Indonesia and Japan

Altotonga, Mexico -- The difference a day can make: apparently 2000 bucks.

Well, I am planning a trip to Japan, as most of you know or have read a bit about. But there's also a conference going on in January in Indonesia that I am planning on attending for m's all over Asia. There, I will get to know them and what they do in their countries and encourage them. And attend the conference, which I always like WIM conferences (woo-hoo!)

And since I'll be in the "neighborhood," it'll be a good opportunity to hop on over to Japan to do some on-field research. I'm making up a list of questions (practical, spiritual, etc) that I'll need to ask missionaries there and investigate and get a feel for the country myself. I currently have one contact in Tokyo who will be putting me and my travelling partner (a lady from WIM) up and showing us their ropes. Interesting enough, there is a Brazillian couple there who is working with the Latin American population in Japan. How cool is that!

Other than that, I'm trying to make some other contacts in Japan.I got the dates for the conference-- the 21st-24th of January-- so I'm planning on spending roughly 2 weeks in Japan after that-- the 24th through the 9th of February.

Talking to Chris about it, he was talking about the need to get to Indonesia a few days early because of time schedule changes. Arriving the day of the conference after some 20 hours (flying time alone, not counting layovers) and then sitting through the conference would not be a good idea. So, looking at this (I'm sorry I'm babbling, but this is my new hobby-- checking prices online)-- tickets for flying everywhere-- leaving on a Saturday, which would put me there Monday afternoon, 2 days before the conference-- $4200. Yikes.

On Sunday-- to get there the afternoon before the conference-- $3600However, leaving on Friday, which gets me there significantly early-- $2150. Hmm... I may be willing to pay the low hotel fee if it'll save me $2000. Still, though, I'm looking at needing about $4000 in total (counting that God will give me an amazing deal on tickets-- why not? I'm His kid). I have no idea where this money would come from. It kinda freaks me out in one sense-- I've had extra expenses. In one way, I think-- God must really want this to be a miracle. On the other hand, I think-- this extra expense (going to the eye doc, for example) is not very convenient for me when I'm trying to save!

It's ironic that I'm reading Brother Andrew's story-- and how God miraculously provided for him-- and how one time he was struggling too. Anyhow, I've seen God miraculously provide for me. I'm just interested to see where exactly this $4000 is going come from. I'm still incredibly excited about the trip. I can't wait to purchase tickets. And then to actually land in Tokyo. Imagine. Wow.

Coming back to this continent-- I took the youth out to dinner tonight-- at least the ones who help out and serve on the worship team or do power point and the leaders. We talked a little bit about future plans, and how they're feeling and what's going on. It was a good time. One of those bonding things-- which is good-- you need that in a group of leaders.

I'm peeling my lobster skin now-- my arms and shoulders itch like crazy and I also managed to come down with 5 (yes, ma, the count went up) fever blisters, 2 of them, doozies. Yikes. I've never had it that bad. It's an interesting look.

And my family comes on Tuesday. Which is nice-- woo-hoo! Well, I really need to get to bed now... So, I'll write later!