Passion Week begins soon

We will begin Passion week in a few days. We will be showing the "Passion of the Christ" in Japanese on Friday night at the Ganeko Civic Center. Please begin praying for us here in Okinawa, that the Lord will do a wonderful work in the Japanese Okinawan people. Your prayers mean so much to us. Double click the video above to see.

Nate and Josh's Blessing!

The Friday night prayer group was so blessed! Nate and Josh cooked dinner for everyone! They made mexican food, which is a treat for all of us in Okinawa. These two guys are real servants of the Lord. A real blessing.

Mika, the new Pallman!

Here she is, Mika Pallman in her first trip to Ginowan City. Dan and Deb are so blessed with another daughter. She is so cute and small, a classic Okinawan Baby! It is always a joy to be around new born babies.

Celebrities

It has been fun hanging out with the guys from Virginia. We have noticed, everywhere we go in the city, people take time to look and talk with us. I think because of the big crowd of gaijin (foreigners). We could not resist taking this picture. These high school girls were waving at Nick and Matthew, so we made them take the picture with them. Sorry guys, as you can see in this pict, they are really suffering in Okinawa.

It's Yakiniku Time!

What is Yakiniku you might ask? Yakiniku in Japanese means "BBQ". As you can see they gave a grill in the middle of the table, you go and get you meat and fixin's, a cook away. The center picture is Tristen who has just cooked a raw anchovie. The guys on the bottom left are all eating it, they are brave! Pastor Rick and Glenn from CCOkicity joined us for the fun. Watch out Virginia, the guys just might go home fuller in the midsection.

Pastor Tony Clark

Friday mornings we have a leadership lecture class for the students. Today, Pastor Tony Clark taught the Bible College Students. We heard the heart of a seasoned Pastor. Afterwards the students were allowed a question and answer time with Big Tony. We were all blessed!

Advertizement in Japan Update

Twice a week, we run this ad in the local paper. Our hope is that people will be interested in donating to the Koinonia Thrift Store. We have been blessed! People have been emailing us with things they want to donate. Please continue to pray for this ministry. Our hope is that the Lord will use the store to minister to the local Okinawan people who are in need. Please click on the picture to get a closer look.

So many choices!

We took the guys sightseeing to Kakazu Ridge. It is the site of a famous military battle in Okinawa. In the pictures above the guys were being adventurous and trying out the many different drinks you can get out of the vending machines. These drink machines are everywhere on island.

Lunch on Camp Kinser

Pastor Tony got to meet some of his boys on Camp Kinser Marine Base. He was blessed with the opportunity to chat with some Marines. He was surprized to hear of so many changes. He loved the new style of the uniform, and blown away that it is now "wash and wear", no more ironing. Pastor Tony has not been back to Okinawa since 1986.

Thursday Morning Devotions

Pastor Tom was alive and awake early Thursday morning. Pretty good since he has been traveling for over 2 days. He encouraged the Bible College Students with a good devotion. We are looking forward to a full day today.

They made it!

They had a long flight, but they are finally here. After being delayed in the States, they finally flew into Narita Airport in Mainland Japan. But when they arrived in Japan, they were held back with circumstances beyond their control, and by the time they made it to the next airport (Haneda), they missed their flight into Okinawa. But don't worry, they caught the next flight. They were supposed to fly into Okinawa at 6:30pm, but they actually arrived at 10:30pm. Well, you know what they say, "getting there is half the adventure". We are just blessed that they are here. It was late, so we took them to Yoshinoya's for some pork ricebowls, ahhhh they hit the spot. All in all, they look pretty good. Thank you, all of you who have been praying for them, but don't stop now, the ministry adventure just begins.

Tamiko and Mark - "Devotions"

It was a real blessing. Tamiko led worship and Mark taught the Word. It was an incredible Scripture. Have you ever read a portion of Scripture before, and then read it again, and the Lord just totally ministers to your heart? This was one of those times. Mark read Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know". It was such a blessing. It spoke to everyone's heart.

On their Way!

Well, the crew from Virginia had a delay in Washington D.C. Their plane had some problems and finally the flight was cancelled. So they have not arrived in Okinawa yet. But, they have left the United States and are somewhere in Tokyo now. Hopefully Pastor Tom does not get a craving for some Sushi and miss his flight to Okinawa. I am not to worried though, Pastor Tony will keep a tight leash on the crazy Sushi man. I will fill you in on some Pastor Tom Sushi stories later.

Easter "Sonrise" Service

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Hi everyone! We put this new video to inform you what CCGinowan will be doing Easter Morning. We will be having a "Sonrise" Service at Tropical Beach. We hope that you like the video. Double Click on the play button. God bless you all, Pastor Tommy

Mihama Outreach

Tonight we went to Mihama in Chatan City and did some outreach to the American and Okinawan Japanese people. We led worship out in the streets and did a skit that the Bible College Students have been practicing in their "Lifestyle Evangelism Class". The Lord really blessed the event. Here is a really cool testamony. About over a month ago, some Marines were passing by the Koinonia Cafe and were being obnoxious. Pastor Tom had to go out there and rebuke them. Well tonight as we were witnessing, Amber talked to a few of them and found out that they knew who we were because they were the Marines who were causing trouble. They felt really ashamed and were apologetic. Amber shared with them that we have been praying for them. God works in great ways. Well, God held off the rain. At times is drizzled on us, but after we were almost over, it began to pour. God is so good, He held back the rain until He was done with us ministering.

