“Director’s Report”
A big surprise party carefully planned for me last night surprised me a lot!! I was incredibly delighted and moved! As I will finish my 10-year term as Director of ARI at the end of this month, and also to celebrate my birthday, ARI family members, and those who have helped me gather together without my knowledge! They celebrated with my favorite Korean food (Bibimbap + ARI pork BBQ + birthday Wakame seaweed soup), lots of sweets (all homemade in the Koinonia kitchen), and bouquets. (In fact, a bouquet was sent directly from my family’s florist in Gunma!) There were many messages from Graduates and former volunteers in many countries!
This year marks 30 years since I came to ARI, and I have spent a third of that time as Director. Many things have happened, but I have been able to make it this far because of God’s guidance and the wonderful people I have worked with. It has been a fun, dramatic, exciting, and blessed time. I am grateful to have been given the special assignment of Director.
Starting in April, I will support the new Director, Osamu Arakawa, and work at ARI daily as Managing Director (as a board member) and head of Relationship Building and Outreach. This will be my last “Director’s Report” post, but I will be on the road more and more, reporting on ARI’s rich connections.
Thank you for your continued support.
