The Mouth of the Dragon

Monday's are our adventure days. This week we had the students sleep in, and in the afternoon we headed down south to the tip of the dragons mouth. Okinawa is known as the floating dragon. If you look at the way the island is layed out, south is the head of the dragon and the rest of the dragons body and tail make up the middle and upper parts of Okinawa. Well, we were at the tip of Okinawa (dragon's mouth) and we were checking out the tidepools at low tide. Some of the students were rock climbing (upper left - Mark Starr) and some went swimming (center pict). The swimming, was another story, we will tell you later. We had a great afternoon.

Himeyuri - Cave of the Virgins

Monday afternoon we had the chance to head down south and visit one of the famous Okinawan historical sights. I will give you the short version. The Cave of the Virgins (Himeyuri) is all about the time during the Battle of Okinawa (WWII). The Japanese Imperial Army forced the local Okinawan junior high girls to work as nurses during the war. They saw all the atrocities of war, and many of these girls died (upper right). This site was in memory of them, and other girls like them who died during the war. Over 120,000 Okinawan civilians died during this time, a real trajedy. The students were able to visit this site and grasp a better understanding of what the Okinawan people went through.

Photo by Aaron

photo by Aaron Meigide This is an incredible picture that Aaron took of the team by the waterfall. The Waterfall is in the background and the team is crossing over the stream. If you look at the bottom of the picture, you can see the stream empties into a small pool at the bottom. What a beautiful picture Aaron, thanks bro. Pastor Tommy

Vunder heading to South Korea

This Sunday morning Rob headed out on a plane, destination, Inchon, South Korea. Vunder is in the middle of his paperwork to allow him to become a long term missionary in Okinawa. His paperwork is not done, so he has to head out of country and then return for a fresh new 90 day stay in Japan. With an American passport, you are only allowed 90 days on your visa, then, you have to leave the country and enter again. He either had a choice to travel to Taiwan or Korea. Korea was much cheaper, so he went that route. You've got to hand it to Vunder, he is stepping out in faith. He is traveling to Korea, not knowing where he will stay or what he will do. But he knows that God will take care of him. Please keep him in your prayers that God will lead and guide him while he is out of country. God has much in store for this guy. God bless you Vundy!

Outreach at Mihama shopping area

Saturday night we had the opportunity to take the team out and spend some time on the streets of Okinawa playing music and sharing the Love of Jesus Christ. We just set up and started witnessing when it began to rain. And I mean it rained! So we packed up everything and stood under the patio of the American Depot. As it rained, we began to share the Love of Jesus with those around us. We were so blessed. It stopped raining, and we began to set up again and play. We were able to share with a lot of people. We had some Japanese tracts, but the necessity was to have more Japanese translators. (So if you speak Japanese, we need you next week) Well, we plan on being out there next week around 6pm. For those of you in Okinawa, come out, bring your guitars, tracts, and meet us again at Mihama village.

Morning devotions at CCBC Okinawa

Every morning at 8:30am we begin our day at the College with a time of worship, sharing in the Word, and prayer. The center is a picture of Vunder giving this mornings devotion. The picture in the upper left is Michelle Bonner leading worship and to the right is a picture of the prayer time we have after devotions. One of the best ways to get to know a person is by praying with them.

Benjamin Barnet (Big Ben)

Praise the Lord! Kristy Barnett had her baby yesterday. Pastor Rick is the proud parent of his fourth child. Benjamin Barnett was born 10 pounds, and he was the talk of the hopital. Most japanese babies are small, so Rick said everyone was talking about how big he was. Congradulations Rick and Kristy, we love you both.

Happy Birthday Vunder!

Happy Birthday bro! Can you believe it, Rob is 24 years old today. After Wednesday night service we had a cake for Rob and Ayu baked some Melon bread for us to eat. If you click on the breads you can read a message for Rob. The other melon bread to the left has a picture of Vunder' face. Hirokosan made some homemade banana bread and it was delicious. When you get a chance, please leave a nice greeting below for the birthday boy!

A year ago at this time.

A look back to a year ago at this time. There was a Super Typhoon that hit the island. We made these funny videos last year, and we hope that you like them. Click the top one first and see the four videos in order. Serving the Lord is a blast!


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Matthew in Japanese

We are so blessed! When God brought Yoshi to teach in Japanese at the Bible College, we stepped out in faith believing that God would bring the people to come out and learn the Bible in Japanese. As you can see in the picture, it is happening. Praise the Lord! That is our heart, to be able to reach out to the Japanese/Okinawan people in their own language. Please continue to pray for Yoshi and the Japanese Bible College here in Okinawa. Our heart is to have many, many, many people come and learn the Word of God in their own language. God bless you all, Pastor Tommy

Guest speaker: Derek Forbes

On Tuesday afternoons we teach a discipleship class with the guy students. We invited Derek to come and share his heart with the group. He did a great job sharing out of Titus chapter 3. The girls have a simular class called Ruth/Esther which meet at the same time.

Dinner at Big Daichan!

After the trip back from the waterfall, we had dinner at a favorite local place in Okinawa City. They specialize in a plate of Chicken Katsu. If you look at the big picture above you see Jeremy chowin down on a big bowl of Ramen and some chicken Katsu. Above, the whole team had a good time fellowshipping Japanese style on the tatami mats. There is nothing like eating good food after a day of swimming.

