Okuma Retreat

The Bible College students were blessed with the opportunity to head up to Okuma and have a retreat for a few days. The weather is cooling down so the guys tented it. But as you see in the picture the girls are a little more civilized, they had a cabin. These guys are not city boys, they can put up a good looking tent. They are definitely having a blast, relaxing, swimming, eating and don't forget, they are still doing their homework. Today, Pastor Tim and Ayu came up for a day visit just to hang out.

A special gift

Pastor Chuck Smith gave all the Calvary Chapel churches a blessing here in Japan by printing a special book in Japanese. We had the opportunity the other night to pass them out in Mihama. We gave them out to people encouraging them to read them. At the same time, we spent time to talk with people and share the Love of Jesus Christ. It was such a blessing.

Hakugaijin ministers at Mihama

Pastor Tim and company had the opportunity to play at Mihama for an event that was put on by a major Okinawan company. They were the only Christian band that was invited. They did a great job, everyone who attended were blessed.

Nigel heads back to New Jersey

It was a blessing hanging with our brother, but now it is time for him to head back home. By the time you read this blog, Nigel is back in the States. He emailed me the other day to tell me that he arrived safely. It was such a blessing having him with us. Thanks again Nigel, please come back soon. Your family in Okinawa.

Friday Night Prayer

On Friday nights, we all split up into three groups. One group heads to Pastor Tim's house for Japanese prayer. The other group heads to Dan's in Ishikawa, and the third group goes to the Koinoina Cafe for Youth Bible Study. Friday nights are so productive and it is a blessing to be a part of these different ministry groups.

Guest Speaker: Chaplain Owens

This Friday at Lectures in Ministry, Pastor Charlie shared with the Bible College students. For some of you who do not know Chaplain Owens, he is one of the first Navy Chaplains for Calvary Chapel. He is stationed here in Okinawa and he leads the Protestant Chapel here on Camp Foster. He gave an incredible message to the students that encouraged and uplifted us all. We were so blessed to hear his message from the Lord. When you remember Chaplain Owens, please keep him, his wife Mara (pictured above) and their son Zach in your prayers.

Yo, Jesse Spencer!

Hi everyone, let me introduce to you Jesse. He comes to us all the way from California. Jess has a real heart for the Japanese language and culture. He is a real blessing to us and always has a positive outlook on life. This week he is in charge of leading us for worship during our devotions in the morning. God has a call on his life, so when you think of Jesse please lift him up in your prayers.

A day on the Island

Monday was an American as well as a Japanese Holiday. So the group set out for a great day of exploring the island. We started off at Katsuren Castle site and climbed the hill and checked out the beautiful site. Then we traveled to Hamahiga Island, swam and ate lunch on a secluded beach, it was a blast!

Nigel Crawford is here!

It is a blessing, our brother Nigel arrived from New Jersey via Tokyo. It is a blessing having him here with us. Last night Pastor Tim had him jammin with the band playing the Djembe, what a blast. It is such a blessing when God brings us visitors from the States.

Joanna and Asa back home!

Joanna and Asa arrived an hour earlier from Taipei. For some of you who know there is a Super Typhoon off the coast near Taiwan. China Airlines took off earlier from their airport in order to beat the coming storm. When they arrived in Okinawa, all flights to Taipei were cancelled and will not resume again until tomorrow. It is great to have them back. They looked a little tired, but refreshed from their visit to the states.

Hakugaijin: Packed out!

Hakugaijin did an outreach concert at the Koinonia Cafe Friday night, and it was off the charts! The purpose was to reach out to the students at Chubu High School, but other youth came as they heard about it. We were surprised to see some youth from New Life Academy as well as from some of the other churches in the area. Please continue to pray for the band. This month they will have a busy schedule, playing at different venues on the island. We were blessed as some of the students gave their hearts to the Lord. Our prayer now is that they would be discipled in the Love of Jesus Christ.

Substitute Teacher: Kayo Yamauchi

Pastor Tim who usually teaches Japanese for us was sick Friday, so Kayo filled in for him. Both Kayo and Tim are wonderful Japanese teachers. We are all so fortunate to have them teaching us the Nijongo language.

Meet Nigel Crawford

Nigel is from New Jersey and has a heart for the Lord. He met Matt Anderson and Matt told him about us in Okinawa. Nigel travels around the world serving Jesus Christ. In the picture above he is with a group that ministered in Cuba. Well, Nigel will be visiting with us here in Okinawa for a few days starting October the 9th. He will be with us a few days checking out what is going on over here and sharing the Gospel with us. Please keep Nigel in your prayers and especially what the Lord wants to do with him while he is here in Japan.

New Youth Group Started

We have been invited to start a youth group at New Life Academy. This Thursday was our first meeting. It was a blessing that the kids showed up. Here at CCGinowan we have the blessed opportunity to be involved with three youth groups now, one at CCGinowan, one on Camp Foster, and now here at NLA. Please keep the students in your prayers, that the Lord would continue to do an awesome work!

Outreach at Chubu High School

The guys the other day did an outreach at Chubu high in Ginowan City. It was a real blessing, they rocked the house. The only one not pictured is Andrew. He was on the bass guitar. Temote from Teen Challege sent us these pictures, he had the opportunity to share his testamony with the students. God continually is using these guys for His Glory.

A great night at the Koinonia Cafe

The Band Braddigan performed at the Cafe this Wednesday night. It was a real blessing! The people had a real treat tonight. The band was outstanding. We really appreciate how God opened the door for the guys to come on out to the Koinonia Cafe. We were their last stop in their Japan tour. Thursday morning they head back to the west.

Urgent Prayer Request

A typhoon is heading towards Taiwan, and it looks like a big one. Can you please pray for the people of Taiwan and that the typhoon will not become too strong? Also, Joanna is scheduled to come back to Okinawa on Saturday and it does not look like she will be able to fly in. About that time the winds will be real strong. So she might be delayed in California. These Typhoons can be unpredictable, they can change course and either head away from you, or towards the country that you are living. Again, please keep us in your prayers. God bless you, Pastor Tommy

Revelation Class: Japanese/English

This semester we took a step of faith and taught the book of Revelation in English with Japanese translation. It is such a blessing. There is such a need to teach the Okinawan Japanese people the Word of God is their language. Please pray that God will raise up more Japanese teachers in the Bible College here in Okinawa.

Joe Tipton's trip to Mongolia

Joe recently returned from Mongolia. It is a blessing to have him back. He experienced a wonderful time as he shared that the people are real hungry for the Word of God. The trip was a medical mission where the people recieved physical help as well as spiritual nurishment. It was a real blessing for everyone who went.

Snorkeling at Maeda Point

photos by Andrew Neely

Monday was such a beautiful day. When we were at the Beach Baptisms for Foster Chapel, the Bible College Students rented some snorkeling equipment. So since we had them until 6pm on Monday, we took the students out to the world famous "Maeda Point". This place is awesome, not only can you feed the fish, but you can snorkel into a cave and jump off the walls. The cave was a place where the Okinawan's hid during WWII. Thereso much history all over this island. Well, this is a group of us resting on the grass, while the remainder of the team makes their way out of the water. The students had such a blast.

Koinonia Cafe - Friday October 9th

Pastor Tim Newell will be performing at the Koinonia Cafe. You are all invited. It is an outreach concert to reach the high school kids across the street at Chubu High. It all begins Friday, October 6th at 6pm. You better get there early, it is going to fill up.

Baptism's at Kadena Marina

The Bible College students were blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Baptism service and get together with Foster Chapel. We had a "Southern Style" picnic with BBQ pork sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans, and pies galore. It was great to be at the beach with the church of Foster Chapel.