Visiting Arise

Several weeks ago Aaron took me to another church called Arise. It was held at Meysen Maruyama campus and the pastor was Meysen's HR guy. Two of Aaron's friends picked us up in the morning and give us a ride.  They informed us that there would be a guest speaker this week. It was the former pastor of their main church (of which Arise is a sister church) in Tochigi. By a really strange series of events, I had just been offered a job in Tochigi to work at an international school that was also part of church there. Well, it turned out that this guest speaker was the former pastor of that very church in Tochigi and the school's principal was his daughter-in-law. It was crazy timing and crazy networking. 

Being in that church was very energizing. Unfortunately I was feeling really sick that day and was kinda out of it. But the speaker gave a very empowering message on having God's authority as his apostles. It was nice to hear such a powerful message that was building up the faith and community. He was really enthusiastic and excited for God. His attitude was really uplifting. At the end he prophesied over everyone in the church. This was something that I definitely needed. It has been nearly a year since someone had prophesied over me. 

The first person he prophesied over was the pastor. While he was prophesying I also started to see something for the pastor and got a picture for him. This was such a relief because I haven't gotten pictures from God in months and I haven't prophesied in ministry in almost a year. Well I didn't deliver the word I got to him yet because there was a long line of people waiting to get prayed for. 

The next person after the pastor was me. The speaker prophesied and of course got everything right. He mentioned my spiritual battles that I had been going through and identified them. This was an encouragement just for them to be acknowledged. But he mentioned a particular battle I knew I was facing but I hadn't quite put it together what it was exactly and he said it. Religiosity. My own pastor from Bluewater had mentioned that word in an email but somehow it didn't click. I guess I was afraid of calling it that because I've been trying so hard to adapt. It somehow felt wrong and judgmental to use that word. But when he said it I knew it was the truth. Thankfully he prayed for me and that I would break out. He also said that I was a creative person and prayed that I would get to use it. Finally, he said,  "You are going to prophesy. I don't know if you have any experience with this kinda stuff. But prophesy, prophesy, PROPHESY!" When he said that I laughed to myself because God had already given me something!  

After Aaron had gotten his prophetic word (which is he's the Son of Thunder!  So I'm dating Thor. The geek in me is excited about that!), we went over to the pastor and I gave him my word. I was really rusty!  It was not graceful or articulate at all. I really need and want to practice more. But I'm sure he was blessed and I felt so happy to prophesy over someone in Japan. 

Afterwards I still wasn't feeling good. (I shoulda told them to heal me!) So we went to get some udon for lunch. Not long after I got a sudden call. Aaron was holding my phone at the time, so he answered.  It was the principal of the school in Tochigi. I guess her father-in-law told her about me. We had a short chat and hung up pretty quickly. I told her I couldn't take the job at the moment. But it sure felt nice to be pursued!

I spent the night resting to get over my sudden cold. But it was a nice spiritual day for me. It felt like real rest. And I didn't feel so isolated anymore. It also made me see that God is still up to his stuff even though I can't see it. I guess what I needed was a heavy dose of the Holy Spirit and I was glad to receive it. I hope I can visit that church again one day. 

An Unexpected Adventure

Last Monday, Manami and Haruka and I went hiking.  They needed to scout out a location for the upcoming Fileo camp in August.  We went into unknown territory near Mt. Zao.  It was quite a far drive away up a very high and windy mountain.  The trail was closed off by a sign that said "stay out", but we went in anyway.  None of us had hiked this trail before.  I had no idea what I was in for.  I thought it was gonna be like a 30 min. hike.  Nope.  More like 1:30 one way.

It started out nice and easy and paved.  But then we went off the trail, down, down down.  The trail was extremely narrow and hidden by much vegetation.  I mean LOTS of vegetation.  It was really hard to see where I was going.  That's especially scary when you're going down, the dirt is loose, and the ground is covered with rocks (not firmly planted in the ground).  We stopped several times for a break and to take pictures.

  

Do not enter!

 

Manami admiring the view.

We were not without injuries.  Haruka got bit by some mosquitos.  Manami bumped her knee on a big rock (that was hidden by the aforementioned vegetation) and it bled more than one would expect.  I also bumped my knee on that same rock, but did not bleed, thank God.  But I did fall down twice.  Once my foot slid on some rocks, and when I tried catch myself with the other foot, the dirt below that foot gave way.  So I found myself hanging off of the trail down into a hole/slope of the mountain.  The second time I fell was around here (below) near the rocks.  I got wet as well as scraped this time.

When we reached the river and bridge, it was really nice.  Unfortunately we weren't there yet.  Our destination was an outdoor onsen somewhere on the other side of the valley.  We would have to hike our way back up on the other side.Well, we didn't make it very far.  We ended up turning around and going back.  I was unprepared for this challenge: mentally and physically.  As we pulled up to the mountain, I could feel a sore throat and some grogginess come upon me.  Aaron had passed his cold onto me!  On top of that, since I thought it was going to be a short hike that ended with a nice swim, I brought my tote bag.  It is a very inconvenient thing to carry around when you're hiking down a huge gorge.  Plus, I wore my bikini and board shorts, when I really should've worn my sports bra and khakis.

At the bottom of the valley, in the river!  You can see a waterfall in the background.

The return hike was pretty easy and fast.  Thankfully.  After the hike, we stopped at an onsen for a nice scrub and soak.  I really needed it since I was covered in sweat, dirt, and on some parts of my body, blood.  Not to mention I knew I'd be paying the price for this hike the next day.  Thankfully, I wasn't too sore the next day.

It was a nice adventure, but it also meant that we had no plan for the upcoming camp in August.  Back to the drawing board for Manami and Haruka.  Whatever we end up doing in August will be another surprise.