Waiting

This is a picture I took of Mt Fuji on our 2018 trip to Japan. It seemed appropriate as we are very much still in the "waiting" stage right now in preparing to go to Japan. When I took this photo, we were on a tour. Our guide had informed us at the start of the tour that we may not get to see the top of Mt. Fuji. It was forecast to be quite a cloudy day and seeing the peak of Mt. Fuji was quite rare. Nevertheless, she would request the bus be stopped if it looked like we would get a glimpse. Well, we did. We travelled up to the 3rd base- nothing (well except being freezing, having dressed for summery weather- that's what it was back at ground level). It was on our way down, she called out for the bus driver to stop and for us to quickly pile out. This was the moment. As the clouds parted, there it was as clear as day in the sunlight. Mt. Fuji's peak! It was worth the wait.

When we returned from our 2019 trip after experiencing God do some amazing things, He brought us into a time of waiting for when we would return to Japan to serve Him. Our application is complete, our certificates of eligibility have arrived, the borders are opening in March. Yet, we wait. The Japanese Government is bringing in a system where sponsor organisations need to apply for visa permission on behalf of the people they are sending. However, this process has not been finalised yet. OMF has many missionaries waiting. We are one couple. So, please join us in praying.

Praise God that:

• our Certificates of Eligibility arrived in the post

• we have the provision of a car to use while we are in Japan

• borders are opening

Pray for:

• the process on visa application approval to be finalised by the government

• the OMF team as they organise many people to get to Japan, following all guidelines

• our approval and visa application process

• the neighbourhood we will be living in

• hearts to be being prepared to hear the Gospel

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.' Proverbs 3:5-6.