Happy Birthday Tokito

 

Today Tokito officially becomes an adult in Japan. In America a person becomes an adult at 18 years of age. But here in Japan the legal age is 20. It is a big deal when you turn 20 in Japan, the city office has a celebration in the first week of January. All the guys and gals who turn 20 show up at the city office for pictures and it is a special day for the parents. The 20 year olds all wear special kimonos, it should be awesome. Zach turns twenty soon, so Tokito and Zach will be a part of the festivities. Tokito wanted a special Blueberry cake so Joanna baked him one. As you can see from the bottom picture, Tokito is wearing a special beanie. Amanda and the girls embroidered it. Tokito’s name in katakana is there and also the wolf sign. Toki loves wolf’s. Well, Happy Birthday Toki, we love you bro!

Baby Masaki; Cover Magazine

Masaki, Pastor Tim and Ayu’s baby is on the cover of Christian Style Magazine in Okinawa. He is absolutely adorable. But the thing that cracks us up is that he is “Giant Baby”. It reminds me of the old Godzilla movies where he destroys Tokyo. Well Masaki is destroying Mihama American Village in Chatan. Check out the car that he has already picked up off the street. “Nooooo Masaki, don’t eat the car”, this little boy is adorable.

Thanksgiving at Camp Kinser

photos by Tamiko

Camp Kinser’s Thanksgiving Dinner for the Marines was a blessing. Joel Coronado is the intern in charge of serving at that base, and Chaplain Keith invited all the Bible College Students to come out and be a part of the night. The students got right in there and started serving. Some of them were in charge of the entertainment for the early evening. They led in worship and special song. It was a blessing being able to serve our men and men of the Armed Forces.

Devotions with Megan

This morning Megan gave the Bible College Students a good devotion. It is a blessing to be able to gather in the morning and start our day out in the Word together. We are blessed in His Word.

Happy Birthday Tom and Toki

 

We celebrated both Birthday’s Wednesday night after our mid week Bible Study. Tom’s Birthday is today, and Toki’s is Friday. Happy Birthday boyz, we hope that you had a great one.

More F-15 Pictures

A couple of more shots coming out of the F-15, it was pretty awesome to sit in the cockpit of these mighty jets. The one thing that still amazes me, there are so many buttons, knobs and controls that the Pilots must know before they can even start this jet up.

It’s Cold in Okinawa

Can you believe it? It is cold in Okinawa! For some reason we are experiencing a cold spell, the weather is 18 Celsius, not that cold stateside, actually it is 64 degrees Fahrenheit. But it is so cold for us. The students are in jackets, beanies and sweaters. If Adam Jahnkow was still here, he would love it!

Marine Corps Ball

The Marines celebrate their 234th Birthday. Eder was invited to attend the Ball Tuesday night. The Brother in his Dressed Blues is Josh Dubois. He is the one who invited Eder. Eder looks sharp as a tack.

Chaplain’s invite

Tuesday the Chaplain’s on Kadena Airforce Base invited the Pastor’s out in town for a luncheon plus tour of the flightline. It was a blessing. We were able to get up close to an F-15 fighter jet and as you can see we were able to get in the cockpit. Totally amazing plane. We had a great time.

President in Asia

As the world knows President Obama is in Asia busy visiting the countries. While in Asia Airforce II follows close behind. This is not a secret. In case the President needs to get back to Washington DC fast, Washington DC comes to him. Airforce II literally becomes a floating White House in the air. Always an amazing sight.

w2 – Neely and Cotton

Andrew did a great job teaching the Word and Tom did an excellent joy of translating into English. It is amazing to see Neely’s Japanese abilities flourishing. Tom is always so interesting to listen to, his words and actions make the translation come alive, thanks dudes!

Leadership Training: Pastor Bill Stonebraker

Pastor Bill and Danita came down Sunday afternoon and spent some time talking to us about Leadership in Ministry. It was a blessed time and everyone enjoyed to time of questions and answers. Thank you Bill and Danita for taking the time to come out and share with us. Also, thank you Pastor Rick for allowing them the time to come on their busy schedule.

Tom’s Good Lunch

This guy hunts for the good deals. We were blown away, he came back from Union with the fine catch, literally. 6 pieces of fish, and a bed of rice, for only 298 yen (about $3.30). Attah boy Tom! Living like a true missionary, stretching every yen.

