Hi Everyone,
I am alive and well now living in Kenya! I arrived two days ago and already can tell It is a completely different world here. I'm amazed at the kindness Kenyans offer. Currently, I am in the middle of orientation, including basic living lessons, this week. By the end of the week, I'll be joining the On Field Media team and start working on the movie called "A Distant Boat". There is so much happening here! Sometimes we get the idea in our Western minds that we have so much to offer the African people; however, I'm already realizing the opposite. We have SO MUCH to learn from them. Their extremely welcoming attitudes being one example. How much I long to continue to work with along side with them and learn the lessons that God has for me here. Please continue to pray for Africa and the West too!
As of today, I have the funding to stay here for eight months; however, I believe the Lord wants me to serve here for a year. I can see how much there is to do, and I'm asking for your help to partner with me in helping the lost. God is so GOOD and I know that He provides everything for us. Please pray about it and consider joining my support team. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
-David
My Blog: http://david-profile.blogspot.com/
Send Checks to:
Tomo and Cindy Sekiguchi
30555 Butte Creek Road
Lebanon, OR 97355
USA
(Note: Please make checks payable to Africa Inland Mission)
Monday, August 27, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Today was a day of "Lasts" in the USA before I return from Kenya. Let me explain it this way...
Today was my last time to:
1. Wake up on a soft comfortable bed way too big for me in the USA
2. Eat breakfast which wasn't really that good in the USA
3. Brush my teeth in the USA (No I didn't count the brush strokes)
4. Visit Target and buy chocolate chips because they are yummy
5. Eat Chick Fil A and order a number 4 meal
6. Go for a walk on golf cart paths because they are so cool to walk on
7. Say goodbye to the Africa Inland Mission staff who are amazingly awesome people
There will be a follow up to this post explaining my firsts in Africa! Stay tuned...it will come...hopefully...if my plane makes it and I don't die...I'm praying... I am bording my first plane in 4 hours. Please keep me in your prayers! Thank you!
Today was my last time to:
1. Wake up on a soft comfortable bed way too big for me in the USA
2. Eat breakfast which wasn't really that good in the USA
3. Brush my teeth in the USA (No I didn't count the brush strokes)
4. Visit Target and buy chocolate chips because they are yummy
5. Eat Chick Fil A and order a number 4 meal
6. Go for a walk on golf cart paths because they are so cool to walk on
7. Say goodbye to the Africa Inland Mission staff who are amazingly awesome people
There will be a follow up to this post explaining my firsts in Africa! Stay tuned...it will come...hopefully...if my plane makes it and I don't die...I'm praying... I am bording my first plane in 4 hours. Please keep me in your prayers! Thank you!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
As the sun sets this Tuesday night, It's incredible to imagine that I'll be watching it rise among the Africa nation, Kenya, in two days. Anxiety flow through my veins. Questions flood my thoughts. The wheels of my mind turn like an endless tape. Sometimes I wonder why I'm leaving the comfort of my home. I recall thinking to myself today that everything is perfect in America. Why would anyone want to leave? I question myself, but remember God and His calling to serve Him by producing outstanding media that will many people in the nations.
This does not change the fact that I will cross cultures that transcend my own capabilities of control. "Nervousness" is a relative word to describe the new experience that will be encountered. Imagine you were at the brink of leaving the home you love, abandoning the food your used to, and sacrificing the comfort of your amazing friends. Yes...the country that God directed me to is Kenya and it's waiting for me. It's so close I can almost taste the dust drying my lips. The spreading of the Gospel is facilitated by you, the body of Christ. Please continue to support in prayer and financially.
Prayer:
1. Safe Flight in to Nairobi, Kenya (August 23-24th) (6:20pm EST)
2. Entering the country with no complications
3. Strength, Courage, and Peace
This does not change the fact that I will cross cultures that transcend my own capabilities of control. "Nervousness" is a relative word to describe the new experience that will be encountered. Imagine you were at the brink of leaving the home you love, abandoning the food your used to, and sacrificing the comfort of your amazing friends. Yes...the country that God directed me to is Kenya and it's waiting for me. It's so close I can almost taste the dust drying my lips. The spreading of the Gospel is facilitated by you, the body of Christ. Please continue to support in prayer and financially.
