A First

It was so encouraging to hear Tamiko’s testimony and Emi translating for her in Japanese. It is wonderful having the Japanese and English students together. We are all learning Japanese more as we pray, talk and do our best to converse in another language. “Thank you Jesus for bringing these students to us”.

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Andrew’s Birthday was Monday but we celebrated it at the Koinonia Cafe on Wednesday night. Andrew is not one, but we only had one candle (better than nothing huh). The picture of the 4 guys, I don’t know why I put it in there, it just looked good. They were so happy to be a part of Andrew’s Birthday I guess. God bless you Andrew and Happy Birthday buddy!

Finishing up with Prayer

At the end of the night we surrounded Andrew and spent some time in prayer for our good buddy. He is so blessed! The Bible tells us “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord” (Prov.18:22) We are so blessed for you Andrew and Kayo, we love you both so much. Please leave a wedding greeting for this wonderful couple.

Corny

Andrew is from Iowa and he is a proud “corn eater”, he talks a lot about corn. So Trevor made up this game; He has to find a few other people and challenge them to a “corn eating competition”. He found three challengers, 1 girl and two guys, all Japanese. Sorry, Andrew lost, the second guy from the left one.

Where is my Finance?

Another one of our games was the Andrew had to walk up to 10 different people and ask them “have you seen my finance”? Tamiko is in the big picture, but as you can see Kayo and Andrew are in the back. It was really funny, he had to point out “this is not my fiance, but this one is her in the back”. He had some good responses, a lot of fun.

Neely Games

At Neely’s bachelor party we blind folded him and took him to Mihama and he had to do these crazy games and skit. In this one he had to find a random person and sing to them a love song that he wrote to Kayo. We just happened to find this couple who were taking pictures who will be getting married this week. Andrew sung this long song for them, they liked it!

Andrew’s Bachelor Party

 Monday evening we celebrated Andrew’s Bachelor Party. The guys got together and made him hi “prison outfit”. Please do not be offended it was all done in fun. We all understand that it is freedom and not bondage that he is getting into, but we just all wanted to have a lot of fun. Andrew was a good sport, we all had a blast! Pizza, chips, and soda, a perfect combination.

Super Bowl Monday

  We all gathered at 8am Monday to watch the Superbowl. 8am Monday morning is around 4pm Sunday afternoon in California. So we gathered for breakfast at the Habu pit on Camp Futenma. Some of the Bible College gals did not want to go, so Hannah had a breakfast part at her house with food and a movie. It was a good morning/afternoon.

Brees Talks About Jesus

Many of you know that Drew Brees is the quarterback for the New Orleans Saints that just won the Superbowl. It is interesting to hear in his own words how he came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. A really good interview. Please click on the link below and see it for your self. http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7dde44d1a0c8c69ccdec&sp=2 Another hero that our young people can look up to.

All Out for Valentines Day

Okinawa is gearing up for Valentine’s Day and the Japanese really love this Holiday. On Valentines Day here in Japan, the girls give gifts to the boys and a month later on “White Day”, it is the day that the guys return the favor. Check out all this chocolate, it is all for February 14th.

From Israel with Love

 Sosimo was in Israel for about 4 months and on his arrival back to the USA he brought some Olive Wood Communion Cups for the body here at CCGinowan. This Sunday we were able to bless the church. Thank you Sosimo, this is a real blessing.

Happy Birthday Oba-san!

Kayo brought her grandma to the Koinonia Cafe the other day, it was her Grandma’s Birthday. Kayo and Andrew will be getting married soon. It was great to see Kayo’s Oba-san. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Friday Lectures

We were blessed this Friday morning the have Pastor Rick as our first guest lecturer for this semester Bible College. Rick is a great teacher and a good communicator. He encouraged the students in a good way, thank you Pastor Rick for teaching the class.

Another True Life Hero

Tony Dungy used to be the coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Many of you know his life, but recently ESPN wrote an article on his life and how he is such an inspiration to so many people. He looks back at life and says that if he “only would have taken Michael Vick on that fishing trip” his whole life could have been different. I do not want to steal the thunder of this modern day hero, but please click on the link below and read it for yourself. Our young people need someone to look up to, and Tony Dungy is one of those men.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=100128/TonyDungy

Morning Devotions

Joanna had the opportunity to share her testimony with the students Thursday morning. Now that the Lord has blessed us with full time Japanese students we do everything with translation. So as Joanna shared Yumi translated. It is a blessing to step out in faith and see God do His Great work.

