Excitement's in the Air! :)

I just wanted to share this email from our team leaders, Scott & Susan Murray. We've been so blessed by them, the 2 local Japanese pastors, and a couple of the elders from the two churches who have been working so so diligently on our behalf. We are being so spoiled by them!

As the time for our departure approaches and we continue to say more and more "see you later"s, I've been tending to focus on what/those we'll be leaving behind and the immediate work ahead before we can go as well as all of the anxieties of moving to a foreign country where one doesn't understand the language / culture, etc. This email really lifted my spirits and made me excited again about arriving in Hiroshima and our new life house, car, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ waiting for us there.

Sharing this with you, my dear friends, with excitement,
Jenny

+++++++

Hi Peter & Jenny,

I just wanted to send you a quick update on the day. Mainly, I wanted to share the excitement that I am seeing from the church people. Today, Mr. & Mrs. Ogawa came to the house and cleaned for about 3 ½ hours. Masae-san (Pastor Kitano’s wife) also came to help for a little while. Each week people pray for you at prayer meeting—there is a real air of excitement here. Of course, we are also excited to have you join us—we look forward to working together and continuing to cultivate a friendship. I know that when you are getting ready to leave you have all kinds of emotions popping out, so I wanted to share what I am observing to encourage you that even though you will be far from family and friends—a new church family along with us are excited that you are coming.

Ogawa-san (Mr.) is a cleaning machine. Mrs. Ogawa brought some dishes that she didn’t use so that you would have something to get started. The electricity, water and gas are all in working order. They deliver most of the stuff on Monday. It’s coming together—praise God.

We are praying for you!

With much love,
Scott & Susan

Saying Goodbye

My heart is heavy today. As much as I'd like to blame the gloomy weather, I don't think that's what's making me feel this way...

I attended my own farewell dinner last night with some of my close girl friends. I almost didn't go 'cause I got cold feet and I didn't want it to happen - yet. For a moment, I thought that maybe if I didn't go, it wouldn't happen - yet. I was so sad all afternoon yesterday and I had a great time last night but now I'm sad that it's an event of the past and not of the future.

People have been saying their goodbyes to us for a few weeks now and have been asking me how I feel. So far, my answer has been a combination or all of: "excited, stressed, busy, looking forward to finally going and settling down, hasn't quite hit me yet that we're leaving". I think last night's goodbye was the one that finally made our departure real for me.

Last night's dinner was one I'll definitely treasure in my heart for a long time. I had so much fun with wonderful awesome godly women. :) We discussed everything from germs to shopping to the adventures of raising kids, caught up on each other's lives and enjoyed delicious food at Gochi. I'd also prepared 3 questions for us to think about: 1. If God called you to be a missionary, what country would you want Him to send you to? 2. What would be your greatest fear in being a missionary? 3. What do you think would be the coolest thing about being a missionary?

The only one I had to answer was #2. :) One of the things I mentioned was bullying - ijime - as it's more common in Japan and it's not something that's considered a big deal at school that requires punishment like in the US. As our kids will be different (NOT Japanese, not have a Japanese first or last name, not speak Japanese well initially, speak English and Korean at home, eat American and Korean food at home as well, go to church on Sundays, etc), this is one of things I worry about for our kids. Peter and I might become temporarily upset or hurt if someone shows discrimination towards us, but for our kids, I think my heart will break if I see them being hurt in this way. I pray against this every day and pray for wisdom in knowing how to deal with any culturally awkward situations that may arise, that the teachers and children at the preschool that Juhee will be attending soon after our arrival have genuinely curious minds + kind hearts and not look down on her for being different.

A few of the other girls mentioned as their answer for #2 that their greatest fear would be the loss of community - friends and family back home. For me, it's never been a big issue because I'd become conditioned to it as we moved so often growing up. HOWEVER, this time it's different because I've never had such close godly girl friends before that I shared so much, so honestly with. I think I'll be missing not just the hanging out time, but also the times when we met to play together and pray together, keeping each other accountable, to talk and laugh together (in English!!!), and spur each other on in leading Christ-like lives. It won't be quite the same, but thank God for email and Skype! ;)

Right before we left, my arms were filled with presents - things to keep Juhee occupied during the time she is without her toys and things for her to do on the 16 hour trip from San Jose to Hiroshima too. There was also a very impressive, amazingly cute and well done scrapbook that the girls had made for me. The time, love, and effort that had gone into it was so evident. They'd all made at least one page each with a personal note on their page too. I don't have the heart / strength to read it right now as I'm close to tears already but I will soon - maybe after we arrive in Hiroshima! I know I'm going to cry reading it so I'll have to make sure Juhee's not around too so she's not constantly asking me, "What's wrong umma? What's wrong?" Our sweet, caring little Juhee. :)

Have a few more goodbye events to attend before we go in about 10 days...

