Sakura Festival

The Cherry Blossom Festival (Sakura) has begun in Okinawa. So, since it was a holiday today we decided to take a group up to Nago and sight see. The flowers are so beautiful! The Sakura season begins later in the year on Mainland Japan. But for us here in Okinawa it is a bit warmer and the flowers come out earlier. The Sakura are stronger in Okinawa lasting about 1 month verses the Sakura on Mainland Japan which lasts only 1 week. Because of the harsher weather in Okinawa the trees are stronger, but honestly, they say the Sakura on the Mainland are more beautiful.

Mikan Season

We are right in the peak of the Mikan (orance) season in Okinawa. The Okinawan orange is called a "tonkan" and they are delicious. The seasonal fruit on Okinawa is so healthy for you. But being on a tropical island, you are always blessed with bananas all season long.

w2 - Worship/Word

It was a blessing seeing everyone get involved in serving on Sunday night. Iza and Ina helped Daniel lead in worship, Sosimo and Ryuko made coffee and served desserts and even Vince got into the action. At 10:30pm we had to start flicking the lights so everyone would head home, the fellowship was getting out of control.

The Amargo Family Together Again

Well, they are finally on Island together. Doesn't Ira look much happier. Let me introduce to you the family (from left to right); Irma (mother), Iza (eldest), Isaac (youngest) and Ina (middle child). There is one more in the Amargo family missing but he is serving the Lord in St. George Utah, he is the oldest of the 4 siblings, Ivan. Hey! All their names start with the letter I. We are blessed to have them serving the Lord with us here in Okinawa.

Mark and Tamiko in Okinawa

Tamiko recently returned from Germany and Mark Starr is here from China. It is a blessing having them with us. Tamiko will be around a lot longer on Island but Mark will only be with us one month. Hey, who are those two people in the back trying to get into the picture?

Back in Okinawa

We arrived safely in Okinawa and Mariko's mom Takako came to pick her up. It was a great trip in California and a blessing to have Mariko with us during the trip. It is good to be back on the island and we were so surprized that it is so cold! The weather was warm in California and chilly here in Japan. Thank you Lord for a safe and blessed trip.

Homeward Bound!

We just landed in Taipei and are awaiting our last flight to Okinawa. The flight from LAX to Taiwan was 14 hours! Wow! That had to be one of our longest flights. How long can these big airplanes stay in the air? Well, we had a smooth flight, hardly any turbulance, Praise the Lord! Okinawa Bound!

Leaving California

Well, the trip started out slow and then in went into high gear. It is time for us to head back home to Okinawa. It was a blessed time visiting with our family, church family and friends. God continues to do a wonderful work back in the States and we are excited in what the Lord will do next for us in Okinawa.

Mariko - English High School Student

Tuesday Mariko was an official student at Corona High School. She attended the day as a guest of Haley. She said that she had a good time. I was a little worried. But she really liked it. Her english is growing leaps and bounds.

Calvary Chapel Whittier

Sunday the 11th, we had the opportunity to head down to Whittier and spend Sunday morning with Pastor Alvin and the church in Whittier. It is always a blessing to be with him and see the great work that God continues to do. The Worship is always sweet and the fellowship is great. Thank you Alvin for the opportunity to minister at your church.

Happy Birthday Zach!

Saturday the 10th was Zach's 19th Birthday. We spent the evening hanging out as a family. For the past 4 years we were either flying back to Okinawa or was in Okinawa and were not able to celebrate his birthday together. It was a good time. I cannot believe that he has finished his first semester of Bible College and has now turned 19! Please leave Zach a birthday greeting below.

Calvary Costa Mesa Missions Day 2009

Saturday morning Zach and I spent some time together at the Missions Day at Big Calvary. It was a blessing seeing the different missionaries and the work that God is doing through Calvary Costa Mesa. It was a blessed morning.

A Welcomed Site

Over four years ago we moved to Okinawa and we have never seen gas this low since. Wow! Under one dollar a litre. That is still a little under 4 dollars a gallon, but this is incredible. We will be heading back to Okinawa Tuesday evening and will arrive in Okinawa on Thursday morning. Because of the international date line, we lose one day traveling back. We are looking forward to seeing our church family and friends back home. Thanks a lot Tokito for sending me this picture, again, a welcomed site.

New Invites

Pastor Tim did an excellent job of designing the new invites to CCGinowan. He did them both one side in Japanese and the other in English. May the Lord continue to do an incredible work on the Island of Okinawa.

Drop Off!

Today we drove Chuck Robb back to the Navy Base in San Diego. This is where he will be exiting the Military getting ready to enter civilian life. Afterwards he will be heading back to Mainland Japan to marry his sweetheart Yumi. They will be married in February and then head to Okinawa. We are looking forward to the Robb family joining us in ministry where he will continue his training in the ministry. God bless you Chuck and hopefully we will be able to hang out one more time before you leave to Japan.

News Flash!

Rob Wunderlich will be trying out for a Professional Baseball Team in Osaka next week, but here is his article so you can read it in his own words. Please keep him in your prayers. Well, here we go. For about a month now, I have been communicating with an Independent Professional team in mainland Japan. About a month a half ago, I sent my baseball profile to 10 Independent Pro teams in the mainland area. Lately, the Lord has been really speaking to me about stepping out in faith, especially, when it seems impossible. Well, I immediately recieved a response from one of the teams signifying that they weren't interested. It was a little discouraging, yet, soon after, 2 others teams replied with interest and a tryout if I was willing to take the hour and a half flight up to mainland. I had two teams to pray about and seek the Lord on which team I would go for. I actually decided to heavily talk to the Fukui Miracle Elephants. What a name huh? Well, they're a stronger team and they also have the nicest uniform. Over time, I simply lost interest in this team and continued my talks with the Kishu Rangers. The team you see in the above pics is the team I will be trying out for next year. I was actually blessed with 2 round trip tickets from my family. Myself and my brother Tokito will be flying to Osaka on January 12th. The tryout is in Wakayama about an hour and a half south of Osaka at the Kishu Rangers Stadium. It's exciting to see the Lord provide simply when you just step out in faith! My desire is to share Jesus with baseball players alike everywhere! Please pray for us and just what the Lord wants to do! It's all about Him!!! God bless you and continue to keep in contact for the next chapter of robsfieldof dreams!

Okinawan Hommies

Some last minute pictures with the gang. We are going to miss Jessica as she heads back home to San Jose. She flies out of Ontario tonight. Also, Eder heads back to Vegas as well as Stomer will be leaving for Tokyo in a few days. It was a blessed conference.

Conference Pictures

We were able to see many people at the missions conference and also talk to some of the guest speakers. It is always to spend time with the Drowns who were missionaries in South America for so many years. Even though they are getting up there in years, they have such a quick wit and and are always ready to give us an encouraging word. Pastor Chuck is always a favorite here at the conference.

Servant of the Lord

Daniel has been faithfully serving the Lord on Camp Foster for the past year. As Chaplain Owens is now leaving for San Diego, the chapel felt led to give Daniel a plaque for his great service. Thank you Daniel for your faithful sacrifice and service to Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday Dave!

Pictures by Daniel Sedota

Happy Birthday Buddy! Great to see that you had a wonderful time. Below is the email that Daniel Sedota sent from the Birthday Party, enjoy. "Here are pictures of Dave's 30th bday party....they invited us over for Bubba burgers and kielbasa sausage hot dogs...we gave him some gag gifts....tongue scrubber, knee guard, ice pack, visor for when he plays croquet with the geezers at the park....lol we had a great time." Please write David a Birthday greeting below.