Jet Programme Series: Ask, and it shall be given you … - Eden Aqui
2024/6/17
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
In my heart I’ve had a dream of exploring Asia, and I’ve been praying for it since I don’t know when. After being rejected by JET the first time, I wrapped that dream up in a lovely bow and tossed it to the highest heavens.
But God is good, for whilst I had forsaken myself, he had not forsaken me.
So, join me as we traverse all that I’ve asked for and all that I have received.
First, we highlight the fun part of winter, playing in snow! Real snow, not ice collected at the back of the freezer! I got to build a snowman and embarrass myself “snowboarding” in the mountains of Hiroshima.
Next up, the highly underrated “ume” (plum) blossoms, they flower before their more beloved cousin, the “Sakura” (cherry blossoms), and may be even more beautiful! Reading my favourite author whilst in an ethereal environment was definitely one of those priceless moments.
Next up, I found myself having to travel to Fukuoka (the flower city), to get my Taiwanese visa. I was apprehensive at first travelling by myself, but Japan’s safety is unparallelled, and boy did it not disappoint! I rode a panda (my favourite animal), pet a couple adorable animals, rode a swan, befriended a shiba inu (Japan’s famous dog) clerk, saw a real-life Gundam, basked in the glory of Sakura at night and overate … but what’s new! Please enjoy the attached photos, for seeing is believing.
As if I hadn’t used up all of my blessings, along came “Golden Week”.
I got to meet Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee! My two lifelong heroes! Thank you Hong Kong! Hong Kong was definitely an eye opener, the massive and congested housing apartments, the bit more cut and dry personalities, the funky but yummy food and a giant and mightily impressive Buddha.
Then off again I flew to Taiwan to meet my university friend after 5 years apart! I sincerely never thought I’d get to see her again after graduation, her being from Belize and all. But here we were again, laughing as if time had never passed. Again I say, God is good, and so was Taiwan. I saw their stunning seas, Jiufen Old Street (the inspiration for the setting of Ghibli's Spirited Away), hiked to the top of a risqué mountain, marvelled at their ancient temples, enormous and epic bridges, ate all varieties of manna from heaven (local fruit and cuisine) from their night markets (Trinidad please make this a thing!) and soaked up their rich culture with the best company!
Finally we’re back up to speed with life now. I enjoyed the beautiful Botanical Garden back home in Hiroshima city and got to dawn a yukata to attend the Toukasan Yukata Festival (the biggest festival in my city). There were many food stalls waiting to be devoured and many people hustling and bustling, enjoying themselves in traditional Japanese wear.
I would also be remised if I didn’t mention the angels God sent me to journey with, my Trini ‘ride or die’ Tisha and many others who seek the thrill of adventure like I do.
I don’t want to paint a picture of pure bliss however. I have indeed felt like winter would freeze my blood and hell had indeed frozen over, I do miss my family and friends daily, I miss my Trini food and Trini people and I have work consistently coming out of my nose hole!
But all of my heartaches have brought me closer to God, in a way I would not have if I remained home.
I am reminded what the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”
A daunting task no?
And when he left, he encountered tyranny, the desert and many a hardship.
To those kindly reading, I can’t promise Japan to be the Promised Land, but I promise once you land, it will be a journey like no other.
So from the dreams embedded in your heart, what path does God have in store for you?
Ask, and it shall be given you …
JET Series: Ask, and it shall be given... (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8
In my heart I’ve had a dream of exploring Asia, and I’ve been praying for it since I don’t know when. After being rejected by JET the first time, I wrapped that dream up in a lovely bow and tossed it to the highest heavens.
But God is good, for whilst I had forsaken myself, he had not forsaken me.
So, join me as we traverse all that I’ve asked for and all that I have received.
First, we highlight the fun part of winter, playing in snow! Real snow, not ice collected at the back of the freezer! I got to build a snowman and embarrass myself “snowboarding” in the mountains of Hiroshima.
Next up, the highly underrated “ume” (plum) blossoms, they flower before their more beloved cousin, the “Sakura” (cherry blossoms), and may be even more beautiful! Reading my favourite author whilst in an ethereal environment was definitely one of those priceless moments.
Next up, I found myself having to travel to Fukuoka (the flower city), to get my Taiwanese visa. I was apprehensive at first travelling by myself, but Japan’s safety is unparallelled, and boy did it not disappoint! I rode a panda (my favourite animal), pet a couple adorable animals, rode a swan, befriended a shiba inu (Japan’s famous dog) clerk, saw a real-life Gundam, basked in the glory of Sakura at night and overate … but what’s new! Please enjoy the attached photos, for seeing is believing.
As if I hadn’t used up all of my blessings, along came “Golden Week”.
I got to meet Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee! My two lifelong heroes! Thank you Hong Kong! Hong Kong was definitely an eye opener, the massive and congested housing apartments, the bit more cut and dry personalities, the funky but yummy food and a giant and mightily impressive Buddha.
Then off again I flew to Taiwan to meet my university friend after 5 years apart! I sincerely never thought I’d get to see her again after graduation, her being from Belize and all. But here we were again, laughing as if time had never passed. Again I say, God is good, and so was Taiwan. I saw their stunning seas, Jiufen Old Street (the inspiration for the setting of Ghibli's Spirited Away), hiked to the top of a risqué mountain, marvelled at their ancient temples, enormous and epic bridges, ate all varieties of manna from heaven (local fruit and cuisine) from their night markets (Trinidad please make this a thing!) and soaked up their rich culture with the best company!
Finally we’re back up to speed with life now. I enjoyed the beautiful Botanical Garden back home in Hiroshima city and got to dawn a yukata to attend the Toukasan Yukata Festival (the biggest festival in my city). There were many food stalls waiting to be devoured and many people hustling and bustling, enjoying themselves in traditional Japanese wear.
I would also be remised if I didn’t mention the angels God sent me to journey with, my Trini ‘ride or die’ Tisha and many others who seek the thrill of adventure like I do.
I don’t want to paint a picture of pure bliss however. I have indeed felt like winter would freeze my blood and hell had indeed frozen over, I do miss my family and friends daily, I miss my Trini food and Trini people and I have work consistently coming out of my nose hole!
But all of my heartaches have brought me closer to God, in a way I would not have if I remained home.
I am reminded what the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.”
A daunting task no?
And when he left, he encountered tyranny, the desert and many a hardship.
To those kindly reading, I can’t promise Japan to be the Promised Land, but I promise once you land, it will be a journey like no other.
So from the dreams embedded in your heart, what path does God have in store for you?
Ask, and it shall be given you …
JET Series: Ask, and it shall be given... (Japanese Embassy's Facebook)
JET Programme Series Archives