Hi everyone! We wanted to send this prayer request out there to lift up Joel and Daniel. We recently submitted their visa paperwork so that they can receiver their "missionary visas". It is kind of a long process with a lot of paperwork, but Japanese immigration accepted everything so that is a great sign that they are going in the right direction. Please pray that everything goes through smoothly and they receive their visas soon. God bless you all, Pastor Tommy
The family is heading to California so that Pastor Tom can attend the Pastor's conference, to see family, and to get Zach settled in to begin Bible College in the fall. We are going to miss our family in Okinawa, but we know they are in good hands, God's Hands. May the Lord continue to lead, guide and bless you all. For those of you who are in Okinawa, please take time to talk with all of the interns. There are 7 of them staying back and we want them to have a fun fruitful time with everyone.
Hello, let me introduce to you Yuka Saito. We first met Yuka a few months ago when she came to sit in on our Tuesday night Bible College class. She translated the whole class for me one evening when Ayu was ill. Yuka filled in for Ichinosan when she was not able to translate tonight. She did a good job and was a real blessing. Please continue to pray for Yuka. God has good things in store for her now and in the future.
Some of the group went out with the Sosimo and the guys from Futemna chapel to outreach to the homeless who are located near the city of Kadena. They had a good time sharing the Love of Jesus Christ. The sweet lady cooked up some miso soup with crab in it. That is Sosimo with a whole crab in his mouth that the lady caught near the marina. You can see her with the plate full of crabs in the upper picture. The Futenma gang brought hamburgers and cooked them up for the group. They are catching vision for the next outreach.
Every Wednesday afternoon a group from CCGinowan heads out to New Life Academy to lead their youth group at the school. They do a good job of ministry and the Lord has been blessing the study. They only have a few weeks left before it is over and the kids break for summer vacation. The group are huddled together in the top photo because they are praying for Zach who will be leaving for the States tomorrow.
We are almost complete with the building phase of the Guys D House. Next we begin with light fixtures, curtains, and plumbing. It is all coming together rather quickly. But the work will stop for a few weeks as Pastor Tom and his family fly to California for some other kids of ministry.
Well, really our God is amazing! Sosimo has lost close to 20 kilos, that is 40 pounds since coming here in October 2007. He has done a good job of being dedicated to the Word of God and training with the rest of the guys on a daily basis. True, he does miss a lot of our morning runs, but he is faithful to the gym 3 times a week. A lot has to do with our healthy diet and the wonderful meals that Joanna cooks us. But every now and then we like to splurge on some unhealthy foods (see picture above, and yes he did eat the whole thing). Well Sosimo good job, he came to Okinawa weighing 238 pounds and weighted in today at 198 pounds. Keep up the good work in the Lord and the training on the side.
This is Zach's last Sunday morning service before he moves back to California. Pastor Tim and Vunder prayed for him during service. We are going to miss Zach, but we know that God has bigger things in store for him.
I can hardly believe it! It seems like yesterday Zach was being born. I can still remember what he looked like. Now he is graduating from High School. Because of this important day, Joanna and I wanted to have him a BBQ get together at our house. David and Liz baked this honkin Cake with other desserts too. Everyone brought something to share with everyone. It was also a blessing playing games and having the time of prayer for Zach. God bless you son, may the Lord continue to lead, guide and direct your path.
Right now we are in the building stage of the Guys D House. There are walls to be built to make a kitchen and a living room. Everything is coming together great. We are using some old supplies that we received from Calvary Okinawa. The guys are a real blessing, helping in all of the work.
For the last year or so, Zach has been leading the youth group. He has done a great job with the kids but now it is time for him to head back to California to attend Bible College. Thanks Zach for all of your faithful service to the Lord. We are going to miss you.
We started working on the walls this morning. As you can see, we started with the kitchen wall and then we began building the front walls. There is a lot of work still to be done, but we are taking it "one day at a time". Thank you for all of your prayers.
As we began putting up the walls, we wrote Scriptures inside of them before we put the finishing touches. "One thing have I desired of the Lord....." Psalms 27:4. Please continue to pray for us as we go forward for the Lord.
The guys are doing an excellent job of renovating the restroom. The team of Cotton, Neely, and Avila are rockin and rollin. There are two restrooms in the guys D house. One is the traditional asian toilet (squatty potty) and the other one is a western toilet. Good job guys, the place is looking beautiful.
Well many of you know where Aaron is serving. He emailed me the other day stating that things have changed for him drastically. He will be moving out of his original area and heading into the area of the earthquake center and helping in counceling and serving the people in any ways possible. Many doors have opened for him and brothers and sisters that he is serving with. He does not know how long he will be there, but it looks like as he said "for the long haul". Please continue to pray for our brother, he is on the front lines of what the Lord is doing in that area. Praise the Lord!
The guys are going full steam ahead. Today we had the electricity turned on so tomorrow is wall building time. They are doing a great job in the work they are doing for the Lord. Praise the Lord!
