Thanks to all of you who prayed for me and my team over the weekend. On Tuesday, just before we were going to make the decision to to do ministry somewhere outside Japan, we got a call from our Japanese liaison. Long story short they received our paperwork from the government, but we were all denied work visas. That allowed us to move forward on our alternate location with full confidence that the door to Tokyo was closed. Though not the answer we were hoping for, peace about our decision was a huge answer to prayers.
So on Tuesday I will be leaving to the next closest place where thankfully we can skip time processing visas: Hilo, Hawaii. There are a lot of reasons Hilo was chosen by our leadership, not the least of which is the large Japanese population, but I wanted to post a letter from Shane:

Thank you so much for your investment in our
Stinter going to Tokyo, Japan. As you may have
heard we found out we will not be able to send to
Tokyo this year. This has never happened before
but we do believe God has clearly shut the door for this current school year. This
situation, the government denying the visas, has been completely out of our
hands. As we have prayed and looked at the needs around the world we have
landed on a new location for your missionary. We do desire to send this team to
a place that will have a direct and strategic impact on Japan.
We will be sending this team to the University of Hawaii, Hilo. For decades
Hawaii has been referred to as "The Gateway to Japan". The cultures are similar
and we believe this will be a great fit for this team. We have one staff couple with
Cru working on both the main UH campus as well as the junior college there.
Our prayer is to have this team do what they were going to do in Japan- share
Jesus with lost students, build them up in their faith, and develop a local-led
ministry. We will intently partner with local churches in reaching students as well.
I am personally excited for this opportunity this team has as I have seen how
students from Hawaii have had a direct impact over the last several years in
reaching students in Japan for Christ. This will be a purposeful year for this
team. We are doing everything we can to provide your young missionary with the
best possible care and support through this situation and for the rest of their year.
We are excited to hear many great stories of how God used this change of
course, and the unchanging mission, for His glory.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions, thoughts, or
concerns you may have. I am available. Thank you so much for your prayers
and support. God will use this team to build His kingdom.
Gratefully,
          Shane Sebastian

I am excited to be moving forward. The guidance from God has been clear and I am sure the result of our labor will bring Him glory in Hawaii and Japan as well!
More to come,
     -Sarah