RheAnn in Japan

I grew up on one end of this state but have, at various points in my life, lived all over it.
As I prepare to leave for Japan, this return to my home state has been about more than raising support and connecting and reconnecting with people.  It has also been about connecting and REconnecting with parts of myself.

I will forever carry with me the generosity and hospitality I have experienced in the homes of people who barely know me, just as I have in the homes of those who know me very well.  It feels good to be loved and cared for; to feel safe; to feel like family.  It feels good to drive down familiar roads, sing songs on familiar stages, eat meals in familiar places, and to be surrounded by and embraced by friends.

When I've asked for help, my needs have always been met.  Even amidst a snow storm that prevented me from making it to my engagements in Arkansas, the sweetest lady I know took me in...and made me soup...and told me stories...and let me win at Rummikub. :) 

I've spent hours on the phone and writing e-mails and making plans, but I've spent just as many face-to-face with new and old friends, with family, and with people so inspirational and encouraging that I have been in a perpetual state of, "Ah, I am BLESSED!"

Thank you to the amazing churches and groups with whom I've been able to speak:
Greenville Session, Shiloh Session, Loudon Men's Fellowship, Loudon Morning Bible Study, Brenthaven CP Women's Ministry, Union, Faith Fellowship, Nashville Presbytery Ministers, Women of Woodbine, Mt. Joy, and all of the amazing families and individuals who've offered so much to me.  THANK YOU!

I still have a few weeks left in this state and I'm looking forward to more connections and more growth.  It is such a sentimental journey.  Last week, I stood in front of a small stage in a legendary venue in Nashville and watched one of the former youth from the Brenthaven YouthROCKS which I used to lead, totally rockin out with his band.  To say I felt "proud" would be an understatement.  It really helped put some things into perspective for me, regarding past, present, future, and interconnectedness.  His is one of many lives I somehow managed to shape even a little.  Think of the ripple we can and have already made...

I can't wait to see what's next!

As you probably know, I'll be doing a bit o' traveling between now and my target departure date (3/30).  I'll let you know where and when I'll be just as soon as I know where and when I'll be there!  I invite you to meet me at any of these engagements or propose one of your own! :) I'm hopeful to meet many new people, but equally as eager to see family and old friends before I head across the ocean into Tomorrow. :)

January East Tennessee, Nashville, Southest Arkansas

• 23rd: Greeneville, TN (speaking at the session retreats of Greeneville CPC & Shiloh CPC)
• 24th: Brentwood, TN (attending worship at Brenthaven CPC)
• 25th: Brentwood/Nashville, TN (available)
• 26th: Brentwood, TN (Women's Missions at Brenthaven CPC)
• 26th: Loudon, TN (Men's Fellowship at Loudon CPC)
• 27th: Knoxville, TN (Fellowship Supper at Union CPC)
• 28th: Lenoir City, TN (Bible Study at Faith Fellowship)
• 29th: East TN (available)
• 31st: Monticello, AR (preaching at Shell Chapel in AM & 5th Sunday event in PM--canceled, due to inclement weather.)

February

• 14th: Greenbriar, TN (speaking during worship at Mt. Sharon CPC)
• 21st: Bartlett, TN (speaking during both services at Faith CPC)
• 28th: Dyer, TN (speaking during AM worship at Dyer CPC)

 March

• 3rd: Milan, TN (after-school program & evening fellowship at Milan CPC)
• 7th: McKenzie, TN (preaching at Shiloh CPC)
• 7th: Lebanon, TN (speaking at evening worship at Lebanon CPC) 
• 12-14: Centerville, TN (participating in spring retreat at NaCoMe)
• 21: Brentwood, TN (commissioning service at Brenthaven CPC, 10:45 AM)

Please e-mail or call me to set up speaking engagements!

I'll be honest.
I don't really know where "home" IS anymore?  Even having spent most of a month here at my mom's house in southern Illinois, I can't quite claim it as my own HOME.  Maybe I'm reluctant to settle in, knowing that I'll be traveling and then moving again so soon.

