Prayer for guidance

[Kaori]

This requires a rather long explanation.

I am a college senior looking for a position teaching English in Asia for next fall. I would most like to go to Japan, but there are less opportunities to teach in Christian schools there than in some other countries.

My main dilemma right now is this: I have applied for a secular program that sends English teachers to Japan (JET), and (assuming I make it to the second stage of the selection process) won’t know whether I will be accepted until April. Meanwhile, I have also been offered a position with a Christian organization in Vietnam, but I need to give them my decision by March. Also, the fact that I seem fairly sure to have a job in Vietnam if I want it raises the question of whether I should even bother applying to any of the other (Christian) schools that have contacted me.

Basically, please pray for guidance and wisdom in knowing which and how many schools to apply to, and in eventually choosing which to accept. There several different factors to consider (whether the position is paid, whether it is Christian, what country it is in, what kind of training is offered, etc.), and it is difficult to know how to weigh these things. I pray about this frequently, but haven’t felt any specific direction yet.

If anyone feels qualified to offer advice, that would be welcome, too.

[Jingo Jaden]

In my prayer.

[Tenshi no Ai]

Oh wow, some decisions those would be... I'm sort of in that situation now with prayign on guidance and direction for which college to go to next fall and still waiting on it (although it's not quite as deadlined as yours to think quickly on :/ Oy...) I'll definately be praying for you...

[uc pseudonym]

I too am having to deal with these decisions so I can commiserate, though my decisions aren't quite as potentially life-changing. I will do my best to pray that you receive guidance and I wish that I had something to offer in the way of advice.

[That Dude]

I'll try and keep this in my prayers. As far as any advice...Well if you are truly seeking God I'd go with the one that is more on your heart. I imagine that he would change your desire if he didn't want you there.

[Ryupower]

I will pray, if it's *not* Christian, God may want you to go there to minister. May He give you wisdom!

[SP1]

I will pray for you.

Don't forget that when you are praying, you will need to spend quite a bit of time just being in quiet communication with God. That is, listening for an answer. You never know how guidance will come, be watchful. However, don't stress over it as being "too" subtle. God can hit you over the head if necessary.

[Kaori]

Thanks to everyone who is praying for me. To those of you who are facing similar decisions, I will keep you in my prayers also.

Don't forget that when you are praying, you will need to spend quite a bit of time just being in quiet communication with God. That is, listening for an answer.

I have heard this before, and it's good advice; thank you for the reminder.

[bigsleepj]

Praying, Kaori.

[Kaori]

An update, for anyone interested: I still haven't heard anything from JET (candidates are notified about whether they made it through the first stage of the process by early January), but in the meantime I've heard back from a small Christian school in Japan and seem to have a definite possibility of teaching with them. There are also some hazy possibilities with other schools (one in Japan and a few elsewhere) that might or might not materialize, so right now I am mostly just waiting. Thanks again to those who have prayed for me.

[Kaori]

Sorry for reviving a thread this old; I thought it would be a more efficient way of informing everyone who posted here to give an update in this thread rather than create a new one.

Like several other people on this site, I am going to go to Japan. I decided to turn down an interview with JET and accept an offer from a Christian school, and I will be teaching there starting this fall. Because the school is Christian, my visa will be as a missionary. I’m very glad to have this opportunity; to all of you who prayed for me, thank you.

[uc pseudonym]

This is a very good way of informing us. I am glad to hear things have worked out well for you, and I will continue to pray as you take this opportunity.