Tim Tebow Article ESPN

I know that you are busy and time is precious but please take the time to read the article that ESPN printed on the front page of their website. Tim Tebow will join in on a TV add sponsored by Focus on the Family on Prolife that will air Superbowl Sunday. The Ads that run during the Superbowl run about 2 million dollars. He is coming under a lot of fire for his Christian values, but the article by ESPN is really good. For those of you who do not know Tim Tebow, he was the quarterback for the Florida Gators who won the National Championship last year, was a Heisman Trophy winner and is considered one of the Greatest College Football Player of all time. A real hero that our children can look up to. Please click on the full article link below: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=hill/100202

The Boek’s in Japan

This is a great picture of Jeremiah and Geigy. They celebrated their 16th Wedding Anniversary (Geigy’s crown is going to be huge in Heaven). This is a picture of them in front of Mt. Fuji, absolutely beautiful. We miss the Boek’s here in Okinawa. Hopefully they can come back and visit with us for a while. God bless you Boek’s, we love you.

Genesis Class

On Tuesday nights we teach the book of Genesis, taught by Chuck Robb and translated by his wife Yumi. The class is 3 units so they meet from 6:30pm to 9:30pm with a little break in between. Chuck is a good teacher, it should be a real blessing.

Miss Okinawa at Naha International Airport

The other day Eder and the crew were picking up one of the students and were able to meet Miss Okinawa. She was waiting to greet some important people arriving at the airport. We heard that one of the Japanese Professional Baseball teams were arriving. Eder and Hannah got a good picture. Eder was reallllly happy.

Nago Cherry Blossom Festival

Joel and Eder took some of the New Students up North to see the Cherry Blossom Festival. They met the Newell’s there and first went to lunch, then they climbed the over 700 steps to the top where there is a small temple and a cool walk through the jungle. The flowers are so beautiful, everyone had a great time.

Asa’s Japanese Buddies

Here is Asa and his school buddies after they did their performance in school. They look so happy together. There is nothing like a bunch of buddies hanging out after your performance. It is amazing to see Asa’s first response now, often times he answers in Japanese and not English. He is learning fast!

Happy Anniversary!

February 2010 marks the 10th Anniversary of Pastor Tom ministering in Okinawa Japan. It was February 2000 when Rick (Pastor Rick from CCOkinawa) and Rico came in a venture of faith to see what the Lord wanted to do in Okinawa. We stayed the whole week in Rick’s Grandmother’s house and it was a great adventure. The weather was cold just like it is right now. Who would have thought that a little trip like that would begin an Adventure of a Lifetime for Rick and Tom. I love what Pastor Skip Heizik has to say “God has the editing rights to the script of my life and he can change it any time He wants to”. Again, this marks the first 10 years of ministry here in Okinawa, what does God have in store for us next? I don’t know, but if He tarries, we know that it will be great!

Million Dollar Smile!

That is the look of Emi! It is so good to have her back this semester. Like all the returning students we are so glad that they are back. Emi has been home for the last two months, working, and spending time with her parents. God bless you Emi, great to see you!

Orientation Spring 2010

Orientation began Monday evening, everyone was gathered, ready to hear what will be expected for this semester. We did things a little different this time, this time everything was translated from English into Japanese. It is so exciting to have full time Japanese students. God is under control of this semester and we look forward to what He has in store for us.

John Michael has Arrived!

John Michael has been in Korea for the last two months, but his last week was in Mainland Japan. It is a blessing to have him back with us for this semester. God did a great work in his life while he was in Korea, and we look forward to God’s Good work done this semester. Please pray for our brother John Michael.

Asa’s School Performance

Most schools in Okinawa had performance days on island the other day. Asa’s first grade class did this special dance. Sorry the pictures are not the best quality but we did our best. He really got into this performance, I think his acting qualities came from his mom. Asa had a good time.