taiwan/japan freedom tour diary -day two-

 *Email Received 5/30/10 6:05pm CST*

DANCING IN THE ORIENT

Taiwan-Japan Freedom Tour

-day two-



Quick Sketch:

* God's favor on every point in our 40-hrs of travel
* Living Water Church (Matt/Elizabeth Chen-pastor) graciously welcomes us
* Team immediately steps into a day full of ministry-- 2 hr. children's church & 2 hr. prophetic dance seminar (strong presence of Holy Spirit present)
* Evening social connections: Adults with All Nations team and Living Water leaders; teens with Living Water teens

Sunday, May 30 (we gained a day; and are actually now 14 hrs. ahead of KC time)-

8am (Taiwan Time: TT) After an uneventful immigration, baggage claim, and a partial money exchange; three taxis sped us from the airport to the Taipei train station, where we caught the 7:30 train to Tainan. The quiet speeding 1 hr. train ride is allowing us a chance to freshen up and change for the first time. How good it feels to be almost at our first destination. The scenery that flies by our window is filled with green rice fields, flat-roofed apartment buildings, an occasional elaborate Buddhist temple, and an abundance of palm trees. There is a light rain falling.

2:15pm,TT We arrived in Tainan with two young men ready to transport us to Living Water Community Church (pastored by Matt & Elizabeth Chen- former Metro Christian Fellowship members in the early 90’s). This vibrant church graciously received us even tho they were in the middle of their own church wide conference. We were greeted by Randy Catlett, Isabel Paterson, Monica/Juergen Kramer, and Floyd McClung…all a part of the conference. We were quickly given instructions for the children’s church –which the team led. Kenon was asked to give his testimony and altar call –all translated. To his surprise, more than half the kids raised their hands that they wanted to follow Jesus!

Following the children’s worship time, our team divided up into four groups leading the children in—pingpong, art/craft, soccer, and dance. A fun, relaxed time.

At the present time, the team is leading a two-hour prophetic dance seminar—the “sanctuary” with chairs stacked to the side has become the dance floor. The church has quite a few worship dancers with a growing interest. We were introduced to one young man who is a two-week old believer with a background in ballet training. Many of the seminar participants have little or no formal training, just a big heart to dance for Jesus.

5pm, TT Oh my gosh, we had the most amazing prophetic dance seminar I’ve ever been at. After a few warm-ups , Jenna and the team led in expressing various one-word emotions, when they were all loosened up, they began shadowing each other in improv dance with worship songs playing in the background. Then, the H.Sp. came and most were in tears for the last hour. Prophetic dance and words and prayer came forth. There was a special laying on of hands for guys leading out in dance. Much joy and freedom resulted. The team and participants alike were moved. We were proud of our team chipping in and deferring to each one. We felt privileged to be a part of this; If we turned around and went home right now, it would be worth it—just to see/experience this!

Tonight the teens will join the Living Water teens for pizza at the church’s “Bus 7 Café.” Yutaka and I have been invited to join Matt and Elizabeth Chen and their church leaders with All Nations Mission leaders for supper tonight. We grab a few moments of shut-eye first.



10:30pm TT A great time of meeting new friends and reconnecting with old acquaintances tonight at Taiyou Landis hotel restaurant—an incredible spread of buffet after buffet of authentic Japanese & Taiwanese food—the conversation even more precious. After 40 hrs. of travel though, even several rounds of coffee was not keeping Yutaka and I from nodding off. The children we are told had some wonderful conversations over pizza at the church’s “Bus 7” café and then on to the Chen household. We will check in with them more in the morning when we take a bus ride to the Howard Beach Resort in Kenting.

We are indebted to you for your prayers; they are certainly being felt—keep it up!

With love to all of you,

Sue

PS- Yutaka will send another quick perspective today; I will get some of the teens to also from time-to-time add to this digest.

PSS- Thought you may also enjoy the pics. They speak volumes!
Kirsti, Ashton and Kimberly - kindred spirits



LAX reactions-Abi, Ashton, and Kimberly


Stanton naps at LAX



Posing for LAX travelers!


