gospel is so appealing! I've been talking with a man from SIM a little bit. Seems like I might be further out than I wanted to be, but fortunately, God will come through in his time, should this be what he wants. Debt is a big obstacle when it's just me dealing with it, but fortunately, God can overcome that. I'm still very excited about this opportunity. I would love to hear of other's experiences in the field, what they did as CPA or Missionary and hear some cool stories of God doing big things! Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:12:23 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=5&id=1021#1021 I am interesed in applying for the Children's ministry team for this coming October or March. Are there still openings on those teams and on which dates will the conferneces be held? Thank you, Shawna Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:04:45 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=11&id=1012#1019 Valerie, Michael, and all others....blessings, and thank you for your tireless efforts in spreading the Good News. But a specific thank you for both taking the time to write. I appreciate it. I do not mind being honest and open to you all, as if I can't be honest with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, then who can I be honest with, right? But more frankly, I feel like I need to and am compelled to speak plainly and with honesty...as I feel for the first time in a long time a tremendous sense of peace and a calming of my heart. While I am not definitive that Japan is where the Lord is pointing me, I feel as if I am "in the right direction". So again, specific thanks to both Valerie and Michael for writing and sharing...and above all, for your truthful encouragement and welcoming embrace. Like I said earlier, it is sincerely appreciated. I have no personal problems loving and living radically in the name of our Lord and Savior, but it certainly is a jarring and lonely notion to take these initial steps. Speaking of which, I received an initial email response from SIM. Anyway, I will continue to pray, meditate, and keep Him close...and I ask for your prayers for my wife and family, as they continue to discern what it is the Lord is asking of them. My wife was the first to see my "call" within me, and she was the first to mention an overseas mission for our family...but our initial conversation has taken her aback. Perhaps she isn't ready, perhaps she hasn't spent enough time in discernment, perhaps the practical realities of just such an unorthodox decision is jarring her, or perhaps she simply feels like she could not live in the "bush" (so to speak). I don't know, and I will not pressure her. Despite all this, she has told me that she will be supportive if this is what the Lord is asking of me...however, I pray that she finds her own peace in time. I look forward to actually speaking with the rep at SIM, and I look forward to sharing my story with him. And I will continue to keep you all posted. There is so much about living in Japan that doesn't make personal sense, but that ironically is not as troubling as if I were to ignore why He would want me to be there. In fact, I cannot help but laugh because as a young adult, despite my faith and love of Christ, the word proselytize just held an aversion to my sensibilities. (I think that much of that is because of my New England upbringing and education.) But today, I cannot think of anything that is more important and affirming than to reach those and share in the love and good news of our Lord. Cannot think of anything that is more important to me, and how I want to raise my family. I speak with my pastors often, and they mentioned how they can't live their lives 100% in the church, building the church, and in the lives of the congregants...and I was taken aback by that. While I understand the importance of balance, it just feels so innate and natural that I want to give more of my life to Him and to His will. May He keep you all in His loving and generous providence, Andrew Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:11:27 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=5&id=1004#1011 Steve, please post your plans when set, so we all know what organization can utilize 1-2 day volunteers. Thanks! Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:49:45 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=15&id=1003#1010 Dear Michael, Your response is encouraging. Sounds like God is leading you toward Japan. If you have specific questions, please feel free to post them here in the forum. Please read through the entire "Church Planting Associates" (CPA) section of the website. (The CPA short-term program is 1-3 years, whereas the "CM Teams" program is 4+ years and considered career.) Then, if interested in pursuing an application for service, fill out an initial inquiry form (http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=38) on this website. After submitted, our partner SIM USA will follow up with you to begin discussing next steps. Click here if you want to read more about this strategic partnership with SIM (http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=552:strategic-partnership-just-p). Blessings on you as you continue to follow His leading. BTW, sorry for the delay in responding, as I've been traveling in Asia. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:43:58 -0700 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=5&id=1001#1002 Hi Brandon and thanks for sharing a bit about how God has been leading you. Due to having a large amount of field staff in flux we have limited capacity to receive short term workers this summer. I am sorry to say that it does not appear we will have spots for individuals or any more teams. That said there are a few groups working in Japan I can point you at to contact directly to see if there is an opportunity there. I hope this is helpful Be One (Tohoku Aid) http://www.b-1.jp/tohoku/en/ Also, please contact us again in a couple months once staff has settled and we have more opportunities. Thanks and let me know if there is anything else I can help you out with, Robert Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:58:37 -0800 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=20&id=999#1000 Hello George and thanks of for the question. Currently we do not had any staff in Okayama so I don't know where to point you for specific churches. That said I did a quick google search just for church in Japanese and here is the result. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=34.551246,133.740005&sspn=0.369859,0.501251&gl=us&hq=%E6%95%99%E4%BC%9A&t=m&z=11 I can't say anything about any of these churches from personal experience or any other knowledge but hopefully this gives y'all somewhere to start. Praying that your girlfriend is plugged into the body of Christ in her town. Robert Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:14:08 -0800 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=14&id=10#998 Thank you Kevin and Jacki for sharing your interest in Japan. Please peruse the site to learn more. As you explore, may God give you direction. Please don't hesitate to post your questions. Be sure to read about Asian Access' strategic partnership with SIM USA, as it affects the application process. If you do sense God moving you in this direction, then you'll want to submit an Initial Inquiry Form. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:43:02 -0800 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=14&id=13#996 Vanessa Pacheco wrote: If I am 18 years old but I meet all the requirements, can I still apply? Unfortunately, not at this time. Although you meet all the other qualifications listed below, you do not meet #4 (At least 21 years old or completed 2 years of college by departure.). When you've met ALL qualifications, then you may proceed with the application process. Qualifications for Church Planting Associates Love Jesus Christ & have been a Christian for at least 1 year by time of application.U.S. or Canadian citizen/resident.Native or fluent English speaker.At least 21 years old or completed 2 years of college by departure.Active member of a local church.Your local church must endorse your participation and agree with Asian Access' statement of faith.Self-starter, flexible, with previous ministry and cross-cultural experience.Actively shares faith.Commits to raise funds for assignment and complete all training materials.Baptized prior to departure. It's very encouraging that you are well on your way toward meeting these qualifications. Continue to persevere, pray, and I guess, wait for a few more years. God will use that time to mature you even more. Blessings! Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:12:53 -0800 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=5&id=982#993 Happy New Year, I found my way back to the forum. As for now we are unsure of our capacity to host teams in the near future. With that I would encourage you to contact the groups Takeshi mentioned. They are doing great work as he said and would be happy to talk with you. Also, when our capacity is known I will post that as well. Thanks for your patience and looking forward to hearing what God does with all of this, Robert Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:58:51 -0800 http://go2japan.org/a2/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=53&func=view&catid=19&id=912#989 Thanks Takeshi, Looks like I have my Christmas reading list. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:11:16 -0800