Last Saturday, August 13th, I celebrated my one year anniversary of life in Okinawa. I spent the day with my former roommate, Nana Miyagi. After going out for yakiniku (there's a barbecue in the middle of your table where you get to grill the raw meats and vegetables you order) we went on the huge Coca-Cola ferris wheel. And here are some pictures of Nana and I on the ferris wheel:
Thoughts on this past year:
God has blessed me so much by bringing me to Okinawa. I have wanted to experience living in a foreign culture and learning a new language since before college. I have been so blessed by this opportunity and I have learned so much about myself and the culture I'm living in.
I have loved the kids and parents and teachers with whom I've had the privilege of working. I have learned so much as a teacher and have been blessed to work with such amazing kids. It has been challenging too. The language barrier and the constant changes passed down from the administration have been stressful. But I always need to learn to better rely on God's strength, so these stressors have been a blessing in disguise.
God has been doing lots of work in the area of spiritual growth for me. Sometimes I think he brought me to Okinawa just to work on this particular area of my life. He has been growing my faith and deepening my knowledge of truth. He has provided people to walk alongside me and who stimulate further refinement. I still have a long way to go, but he has not given up on me and he has put me in a place to help me focus on growing with him. I am so grateful.
The future:
I am uncertain as to what my future plans are. I intend to finish this school year, which ends in March 2012. At that point my plans are uncertain. I don't know if I will remain here or pursue further education or something else entirely. I know that I long to see friends and family again. If I do remain in Okinawa then I am hoping to visit Portland in the Summer of 2012. In some ways I do not yet feel ready to leave Okinawa, but I also don't think that the Lord has me here permanently. I want to enjoy my time in Okinawa and learn as much as I can while I'm here. You can pray for guidance for me in making plans that are in accordance with the Lord's will.
All in all, I am so blessed to be where I am at. I am learning much through the joys and struggles of teaching and the constant battle to seek God first among everything. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf; God is answering them. Grace and peace to you!
