I apologize for not updating my blog in a while. Life gets pretty busy here. I am going into my Senior year in IHOPU! I am so excited for the final year in my training and am asking the Lord for what He has for me afterwards. Last summer I had the privilege, with your help, to go to Uganda. The Lord did amazing things there! He encountered my heart and gave me the passion I have for missions. He encountered the Acholi people and implanted the vision for 24/7 prayer and worship into their hearts. He allowed me to grow, serve, learn from them, and them from me!! I believe I will continue to go to the nations to build houses of prayer and do His kingdom work until He returns, teaching and training in music, biblical studies, prayer and fasted lifestyle, and evangelistic ministry.
In my previous post I explained, more in depth, the calling I feel the Lord has given me and the mandate upon my life. The next step in that Journey is another mission trip! I will be going to Japan in just a couple weeks! I am overjoyed at this opportunity to partner with His heart for the nation of Japan and the church. I will be going with a group of 11 students and alumni from IHOPU. We will be working with a church, doing street evangelism, skits, and (what we call) Holy Spirit scavenger hunts. We will also be teaching and preaching about intimacy, prayer, and other House of Prayer realities to the believers.
Some facts about Japan:
- Almost 127 MILLION people populate Japan
- 1/3 of them live in Tokyo
- 70% are Buddhist/Shinto
- 3% are Christians
- 3.4 Million pass through Shinjuku train station EVER DAY!!
- 30,000 people commit suicide each year...that's equivalent to the number of people that died in the earthquake and Tsunami last year...
The church in Japan is ALIVE and thriving! Amen! We want to refresh them and push them closer to Jesus! We are going to bring hope and plant small seeds into those who have given up hope. I want to be a light where ever I go. I'm not going with a western-mindset that I will change them. Or that I have all the answers. I just want to partner with His heart and give the small things that the Lord has given me and bring hope to those in bondage. I want to serve in every way possible and go low just as Jesus always went low.
My question for you is: Will you partner with me in prayer and/or financial support again? I can't go without your help. The total cost of the trip is $3,500. I currently have $600 of that. I believe the Lord is calling me to go and I am asking Him to provide! I have been asking him may questions about my future, and what the next step is and He told me "Leah, just go to Japan!" I know without a doubt that I need a miracle to go and God is a God of miracles!! Will you prayerfully consider giving to me and sowing into the nation of Japan?
In faith, I booked my first plane ticket to California July 13th at 6am. I believe the Lord is going to do a miracle. If He places it on your heart to give you can click on the paypal button to the right and give with an account number or a credit/debit card. If you would like it tax deductable, you can mail your check to 3535 E. Red Bridge Road. Please make it out to IHOP and don't put my name anywhere on the check. Simply attach a sticky note to the check with my name on it. (Keep in mind that if you want me to receive a certain amount, taxes are taken out of your donation. So if you want me to receive $100, you would want to make it out for $120 so that I receive the full amount you intended to give. :)
If you want to be put on my email update list for Japan, please email me at leahjohnson@ihopu.org! I will be updating my blog regularly and letting you know the amazing things He is doing while I'm there! Also in the email, please include your address. I would like to bless you in return for praying for me and giving to me and the nation of Japan!
Many Blessings!