2 Chen Daughters


Jenna with Living Water Children


Kenon altar call



Yutaka with Floyd McClung


Yutaka and Stanton praying for Kevin


Our Dancing Hotel

taiwan/japan freedom tour diary -one-

taiwan/japan freedom tour diary

-one-

Friday, May 28, 2010 …..6pm PST

Dear Friends and Family,

After a fast-paced rush through check-in, gate, and security check we finally breathed a sigh of relief as we plopped down in our assigned seat with no time to spare- all eleven of us were accounted for. Whew!  To get there required help from Jeff Price (Ashton’s dad) and Yutaka, and favor from the authorities to allow us to cut into the long morning Delta flight lines. I’d never seen KCI lines like that before.

After a brief layover at Minneapolis, we took a 3 hr. flight to LAX. Some caught up on their precious sleep, while most of the girls watched a cute and clean chick-flik to help pass the time. Towards the end of the flight, we had the flight attendants surprise Joshua with an announcement  that it was Joshua’s 13^th birthday today! It worked, and we all cheered.  Baggage claim was easy because of the bright green laminated luggage tags from Ashton’s mom Kristin.

We’re half through our 14-hr. layover here.  Besides two meals, some shut-eye, and some last-minute omiyagi shopping (G’ma), the team all found a quiet corner of a terminal and refined some of their dance pieces.  Yutaka, G’ma , and Sue manned the luggage- all 22 pieces. Abi, Stanton, and Sue just returned from a fast walk outside—breezy, sunny, 70 degree weather. Bouganvilla vines, wild roses, palm trees lined the paved walkway. We’re wishing for the California beach, but we may have to wait till Taipei till we experience the Pacific Ocean waves.

11pm, PST

After some rounds of the “Scum” game, then checking in our luggage, we celebrated Joshua’s bday with some Hagen Das’ Ice Cream. Not sure if it was the ice cream or just the exhaustion, but we got slap happy after that. Stanton was animated, and had us in stitches…deep belly laughter!  We met up with the Blake and Tracy Staten family who Kirsti had recognized from last year’s conference. They will be on our flight too.

All eight children are now out for a fast-paced 15 min. walk before we begin the long process of international flight security procedures.

I am attaching the trip itinerary to give you some perspective of our trip. I’ll try to send pics once we upload them. When you pray, remember that we will be 14 hrs. ahead of your CST time. We are very grateful to all of you for helping to make this trip possible.

God bless,

Sue Kawase

PS: We’ve arrived in Taipei! Safe, quiet trip…most of us got our 6-8 hrs. of sleep!  --6:30am Taipei time

TRIP ITINERARY  

Friday May 28

Leave KC; short layover in Minneapolis; long layover in LA of 14hrs.

Saturday, May 29 : Travel day beginning early am on plane (lose a day due to International Date Line);

Sunday,  May 30 : Arrive about 6:00 am Taipei

Take Taxi to Taoyuan train station; Take High Speed Rail to Tainan about 90 min

Living Waters Church

teach children dance at Living Waters Church.

Serve in Prophet Dance seminar in the afternoon

Spend night at Confucius Inn (www.cambridge-hotel.com.tw) 06-2140033 across street from Living Waters Church 06-223-9418 www.lwcc.org.tw

Monday, May 31: Travel by bus to Kenting  (wonderful time to network); leaves at 9:00 am

Stay at Howard Beach Resort http://kenting.howard-hotels.com/

Attend All Nations Mission Conference www.allnations.us/

Tuesday June 1: All Nations Conference.

We have offered to serve in child care/teaching dance

YK and JK serving medical needs of missionaries in afternoons

Dance performance probably in pm

Plan on rehearsing/preparing for Japan ministry.

Wednesday, June 2: All Nations Conference.

Be open to minister while enjoying the people.

Ping Pong Tournament

Thursday, June 3: All Nations Conference ends

Travel by bus to Tainan; Stay at Confucius Inn

Friday , June 4: Long travel day—

Shuttle to HSR station to Taoyuan station

Taxi to Taipei airport

Plane to Narita Airport  (Tokyo) arriving 5:10 pm Terminal 2

Narita express train to Yokohama Ofuna station preferably #46 (1848-2041) or#52 ( 2044-2235

Spend night at home stays with Hongodai people in Yokohama

Saturday, June 5

Perform at Crystal Chapel tentatively at 2:30pm 1-37-10 Noshichiri Sakaeku Yokohamashi

Kanagawaken Japan 2470024

Travel by car/train to ShinYokohama station or Kamioka station

Travel by bullet train to Shizuoka Hikari 481  1722-1806

Stay at Living Way Church

Sunday 6

Minister at Ricky Gordon’s Church Sunday am 1-2 dances and YK teach

Kodama 669 1727-1741

Stay in Kakegawa

Monday 7

Travel by bullet train to Kakegawa for dance workshop

Minister in Kakegawa with dance workshop and evening performance.

