Haiku by Michelle Apple

Sipping barley tea
Cranes in the expanse, praying...
Nihongo comes out

Prayer Request: Current Health

Please keep Team Japan's health in your prayers!

Finals is coming up and stress is heightened, which means our immune system is lowered. Our health is a crucial player in our preparation for the mission trip and rounding the end of the school year out.

Specifics:

-Stress level

-Healthy bodies: (Specifically Stomachs, Eyes, Heads, and Ankles)

-Rest/good sleep

-Healthy minds

-Love and patience in this time heightened stress

Thank you for your prayers!

Update by Rachel

Hello all!! We are just four weeks away from heading off to Japan. This is Rachel, one of the team members, and I wanted to share with you what we have been up to lately. The Thousand Crane Project that was talked about before is now on display on campus and it is a great reminder for everyone who is walking from class or going to study in the Library to keep Japan in their prayers as they nation is still going through a lot right now. I am really excited about going and I know God is going to do great things, cause when you think about He always does great things. The littlest things can have a huge effect on one persons life and though it may not always be seen by those who are doing missions work, there is comfort that reality of God working in a ll things. Already through preparing for the trip I have been blessed through all the people in my life that have been supporting me through kind words of affirmation, prayer, and financial support. I am having to put everything in Gods hands, the fact that I am going to Japan in the condition it is in, the relationships that are being built through the team, and raising the amount of money that I need to, to be able to go. I serve a great God and He does great thing all the time. Please keep Japan in your prayers as well as our team.

thank you Rachel Sornoso

The cranes are UP!

BIOLA COMMUNITY is PRAYING FOR JAPAN!

BIOLA community & friends folded 1,000 cranes, Senbazuru.

With each crane, we suggested that each student donate $2: one for Team Japan and one for CRASH relief efforts. This way we show that the BIOLA community is not only praying for Japan but also doing what we can for physical and spiritual needs.

We are in the process of creating a video to send to the Churches in Japan. If you have suggested churches, please send us their email address in the comment section (or email Andy).

Thank you to Ian Mayta who is working hard at making the video. Also, thank you to the Sugiyama Family of SLzJCC, DaWu, Ben, and Eva Dunbar for helping us fold, string, and/or hang the cranes. <3　　 ありがとう　ございます！

Team Retreat

The team just returned from our team retreat in Northern California. We did ministry with the international students at CSUEB ISF, Served the San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church through cleaning the English chapel-side after a wedding, and we shared about our Japan Mission at the Fremont Asian Christian Church. It was a great time of fellowship with the Japanese-Asian Community in Norcal, Team bonding, and time away from BIOLA.

When visiting the Fremont Church, we felt so encouraged by everyone who talked with us and by the service. The children led worship and acted out an Easter Skit and IT WAS SO CUTE! After service, many people talked to us and encouraged us through kind words of support.

Thank you to all who came out to fellowship with us! <3 Personally, I felt so encouraged to see my family (yes, slzjcc/facc/CYA) come and engage with the team through fellowship and show your support in that way. You guys warm my heart.

More to come. Stay posted lovely people. :)

We're Official! :)

The Japan Team Mission trip was presented before the BIOLA mission board today (not the first time) and has been OFFICIALLY PASSED! PTL!

On another note, 50% fundraising is due April 20th. Currently, the team as a whole stands at 14% fund-raised. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we try to raise our funds.

Thank you for supporting us! Your love and prayers are deeply appreciated. Feel free to comment below with words of encouragement or how we can be praying for YOU! Our heart is for God to be glorified everywhere! So your prayer needs are important to us too. <3

May God be blessing you in your joys and trials.

-

A.M.

Senbazuru 千羽鶴

Check out the Thousand Crane Project, hosted by the BIOLA Japan Team!

https://sites.google.com/site/biolasenbazuru/

If you have further questions or would like to participate as a volunteer in this project, please contact Andy. <3