solitude

Following on from my last post, almost a month ago now, I moved down to Hiroshima for what I presume to be a long-term stay to serve on the BGEA (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) team down here preparing for the 'festival' that will be happening here in November next year.  Well, I said team, but the team is really just me and my boss Derek (and his family) at the moment.  We have no office, I've set up my own little one in the corner of my bedroom and we have a kinda flash McDonalds between our houses, but that's about it.  Completely different experience to what I know from Sendai - last time I was thrown in at the last minute - this time I am really part of the team starting things from scratch.

Enough said about 'work' stuff.

The move to Hiroshima went really well.  Praise the Lord for some special days in Sendai before I left which made for a really good note to end my time there on.  Leaving Sendai was delayed several days at the last minute, and what a blessing those few days were.  I was able to volunteer with the Assemblies of God church in Sendai, Izumi Gospel Chapel, at their relief centre in Higashi-Matsushima (one of the areas affected by the Tsunami last year) for a day, attend Izumi's church service the Sunday before I left, spend some quality time with friends, and even see the cherry blossoms start to bloom in Sendai!  Izumi even sent me off to Hiroshima with a farewell lunch and so many encouraging words that I was so overwhelmed I almost can't remember anything anyone said (unfortunately).

A few weeks in Hiroshima, and God blessed me with an apartment exactly where I wanted it, exactly in my price range, and with a beautiful view over one of the many rivers in Hiroshima (there are about five rivers running through the city, it's beautiful - I love being able to see the water all the time).  The apartment itself is kind of old and the drains smell funny, but that's no problem.  I kind of like the old kitchen, having to yank the cupboards to open them, and how the stainless steel benchtop is definitely not stainless... actually it still looks the same however much I clean it.  I feel right at home - it reminds me of the loveshack and all the good times with the flatties in Wellington (miss you guys!)

I have been greatly blessed by some of the churches here finding me second-hand things for my place - microwave oven, rice cooker, pots and pans, cutlery, cups and glasses... floor cushions, etc.  It feels like Christmas!  As usual God has continued to provide exactly what I need - no more no less - so while the moving process and the expenses it has incurred has been a little nerve-wracking, I'm sure that God has got me in the right place and that He is providing what I need as I need it.  I'm able to cook at home now which is a blessing, and praying that a washing machine, dining room table and gas cooker might appear out of nowhere sometime in the near future.

I've been loving playing house and as I'm starting to settle in here, get things as I like them, and find a bit more down time, I'm discovering this new thing called solitude... something that feels strangely comfortable and dear, almost like a friend I've missed for a long time.  To start with I thought I would be really lonely and miserable living by myself (yes it is a one-room apartment) but I am feeling strangely comfortable by myself here and am honestly enjoying the quiet and the solitude.  Although I had expected to move to Tokyo and Hiroshima was completely out of the blue for me, and although I fought the idea of living by myself for a long time, I feel that as unexpected as it is, this time here and this environment is something special God is blessing me with at this time in my life.  I think I really need it.

So I'm excited about having 'permission' to hide away at home, take long baths (not that I can afford the power bill), stare into space, journal, drink multiple cups of tea a day, sing, write, look at the river, read, reflect, pray, daydream... the more I stop to think about it, the more I realise I've needed this down-time really badly, and I need to welcome it with open arms and not feel guilty about removing myself from things and slowing down a bit.  I've had the most intense few months, few years even, and I really need to stop and process.


So that's where I'm at... as I slow down and process I look forward to letting you all know what's happened/happening in my life.  And there's so much yet to come!  I'm excited about what things are in store for the next few years. 


Here's a photo of the view from my apartment, and my 'comfortable spot' in my apartment... this orange couch is always inviting me to sit on him and relax... thank you Mr. couch!!  And he's orange!  And was the cheapest in the shop - love him!!

P.S. don't worry, I do actually do work as well!  I actually had a fairly busy week last week and as part of it was blessed to witness the birth of a baby as I was asked to be there to interpret.  What an amazing experience.  Maybe that'll be the next blog? =)


Bless you all and love you all so much!!  I am thinking of you all at home in NZ, and all around Japan and the rest of the world, all the time.  I miss you all a lot, am never satisfied wherever I live as there are always people I want to see who I can't... but today I realised what a blessing it is to have this problem! What a blessing to have so many dear dear friends EVERYWHERE and want to see you all so much that that it makes me frustrated.  Love you all lots x comment and let me know how you are x Emma