First Day

I'm almost ready to go to bed after a great first full day at the University of the Nations in Kona but I wanted to give a little update and share some of the few pictures I have taken so far. I arrived in at the campus yesterday, September 25th, at around 9:15 pm - which was definitely later than was expected (flight delays...you know how it is these days). I hit up the tail end of the Kona campus staff's full day of welcoming and registering new incoming students and entered my new home for the next three months. My room is shared with 5 other girls, one of which is in my Compassion DTS. I never thought I would have to sleep on a top bunk again, but I guess God thought otherwise :)

Today, the morning began with surprise presentation by the native Hawaiians who are a part of the YWAM in Kona. We initiated our time here at YWAM with a traditional Hawaiian greeting, conch shell blows, chant, and barefoot march followed by a ceremonial gift exchange. The various nations represented on this ethnically diverse campus presented gifts from their country to traditionally clothed Hawaiian hosts, as is customary in this culture. It was so cool to see so many nations represented!

Through the interaction I've had with staff and students here I have clearly seen a love and devotion to the Lord that really excites me for what lies ahead. The people here really are followers after Jesus who love Him and love people. I'm looking forward to this season of my life spent here. 

Thank you so much to those who pray for me. Thank you from the bottom depths of my heart! I sense that God is stirring and that your prayers are making a difference in all of this. Thank you so much for those of you who have blessed me financially in this endeavor - the schooling costs for my time here in Kona have been covered! Praise the Lord :)

Here are a couple picts I have taken thus far to give you a little idea of what its like at the University of the Nations:

Ohana Court - Auditorium and/or basketball court. Big meetings take place here. Ohana means family in the native tongue here. 

A glimpse of the view from campus towards the ocean.

More picts to come! Stay tuned!

Wrapping up summer...

Here's a little end of summer snapshot sum up:

Said goodbye to bomb housemates and 3010 4th Ave W.

Had a music recital (my 10-year old violin student did awesome).

Had a little birthday bash with the rents at a snazzy restaurant.

And didn't forget to have dessert

(that fruit tart thing on the right = good).

Went to Pike Place. 

Ate the best nectarine of my ENTIRE LIFE - I'm not kidding.

 Finished working as a Starbucks barista, dog-walker, violin teacher, choir director, housecleaner and wedding musician.

I'm finally ready to pack and start saying my farewells - the reality of leaving becomes more and more tangible as the days go by. Only five more days to go...

Thanks a million :)

September 11th marked the crossing of my life into the 23rd year...I'm not sure that I feel any different, though. What I did feel was overwhelmed with gratitude for all the amazing phone/text/facebook messages! Thank you all for being apart of my life and making me feel so special on my day :)

I found out a few interesting things about the year I was born while browsing wikipedia and I thought I would share a few. I got really excited when I read that it was the same year that NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) was released in he US and it was the year that TETRIS was created. How cool!

I'm edging nearer to the day I fly out from Seattle and I still feel somewhat unprepared and riddled with questions about what to expect. I'm just trusting God to provide exactly what I need for the six months of mission work ahead. Honestly, I'm a little intimidated of being in a new environment with no one else I know. I have no doubt I will be just fine, but I've never before been among a group of people in an unfamiliar city without another friend or relative. Being born and raised in Seattle, I have accrued an intimate knowledge of the city and its outlying areas. I'm comfortable here with the people I know and the city I have come to truly appreciate. I like the mountains, the Sound, downtown and Pike Place. I love driving across the 520 bridge on a sunny day. The refreshing spring-time, the beautiful summer, the indescribably vivid colors of fall, and the comforting downpour of a winter rain are important parts of my life here in Seattle. I love knowing which roads are quickest to take to reach a destination during traffic. I love that some of my closest friends are just a little drive away. Life here is good...

But, alas, I also feel my heart calling me away from here. My spirit can't thrive unless I take a step away from here and out into the world to explore and fulfill a calling I feel God has for me at this time of my life. God has put upon me a desire to help the poor and the needy and I am willing to go out to follow Him where he's leading. I have a feeling that my heart will truly break for those who are hurting and hungry in the world over the course of these next months of my life. I have a feeling that my life and outlook will forever be changed and that I will never look at people in the same light again. I know that doing the DTS with YWAM will be time of great joy, great sorrow, tough challenges, and deep spiritual revelation. I'm grateful to be able to go forth and know I am safe in the arms of my Lord. Thank you for your prayers - I would be far from where I now am without them.

Just to let you know, here is the theme verse for the Compassion DTS this fall:

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8


Thanks again for being so great and I'll do my best to keep writing and post updates!

Here I go!

So, I guess I'm leaving Seattle in t-minus 19 days...crazy to think that I won't be seeing many of the people I'm so used to being around for at least six months from now. Below is a copy of the letter explaining of my upcoming adventure with God and I'm happy to share it with as many people as I can. So take a little look and write me a reply if you'd like - I would love to keep in contact with as many people as possible :) Love you and thanks for being my friend.








Hi Friends!

I hope you have been enjoying your summer! I am writing because I wanted to give you an update on where I am now and what I am planning to do as I walk into a new season of life. I’m excited that I’ve successfully graduated from University of Washington with a degree in Sociology (yay! I’m done!). I have committed to be a part of a missions program starting in the fall called Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). Each DTS that YWAM offers has a specific focus; the DTS I have chosen to be a part of is called Compassion DTS, which will focus on outreach to the poor and to children at risk in Southeast Asia.

YWAM has bases in 150 countries all around the world but the headquarters is located in Kona, Hawaii. This is where I will be doing 12 weeks of training and schooling prior to spending 12 weeks in Southeast Asia. I have been involved with YWAM in the past on a short-term missions trip to work in poverty-stricken areas of Los Angeles. I had an amazing experience working with children in that setting alongside passionate and committed people at the YWAM base in LA. I am confident that my time spent working for the Lord and serving with YWAM during this season of my life will be pivotal in shaping my outlook and goals for the future.

I was originally accepted into the Japan World DTS, which would have started in the fall of this year, but it was unfortunately cancelled due to extraneous circumstances. I fasted and prayed about my decision to join the Compassion DTS and felt like God was encouraging me to continue along this path towards involvement with YWAM. To be honest, I was a little intimidated to join this DTS because I know that it will be challenging to see first-hand the dire situations of the poor, needy and children at risk. But I know that I am called to serve and that I will see God work in miraculous ways in the lives of the people I will meet.

As of now, I have bought a plane ticket to Hawaii and am preparing to leave at the end of September. I will not be able to return to Seattle until March of next year, at the earliest. I would greatly appreciate your continued prayers and encouragement during this time of my life. Additionally, I am in need of financial support as I follow this path towards missions and would appreciate any help you may be able to give. The schooling cost while in Kona is $4210; it is due on September 25th, the day that I arrive in Hawaii. The outreach portion, estimated at $5000, is due eight weeks after the DTS starts. I have been working hard and saving money towards this goal but I still need help to have the appropriate financial means to do this DTS.

For a tax-deductible donation, checks can be made out to Ballard Church and sent to 1460 NW 73rd St., Seattle, WA 98117. Just make sure to indicate that the check is specifically for me!

Thank you again for your constant support and encouragement - it means so much to me!


Love,


Lisa Noguchi


P.S. If you would like to learn more about Youth With a Mission in Kona visit: uofnkona.edu.