Pastor Rick at CCBC Okinawa

This past Friday, we were totally blessed. This day marked the end of our 8th week at the Bible College. We are at the half way point of the semester! Well, Pastor Rick from CCOkinawa came and shared with the students at the friday morning leadership lectures. He gave us a real encouraging Word from the Lord. Thanks a lot Rick, we were blessed.

Video - New Discipleship House

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Hello everyone! This is a little video of the Discipleship house. We hope that you like it. It needs a lot of work, and we are working on it as we write this blog. Sorry, the video is mostly unedited and we move a lot on it. Thank you so much again for all of your prayers. God bless you all, Pastor Tommy

We signed the Lease!

What a total blessing! Today we signed the lease for the New Girls Discipleship house. Thank you, all of you who prayed for us. The Lord opened up some huge doors. Pastor Tim, Ayu and myself went over to the office and signed everything. The house is a 5LDK (Livingroom, Diningroom, Kitchen), with the possibility of making it into a 7LDK! We had the power turned on today, and tomorrow morning the new Tatami mats are being put in. What is even more of a blessing, the Lord secured the house with the opportunity to purchase it if we like in the next two years. God continues to blow us away! We will be puting up some video of the house in the next few days. God bless you all, and thank you again for all of your prayers. Pastor Tommy

Happy Birthday Koinonia Cafe!

A year ago (top) Today (bottom three)

The Koinonia Cafe is 1 year old. Happy Birthday Cafe! It is amazing to look back a year ago and to see where we are today. Just a handful of people were meeting a year ago, and now there are rooms full. We are so blessed at what the Lord is doing today, and not only today, but what the Lord has in store for us in the future. Please continue to pray for the Koinonia Cafe. When you get a chance you can click over to our website and see our humble beginning. www.calvarykoinoniacafe.com

Daniel Devotions

Today, devotions were given by Daniel Sedota. He did a wonderful job. Daniel got real into it. He used the white board to make pictures so we can understand his illustrations. You go bro! Each student is designated a morning to give a devotion. It is such a blessing and a privelege to gather in the mornings for a time of worship and getting into the Word.

The Crew from CCBC Murrieta

photo by Joel
Well, here they are, the crew from Murrieta. This is their prayer group, get together club on the campus. You might be wondering, what are they wearing? Well, they are wearing their Okinawan Jimbe's. They look cool huh. Well, when you get a chance, drop an encouraging note to all of our good friends. We miss all of you guys, may the Lord continue to lead and guide all of you in Jesus Name. Amen.

New Sign - Calvary Chapel Ginowan

The new signs are up! They finished the last one yesterday. The middle of the sign says "Calvary Chapel" and on the right going down says "Ginowan". The Lord has blessed us with the 3rd floor of the building, and we are so thankful. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to share the Love of Jesus Christ in the City of Ginowan.

CCLivingwater - California

Around this time of the year, Azusa Pacific University holds its "Night of Champions". APU is a Christian University in California that holds this event every year as an outreach to the community. They bring in Christian Athletes from all over the world. For those of you who read this article and went to the "Night of Champions" hopefully you can write a comment below and tell us who was there. APU has been holding this event for at least 15 years straight. I remember when they had the first one back in the 90's. Pastor Pule and Pastor Jerry can tell you some really funny stories from the past events.

Saturday Night Outreach

Saturday night we headed out to Barclay Court in Ginowan City where a lot of the locals shop. We got the go ahead from the owners of the shopping mall to play music next to the Starbuck's. We brought out our portable amps and started jammin. We had a lot of fun. We passed out Japanese tracts and invites to our Good Friday Movie of "The Passion of the Christ". We would totally appreciate all of your prayers. We are planning a huge outreach to the Japanese people in our area.

Urgent Urgent Prayer Request!

We believe that God is opening some huge doors for us. We found this older house that was for sale. We talked to the owner and he is interested in renting it to us. It is huge! The possibilities are wide if we were to rent it. We gave them a price and it looks good to them, we are just working out the last details. If this is of the Lord we want it. If not, we do not want to enter into this property. The house is located right down the street from the the Bible College, and we would use it for the girls in the College and the Church. Please pray for us, that the Lord will do whatever He sees best. God bless you, Pastor Tommy

Watch out! It's recieving time!

We are blessed! People are beginning to call us donating items to the Koinonia Thrift Store. God has been leading and guiding us every step of the way. We will open the store this Saturday. Please keep us in your prayers.

University Graduations

This month marks the beginning of graduation season. In the United States, most of the students graduate in June. But here in Okinawa Japan, the graduations begin in March. Our school calendar is different from the USA. Pictured above is a graduate from Okinawa International University. The girls often wear Kimono's and the guys where traditional suits. We do not know this gal. We were driving by and asked her if we can take a picture. But please pray for her and for all the Okinawan students, that they will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Ready to open soon

Today, Amber, Hazel, Tamiko, and Erin spent the whole morning and afternoon painting the Koinonia Thrift Store. They did such a good job. We are ready to open next Saturday. Please keep us and the Thrift Store in your prayers.