Time has gone by so fast this month and there are a few things that have been on my heart. For the last couple of months I have been going through some personal struggles dealing with Hannah leaving for the States. You know when Zach left Okinawa it was difficult during that last hour before we departed. At that point it hit me super hard, like a freight train realizing that my son will be going to College and things will never be the same. He was and still is my best friend as he is a part of my life everyday (my daily training partner). But as he went to Bible College I saw him grow and abound in the Lord Jesus Christ. And when the Lord allowed him to come back to Okinawa and serve at the Bible College and Church it was such a joy. As he prepares to leave Okinawa again at the end of the summer I look with anticipation on what the Lord will do as we begin CCBC in Tokyo. But there is another thing on my heart.
As I have been reflecting on Hannah leaving the past few months and they have been super difficult. The hardest have been looking at pictures of her when she was a little girl and asking the questions "where did time go"? We used to make fun of Michal because when we talked about Zach leaving in the early days she would say "I don't want to talk about it" because it upset her so much. We would laugh and laugh at her and tell her to not get so emotional. But the shoe is on the other foot now, as I have been the one who "does not want to talk about it". But then something happened on Easter that I did not expect; While I was teaching on John 20 at least 4 times the Lord tells the Disciples "Peace". I was telling the congregation that God was going to give them peace, peace in the difficult situations that they are going through and will go through in the future. Then all of a sudden there was a revelation, like God spoke right to my heart "Tom, that peace is for you too". Wow! It hit me hard! Yes! That peace is for me too, then God flooded my heart with His peace.
Today I look with anticipation and great joy that Hannah will be leaving Okinawa to embark on the greatest time in her life; Bible College at Murrieta. Like so many gals before her she will receive her calling and equipping for all that He has in store for her life. Like I told my son, 3 years ago "Bible College was the loneliest and greatest time of my life". It was the loneliest because I had to move away from my family and friends, but the greatest time in my life because all I had to do was study, eat and sleep. No pressure from a secular job, no bills to pay, just studying the Word of God.
I am still going to miss Hannah greatly, but I am filled with the joy and Peace of God, a peace that He gave me, knowing that He has her in the palm of His Hand. Thank you Jesus for your peace.
In honor of Nelms and Rie's Birthday, Saturday night at the Koinonia Cafe the gang had an 80's party. Most of the students dressed up 1980's style. I look forward to more pictures, so you students make sure to put up a comment and tell us where we can see more of the pictures. It looks like everyone had a great time!
Time has gone by so fast this month and there are a few things that have been on my heart. For the last couple of months I have been going through some personal struggles dealing with Hannah leaving for the States. You know when Zach left Okinawa it was difficult during that last hour before we departed. At that point it hit me super hard, like a freight train realizing that my son will be going to College and things will never be the same. He was and still is my best friend as he is a part of my life everyday (my daily training partner). But as he went to Bible College I saw him grow and abound in the Lord Jesus Christ. And when the Lord allowed him to come back to Okinawa and serve at the Bible College and Church it was such a joy. As he prepares to leave Okinawa again at the end of the summer I look with anticipation on what the Lord will do as we begin CCBC in Tokyo. But there is another thing on my heart. 
Well, here we go, in the almost 7 years we have been posting here at e3missions, we have hit a milestone; 117 posts. Honesty there was not a real push to post so much, just a lot happening this month. We started off the month with the Korea trip, then we went to Guam, don't forget Easter, the Tohoku Relief Trip, Nagano, and the Calvary Japan Conference. I should also mention that on many of these trips we threw in the worship conferences that were held in Korea, Guam and Nagano. It is exciting following Jesus Christ! Who said being a Christian is boring? No way! Just check out the past posts, there was a lot going on.
When I look at these pictures they bring me such joy! I cannot believe that God has allowed Joanna and I to raise up (in the process of raising up) 4 wonderful beautiful children. For me personally God has blessed me with my wife for 25 years! These first 25 years have literally blown by! Where did the time go? The great joy is that I can continue to be with Joanna and love and disciple her in the way of Jesus Christ. God has given me for a time to help develop Joanna's gifts for His Glory. She is such a beautiful gifted woman!
This past Friday morning we were blessed with Tetsuya coming from Teen Challenge Okinawa to speak at our "Lectures in Ministry" class. Tetsuya is a leader for their organization. He is such a blessing to all of us at CCGinowan. Thank you bro for coming and blessing the students, you are a great witness to us all.
Toki and I leave for Tokyo and they begin to party away. In celebration of Joanna's birthday Hannah made dinner for Joanna and the students. And because many of the students are gone on missions trips they ate family style. Those are fun times, I bet they had a great time. Happy Birthday Joanna, have a blessed time!
In the almost 7 years that we have lived in Okinawa this was the most relaxed, blessed, and joyous Easter Celebration. The whole goal of the weekend was to just enjoy Jesus! To enjoy what He has done for us, to rejoice in the blessing that "He has Risen!". There has been a lot of action around the church; between the outreaches, the missions trips and the busy"ness" of living ministry; it was a blessing to just to relax and gather as a bunch of believers and worship Jesus, and proclaim His Greatness. The Lord spoke to me personally, but I will leave that for another post. All Glory, Honor, Praise and Thanksgiving goes to Him who sits on the Throne!
The Okinawa team did an outreach in a little town near Sapporo called Yuni. The Lord totally blessed them in that the kids came out. Everyone looks so happy and blessed! I love the joy in Naoko's face, you can see it in all the team. Please continue to pray for the team in Sapporo, they will be back Tuesday. If you are in the Okinawa area, please come and join us for our midweek service; Chuck will be sharing in the Word as well as the rest of the outreach team will be giving testimony.
The Japanese students continue to step out in faith. In their ESL (English Second Language) class they have to prepare their testimony in English and share it for morning devotions. This week Chala gave hers for the students. She did an excellent job! It is great to see them push forward in their language skills. I know that the Lord is going to use it for His Glory.
