Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Laying over in Tokyo, Japan


Hello everyone!

Patrick and I are sitting in an Internet cafe in the Narita airport in Tokyo, Japan. We arrived safely and on time after a flight of over 12 hours. In addition we are 14 hours ahead so for you guys the time is roughly 1:15 AM but here it is 3:15PM. We have another 4 1/2 hour flight ahead from Tokyo to Manila that will get us in around 10:00PM local time, around 8:00AM your time. We are trying to stay awake all the way to Manila so we`ll be able to sleep well there, even though our bodies will think it`s daytime!

Once we arrive in Manila we will have been traveling over 24 hours from Dallas. We got to the airport at 7:00 AM Monday and will arrive at 8:00AM Tuesday your time. I can see that jet lag will be a problem but we`re doing the best we can to prepare our bodies for it. I slept on the plane from Dallas even though it was during the day, just trying to get a jump on things.

It`s always interesting who the Lord brings across your path. On the 12+ hour flight Patrick sat next to a lady from Taiwan and I sat next to a 22 year-old college student from China who is studying in Washington but is returning to China for the summer break. Shortly after introducing myself the conversation drifted to the purpose of our trip and he started asking questions about Christianity. He has attended a few church services in Washington and is intrigued with Christianity. He had excellent questions and we spent the next couple of hours discussing them. I gave him my card and email and encouraged him to email me. I hope he does. Please pray for June Xhie that the Gospel seeds planted will bear the fruit of salvation.

While we were talking I noticed an oriental teenager in front of me who was almost breaking his neck to listen to our conversation. Later in the flight I struck up a conversation with him and found out he is 13 and is a Christian. He was born in China but has lived in the Houston area most of his life. He is returning to China with his father to visit family for the summer. He thanked me for sharing my faith and told me he would pray for June. He was very encouraging about our trip and promised to pray for us. I promised to do the same for him. Would you lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for Melvin Chin?

Well, I`d better go. This Japanese keyboard is giving me fits! Patrick and I are going to be getting on a double-decker airplane for our next flight. Our seats upstairs so that should be fun. I`ll try to write from Manila when we get into our hotel, if they have Internet access. If not, it may be another 24 hours before we get to Cagayan de Oro in the Philippino state of Mindanao before I`m able to post again. Thanks for all your prayers!

Blessings,
Nathan <><

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad that you both made it to Japan. It was neat watching you fly across my computer screen in real time. Thanks for the work you have done to keep us informed. I will be praying for Melvin and June. Thanks so much for the updates. It stills my heart!
Sleepless in Alex,
Monica

Anonymous said...

Dear brother
Greetings to you in Jesus name from India its very happy to see ur updated news
we are praying& Prasing LORD for all that
1Thes 5:16, Philli 4:4

ATTEMT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD
EXPECTGREAT THINGS FROM GOD

If Lords will, I willmeet Kerala India
May Gods Grace be with you all the times In His Ministry
Arun babu
CSC worker from Andhra pradsh India

Unknown said...

Hi Son,

Thanks for the update. Looks like you and Patrick have begun your missions trip on a success note. Thank the Lord for divine appointments.

You mentioned the 'Excell' program. Don't think I have it on my computer. Shucks. (Of course you know pops -- I remain in the club of computer dummies.) : )

Really appreciate the updates. Keep them coming as often as possible.

Give Patrick a big hug from all of us.

Love you,

Dad

Anonymous said...

Bro. Nathan
Hey, we miss you!! Please know that Fred and I are praying for you and a successful journey. Take care of yourself and hurry home soon!! It is so much fun to hear of all the places you are going and have been so far. We will pray for the guys you met on the plane. God Bless you Bro. Nathan One more comment, You have an awesome father (Bro.Buddy) We enjoyed his teaching on Sunday night. He has a way of getting your attention and keeping it. I call him anointed.Such a gentle loving spirit. Can't wait for Sunday morning and Sunday night.

Fred & Brenda

NathanMartin said...

It's great to hear from all of you in the comments section. Monica, I'm glad you were able to use flightview.com - that's a neat resource. Dear Brother Arun, we are looking forward to seeing you in two weeks in Kerala! It will be wonderful! Dad, I sent you another version in html format instead of Excel format. All you should have to do it click on it to view it in Internet Explorer. Dear Fred and Brenda, thank you so much for your kind comments and your prayers. Yep, I agree, my dad's a keeper!!!

Blessings to you all!
Nathan <><