Preparing for Japan: Cleaning House & Softening Hearts.

As we prepare for our journey to Japan, the Lord has been working in us just as much as around us.

These past weeks haven’t only been about packing suitcases — they’ve been about preparing hearts and homes.

Preparing Our Home as a Place of Peace

Before stepping into a new season overseas, we felt deeply led to bring order and peace to our home. Not just for ourselves, but for those who will steward it while we’re gone.

We’ve been:

• Deep cleaning room by room

• Donating clothes, toys, and items we no longer need

• Fixing small repairs we had postponed

• Simplifying and organizing

• Preparing it to be lovingly maintained by our brother Joey

There’s something deeply spiritual about tending to your home before you leave it. Scripture reminds us:

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40

And also:

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.” — Proverbs 16:8

Decluttering has felt like obedience. Releasing excess has felt like trust. Cleaning has felt like worship.

We want this house to remain a place of peace, prayer, and provision — even while we are oceans away.

While we prepare for Japan, mission work is unfolding in other directions too.

Nathan’s mom is currently headed to Africa for 10 days on her own missionary journey. Obtaining her visa was not easy — it required patience, perseverance, and much prayer. Watching doors finally open reminded us:

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” — Psalm 37:5

Meanwhile, Nathan’s dad is in Wisconsin, faithfully navigating the deep cold of winter. We are reminded that mission fields are not always overseas. Sometimes they are snowy towns, everyday conversations, and quiet endurance.

No matter the location — Japan, Africa, Wisconsin — the prayer remains the same:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” — Psalm 51:10

We pray for softened hearts — in us, and in everyone we encounter.

The Food Pantry: A Season of Pause

Though our food pantry is currently on pause, the doors are not closed.

Church remains open. Private pickups continue. Needs are still met — just in a quieter rhythm.

This season feels like pruning, not ending.

“To everything there is a season…” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

We trust that what is paused is not forgotten. The Lord sees every can stocked, every bag handed off, every prayer whispered in parking lots.

Moving Forward in Faith

As we prepare for Japan, we are learning that preparation is holy work.

Cleaning is holy.

Letting go is holy.

Fixing what is broken is holy.

Maintaining what God has given us is holy.

We do not want to rush into the next season without honoring the one we are closing.

Our prayer over this transition:

• That our home remains a place of peace.

• That Joey feels supported and covered in prayer as he maintains it.

• That Nathan’s mom’s mission in Africa bears fruit.

• That Nathan’s dad feels warmth — physically and spiritually — in Wisconsin.

• That every interaction we have, near or far, reflects Christ.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15

This is more than a trip.

It’s stewardship.

It’s surrender.

It’s obedience.

We are walking into it with open hearts and minds.