Prayer:
1. Safe Flight in to Nairobi, Kenya (August 23-24th) (6:20pm EST)
2. Entering the country with no complications
3. Strength, Courage, and Peace
Monday, August 20, 2012
8:30PM is usually the time that I would sit down and reflect on the day writing it in my journal when I'm over seas. But now that I'm keeping on online journal, my reflections and posts will remain on my blog. When I went to Japan, Europe, and Israel I kept a journal and am so thankful I did; however, I'm already realizing how much faster typing is than writing. So let's reflect on today...
After a healthy sleep I woke to a great breakfast and snatched a tea bag and egg to bring back to my room. The egg would serve me well later that day. After eating, it was time to stretch my legs and go running; however, I opted for finishing editing my highlight reel at Mt. Arbel in Israel. So for the next few hours, I worked hard on the hotel couch clicking and dragging clips left and right like no TOMORROW! Suddenly, it was time to run, so I ran and ran until I almost lost my way getting back to the hotel before orientation started. I made it back, cleaned up, and jumped out into the lobby where I met four other short term missionaries.
Orientation went really well and tomorrow will be a full day. We went over the history of Africa Inland Mission, their mission statement, country flag quizzes, and how to share a testimony. That was only a few of the items for tonight. After a great time at the mission HQ, we were shuttled back to the hotel and now I'm just reflecting on the day.
Tonight my room mate is flying in at 1am in the morning! It will be an exciting meeting if I'm able to get up. Reminds me of my former room mate from Fiji when he flew in to Israel at midnight. Should be interesting. Now that I wrote a very long and kind of boring journal entry, it is time for bed. Tomorrow I will try and keep it short and sweet. Thank you for enduring this first "pre-real" "Africa" "journal post". Hang in there...the stories will get better. Hopefully no deaths or injuries to write about; however, I'm on God's plan and not my own.
After a healthy sleep I woke to a great breakfast and snatched a tea bag and egg to bring back to my room. The egg would serve me well later that day. After eating, it was time to stretch my legs and go running; however, I opted for finishing editing my highlight reel at Mt. Arbel in Israel. So for the next few hours, I worked hard on the hotel couch clicking and dragging clips left and right like no TOMORROW! Suddenly, it was time to run, so I ran and ran until I almost lost my way getting back to the hotel before orientation started. I made it back, cleaned up, and jumped out into the lobby where I met four other short term missionaries.
Orientation went really well and tomorrow will be a full day. We went over the history of Africa Inland Mission, their mission statement, country flag quizzes, and how to share a testimony. That was only a few of the items for tonight. After a great time at the mission HQ, we were shuttled back to the hotel and now I'm just reflecting on the day.
Tonight my room mate is flying in at 1am in the morning! It will be an exciting meeting if I'm able to get up. Reminds me of my former room mate from Fiji when he flew in to Israel at midnight. Should be interesting. Now that I wrote a very long and kind of boring journal entry, it is time for bed. Tomorrow I will try and keep it short and sweet. Thank you for enduring this first "pre-real" "Africa" "journal post". Hang in there...the stories will get better. Hopefully no deaths or injuries to write about; however, I'm on God's plan and not my own.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
I made it!
No...not to Africa yet, but I did make it to Georgia for a week of orientation before I depart for the big continent. Yep, that's right. I'm going to get a little prior missionary training before I'll be thrust out into the open. Of course while I was brushing my teeth before bed, my Mom and Dad call to ask if I made it. I think that Dad wanted to test out his new cell phone. Lol, j/k I know they love me more than technology. So you may ask, Are you excited? Reply: Maybe a little...OR MORE LIKE A LOT! It's a mixture of adrenaline, nervousness, and left over cheese cake from a few nights ago.
So, I'm sure you want to know all about my flight and how it went. Well, here is a brief recap:
HURRY!!!
Wait...
Sleep...
RUN!
Wait....
Sleep Some More
bored...
RUN!!!
Struggle with Luggage.
Wait...
HOTEL!
So now you've been updated. You'll probably hear from me again when I reach African soil! I'm going to try and keep an online journal for this trip.
No...not to Africa yet, but I did make it to Georgia for a week of orientation before I depart for the big continent. Yep, that's right. I'm going to get a little prior missionary training before I'll be thrust out into the open. Of course while I was brushing my teeth before bed, my Mom and Dad call to ask if I made it. I think that Dad wanted to test out his new cell phone. Lol, j/k I know they love me more than technology. So you may ask, Are you excited? Reply: Maybe a little...OR MORE LIKE A LOT! It's a mixture of adrenaline, nervousness, and left over cheese cake from a few nights ago.
So, I'm sure you want to know all about my flight and how it went. Well, here is a brief recap:
HURRY!!!
Wait...
Sleep...