I'm not too worried about feeling "home-less," though.  I've found I catch glimpses of "home" all the time--in a late night conversation with my sister, in perfectly fried farm eggs with my mom, in rollerskating with my 8 year old niece (in the same rink where I learned 26 years ago!), in reading stories and falling asleep with my nephews, in laughing myself to tears with my brother and sister-in-law, in forgetting my worries with my beloved friend Cliff...  Sometimes I think home is where you suddenly see yourself most clearly...





Like 2 weeks ago, when my Auntie Kynda invited me to evening worship at her church A Voice in the Wilderness.  I'd never been there or met any of the members, but within minutes, I felt right at "home."  I am very moved by the voices of genuine and passionate people and this room was FULL of them.  I think many in my generation are turned off of religion--Christianity, in particular--because of the thoughtlessness with which some "Christians" speak and the blatant hypocrisy their closed-mindedness seems to illuminate.  That is why I am all the more drawn in when people are compassionate and loving and fearless.  I was inspired by this congregation!!

Then this past Sunday, I had a REAL "homecoming."  I preached at Burnt Prairie Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a tiny rural church that my ancestors donated land for 150 years ago!  Generations of my family grew up in this church, including my mother and uncles!  It was somewhat surreal to fill the pulpit in a place that shaped the lives of the people who made me who I am today.  In light of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, I spoke about not hiding behind our religion or acting/not acting because of fear of how others will view us, but to reveal ourselves--flaws and all--and attempt to remove barriers between ourselves and others, in order to fully connect, to help, and to heal.

...I think I can call any place I am "home," as long as I'm heeding that advice.

The New Year found me heading to the lovely (though frigid) state of Iowa--yes, Iowa!  I had never visited Iowa before and was pleasantly surprised by its character and beauty.  The region along the Mississippi River is especially endearing. I stayed in Burlington--in a hotel the first night.  The next day I hung out with my boss and long-time friend, Bob, making lots of plans and doing lots of brainstorming.  Iowa is very cold, (I really cannot emphasize this point enough.) but Bob and I managed to be productive AND keep warm  AND have fun!  We saw 15 or more bald eagles soaring over the unfrozen parts of the river and later held an international online "call" with my other boss Hiro (in Japan) from a loud and dimly lit riverside restaurant called Mr. Moto's.

(I think "Moto" & "Iowa" both sound like Japanese words!  ...Maybe they are...  I'll soon find out!)



I spent Saturday night with the gracious Carolyn who covered me with 5 blankets and pointed a heater at me.  (Did I mention how COLD it is in Iowa?)  ::shivers::  After a family-style breakfast of eggs and fresh fruit salad, we were off to Shinar CPC.  This church is 170 years old, though the building had to be rebuilt at one point due to fire.  Amazingly the pulpit Bible did not burn in that fire and now sits on display in a plexi-glass case behind the quaint sanctuary.



I felt so blessed to meet the people of Shinar.  I feel like I really got to know people, despite having only an hour or so in their company.  This was a great first stop on my support-raising trail!  It is one of my goals on this journey to deeply connect with the people I meet.  I will remain connected to my new friends in Iowa for a very long time.  ...If I'm ever able to visit again, however, I hope to do so in the spring! :)

Helloooo!  I'm RheAnn, the newest missionary for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and I will be living and teaching English in Tokyo, Japan for the next three years!

My planned departure is Spring of this year (2010).  We're shooting for March 30!!!!  (Japan is 15 hours ahead of Central time zone, so I'll arrive "the next day!")  Between now and then, I'm traveling throughout the U.S. inviting people to partner with me through prayer, encouragement, and financial support.  So far I've really enjoyed meeting new people and sharing my passion for serving others here and in my new home!

I hope you'll follow my journey here and let's keep one another in our prayers, ok?

I'm happy to speak to your church, your friends, your organization, or even your knitting circle! ;)  Contact me here or by e-mail, rheann.in.japan@gmail.com , to set something up!  Arigato!