Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Donna heading back to Maine

DSC03192 We are going to miss Donna and the crew. They were such a blessing to all of us here in Ginowan City. We were blessed with their hearts of servant hood. May the Lord continue to bless them in all that they do for Jesus Christ.

Korea bound!

DSC03191The team is ready to go! We are at Naha International Airport waiting to go through customs. As you can we are totally ready to go. Please pray for us, that God will give us a fruitful time in Korea. May we be a blessing to everyone that we meet.

The Vundernator is back!

DSC03189 It is such a blessing to have Rob back with us here in Okinawa. He had a great time in California and Arizona. He was able to see our church family and his physical family in the States. It was good for him to head back to the states, it shows us how much we really missed and as Christina says "appreciate" him. (leave him alone)

Pastor Travis heading back to Tokorozawa

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It is was a total blessing having Travis with us here in Okinawa. He was such a blessing to the Okinawan people. The worship conference and ministry in general was great. Thank you Travis for coming down to visit with us and for sharing the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ with us.

The Bad Boyz of Ginowan

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This is a scary looking group of guys, but they are totally in love with Jesus Christ. The only this is, I would not like to meet these guys in a back alley. These guys are hard core.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Edwin back safely in Arizona

Hi everyone! Edwin emailed me. He is back in Arizona. Please continue to pray for our brother that the Lord would open new doors for him in ministry. He was such a blessing here in Okinawa, and we are excited for what the Lord has in store for him in the future.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Baptisms at Tropical Beach












We saw the Hand of the Lord in everything that we did Sunday at the beach. Especially right up to the time that we began baptizing the people. Right before we began, the sun broke through the clouds and shined right down on us! It was awesome. There is something so special about people getting baptized, I cannot really explain it, but some how, some time during the baptizing the Lord just strikes your heart and you think "wow, they are making a public confession of Christ", it is hard to hold back the tears. As you can see through the pictures it was a special afternoon, evening.

Tropical Beach Bento Baptism Bash




We gathered at Tropical Beach in Ginowan city for a time of fellowship, Baptisms, Worship, the Word, you name it. It was a great time. Instead of BBQing we had everyone bring bentos (Japanese box lunches). After playing vollyball and fellowshipping, we got down to business, it was Baptism time.

Sunday Morning with Pastor Travis



Travis Takamiya finished off our teaching weekend by preaching on Sunday morning. It was such a blessing to have him with us this past week. He was a real blessing to the students and the family here at Ginowan City. The Lord used him in many powerful ways.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Simon completes his first year at Teen Challenge

Let me introduce to you Simon Watanabe (left). He entered Teen Challenge here in Okinawa a year ago and has completed his first year. He has decided to stay on for another year commitment as an intern. He is really a blessing to all of us at the Koinonia Cafe and look forward to seeing him every week. Please continue to pray for Simon and also for Temote (right) the director of Teen Challenge Okinawa.

Session III - Worshipping at the Feet of Jesus

This was the final session that Pastor Travis delivered to us at the conference. We were blessed and encouraged as we finished up the conference with Communion. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed we are to have Travis with us here in Okinawa. His servant heart and fresh presence, encouraged the body of Christ here in Ginowan city.

Voice Workshop



At the worship conference, Daniel demonstated when you are singing not to sing through your nose. This was a visual demonstration that Pastor Tim helped with. During this workshop, Daniel taught us how to correctly use our voice. It was a good session.

Friday, April 04, 2008

Second Night - Worship Conference



Night two was a blessing at the Worship Conference. Travis encouraged us to come to the feet of Jesus just like Mary did when her brother Lazarus died. In the end, Jesus raised him from the dead! After the teaching we spent time in an "after glow", where we continued to worship the Lord and allowed Him to speak to us through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was a powerful time in the Lord.

Samurai Night!


Wednesday night at the Ginowan children's ministry "Water Company", they had Samurai night. The kids all dressed up in their Samurai outfits. It was a blessing as the kids had a great time.

Lectures in Ministry

Pastor Travis was our guest speaker for our class in "Lectures in Ministry". He explained to us what ministry is all about and he used the book of Revelation to encourage us to be "hot for the Lord". Travis has been ministering in Tokorozawa city for the last 6 years. Before coming to Japan he was on staff with Pastor Bill Stonebraker at Calvary Honolulu.

First Night - Worship Conference



The first night of the Worship Conference was such a blessing. Pastor Travis gave the message about Mary and Martha and how Mary chose the better thing by worhipping at the feet of Jesus. Everyone who attended were so blessed.

Incredible!



This is an incredible video. I was blessed. I hope you enjoy it. Please click the play button on the video.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Arizona Team leaves for Home

We are going to miss, Sherry, Dave, Edwin and Linda so much. They were truly a blessing and an example of what a missionary should be like. They were dedicated to sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with anyone they came in contact with. God bless you team! May the Lord continue to bless your ministry as you serve the Lord in the United States.

Pastor Travis in Okinawa

Pastor Travis is here in Okinawa for the Worship Conference that we will begin tonight. The conference will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We are looking forward to a powerful time in Jesus and with the people here in Okinawa. Please keep this special time in prayer.

Last Supper with the Missions team from Arizona


It was such a great time with the Arizona team. It is really a bummer to see them leave. They have been with us for 2 weeks but it feels like just a few days. It was a blessing to pass out tracts with them and share the Love of Jesus Christ with the Okinawan people.

Korea Prayer


Tuesday we dedicated the day to Prayer and Fasting. We leave for Korea next Tuesday. We are looking forward to a powerful and blessed time with Calvary Chapel Cheonon, Mike Loudermilk and the english institute. Please keep us in our prayers for fruitful and safe trip as we minister the Lord Jesus Christ in the country of Korea.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

"Vunderzona"


Rob is in Arizona right now, he will be back in Okinawa this coming Tuesday. It looks like he is having fun. This is his family out in the desert. Check out that big cactus. Well, we know that he is having a good time. Travel safe back to us in Okinawa bro. God bless you!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

A Beloved Brother


Sunday our dear brother Eric when home to be with the Lord. With a heavy heart I write to you this article. I have know Eric for many years and have had the privilege of being there with him in the beginning when he planted Calvary Creekside. We spoke many times together about missions and the work that the Lord put on his heart. Before I came back to Okinawa this last January, I was able to spend some time with him in the hospital. He made me laugh with his huge smile and funny words, but he also made me cry when he gave me personal words of encouragement. I asked him what he wanted me to say to the people in Okinawa, he said "Tell them to go hard for God, give them "God"zilla". We laughed and laughed and laughed, then when I left him I cried. I thought to myself, "Yes, that is why I am here in Japan, to give the Okinawan Japanese people the hope of Eternal life". Time is short, we have just a few years left, and then it is over, death or the Rapture, we will be with the Lord. Like many of you who knew Pastor Eric, we love him and are deeply going to miss this beautiful, wonderful brother. For those of you who are interested in sending a love gift, or helping out the Sorien family in any ways, you can click on their website to get more information. www.calvarycreekside.com Love, Pastor Tommy