Time Flies and
Apparently So Do I
In this newsletter:
Update on my role in Japan
Updates on goals of the trip
One of the most basic stories a parent will tell you of having a son, or a story you might hear from a grown man, is that at some point they jumped off of something, usually the roof, to try and fly. While most men have these stories of themselves, and I am no different, this isn't a letter to tell you that I jumped off the roof with a garbage bag as a parachute. I'm not that dumb, I would use a bedsheet. Rather, this is to tell you all that I made it to Japan safe and sound. The flight was great, fast and very bumpy. Now as I write this, I've been here a few days, and they've been packed days, let me tell you. Sunday alone was a twelve and a half hour event, but it’s been fun.
At the moment, I'm still trying to catch my bearings. I was literally picked up at the airport and dropped off at an airbnb with no directions or information on anything, other than times I needed to be at church. Though this isn't all bad, in fact it's actually good, as it's a sink or swim situation. Thankfully it's not as bad as it sounds, as I understand the language enough to navigate and talk to people with ease. So that now brings us to the real question I know your thinking to yourself, how are you spending your time? What's the plan?
Well, again I'm still gaining my bearings, but I've spoken to the head pastor here, and his list of desires were short and simple. Well maybe too short to be called a list, but he asked that I be available to help out with anything in church that is needed, and to make everyone who comes in feel welcomed. Easy enough. Though that isn't all that much duty-wise, due to it being only a few hours of the week at best, he added that he would like me to study Japanese as much as possible in my free time. Now this may sound simple enough, but he stressed the sheer need for the missionaries to be able speak in Japanese and minister to the people of the church and others, and thankfully the Lord has provided a lot for this already. Apart from a ton of books I brought with me, my basic understanding of the language thus far, an existing missionary pouring into me language-wise, I also have a Japanese tutor… well I actually have three, with another offering. So the Lord has really provided for this already and I spend almost 8 hours a day studying. Along with going out everyday and trying my best to not make a fool of myself as I talk to people, I'm getting a lot of practice in.
Now that's not all I'm here for, as that really can just be done back home. The other things I have to do is go around and contact language schools, trying to find the best one for full-time enrollment. I'm seeing what full costs of living look like here and keeping track so as to make my basic budget for support raising. With lastly looking at places, such as apartments and houses to rent, and going to different areas of the city to see what would be best. Most of the missionaries are in one area around the church, about an hour from me at the moment, but my heart isn’t to follow suit, and so I'm looking to be in a different part of the city. All and all I'm sure my time will slow down here, but as of yet it's been exciting.
Now I want to thank everyone who has supported me in getting here in one way or another, whether through prayer, finances, or just advice, I greatly appreciate it, and would like to ask for your continued prayer. The enemy isn't happy that I'm here, he's already made that clear and has already started to move. So I ask for prayer against his attacks, lies, and rumors. And prayer for guidance from the Lord, that he would lead me to where I'm most useful and suppose to be, and for divine appointment, eager hearts, and itching ears that long to hear about the Lord. All and all, this is going to be a fun battle, we are invading hell's paradise with the Word of God after all.
And lastly, I would love to share with you guys everything here, but this letter would be far too long. So instead, if you want to just see what’s going on and see photos or videos, here are the links to my instagram and facebook.
INSTAGRAM:
https://www.instagram.com/bb_barrow?stkn=Y3Q5b2dqa244ZWxq&utm_source=qr
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579608952885&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
If you have any trouble opening the links, please let me know.
God bless you my friend.
~Bryan Barrow
Prayer Requests
- Pray for long-term financial support for me to be able to go out onto the missions field.
Our Ministry
- This ministry is not just my ministry, it’s our ministry. When you come alongside me in prayer, encouragement, or financial support, you reap the rewards of this ministry and store up treasures in heaven. As these are the rewards of the ministry. This is just as much your ministry as mine, as I am the hands and you become the arms when you join with me. So thank you.
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