Tired, but totally blessed

Doing missions work for the Lord is worth all the energy and effort put forth. As you read this, the team has returned back from the Philippines. We had a great time, and it was awesome. I personally was blessed to be a part of this group from OCSI and CC Okinawa. We look forward to what the Lord will be doing with this group and all the ministry that was done with the church in Ilo Ilo and the Filipino people. If you would like, you can click below and see all of the picts that we took, from start to finish. May the Lord bless you and all of you that will be venturing out in faith for the Lord Jesus Christ. http://photos.yahoo.com/e3missionsphilippines Pastor Tommy

Ministry in the Barangay La Puz

This is a picture of the end of ministry in the Barangay for the day. The kids were great. Everyone fell in love with them. The beautiful thing about children in the Philippines, is that they are so grateful when you come and minister to them. Taiko Toma was overwhelmed afterwards when the kids wanted to hug and kiss her goodby. The church in Ilo Ilo has been ministering in the barangay for about 3 years. Continue to please pray for the children of Ilo Ilo, that they will come to the saving knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

Worship leaders for Wednesday night service at CC Ilo Ilo

Great time of worship at CC Ilo Ilo when the girls led us in song. It is cool when people are willing to serve. To my knowlege this is the first time that Taiko (left) and Mara (right) have ever led worship for a large group of people. Jessik (middle) always does a great job on the guitar.

3rd year anniversary at CC Ilo Ilo

The room was packed with over 100 people in attendance at Calvary Chapel's 3 year anniversary. The team from Okinawa had the privilege of helping lead worship for that mornings service, and Pastor Tommy Ruiz gave the mornings message. It is always a blessing to see how far a church has gone in a few years. The first service was held downstairs in a small room. Now that area is the children's ministry, and Pastor Mike is praying about buying the building. Please continue to pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit in the area of purchasing this site. They are presently renting, and beginning to bust at the seams.

Basketball tournament at Barangay La Puz

The basketball tournament was a great sucess. This was our second tournament in the barangay, and just as many people turned out this year as last year. You might remember, last year we took a team over to the PI and Darrel Balancier led the tournament. It was such a blessing to see everyone turn out for this great event. See more picts at http://photos.yahoo.com/e3missionsphilippines

Beautiful sight at the Baptisms

Just one more thing to love about Ilo Ilo. We took this pict as we were leaving the baptism site.

Baptisms at Calvary Chapel Ilo Ilo

When you get a chance check out the picts of the baptisms. We were so blessed to be a part of the work that God is doing. http://photos.yahoo.com/e3missionsphilippines . The koinonia was sweet, we felt like we were taking part in the book of Acts. The only one missing was Paul the Apostle.

Ministry at University of the Philippines Islands

Monday, we were invited to minister at the College and High school in Ilo Ilo. We began by playing the guitar and instruments, then, we shared the Gospel through testamonies and songs. We were blown away to see the students that we brought, being so bold to share the Gospel. The UPI students were very receptive. Please continue to pray for the work that God is doing in young people and how he wants to use this team in the future. For more pictures of this outreach click onto http://photos.yahoo.com/e3missionsphilippines

The team for OCSI and Calvary Chapel Okinawa

What a good looking group of people from Okinawa. This is a pict that we took on the last night that we were in Ilo Ilo. If you notice, a few people are missing, Laura is AWOL, probrobly ministering to the students, and Jasher was sick. You might be wondering who is the guy in front. Well that is Melford, he is part of the church there is Ilo Ilo. We all fell in love with this great brother, he is from Nigeria. So we thought, "Melford, jump into this picture and represent Jasher, since he is back at the hotel sick" so we made him an honorary member of the team from Okinawa. Wow! We had such a great time on this missions trip. Pastor Tommy

Three Tomadachi's

The three amigos. Everyone remembers Krystal, (left) she served in Okinawa at CCOkinawa for 3 months. She is now in cosmetology school. On the left is Tamiko, she will be graduating from OCSI this year. In the center in Ayu, she faithfully serves the Lord at CCOkinawa and all three of these girls were in California during Christmas. If you would like to see the pictures from California that Ayu took, click below at http://photos.yahoo.com/guadalupeayu . If you want to see the pictures that Tamiko took, please click onto http://photos.yahoo.com/choco_ashi There are also some Okinawan picts there too. Please keep these girls in your prayers as they continue to serve Jesus Christ every day. Pastor Tommy

Philippines trip February 2005

Praise the Lord gang! This is part of the group that will be leaving for the Philippines on February 8th, 2005. There are 14 other people missing in this group, but they were not around for the pictures. We will get a picture of the rest of the group later. But pictured above are John Maraveles, Lewai Han, Jasher Calcabean, and Jessika Rhode. They are all students at OCSI. They, as well as the rest of the group are blessed with the opportunity to travel to the PI and serve the people there. Please keep us in your prayers, and if you would like, we will be posting pictures on the web while we are on the trip, so click below to see the picts. Give us a few days though, I don't think that we will have the opportunity to post them for a few more days. http://photos.yahoo.com/e3missionsphilippines . God bless you all. Pastor Tommy

