Q: Who are the Navigators?
A: The Navigators is a Christian Non-profit organization established in 1933. The Navigators mission statement is: "To advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost." The Navigators ministers to people in all lines of work in 100 countries!
Q: What is your role in the Navigators?
A: I am part of a program called iEDGE. iEDGE is a 2 year commitment to join long term Navigator staff overseas. My team (pictured below) and I will invest in the lives of university students and share our faith as we grow in our vision for the world! One of our main activities is BEST club.
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| My teammates: Brandon, Elsa, Adam, Carrie |
Q: What does BEST club mean?
A: BEST stands for Bible, English, Sports, and Travel! We have weekly Bible Discussion groups, practice conversational English, and play sports. Each year we take trips around Japan and overseas.
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| Kei (a junior), me, and my teammate Carrie in Iowa for a BEST club trip in September 2015 |
Q: Why Japan?
A: When I was a senior in high school I felt like God was calling me to be a part of long-term ministry. I wanted to invest my life in something bigger than my own life here in the US. I talked with my mom about my hopes, and we decided to visit some long-term Navigator staff, Mark and Jin Rood. Mark and Jin have lived in Tokyo for 13 years and have had a positive influence in the lives of many people, especially college students. Not only did I want to be like Mark and Jin when I grew up, but I started to love Japan, especially BEST club and the students that I met there! I couldn’t stop thinking about Japan! I went back the following summer for a month with the Navigators. Japan stayed on my mind and heart for 3 years, and now I have the honor of going again for 2 years!
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| Downtown Tokyo. Taken in 2012. |
Q: What will be your living situation?
A: I live with my teammate, Carrie, and 3 Japanese students! I love to learn language and culture in our Share House, affectionately called: Eternal Dancing. We do not live in the skyscraper part of downtown Tokyo, but in a city called Tama.
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| My Housemates on a "Golden Week" trip! |
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| My parents at Graduation in May 2015 |
Q: What do you parents think?
A: They are sad to see me away from home for so long, but they are excited for me. They believe 100% in what I am doing and investing my life in! I am so honored to have their complete support!