RUN!
Wait....
Sleep Some More
bored...
RUN!!!
Struggle with Luggage.
Wait...
HOTEL!
So now you've been updated. You'll probably hear from me again when I reach African soil! I'm going to try and keep an online journal for this trip.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Millard's Meeting
Thank you to all of those who came to hear about my trip to Israel and about my mission to Africa. It was such a joy and surprise to see so many come! To know how many are supporting me in prayer and financially is such a blessing. I apologize for not faithfully updating my blog as much as I should; however, I will be attempting to do a much better job when I am in Africa. I just really quickly wanted to share some links with out about things to pray for and some information about what I'll be doing in Africa.
Prayer List:
http://www.aimint.org/usa/pray/daily-prayer-requests
What I'll be working on:
http://distantboat.com/
Again, thank you all for your support and may God bless you!
Shalom
Prayer List:
http://www.aimint.org/usa/pray/daily-prayer-requests
What I'll be working on:
http://distantboat.com/
Again, thank you all for your support and may God bless you!
Shalom
Monday, August 6, 2012
If you ask me has life slowed down since returning from Israel, I would kindly decline that assumption. I suppose the jump from the Middle East to North America can be related to jumping into a tornado...that you can sleep in...sometimes...
?
You may think that I the absence of rest can be exhausting, and that I would agree with; however, I thoroughly enjoy the busyness. As I'm writing this email, I sit in the Salt Lake City, Utah, airport waiting for my plane to depart to Eugene, OR. Why in Utah? Good question. I have been helping my father with his business at the Outdoor Retail show. The event is massive! Bigger than a Philly cheese cake in New York! Okay...maybe not, but seriously. I have had more fun running various errands, getting lost in a sea of exhibitors, and finding my way again. God has thoroughly blessed me and my father during our stay here. I also had the chance to gear up for my trip to Africa.
Some may be wondering how things are going for my trip to Africa. I wouldn't blame you for wondering. I've been too busy running errands in this whirlwind of a tornado. Things are going very well. Just last night, the tickets for Nairobi, Kenya have been booked! I am going! Lying down last night, the last thing I remember before dozing off was a feeling of change and movement. For three years now, I've know that I have been called to the mission field. For two years I saved up money to go to Israel for schooling to prepare me for the mission. One year I've studied, and now, it appears the time has come. I am still short by about 5,000 dollars. At this point, my trip will be shortened; however, I am very compelled that God wants me to be in Africa for a full year. I hate to ask for support, so I won't. I'll let the Lord move, but please know that I have a vision from God to stay a full year in Africa.
There are so many things to write, but due to catching a flight, aching wrists, and an empty stomach, I believe my body is telling me it is time to find something to eat. Unfortunately, they do not serve Felafels at the airport; however, please do not be too concerned for me. I will find a way to manage...somehow...
May the Lord bless you!
-David Hikari Sekiguchi
?
You may think that I the absence of rest can be exhausting, and that I would agree with; however, I thoroughly enjoy the busyness. As I'm writing this email, I sit in the Salt Lake City, Utah, airport waiting for my plane to depart to Eugene, OR. Why in Utah? Good question. I have been helping my father with his business at the Outdoor Retail show. The event is massive! Bigger than a Philly cheese cake in New York! Okay...maybe not, but seriously. I have had more fun running various errands, getting lost in a sea of exhibitors, and finding my way again. God has thoroughly blessed me and my father during our stay here. I also had the chance to gear up for my trip to Africa.
Some may be wondering how things are going for my trip to Africa. I wouldn't blame you for wondering. I've been too busy running errands in this whirlwind of a tornado. Things are going very well. Just last night, the tickets for Nairobi, Kenya have been booked! I am going! Lying down last night, the last thing I remember before dozing off was a feeling of change and movement. For three years now, I've know that I have been called to the mission field. For two years I saved up money to go to Israel for schooling to prepare me for the mission. One year I've studied, and now, it appears the time has come. I am still short by about 5,000 dollars. At this point, my trip will be shortened; however, I am very compelled that God wants me to be in Africa for a full year. I hate to ask for support, so I won't. I'll let the Lord move, but please know that I have a vision from God to stay a full year in Africa.
There are so many things to write, but due to catching a flight, aching wrists, and an empty stomach, I believe my body is telling me it is time to find something to eat. Unfortunately, they do not serve Felafels at the airport; however, please do not be too concerned for me. I will find a way to manage...somehow...
May the Lord bless you!
-David Hikari Sekiguchi
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