Home with the Lord

Last week we heard the news that our good brother Go went home to be with Jesus. He moved back to Mainland Japan to work, and for some reason, they found him passed away in his apartment. We were all so totally shocked! We all love Go, but we look forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Please pray for his parents here in Okinawa, Keisho has spoken with them and they are deeply grieved with this news. God bless you all. Pastor Tommy

CCOkinawa’ Couple’s Retreat

Joanna and I were blessed with the opportunity to be a part of CCO’s Couple’s Retreat at the Zampasaki Hotel in Yomitan. Pastor Bill and his wife Danita were the special guest speakers. It was a blessed time.

Derek and Allison

It was a blessing to have the Forbes with us for our “Lectures in Ministry” class. Derek is presently located in India getting ready for the Franklin Graham Crusade. His wife Allison is living here in Okinawa until the baby is born. Next year both of them will be moving to Osaka for the Crusade that will be held there in 2010. Please keep their whole family in your prayers.

Gyoza Time

Atsukosan and Satsukosan came to the Bible College and again blessed all the students with a delicious dinner, homemade gyoza and chinese soup. Oh, they were so blessed. Gyoza is not easy to make (as you can see) each one needs to be hand made. They made over 300 of them! Wow! Yum City! Thank you again girls, they were all so blessed!

Praise the Lord! New Couches

  They delivered new couches to Pastor Tim’s house, now it looks even more like a living room. The Bible College students took a trip up to Nago and they did not waste any time trying them out. God is so good. Look at the little boy Masaki, he is modeling for the picture just like his dad would, he is practicing for the cover of his new CD; “Don’t just sit here, go and Preach”.

Pastor’s Conference in Okutama

The conference begins today, Monday the 9th up in the mountains of Okutama. Most of the Calvary’s from all over Japan are represented here. Pastor Bill Stonebraker and Pastor Tim Newman from Hawaii are our guest speakers. We are looking forward to a great time of teaching and fellowship.

Little Train Riders

I was so amazed to see these kids riding the train all by themselves. They are first graders, 7 years old. There was a bunch of them running around. That is what they do here in Japan. The people have no problem with their kids riding the trains, it is completely safe. In America we would never do this, so dangerous. But again, this is Japan.

Our Tokyo Family

Don’t they look absolutely wonderful! It is so great seeing Michael, Jiai, Rusty and Amber. They are doing so good. The only person we did not get a picture of was Erin Shavers. Erin is doing so well in Ome city. It was such a blessing seeing them all.

Worship Night in West Tokyo

Pastor Santo and Pastor Travis put together a worship night Saturday afternoon. We were blessed with some great worship, fellowship and fun. There were four different bands that led in worship that night. It was a great event, thanks guys, for putting this all together.

Downtown Yokohama

This city is absolutely beautiful. Yokohama is a port city and it felt like being in downtown San Diego. The city is famous for so many of its buildings. The top picture is the largest building in Mainland Japan. Check out the size of this Ferris wheel.

Mainland Japan Bound!

Praise the Lord! We made it safe to Mainland Japan. We were lovingly greeted at the airport by the Jeremiah Boek Family. We are able to spend a few days with them at their house, ministering with them at their Church. Thank you Geigy and Jeremiah for allowing us to stay with you in your house.

Guest Lecturer: Roy Toma

Friday morning Roy blessed the students by coming out and sharing with us at our Lectures in Ministry class. Roy has been a missionary here in Okinawa for the past six years. He is involved with Campus Crusade for Christ and does ministry with Calvary Chapel Okinawa. We were truly blessed with Roy and his wife Nancy.

Happy Birthday Kayo

Happy Birthday Kayo, we are so blessed for you. We are excited for you in all the things that God has in store for you. Keep going strong for Jesus. For the rest of us, please leave Kayo a Birthday greeting below.

Sergeant Kevin Inca

Kevin was just promoted to Sergeant this past week. He was promoted Emeritus out of a large group of applicants. There was one one chosen this year, and he was the one, Praise the Lord! Kevin loves the Lord and it shows in his life. God bless you Kevin and congratulations.

Congratulations Calvary Whittier

Praise the Lord! Calvary Chapel Whittier are in their new building. God blessed them with a more permanent home. This is a little congratulations video for their church. Please leave an encouraging word for Pastor Alvin and his church body.

BBQ Style

The BBQ was rockin; we are so thankful for the guys and gals who brought all the food to share with everyone. If we mention their names they might loose their blessing. We were rockin the steaks, burgers, hotdogs, and chicken wings, absolutely delicious! In the 5 years that I have been here, we have never cooked these kinds of steaks. Also, thank you Kevin for all your hard work, cooking those handmade burgers and the chicken wings, spicy and hot, just like “Zach and Eder like em".

Dance Night 2009

The CCGinowan Youth got things going with a special dance routine and then they invited people to join in on the fun. Check out Eder from his direct quote “you can’t slow me down”. It was a blast!

