August 3rd, 2018
Knowing this season with my Japanese girls was coming to an end, I spent hours writing encouragement and stories in the journals they would be taking home with them. These journals were packed full of the incredible conversations we had been having over the last two weeks, deep in substance and meaning. They held the treasures that were these young women’s’ thoughts, dreams and prayers. With two days left before they headed back to their home, I desperately wanted them to know all I could teach them about Jesus and His love for them.
Just weeks prior these eight young ladies had entered my life in a whirlwind and taken full run of my heart. I loved them beyond all comprehension. “God,” I prayed as I fought back tears thinking of our approaching goodbye, “why does it feel different with them? I don’t feel the disconnect I’m used to having. Why am I so emotional over them?”
“Because,” He answered, “you let them in from the very beginning. You loved them without reservation, without fear…and you let them love YOU in return.“
“You’ve experienced love like mine.”
You see they didn’t “steal” my heart, I gave it to them freely and without hesitation, the way God intended for us to love. And in return, I felt His adoring love for me, through them.
For almost three weeks this summer I had the pleasure of teaching English as a part of a cultural exchange program in Lake Wales, FL. Tamagawa Seigakuin, also knows as Tamasei, is an all-girls junior and senior high school located on the western edge of Tokyo, Japan. Every summer for the last two decades, Warner University and Tamasei have partnered to create an incredible learning environment for 40 Japanese girls. They are taught a variety of different topics in English, American culture and traditions, and about how much Jesus loves them and wants a relationship with them.
God is so good. It was literally all the things I am passionate about; teaching, discipleship, foreign culture, language, learning, and JESUS. I was able to teach a class of eight precious girls who were HUNGRY to learn all they could about God and how to hear from Him. Armed with our google translators we had powerful conversations about identity, spiritual warfare and listening to the Lord in prayer. Our class motto was “shine bright like a diamond” and let me tell you these girls make diamonds look dull.
(last day of class was full of heartfelt tears and embraces)
Towards the end of our time together one of my girls wrote in her journal to me “I want to make original relationship with Jesus. I want to cherish my intention. Not have to but want to. This word is important, I think too.”
Amazing, right!? They were being transformed by the Holy Spirit right in front of my eyes!
Take a second to praise God!
They taught me so much in return. Reminded me to embrace and delight in the little things. To dance in the rain, chase after squirrels and to cry openly when saying goodbye to someone you love. The Lord is preparing them to overturn Japan with His truth, and I am so grateful God allowed me to share a season of life with them. Three weeks seems like such a short time on this earth to see change, right?! However in God’s timing, days hold no limitations to what can be done.
(saying goodbye after our gift exchange)
To Ubu, Hikari, Rika, Kanon, Kokoro, Nana, Yuka and Asuma.
May God bless your lives, and continue to reveal Himself to you more and more each day. He is so proud of you girls, and loves you more than you could ever imagine. I thank Him for allowing me the immense pleasure of getting three weeks together. Until we meet again, let your lights shine!! I have been forever changed by loving you, and feeling your love in return.
Your sister in Christ,
Emily
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”- Matthew 5:16