Stay at the church in Kakegawa

Tuesday 8

Travel by bullet train to Hiroshima Kodama651 1313-1324  Hamamatsu Hikari 4711338-1518 Rehearse dance

Home Stay in Kure

Wednesday 9

Possible visit to Hiroshima Bomb Museum

Minister in Hiroshima

Afternoon possibly Sue and Yutaka doing counseling

Rehearse dance

Home Stay in Kure

Thursday 10

Minister in Hiroshima

Dance performance with Heiwa church and Natalie in pm

Home Stay in Kure

Friday 11

Walk to train station

Local train from Shin Kure to Hiroshima station

Travel to  Shin Yokohama station by bullet train

Local trains to Zushi

Home stay at Itsuko Hatanakas (cousin to Yutaka) in Zushi

Saturday 12

Local trains  to Jiyugaoka

Meet with Nakadaira for noon meal in Tokyo (Jiyugaoka, Meguro) dinner.

Sightsee in Tokyo

Travel to Narita airport area possibly Richmond Hotel Narita

〒286-0033
Chiba, Narita city, Hanasaki-cho970
Richmond Hotel Narita

TEL:0476-24-6660

Sunday 13 Travel from Tokyo to Kansas City (gain a day). Possible am ministry time before leaving.

Tentatively arrive home about 6:30pm

24 hours!!!!!

Okay.....so I will officially be leaving in 24 hours! Wow. Time has flown by really fast! Hopefully we will be able to send some updates from Taiwan/Japan to send to ya'll. I'm so grateful that God has called me and then provided for me to go on this trip. I'm really excited to see what He has in store for this trip!

Last night we had our last dance rehearsal. It went really well and we also got to organize costumes. We also were able to talk to Natalie who is already in Japan. It was really funny because we were rehearsing her piece and she was able to give us corrections from half way around the world! Another funny thing was that we were talking to someone in the future! It was roughly 10am her time and 8:30pm our time.

I'm still in shock that I leave tomorrow morning! It seems like just yesterday I was asked to join the team. God is so good how He has prepared us even when we didn't know it! On Sunday at the team meeting we got our team T-shirts. The kanji on them say 'Freedom Dance'. I love these people!!!

The orange shirt is Natalie's, but we weren't able to get it to her before she 

left so we are going to bring it to her.

We are a crazy bunch!!! You have to click on the picture so that it enlarges! 

Our faces are priceless!

Here are some prayer requests:
>Pray that we will get plenty of sleep on the plane and our bodies will adjust quickly to the time change
>Pray that we will have safe travel and all our luggage will arrive together on time (we have to change 3 planes)
>All of us have been feeling attacked and oppressed lately. We know it is because of the trip we are about to take. Those who have been before say that this time has been stronger in the attacks than previous times. Pray that we would be confident in who we are in Christ and the power He has equipped us with for what He has called us to do
>Pray that we would be strengthened and continue to grow in unity as a team
>Pray for the hearts of those we will be ministering to in Taiwan/Japan
>Pray that God will open up opportunity for Natalie as well as for us when we arrive to be able to pour into the lives of people we come into contact with

I'm also very excited about the incredible friendships that will be formed while on this trip! Though I've only known these guys for about 8 months it seems like I've known them a lifetime! I'm very grateful that God not only has amazing friends for me in Georgia, but that He blesses me with incredible friends in Kansas City too! I hope ya'll have an amazing weekend and I cannot wait to show you pictures! Thank you so much for praying! You are a blessing to me!

Love ya!
Ashton =)

4 Days and Counting!

Hello everyone!!!!

I just wanted to say what a blessing it is to have all of you as my prayer warriors! I'm so sorry I haven't posted an update lately but life has been pretty hectic and busy around here as we are trying to wrap up everything for the trip.