Saying goodbye is hard.

9월 소식지

Thursday October 7, 2010

11월 3일 출발

안녕하세요!

달라스에서 뜻깊은 한달을 보내고 이제 산호제 지역으로 돌아와 미국에서 마지막 한달을 바쁘게 보내고있습니다. 일본 히로시마로 향하는 편도 비행기표도 샀고 11월 3일 떠나게 됩니다. 일본으로 향하는 준비 과정을 함께 지켜봐주시고 기도해주심에 감사를 드립니다.

축복합니다! Peter Oh 목사 가정 드림

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마지막 달

10월 - 일본으로 떠나기 전에 준비해야할 것이 너무 많아 산호제에 있으면서 보낼 짐 싸고, 서류 작업 끝내고, 3년짜리 종교 비자 받고, 국제면허 받고, 차 팔고, 작별 인사등을 하며 바쁜 한달을 보내고 있습니다.

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금전적 파트너십

많은 분들께서 Pioneers 선교단체, 뉴비전교회, 그리고 그 외 여러 교회들을 통해 저희의 일본선교에 금전적으로 동참해주셨습니다. 하나님의 일을 하기 위해 저희에게 아낌 없이 맡기신 선물임을 다짐하며 감사드립니다. 모든 것을 부족함 없이 채워주신 하나님께 감사를 드리며 저희를 헌신적으로 도와주신 분들께 저희가 일본에서 주님의 기쁜 소식을 전하며 사용하게 될 사역비, 생활비, 교육비등 내역에 대해서 조금 더 자세하게 말씀드리고자 합니다.

정착 및 이동 경비
* 4식구를 위한 편도 비행기표
* 거처를 위한 보증금과 "Key Money" ("Key Money"는 집주인에게 주는 돌려 받지 않는 보증금)
* 가구와 가전제품 (요, 냉장고, 전자렌지, 까스렌지, 식탁, 의자, 책상, 장, 등)
* 중고차 (세금과 정기검진 포함)
* 일어 어학
* 배로 짐 부치는 비용

정기적 후원
* 임대료 및 전기세, 물세 등
* 국제 건강 보험
* 사역비 (주희 사진에서와 같은 공예용품, 미국 Thanksgiving 전도 이벤트를 위한 작은 칠면조(약 $60) 등)
* 생활비 (기저귀, 음식, 옷, 난로를 위한 등유 등)
* 주희 학교를 위한 학비
* 여행경비 및 통신비용 (일본의 수많은 도로 통행료, 핸드폰, 인터넷 등)
* 차 (휘발유, 샤켄(아래 설명) 등)

뉴비전교회 지정헌금을 통해 후원해 주시는 성도님들께서는 메모란에 저희 이름을 꼭 기입해주시기 바랍니다. '일본선교'라고만 쓰시면 안됩니다.

한번의 후원 또는 정기적인 후원, 후원해 주신 모든 분들께 깊은 감사를 드립니다. 꾸벅~ ^^

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파트너십 업데이트

이제 저희가 소망하던 365명의 기도후원자 중 359분께서 기도후원자가 되어주시기로 작정하셨습니다. 하나님께서 또 후원자들도 더 보내주셔서 이제 저희가 필요한 정기적인 후원금의89%가 모아졌습니다! 할렐루야! (사진: 달라스 소그룹 모임 중 하나에서의 퀴즈 시간.)

이 여정을 함께 가기를 원하시는 많은 분들을 보내주신 하나님께 감사를 드립니다. 이제 단 6분/커플의 기도후원자를 찾고 있습니다. 그리고 만약 15가정이 매달 평균 $50을 작정하면 저희가 필요한 후원금의 100%에 도달할 수 있습니다.

저희와 동참하실 기회를 두고 기도로 주님의 뜻을 구하심에 감사를 드립니다. 기도 또는 정기적인 후원으로 동참하고 싶으신 분은peterandjennyoh@gmail.com으로 이메일 부탁드립니다.

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함께 떡을 떼기 위한 빵굽기

달라스에 있는 동안 제가 한 미국인 목사님 사모님께 빵 굽는 방법을 배웠습니다. 미국에서 흔히 먹는 롤, 개피롤 (cinnamon rolls), 딸기 파이, 그리고 미국 인디안들이 먹는 navajo flatbread를 함께 만들었습니다. 일본에 많은 사람들과 함께 집에서 맛있게 방금 구워낸 따끈따끈한 빵으로 떡을 떼며 교제를 나누기를 소망합니다. (사진: B 목사님 사모님의 지도하에 실습하며 옆에서 주희가 자기 차례를 기다리고 있음.)

