Sometimes a denial is God's greatest gift!

This has definitely been a week of trials, adjustment, and re-focusing. I started out the week really excited because of everything that God has been doing in my life, and all my plans for going to Japan have just been falling into place. Up until now...Not that it means that God is 'changing His mind', but I believe Satan is trying to prevent me from going, God may just want me to do something different for a few weeks...I don't know.

On Sunday night, I got back from church to a message on Skype that Mr. Mansell needed me to call him. I ended up talking to him for about 30 min, and he told me that the Japanese Government had denied my application for a Religious Activities Visa. At first it didn't seem that bad, I knew that God had a reason for this, and He would still provide what I needed and maybe this was just His way of making a way for me to do something else according to His plan. The more I thought about it, I just started getting confused, and overwhelmed. I had been praying and planning for so long, I was sure that what I was planning was what God wanted. Why now did He have to allow this to happen, and seemingly prevent me from going? I knew that there were other options, but time is limited...Should I just forget going for the summer...or JUST go for the summer? I was SO sure that this was God's will, I was planning on using this trip as a part of my decision to possibly change my minor to missions, I didn't feel that I could make a proper decision in only 3 months.

I now have a meeting set up, with the Study Abroad Director, to discuss a 3 week period of time in August/Sept. where I will leave Japan, go to another nearby country and assist in a ministry there, then return to Japan until Dec. 9. My prayer is that God will make it clear to me where I can best be used, and that the money will be provided for the additional plane ticket. I DO believe that God wants me to be part of a ministry in another country, whether it's Japan or somewhere else, for the whole 6 months. I can't explain why I feel this way, but God has given me this burden...my part is just to follow His leading.

Thanks for your prayers...
Jennifer Sandahl

The Prayers go up, the Blessings come down...

I just had to post my most recent blessing. As many of you know, I have been needing about $1700 to complete the support needed to pay for living expenses and insurance. Yesterday my mom called me after she got home from church. They had a business meeting last night, and had also read my most recent letter updating everyone on the status of my trip. I had a little bit of money sitting in an account set up for my Japan trip, but during the business meeting, they voted to give me the remainder of what I was needing for living expenses. Now all I need is money for personal expenses during my 6 months in Japan!!!

God is GOOD!!!

Luke 11:9  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Is Spring really here?

Hello everyone,

It has been getting really warm lately around here, then we have a cold day or two!! It's like winter just doesn't want to let go. Easter is almost 3 weeks away, and we are finally getting springy weather. I think today it got up into the high 30's/low 40's, I WENT OUTSIDE WITH NO COAT. I had a lightweight sweater on, but...

I thought I'd post a new update for you all wondering about my mission trip with the recent events in Japan. I can't word it any better than Mansells did in their most recent prayer letter, so the following is from them;


2 Corinthians 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

'In recent weeks, Japan has been hit by not just one disaster but three.  First a 9.2 magnitude earthquake which caused damage along a 300 mile coast of the northeast area of the main island of Honshu.  Secondly, that earthquake generated a massive tsunami (tidal wave) that hit the same area. In one place water went inland five miles and in another the water rose to 90 feet above sea level. 12,000 people are confirmed dead with 16,000 still missing.  Thirdly, as a result of the earthquake and tsunami, the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant is in an on-going crisis with radiation being emitted and fears of a melt down. "We are troubled on every side" is appropriate for the present situation in Japan.  But, knowing the Lord is in control, "we are not distressed".  We don't know all the answers to the massive problems that face Japan in the aftermath of these disasters and "we are perplexed" as to where to begin to help and care for the living, yet because of the knowledge we have of the almighty God, we are "not in despair".  We appreciate receiving many caring and generous offers of help and finances from all over the world.  Especially precious are those from Christians whose hearts and prayers are now turned toward Japan.  This is one of the great blessings of these events.  Keep it up!  The dear Japanese people need to know that Christians care in many ways, especially in prayer.

Our ministry is over 500 miles north of the effected area so we were not affected directly from this event . However the whole country will be affected in various ways  like of every day needs  and price increase on almost everything . We are thankful we can continue to trust our Great Provider. Most Japanese don't have the comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word in their hearts. Pray that we can help many see there is hope. When Japanese lose hope, they even may go so far as to commit suicide. From an article entitled “Japan: ending the culture of the 'honorable' suicide” they said, “Reducing the growing suicide rate in Japan will require tackling the cultural interpretation of it as a noble act”. They also said “For at least a decade now there have been more than 30,000 annual suicide cases – equating to almost one every 15 minutes. In 2007, cabinet minister Toshikatsu Matsuoka killed himself while facing investigation over an expenses scandal. Later that year the Japanese government launched a white paper to radically reform how suicide was perceived and treated, promising better counseling and helpline services. Natsu Kan who recently became Japan's prime minister, has repeatedly spoken about the suicide rate – seeing it as indicative of the social decline of the nation. He has stated that his primary political goal is to "minimize unhappiness" in the country. (August 2010-Guardian.uk.co). There is a cultural issue that suicide is an acceptable practice here in Japan, but we know that the true hope for difficult times is for all people to know the Lord Jesus Christ and the knowledge that there is a judgment after death that cannot be escaped from even by suicide. Ken has had several opportunities in Teshio to testify of God's strength and wisdom and safety even amongst such difficult times. We continue to pray for more opportunities such as this. Later when the timing is right he would like to join a group going into the devastated areas to help with reconstruction. Pray for the timing and the opportunity to open up if it is of the Lord...'

The prayer letter went on to share about the recent events in their lives, but that part was what I wanted to share with you. If you want to read more, you can see their letters on their website http://www.worldtell.com 

For those of you wondering, I am still going to Japan. I will be leaving on May 25th & returning on Dec. 10. We have already purchased my ticket, and now I am just praying for the remaining support needed to pay for summer expenses!! Thank you all for your prayers, and if you have been able to send any financial support, that is appreciated as well!!

Love to you all from NIU,

Jennifer