So today being Monday the 24th, we leave in 4 days! I still can't believe it has come upon us so quickly! Yesterday, we performed one of our pieces at Metro (the Kawase's and Kimberly's church) and then were commissioned. It was a great time of prayer and blessing. Then we had our last official team meeting. We were able to organize costumes, pieces, makeup, clothes, and all other logistics. 

Some things to pray for:
>We have yet to finish some of the pieces that we are taking. We need grace and strength on our bodies as we try to work in extra rehearsals with our parent presentations for Dramatic Truth.
>Grace. All of us have been feeling great pressure and are being attacked by the enemy mostly in our minds about our self worth and importance on this trip. Pray that we would hear God's voice clearly in this time.
>Natalie as she is already in Japan. She has encountered some hardships between two churches and is trying to organize different events
>Encounter with the Holy Spirit for each of us so that we will be filled to overflowing that we may show His love to everyone around us.

Thank you so much for praying! It is possible that we will have a computer in Japan so I may be able to send out quick updates from Japan. Thank you again!

Taiwan, Japan, here we come!!!!

Wow. I cannot believe that this much time has already passed. I feel like just yesterday I was asked to be part of this team! We leave in 16 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last weekend in rehearsal we were able to accomplish a lot of choreography and clean a lot of the dances. Thank you all for praying! Natalie leaves on Tuesday for Hiroshima!!!!! We are all so excited and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store.

A few prayer requests:
>All of us as finals are over the next two weeks as we try to finish up the school year and continue to prepare for the trip
>Stan to get the last part of his money in......he still has a pretty large part yet to come in
>Strength for our bodies as we continue to push and rehearse while having parent presentations the next two weeks at the studio
>Us to continually be in tune with what God is saying for the people we will be ministering to in Taiwan/Japan

Thank you so much for praying! It is much appreciated!!!!! Be Blessed!

The Countdown Begins...........

Well, due to today being April 28th, we officially have 30 days until we leave for Taiwan/Japan! It is very exciting but also very scary because we have so much to do before then! I was actually able to go to some thrift stores today with Moma, Nana (Judy), and Mallory and find some shorts to wear on the trip. I had outgrown all of my shorts and was groaning at the thought of having to wear full length jeans in the rainy season! Since we only had a short time to be able to shop, we prayed that God would send us to the right stores and supply all the clothing I needed. God is so good! We were able to find great deals, shorts, and a skirt that I needed for the trip.

We now have a rehearsal schedule for the rest of our dance rehearsals. We will be practicing from 7:30-9:30pm on Fridays and 2:30 to 5pm on Saturdays until we leave. Pray for us to be able to complete all of the dances we had originally planned. Due to other performances taking the priority, we have not been able to accomplish all that we had hoped to by this time.

I also was able to go get my shots today. Yay????? =/   My arm hurts but I know its a whole lot better than actually getting the real disease! Dance is interesting though with an achy arm.......=)

I will update you more soon!!!! =) Be Blessed!!!!!!


Ps. Kirsti's graduation was amazing!!!!!!!!! She and Emily both did an amazing job and we are so proud of them! Abi's neck is also feeling so much better. Thank you for praying!!!!!!! =)

100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I am 100% percent funded!!!!!!!!! YAY GOD!!!!!! Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me financially and in prayer. It means so much to me!

A couple of prayer needs:
>Kirste's graduation is on Sunday! Yay! Pray that all of our bodies would function properly and have lots of strength.........as well as for Emily and Kirste to have grace! (they are the ones graduating) Kirste has been feeling ill as well so healing for her so she can perform her best on Sunday!
>Abi's neck. She pulled a muscle in her neck and is unable to completely move her neck which hinders her in rehearsing dances and she needs to be able to perform this weekend in the graduation.
>All of us students trying to finish up school before the trip. For most of us we leave the Friday of the last week of school.
>The Heiwa church in Japan we will be ministering to. Our brothers and sisters need our prayers in this time in their life.
>Clarity for Natalie and for the other travelers regarding how we are to minister in Hiroshima.
>Wisdom for Mr. and Mrs. Kawase as they continue to establish more specifics of our trip.

I just want to thank you again for being a part of this journey in my life! It is a blessing to know you are behind me! =)

More to come later...........

God Bless!