He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

ECCLESIASTES 3:11

Hi fam! I’m missing you all dearly and pray that you are doing well! I’m so grateful for this opportunity to be in Japan. I will start off by saying I’m SO grateful summer is over. The weather reminded me of the hot and humid temperatures off the coast of Colombia. We are now turning a new leaf and entering into Autumn- what a blessing and a relief. There is a season for everything and God “has made everything beautiful in its time.” It truly is beautiful. The verse also says that He has put eternity in their hearts. 

I realized that this innate human desire to seek for wisdom and knowledge outside of God is so applicable to our missionaries’ message; especially here in Japan. Apart from Christ, a person often believes that they must count on their own achievements, their own strength, and their own will. However, with Christ, the opposite is true. I can’t rely on my own abilities, but rather trade the system of accomplishments for divine wisdom and revelation of the Creator God. I was reminded that God has placed inside their souls a longing and hope for more than this present world!

This past month has been such a blessing being back in Osaka. My favorite part has been being a part of the Kids Ministry here at Calvary Abide. If you know me, you know I have a heart for kids and seeing their heart and wisdom in Jesus grow! On one sunny Sunday morning, we took the kids out to the park and I shared the story of Jesus choosing His disciples. I highlighted how when we choose to follow Jesus, we also get to be a part of His Great Commission. They each went around and shared about opportunities they have had to share Jesus with their friends. We ended the teaching in prayer over their friends and loved ones. It was such a sweet time of encougagement!

We also were able to host a Harvest Festival as a Kid’s Outreach for the Japanese kids in English class. I was asked to come up with a short story and to include new English vocabulary. I sought that as an opportunity to share the gospel, as the kids’ parents would be there as well. I added words such as messy, slimy, yucky, to refer to how sometimes our insides, our heart, our emotions, or our behaviors can look. Then I used words such as clean, bright, and perfect, in describing a life that has been made new by believing in Jesus Christ. 

During this time, one of the little girls had a very confused look on her face, she raised her hand and told me that we are not perfect. I agreed with her that we in ourselves are not perfect, but reminded her that when we have put our faith in Christ, He sees us as perfect. This moment reminded me of the pressure these kids have, even at a young age, to strive and achieve for greatness in themselves.

Praise Reports

• We moved into a new apartment and I have been blessed with my own room! Grateful for Jeff + Alishia, please keep them in your prayers.
• My family came to visit me and I was able to show them around the city!
• The Lord has blessed me with the ability to grow and build relationships here in Osaka!
• Language learning is going great as well- being fully immersed has been challenging but adventurous at times!

Prayer Requests

• Please continue to join me in prayer for my Visa- the Lord’s timing is perfect!
• Pease join me in prayer for approval into YMCA Japanese Language School!
• Please join me in prayer for continual opportunities to build relationships! 
• Please continue to pray for the Japanese people and their salvation!

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for partnering with me on this journey and making it possible! I will be back in California in less than two weeks and I would love to share personally all that the Lord has been putting on my heart. Love you all!

-Mayra Alejandra