Harvest Bash 2009

October 31st we did an outreach to the community by offering a Free BBQ and live music. It was a blessed night. Hakugaijin played special music as well as different groups sang and played special music. Andrew Neely “tore it up” on his special guitar playing. The night “rocked” for the Lord.

Chaplain Ball Boyz

Eder and Joel were invited to the 2009 Chaplain’s Ball at the Butler O Club. They were guests invited by Chaplain Keith and Chaplain Ken. They look spiffy in their suits, two good lookin guys. God bless you men, you look sharp!

Asa’s School Sports Day

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Today, Asa was involved in Sports Day at his Japanese School. It is a day where the students do sports activities, they parade around with there classmates and the parents are allowed to be a part of the activities. It was a blessed morning.

Living in the “Blue Zone”

A new study that was just conducted that living in the “blue zone” you are 6 times more likely to live to be 100 years old that living in the United States. They contribute it to fresh clean water, fresh air, high vegetable diet, laughter, and believe it or not religion. This is what I have been telling the students for years. Okinawa is one of the few areas in the “blue zone”. So remember Bible College students, eat your cabbage and have a fun time this semester.

Typhoon Mirinae Forming

Another typhoon is forming and its projection is to hit the Philippines again. They have been hit a lot this month so please pray for our brothers and sisters again. God forms the weather, it is all in His Hands, He can redirect the Storms.

Tetsuyasan's Unique Job

Tetsuya has one of the most unique jobs in all the world; he hunts for unexploded ordinance in Okinawa. During WWII so many bombs were dropped on Okinawan that many did not detonate. They are still buried in the Okinawan soil. When his company finds them or they are reported, they are in charge of digging them up and disposing of them. A unique and dangerous job. Tetsuya is a wonderful brother in the Lord, pray for his continual protection.

B.O.B. Fellowship

The guys Monday night Bible Study gathered at Ondish for a time of fellowship. We were able to rent the back room of the restaurant for our special gathering. Everyone "chowed down" especially on Blue Seal Ice Cream, it was a blessed night.

Mini Typhoon Party

We are getting the effects of Typhoon Lupit that has really become just a tropical storm, but it is bringing a lot of rain. We could not go out witnessing Saturday night so we decided to have a "mini typhoon party", we watched a movie, ate a lot of snacks and just had a good time together. Praise the Lord for the rain, we need it, but some sunshine would be nice.

Whopper 7

Microsoft is releasing its new operating system in Japan, windows 7. With a joint marketing event with Burger King, they are offering to the first 30 customers a day the 7 patty whopper for 777yen (about $8.50) but if you are late it will cost you close to $17.00 dollars. This super burger has close to a kilo (2 pounds) of meat and the calorie content is 2,100 calories, nearly the whole amount of daily allowance in one burger, the super chubs. Just one more thing to love about Japan, we hope you like the video.

Saturday Morning Discipleship

This Saturday morning we met with the interns and 4th semester students for breakfast and leadership teaching. We studied the chapter from Henry Blackaby's book "Spiritual leadership". It was a good chapter on the 5 responsiblities of a spiritual leader. It was good to gather together.

CCMissionaries

At Calvary Ginowan we are committed to lifting up our missionaries to the Lord every Sunday night, Wednesday and Friday. They are out on the front lines serving the Lord and we are so proud of them. The Lord is way more proud of them as they commit their ways unto Him. Please continue to pray for these beloved Christians, that the Lord would do His complete work in their lives.

Iza heading back to Korea

It was great having Iza with us for almost a week. But it is time for her to head back to Korea for more ministry. God is doing a good work with her out there at CCDaejeon, we look forward to what the Lord has in store for her next.God bless you Iza, we love you! Your Ginowan Family

And They Crucified Him - Art Katz

Happy Birthday Koinonia Cafe Style

We had a little party for Asa right after dinner Monday night. We had Ice Cream Sundae’s and they were delicious. Asa got some cool toys. Happy Birthday Son, we love you!

Hey kid, wait!

I like this picture because as you can see all the kids are to wait until they eat their lunch. But check out Asa, he just jumped right into it. Chowin down. Happy Birthday Asa!

Happy Birthday Asa!

Asa celebrated his 7th Birthday Japanese style. We ask his teach "Reinasensei" if we could bring some cupcakes for the kids to celebrate with Asa, she gave the go ahead. The kids had a great time. Don't they all look so cute! He had a good celebration with his classmates at school.

Revelry Girls

Monday we went to work out and as the girls were getting signed in they got caught in Revelry. They were supposed to stand at attention but they were doing their own style "relaxation". I do like the way Megan and Ina are saluting, kind of "three stooges" like. You go girls.