Hi everyone! This is a picture of some Okinawan instruments. The Sanshi (Okinawan Guitar) is a standard instrument in every Okinawan home. I recently read an article that states that there is one Sanshi for every two homes in Okinawa. Also, in the background you can see the Taiko drums. They are used for the Okinawan parades and folk dancing.
Well, as you can see in the pictures, we are working overtime in the new Javahouse. Today we joined two rooms by cutting a hole in the concrete wall. There was a window where Segmon, Rob, and Zach are standing (center pict) and we used a concrete cutter and a jackhammer (Vundernator is holding it) to get the job done. I just want to Praise the Lord for His faithfulness. The job was hard in the beginning, and Max said that we would probrobly have to jackhammer the whole wall. Well, when we cut through the sides, we just gave it a good push and it fell over! We were rejoicing, it fell and broke into 4 pieces (see the picture top right). The Lord saved us hours of hard work. Hallelujah! The building is really coming together. Pastor Tommy
For those of you who did not know, some of the most intense fighting during WWII happened here in Okinawa. One of those places was Kakuza Ridge. During the intense fighting 2,000 Japanese and over 200 Maines lost their lives on this ridge. During the battle, the Americans launched an attack of 30 tanks up the hill, during the first day, they lost 22 of the 30 tanks to enemy fire. The strategy was changed and they took the hill quickly. On this ridge there is now a park and a huge monument to those who gave their lives. We visited this place and had a chance to do some metal detecting. Jason Arbogast again took us, and we found some interesting objects. There are too many to picture here, but if you look to the bottom left you see some kind of detenation device, maybe part of a mortar shell (we did not pick it up), then to the top right Zach is holding some kind of pulley or caseing. We also found shrapnel, and a sight seeing device for a rifle. While we were there looking around we ran into a man who began telling us about the area, and what the battle was like. He is 71 years old and he was 11 years old when the war began. He used to live in Urasoe city (the next city over) and has seen much heartache. While he was speaking to us talking about his city, he began to cry, there were tears coming down his face. You began to realize that the Okinawan people suffered much during the war. The loving hands of Jesus can truly heal the wounded hearts.
Sunday evening we gather at our house for w2 (Worship/Word), it is always a blast! We do just that, we worship the Lord and we get into His Word. This Sunday night Dan Pallman gave the message, and Natsuki translated. They both always do such a great job. I believe in my heart, that God wants to set people on fire for Him, and it will begin in the lives of the young people in Okinawa. God bless you, Pastor Tommy
We had a great Sunday morning service. At 10:30am there was just a few of us gathered and then, more people showed up! We were so blessed. God brought a new family, and we were honored to share the Love of Christ with them. I am so amazed, God keeps bringing new Japanese people to Sunday morning and Wednesday night service. These wonderful people do not know Jesus as their Savior yet, but they are clearly hearing the Gospel message. As I was speaking to Jason Arbogast, it is only a matter of time, before they come to know Jesus loving salvation. Please continue to pray for this new work in Ginowan City.
Saturday morning began training season here in Okinawa. Many professional Japanese teams come to Okinawa for spring training. Rob, Keisuke, and Trevor went out to Ginowan Convention Center and checked out the Yokohama Bay Stars. It was workout day for the team so the guys met this American pitcher who played Pro ball in the United States. They had a great time. Keisuke talked to one of the coaches and almost got Rob the opportunity to work out with the team. But, it did not pan out, maybe next time.
Karolina Avila sent me some pictures the other day, and here is one of them. The Biblestudy group that gathers on Monday nights, had an evening together bowling. This group has been meeting in Karolina's house for a few years now, growing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for this group, that the Lord continues to lead and guide them.