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인사하는 시간

저희 친구들인 Paul & Eva 부부가 10월 24일 주일 5-8시 사이에 저희가 일본으로 가기 전에 시간을 함께 보내고 싶어하는 친구들과 함께 시간을 보낼 수 있도록 Sunnyvale에 있는 집을 열었습니다. 3시간내내 있으셔도 좋고 잠깐 들리셔도 좋습니다. 함께 나눌 간식이나 음료수도 가져오시면 좋고요. 주소를 원하시는 분들은 여기에 클릭하시면 자동적으로 저희에게 주소를 청구하는 이메일이 작성됩니다. 10월 24일 주일 뉴비전교회 영어부 두번의 예배 시간때 인사를 하게 되고 10월 31일 주일 뉴비전교회 4번의 예배에서 인사를 드리고 11월 3일에 일본으로 떠납니다.

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September Newsletter

Thursday September 30, 2010

Departing November 3rd

Dear co-laborer in the Lord,

We are back in the Bay Area after a fun & fruitful month in Dallas and are now entering our final month in the US. We have purchased our one way tickets to HIROSHIMA, Japan, and will be departing on November 3rd. Thank you for journeying with us, and we pray you are blessed and encouraged through our partnership in sharing of the Risen Son in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Blessings! Peter, Jenny, Juhee, and Sungjae Oh

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Final Month

OCTOBER - We had initially thought of possibly visiting Seattle and/or Southern California during this last month, but have realized taking care of all the details of moving to another country is much more demanding than we had anticipated. So we're staying in the San Jose area during this final month to pack our belongings that need to be shipped, address remaining paperwork, obtain our 3 year Religious Visas and International Drivers Licenses, sell our minivan, pack our luggage, and say our farewells.

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Partnering financially

Many of you have financially supported our ministry with Pioneers to Japan. Thank you for giving so generously and sacrificially as your financial gifts are an offering to God given into our stewardship. We'd like to share with you some of the expenses that will be covered. We thank God for blessing us with your financial offerings which will be used to cover moving, living and ministry expenses as we share the good news with those in Japan.

Departure and Moving Expenses
* One-way International airline tickets for a family of four
* Deposit and "Key Money" for apartment/house ("Key Money" is like a big deposit we give the landlord, but we don't get back)
* Furniture and appliances (futons [beds], refrigerator, oven, stove, tables, chairs, etc.)
* Used car (including taxes and fees)
* Language school
* Shipping our belongings (mostly kids' clothes and toys which are both very expensive in Japan)

Monthly Support
* Rent and utilities
* Health insurance
* Ministry expenses (arts and craft supplies like the one in the photo of Juhee, also for a Thanksgiving outreach event we anticipate buying a small turkey which will cost about $60)
* Living expenses (diapers, wipes, food, clothes, kerosene for heater, etc)
* Juhee's education/tuition for preschool
* Travel and communication costs (cell phone, Skype account so we can stay connected with those in the USA)
* Vehicle (gas, tolls and shaken-explained below)

If you have pledged to support us from when we depart, we kindly ask that you click here for an automated email to Pioneers' Finance Team requesting that your EFT be activated. Please allow a couple of weeks for it to process.

Thank you again for partnering with us financially.

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Partnership Update

We have been extremely blessed to have 359 (our hope is to have 365) prayer partners commit to praying for us regularly. God has also brought alongside us many financial partners through whom 89% of our needed Monthly Financial Support has been pledged! Praise God! :)

We thank God for bringing you into our lives, and partnering with us in sharing the Good News of the Risen Son in the land of the Rising Sun. We wouldn't be able to fulfill God's calling without you! We are still seeking 6 prayer partners, and if 15 families were to pledge an average of $50 per month, we would achieve 100% of our needed Monthly Financial Support. Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with us. (Picture: Trivia time during one of our small group gatherings in Dallas.)

If you would like to partner with us in prayer or finances, please email us at peterandjennyoh@gmail.com.

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Baking Bread for Breaking

During our time in Dallas, Jenny learned how to make fresh bread from scratch. We were very blessed to have a pastor's wife from Dallas Chinese Bible Church share with Jenny how to bake fresh rolls, cinnamon rolls, strawberry pie, and navajo flatbread so that we can take this knowledge to Japan. We hope to break bread with many in Japan, and now we'll have fresh homemade bread with which to do it. (Picture: Pastor B's wife teaching Jenny with Juhee eagerly waiting to "help".)

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Sayonara

Our good friends Paul & Eva have kindly opened up their home to us and our friends in the Bay Area who would like to come spend some time with us before we go. Their house in Sunnyvale will be open on Sunday, October 24th from 5-8pm. We kindly ask that you bring a dish/dessert/snack/drink to share. For their address, click here to send us an automated email and we will send it to you. We look forward to seeing you there! :)

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