Trevor at w2

Trevor Raichura taught at w2 this past Sunday night, and Natsuki translated. They both did a great job. It is a real blessing Trevor and Dan Pallmann will be switching off alternating teaching each week. Please continue to pray for w2, that the Lord will continue to bring Japanese people to this outreach fellowship time.

A day at the Waterfall

It began as a rainy Monday morning. We were wondering "should we still go to the waterfall?" We started our trip up north, and as we passed Ishikawa, the skies began to clear. When we arrived at the waterfall, we were the only ones there. The place was all to ourselves and we had a great time. We swam and ate lunch. Then it began to rain, and it poured. It was so awesome! We were swimming as it poured on us, and about 15 minutes later it stopped. The team had a great time. Monday's are our day off, so we try to visit different spots on the island.

CCBC Fall 2006 Students

CCBC Fall 2006 Students
Originally uploaded by e3missions.

Hi everyone! These are the students who are attending here at CCBC Okinawa this Fall 2006 Semester. If you will click on the smaller picture on your bottom right, it will take you to another web site and you can click on thier faces and read their names and a little about them. Thanks again for taking the time to click onto e3missions, and especially for all your prayers for us, they are priceless. God bless you all, Pastor Tommy

Ministry at OCSI (Okinawa Christian School International)

Saturday early evening, we were invited to attend the 50th anniversary of OCSI. The school is quite incredible. There was a group of missionaries who wanted to teach their children, but had no where to teach them, so they formed this Christian school in Okinawa. Well, 50 years latter it is still going strong. We had the opportunity to minister in music when the festival was going on. Different people from the Bible College got up and led in worship. There were many pictures, but these were a few of the ones that we put up. Some of the people who played and sang were, Mark Starr, Shannon Rae, Nicky Whalen, Michelle Bonner, Tim Newell, Zach Ruiz, Vunder, Keegan Davis, Doug McCalebb, and Haley Brooks. It was a real blast!

Secluded beach in Yomitan Village

Saturday after the Franklin Graham training seminar, we took all of the students to a local beach in Yomitan Village which is located up middle north in the of the island. The beach is real sandy and there are many sea shells, as well as hermit crabs all over the place. We had a good time, swimming, checking out the caves and just hangin together. In the picture above, if you click on it, you will see Mark Starr, Pastor Tim, Ayu, and Zach Ruiz.

Weli Yang live in Watsonville!

This is the name of his new solo album coming out this fall, and this is the cover for the CD. Just kidding! It looks good doesn't it. For some of you who don't know Weli, he is serving the Lord with Pastor Dylan Smith in Watsonville California. Watsonville is about 15 miles away from Santa Cruz. Weli is one of the missionaries that we support here at Calvary Ginowan, and he is one of Pastor Tim Newell's best friends. Please continue to pray for Weli as he serves the Lord in Northern California. Please leave and encouraging word below for this faithful servant of the Lord.

Sean in Cyprus

Hello everyone! Many of you know Sean McHaney. He is a great brother that was with us here in Okinawa for some time, then the Lord moved him over to Virginia. Now he is traveling all around and this picture has him in Cyprus, in the Mediteranean. Sean will be out of the military soon. He is seeking the Lord, as God has spoken to his heart what He will do next. Please leave an encouraging comment below. God bless you Sean, may the Lord continue to lead and guide you bro! Pastor Tommy

Franklin Graham - Witnessing Class

This Saturday morning, we were invited to be a part of the Franklin Graham Christian life and witnessing course, that was held at CCOkinawa. Franklin Graham is hosting a Festival here in Okinawa on November 3rd-5th. Many of us are looking forward to helping in any way we can during the festival, so we are preparing to share our faith with the new believers. Pictured above is Keegan and Aaron studying hard and having a good time goofing off.

Happy Birthday Joel Coronado

Joel turned 19 today with much fanfare. He was greeted with a sounding Happy Birthday greeting at morning devotions. Vunder baked him a tasty spice cake and we ate it for lunch. Pastor Rick blessed the Bible College students with some hamburger patties, so we had a feast and a birthday party for Joel at dinner. And even at the Wednesday night Bible Study, somebody baked him another cake. This dude was spoiled, and he was king for the day. Happy Birthday bro.

Japanese 1 - Pastor Tim Newell

Today was the first day learning Japanese at the Bible College. Pastor Tim Newell is filling in for Natsuki until she finishes up her work schedule. I think the students really enjoyed it. They were looking forward to learning the Japanese language.

Orientation for CCBC Okinawa

Today we had the opportunity to begin orientation for the new students here in Okinawa. We shared with them the expectations, and the do's and don'ts for living in Asia. Pictured above is Debe Pallman, she did an excellent job sharing with the students on what it is like being a missionary and how to relate relationally with one another. You can see the teacher side come out of her during her time with us.

My Mistake

Sorry guys! I thought that I introduced to you Doug and Brad. Doug is on the left and Brad is on the right. My total mistake. Today during orientation it was pointed out to me. They are totally cool guys, and a real blessing here. Both of their fathers were in the military, and Doug has been stationed here before when he was real young. We took him over to Mihama area, and he did not recognize it because it was not built when he was first here. Please continue to life up all the students in your prayers. We begin classes officially tomorrow.

w2 - Worship/Word

Worship and the Word, it does not get any better than that buddy. We were blessed to hear the Word by Dan Pallman. Afterwards Mark Davis baked a pineapple upsidedown cake and brought it for us to eat. We had a great time of fellowship.