Thank you so much for lifting us up in prayer here at e3missions. The audio blog says it all. Please click the button below to hear this weeks prayer requests. And again, thank you, thank you, for keeping us in your prayers. Love, Pastor Tommy
We have been planning this for over a week. Jason Arbogast (center right) has metal detecting equipment, and has been doing this in Okinawa for some time now. We asked him if he would take us on a finding mission. We headed out to some caves in Ginowan city to search for some hidden treasures. (treasures meaning old WWII artifacts) In the picture on the top left, Segmon and Rob are checking out some caves. In the caves they find some cool stuff, old bones, broken china, old bottles, but we do not take anything out. As we were metal detecting outside the caves, we found some old shrapel, it was a solid peace of brass (center picture in Rob's hand). Sad to say, Okinawa was completely bombed out during WWII. They say that so many bombs were dropped on Okinawa, it was the equivelent of 8 bombs per 3'x6' space. That is amazing. Also, there is shrapel near the caves, because almost every cave in Okinawa was bombed out, because many times, soldiers were hiding in them.On the bottom right, Rob is pointing to a cave that is partially hidden by the thick brush. To the bottom left is an interest picture. Many Okinawan's are into cultural worship beliefs. In this picture, they believe that this is a doorway or passage for the spirits to enter into the natural world and back to the spiritual. To tell you the truth, it was kind of creepy. But, greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. They burn incense and pray at this place and also at different places near the caves and any other spot that they believe is spiritual. At the top right is a place in Ginowan that is very old. In the old days, the okinawan people would come to this spring and bath and wash their clothes. There is also an old Okinawan folk tale that took place here but it would take to long to tell you. All in all, we had a great time today, hunting for old relics is a lot of fun.
Hey everyone! We had a blast this past Monday morning watching the Superbowl. Yes, I am correct, I said Monday morning. Because we are 17 hours ahead of those in California. The Superbowl begins at 8:30am for us. It is a big thing over here in Okinawa with the Americans on base. Most of the service men and women have the day off. So, our day began with Breakfast at Awase Golf Course at 7am (all you can eat). Then we headed off to Larry and Mona Torrez's house, and watched the game. It was a blessing, we had yakitori (Japanese chicken skewers), Pizza, Chili, Shrimp, Lumpia, chips and dips, you name it. It was a good day off.
This Friday night, we were invited by Chaplain Wood, and Chaplain Keith to lead worship at their Coffee house on Camp Kinser. Every friday night, they invite the single Marines and other military families to come out for fellowship and music. So the guys came out, also Ayu and Natsuki and we played music and ministered as best we could. We had a good time. It is always a joy to go out and share the Love of Jesus Christ.
Kayo and Kumiko came over last night around 9pm and cooked everyone a traditional Japanese Okinawan meal, it is called "Okonomiaki". It is like a vegetable tempura pancake. This one was make with shrimp. It was delicious! We also invited our neighbors to come over, so Mana, Kodai, and their mom joined us. Before we knew it, it was 12am. It was a blast, but hard getting up the next morning, especially since we had to minister early at New Life Academy.
Tomorrow is an interesting holiday in Japan. It is called Setsubun. It is always celebrated on February the 3rd, the day before the first day of Spring. This is what they do. They throw roasted soybean from their doors or windows shouting in Japanese "devils out" and then throw soybeans inside saying "happiness in". The idea is to get rid of all the bad luck, while letting the good luck in. Why soybeans, they grow everywhere and represent fertility or magic powers, they believe that they are good weapons against evil powers. Well for us as believers, the Blood of Jesus Christ covers us from all our sins, thus making us right in God's eyes. The most effective weapon against evil powers is faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world" 1John 4:4b.
There is so much to be thankful for, and so much prayer to request. We are so blessed! Today, the gas company came so we can have hot water and fuel for the stove (water heater pictured above). When he came, he stated that he would upgrade our service pipes because they are old, but we would need to pay for a new water heater. He stated the price, 55,000 yen (550.00 dollars). We asked if there was another way, he stated that he would talk to the rental office. He came back stating that the owners of the property will pay for it. Praise the Lord! He also stated that the electricians will arrive tuesday and they will make sure that all of the lights, outlets, and broken fixtures would be replaced. We are blown away.
