Unexpected continuation of the Missions Journey

After the Osaka Trip, it was definitely on my heart to return to Japan for future mission trips. But I don’t know how, and don’t know when.

At the LoveSG Summit in January, there was a plenary about LoveJapan.

The worship song we sang as we opened up the session was I Speak Jesus — a song that I only learned to lead at the Japan church service. There are these few lines in the song that always speak to me deeply, because of my personal experience and what I know about Japan:

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus

Throughout the session, I found my heart being stirred and moved by the testimonies. But I told God that if He is leading me to go for the upcoming vision trip, I need a clear sign.

Just when I thought that the session was ending, Ps Jeremy Seaward shared a story about getting chased by a group of otters. The message was, there are times to walk, but there are also times to run.

And here’s my interesting encounter with otter…

Just a few days before the mission trip last year, I was feeling doubtful, lonely and incapable. But when I was leaving my house that morning, I saw a group of otters opposite my block.

I recalled Wai Jia’s Instagram post about how God used Owls to assure her. So I asked God to show me otters again on the same day, if He sees me.

While it’s not common to bump into otters twice a day, I happened to receive a Christmas party door gift from a colleague, which turns out to be an otter. I have since hung it with my AirPods and brought it to Japan, as a reminder that God is with me.

So when Ps Jeremy talked about otters, I felt incredibly stirred. I had also wondered if this mission’s journey was going too fast, and I was rushing into another trip too soon. So his message that “there’s a time to run” also encouraged me.

So, I will aim to go for another mission trip in Japan this year! Honestly not sure how the funds and plans are gonna work out — but choosing obedience, one step at a time!