Failed Again!

Hey all!

Let me state out front how much I love the Japanese people. I really do. The Japanese people have a way of getting inside your heart and just setting up shop there. More importantly, God loves the people of Japan. So God loves the Japanese people and I love the Japanese people. Regardless of what is said in the next paragraph, please don't forget that.

This past Thursday I took my driving test for the third time. I wasn't able to sleep at all the night before the second exam because I was so anxious about that one. And then they failed me for chewing gum that day. Well this time I was able to get a little sleep the night before. I was still pretty anxious all throughout the night though, but I was finally able to get some sleep. So I went last Thursday, payed my money, did my paperwork, and then sat around for 2 hours until the actual exam started. I proceeded to knock it out of the park. I mean I just knew I was going to pass this time. So as I pulled up and parked the car after taking the exam, the instructor proceeded to tell me that I was waiting too long after turning on my turn signal to change lanes. The first week he told me that I didn't wait long enough. You are supposed to have 3 seconds between the time you actually flip on your turn signal and the time you actually move over to the other lane. He told me that I was waiting 4 seconds, which obviously is not 3 seconds. He then proceeded to tell me that I failed because of that and I would have to take the exam again.

It's hard to explain what was going on inside of when I found out I was failing the entire exam because I was off by one second in my lane change technique. There was a mixture of anger, sadness, confusion, shock, disbelief, and resignation inside of me at that moment. Things weren't helped when I walked into the center to set up my next attempt at passing the exam when two Chinese nationals living here in my city told me that they had just failed for the 15th and 17th times respectively. I have come to the realization that no matter how good I do it doesn't matter. They are just going to look for anything to justify failing me.

Please pray that someone at the center will show me favor the next time I take the exam. I'm taking it again next Friday, July 18th. I want to be a good ambassador of Christ to all those around me, but the people at the driving facility have gone beyond irritating me, and so therefore it has been difficult for me to see these people in a positive light. Please pray for God's patience, love, and humility to be evident in my thoughts, actions, and words as I continue the process of getting my license in Japan. Thank you so much.

in Christ's love,

jarod

Trip To Thailand

Hey all! I just got back from spending 12 days in Pattaya, Thailand. I was there for some meetings and some training. It was a good trip in some respects and not so good in some ways too. It was a great time to see friends and to meet new people. The hotel we stayed at was right on the beach and so that wasn't too shabby either. The Thai people were also very friendly and polite. I enjoy experiencing new cultures and seeing new places and so I am grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Thailand.

I've now been to 4 foreign countries in my life: Thailand, Japan, Mexico, and Haiti.

The next 4 countries on my dream list are: (in specific order) Ireland, Canada (only in the summer or early autumn though), Australia and Nebraska.

The only down side of the trip was that I became terribly sick during my last 4 days there. I can't remember ever feeling worse than I did my last day in Thailand. It was pretty bad. I actually don't remember much of anything those last few days there, except that I was ready to get home. Now that I'm back I've already started feeling a little better, having gotten some good rest in my own bed. It's also just plain nice being back in Japan. My language study starts up again in earnest on Saturday. Pray that I'll continue to make strides in the language over the next month and that God will continue to put people in my path who I can be developing relationships with and practicing what Japanese I do have with during this time.

Finally, I took my driving test for the second time two weeks ago. Yes, I failed again. This time they failed me for chewing gum. No other reason given. Just because I was chewing gum. The Bible tells us that love is patient. However, my love for the people at the driver's license facility is beginning to grow thin. Pray that God will continue to give me peace and patience as I go through this process of getting my license. The next time I am to take it is on Thursday, July 10.

Anyway, here are some pics from my trip to Thailand:

Thai people flipping around at a shopping center.

Hotel security at its finest.

The view from out in front of the hotel looking towards the ocean.

The beach at sunset.

Beautiful sunset.

I know the word that you are thinking as you look at this picture: Breathtaking!