Update on Japan

I wanted to share with you a really great story about our trip to Japan. First I wanted to share with you a letter I wrote Friday morning that I was planning to post on this blog Saturday. Here is the content.

Many of you may be wondering about my trip to Japan originally scheduled to leave on the 15th of this month. This trip was rescheduled for the 23rd, then the 31st of this month. As of today I have decided to cancel my part in the trip. Thank you to all those who generously supported me, but it seems God has closed this door and I am at peace with that decision. The main reason I am pulling out of the trip has to do with a lack of funding. I was unable to raise the needed funds. Although many gave generously I decided not to ask most of those who have generously given to me in the past because I had already placed enough burden on them in my year here on the Palouse, and my trip to Zimbabwe last spring. I will be sending my support money back to you, but I am encouraged that God is still sending a team to Japan from Real Life, including Tom Shook, and Rob Tarver. I will continue to keep them in prayer and hope you will as well as they serve the people of Japan and help to spread God's Kingdom.

On a related note, ever since my trip to Zimbabwe last March I have been planning a trip to go back to Zim during the summer of 2012 with Ephraim Tshuma and his family. I have had big plans in my head on this trip, plans that only God could make happen. Since I started planning for Japan, it seems like my plans for Zimbabwe have made substantial movement forward. During the summer of 2012 we were hoping to build a team to dig wells, assist the Zim nationals with medical missions, and partner with the local schools. In the last two months I have talked to 2 mechanical engineers who are interested in going to Texas to be trained in building a low cost well drilling device, I met a nurse and a doctor who have a passion for medical missions, and I have met 3 teachers who are interested in training Zimbabwean teachers.

The great news is I no longer have to post this statement. Friday night I received a text message from one of the student leaders in our youth group named Isaiah. He told Rob that he felt God calling him to support him financially, but Rob told him he had the money he needed for the trip and to start praying for me instead. Isaiah started praying for me and decided he felt God telling him to find support to help me get to Japan. Here is our text message exchange:

Isaiah
"Hey Derek, I just wanted to let you know that I've been praying for you and your trip to Japan. I know some people that are interested in covering your expenses. How soon do you need the money?"

Me
"Are you serious? We need to buy plane tickets early next week, and I still need a lot of money, I mean $1,250.00"

Isaiah
"I can get you $950.00 to you by Monday morning, hopefully more by the end of the week."

Me
"Are you serious, who are these people?"

Isaiah
"Just some friends who wanted to help. I'll keep you posted as more funds come in."

It is clear to me that God wants me to go on this trip to Japan, he made sure the support was there when I had given up all hope. It is a reminder to me, that when God wants something done, he will make it happen. I wanted to share with you this story of God's faithfulness, we are in the middle of a really cool God story! I look forward to what God will do while we are in Japan. Please keep us in prayer. I still need to raise about $300 dollars, if you are willing and able to give I would really appreciate your help pushing me over the edge. I will keep you posted as I know more about our plans.