Nago Cherry Blossom Festival

In Okinawa around the end of January, the beginning of February, the Cherry Blossoms come out. It is a big festival in Okinawa. Everyone comes from all over the Island to Nago(Northern part of the country) and they visit this area and take pictures and celebrate the new season. Tradition states that the Cherry Blossoms has much significance in Okinawa. It signifies the new year is upon us, and with that comes new beginnings, as well as a beautiful blooming for our lives, prosperity and happiness. The Cherry Blossoms in Okinawa are stronger and heartier lasting up to a month, while in Mainland Japan, they last about a week. So when we visited Nago this weekend, not all the trees were in bloom, but as you can see from our pictures, it was a beautiful sight to see. If you would like to see the pictures from the trip, click below at http://photos.yahoo.com/calvarychapele3missions God bless you all Pastor Tommy

Rosie, Jean Marie and Inessa

Hi guys,
This is a recent picture that Rosie sent us from Israel. She is walkin with Jean Marie, and their new friend Inessa (her name means Miracle). Please contine to pray for these girls that the Lord will continue to lead, guide, direct and draw them closer to Jesus Christ. We are starting a picture album of Rosie so you can click below to http://photos.yahoo.com/rosieavilajerusalem God bless you all. Pastor Tommy

Newest member to Calvary Chapel Watsonville

Hi everyone! Let me introduce to you, the newest member of CCWatsonville. His name is Ethan Caleb Grajeda Smith. It is such a blessing to see this little guy. In the near future we will be posting new pictures of the work that God is doing up on Watsonville California through Pastor Dylan Smith. If you would like to see some more picts click on to http://photos.yahoo.com/ccwatsonville . God bless you all, and keep CCWatsonville in your prayers. Love, Pastor Tommy

Recent Picture of Rose Avila in Jerusalem

Praise the Lord! Doesn't she look wonderful. It is great to see another picture of Rosie. She is doing great in Israel, and they are ready to start the second semester at CCBC Jerusalem. For those of you who do not know Rosie, she graduated from CCBC last year and is now serving on staff there in Jerusalem. There are so many things that she is praying about. Please keep her in your prayers, especially concerning her visa status. She wants to stay long term in Israel, and is willing to do whatever it takes to stay there long term. Pastor Tommy

Aaron Deleon from Osaka

For many of you, you remember and know Aaron personally. But for those who do not, Aaron is originally sent out from CCMontebello, Pastor Pancho's Church. Aaron has been serving in Japan over 2 years. He is presently serving the Lord in Osaka Japan, which is about 8 hours away North from Tokyo. As I spoke with him at the conference, he is excited and blessed to be in Osaka. Osaka is equivilent to New York city in the USA. In Osaka, things are fast pace to the max, in Aaron's own words "imagine getting out of a Dodgers game in LA, and traveling to your car", that is the way Osaka is 24/7, fast pace with tons of people. Continue to pray for Aaron, he is serving the Lord, and loving it. Tim Newell is planning a missions trip in the next few months to Osaka, so continue to pray that it comes together perfectly in God's timing. Pastor Tommy

Prayerful, future home of CCTokorozawa

The Lord has put this building in the heart of Travis Takiyama, Pastor of CCTokorozawa. Please join us in prayer that if it is the Lord's will, that the church will be able to move into this building. This past Sunday, January 30th, 2005, we had the opportunity of fellowshiping with the body there in Tokorozawa,and they are busting at the seams in their small building. It would be such a blessing for the body to move into a bigger facility. So, keep them in your prayers. Pastor Tommy

Some of the Pastor's at the CCJapan Conference

Calvary Chapel Pastor's Leader's Conference 2005

Starting January 28th 2005 begins the CCJapan Pastor's Leadership Conference in Tokyo. We arrived the day before it starts, to get ready for a wonderful weekend of being refreshed and encouraged in the Word of God. We were blessed this year to bring not only Pastor Rick and his wife Christy, but also Pastor Masaru, Keiko his wife, Pastor Tommy and his wife Joanna, but also, Yumi, Yoko, and Takako all from CCOkinawa. We have started a Yahoo photo album for this weekends conference, so if you would like to see what is going on, click on the link, and we will do our best to post pictures daily. God bless you all and keep the conference in your Prayers. Check the link http://photos.yahoo.com/ccjapanconference05 . Pastor Tommy

Praise God! The wait is over!

We are so blessed to finally have a picture of Dylan and Anabel's baby, Ethan Caleb Grajeda Smith. Whew! A long name for a cute baby. George Sedota and his wife Patty, had the opportunity to go up to Watsonville and visit with this couple for a few day, so they took these pictures. You can turn to their site and check out more picts. http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bigdota/my_photos If you do not know, Dylan and Anabel Smith have been in Watsonville California for over a year now and Dylan pastor's a new Calvary Chapel work in the area called Calvary Chapel Watsonville. Dylan was an assistant pastor at CCLivingwater for many years. But the Lord called him out to start a new work up north. Now, God has blessed this couple with a new addition, baby Ethan. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to be faithful in the work that God has called them to do. Pastor Tommy