Stimulus! Tweet by Maki Goto

Perhaps it is because many of the friends I met while studying abroad were Asian people who loved spicy food, but even now I have an irresistible craving for spicy food. Being able to get such wonderful food at convenience stores is a moment when I am glad to be in Japan.

I remember when I was studying abroad, I often drank a carbonated drink called “Mountain Dew” when I needed to feel refreshed from lack of sleep. The other day, when I was preparing for GRC23, I couldn’t get “Mountain Dew”, but I got something called “Energy Drink” at a pharmacy and boosted myself.

When I want to Boost myself spiritually, this is the most stimulating!

JCFN Associate Staff Introduction Part 4: Roberta Peabody

Hi from P-Chan

Hello! This month Shiori-san has asked me to write a brief self-introduction as an Associate Staff member.

My name is Roberta Peabody, I am a missionary with The Evangelical Alliance Mission since 1991. I have lived mostly in Tokyo for many years. I grew up in a very small town in Massachusetts that no one has ever heard of. I never dreamed as a child of serving the Lord, nor being a missionary but here I am!

God leads us in ways we rarely anticipate, but when we reflect back on the path, aren’t we glad we followed in obedience.

I visited Osaka, Japan when I was a college student just for a summer to teach English, even though I wasn’t so excited about the teaching part, I enjoyed getting to know the people. Even back then, the pastor’s daughter was a “returnee”. It was a hard summer as I knew no Japanese vocabulary other than words for “toilet”, “exit” and “thank-you”. I had only been a Christian for five years and I was so stressed out and overwhelmed in that summer. I do remember that my English class translator would pray with me when I was feeling the most homesick and I learned that God could understand her prayers in Japanese and mine in English, that was a huge spiritual lesson and encouraged my young faith.

When I came back to Japan as a full time missionary many years later (more on the in between years next time) I lived in Nagano prefecture and some of the first Japanese Christians I met were RETURNEES. Isn’t it amazing how God knits our pathways even when we are not paying attention.

Kanazawa in spring season

 

In Japan, we are in the midst of preparations for GRC23 to be held in May. In the last week of March, soon after the GRC23 planning committee meeting, I took a vacation and went to Kanazawa, my husband’s home town, with my parents for a family trip.

I had heard that the climate was a week later than Tokyo, just when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
My daughters, who will be entering elementary school and kindergarten in April, were very happy with the cherry blossoms and the food.

Usually we take a long drive back home in the summer, and it is nice to take the bullet train back home during a time of year when there is a lot of tasty treats to be had.

Now, I would like to tighten my heart and pray to God as we move forward with the Okada family’s new fiscal year and the final preparations for GRC23.

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