Jane missed riding her bike at Grandma's house

 She spent a long time getting reacquainted with her bike wait that is Nathan's bike she is riding.

 Jane that bike is too big for you....

 Ahh you caught me...hey don't take my picture...

Things don't change much. Jane don't leave the bikes in the driveway especially behind Grandma's car... Jane? Jane? JANE!

Friday Night Home Fellowship

 Friday Night Home Fellowship was started about 6 years ago with 3 guys seeking Jesus. Mihoko and I ministered to many through this time of being in the word. Jesus was always the center of our time together. He is the glue to keep us and sustain us. So after 2.5 years of ministering in Japan we are so blessed to see the fellowship continues and it is still centered on Jesus. Praise God. We had some special guests that blessed everyone. Hanna Sakurai from CC Kokobunji came in and sang some worship songs for us and it was amazing. About 1/4 of the group remember Hanna when she was 4 years old here in Cali while her dad attended Fuller and SOM. She was such a delight then and now wow what a blessing. She started out singing timid and quiet. People were mingling and talking but then she closed her eyes and sang to Jesus. There was a ferocious lion of a singer in that girl the place got real quiet and then all were enraptured to worship along with her. All were stunned at the focus of singing to God and even those who did not know Japanese were moved to tears. Judy Kimura is with Hanna singing in this picture. She is a Professor at UCI who teaches Japanese. She loves to sing and was so blessed by Hanna's gift.

 Our long time friend Yumiko Takada was there as well. She has been so supportive in all we do. Her heart is to serve Jesus. It was an honor and blessing to see her and hang out.

 The Arendse Family have also been such a blessing over the years. They were one of the first families at CCCM we hung out with. Nathan and Luke are best friends and it was so fun to see these young men together again. Luke is tall like his brother but he is only 12 like Nathan. Wow Roger what did you feed that boy. Thanks for coming guys God bless you.

After some great food we moved into a time of sharing. We were so blessed to have Tommy Ruiz's son Zach Ruiz come out and lead some worship. Like his dad he is so gifted and he is one of those guys that can take a rowdy group of Jesus loving people and get them to come together and all begin to worship. Zach is serving with his dad at CC Ginowan in Okinawa. They started the CC Bible College Japan and it has been growing so much. It brings tremendous joy to my heart to see the brothers and sisters seeking Jesus and just to blessed each other in anyway we can.  We wanted to take a group picture but that would minister to my pride. A lot of people came and were in the kitchen while we were beginning here. It was a blessed time.

I shared my heart as to what God is doing in Japan and more specifically what is Jesus doing in my heart. In John 6 the feeding of the 5000 Jesus escapes them trying to make him a King prematurely. He is found by the thousands later the next day as they were working hard to find Jesus. The people who were fed the bread were working and laboring to find Jesus. Jesus says labor not for the bread that perishes but for the bread that leads to eternal life. He also told them you are not seeking me but the bread.

Today in the church so many people are being sold a bill of goods claiming life enhancement in exchange for religious devotion. Many are being taught; "Come to Jesus for riches." "Come to Jesus for a better marriage." "Come to Jesus for drug rehab." "Come to Jesus for a job." ETC. The problem is as Jesus points out in the passage that the people are not coming to Jesus. He says, "Your are not seeking me you are seeking the bread." Those reasons to come to Jesus are not bad per-se but they are not the real reason of why we should come to Jesus.

This caught my attention as I have been guilty in the act of planting a church to try to turn people on to church or turn them on to the benefits of attending the church. I have been guilty of trying to turn people on to the benefits of coming to church more than coming to Jesus.  I have been taught not to do that I have been taught to focus on Jesus but in my carnality I think if only I can convince them of this they'll come to Jesus. To which Jesus says later in the chapter. "No one can come to the father unless he draws them." I am trying to draw people in without the work of the Father. Ouch. It is true. I am working to draw people into the church my focus is well meaning and the benefits do happen yet that is not how God the Father wants us to believe and come to faith. I can take a robotic arm that mixes powerful chemicals to make medicines that cure and I can use that robotic arm as a back scratcher. I can then tell people to get the robotic arm as a great back scratcher and it make medicines. But that is wrong. So too with the way churches are being built. But How does the Father draw them? V29 "This is the work of God that you believe in Him He has sent." Believe in Jesus! Preach Jesus, Live Jesus, Love Jesus. When Peter made his glorious confession saying, "Thou art the Christ the Son of God." Jesus said upon that confession is what he will build his church. Jesus even called it a key to the kingdom. Jesus unlocks many things for us but we are not to focused on the things we are to focus on Jesus himself.

The church today in Japan or in the US is selling the benefits of Jesus but I see (myself included) our focus is not on Jesus and who he is. He is God the Word John 1:1 come in the flesh as the Son of God. He is the second person of the unified God. Col tells us Jesus is the creator of the universe and he holds it altogether. Jesus is so awesome and worthy the Bible even tells us that one day at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is LORD. Jesus is worthy to be worshiped. For HE alone is worthy. Christ the Lord. Let's this season of Christmas seek to worship Jesus for who he is and because he is worthy rather than trying to gain brownie points with God to gain some benefit. When you seek God for healing but not Jesus...When you seek God for a job but not Jesus...When you seek God for provision but not Jesus you are not seeking Jesus you have not because you ask amiss says James. This year let's get our eyes off of self-centered life enhancement and get out eyes on the giver of life and worship him for who he is for HE ALONE IS WORTHY. AMEN

A note of thanks: The Fujikura's Yumiko and Keizo have been wonderful hosts of our meetings and it is such a blessing to know them and see them grow in the Lord. Blessings of God upon your family and home. Also a note of thanks to Toshiko Yokota for coming and blessing us. She is a Professor at CSLA and teaches Japanese. Thank you for the lessons Sensei. God bless you. 

Does this offend you?

John 6:61 Jesus is saying some pretty hard things. The disciples find themselves... murmuring... not singing or praising but murmuring. Not rejoicing in solid truth but mumbling murmurs. To which, Jesus looks at this group of quarreling men vying for position and status. Cutting each other with their words and religiously serving to look devoted and they are murmuring; and Jesus says, "Does this offend you?"

I am teaching English to many different students. One day this week I was engaged with a student about Hoji. This is the tradition where a family who is Buddhist returns one year later to a grave and has a memorial service. We talked of funerals western and eastern. I was able to share with him about the Christian faith. His questions caught me off guard and he can not understand "such a narrow teaching where so many different people who believe so differently are being sent to hell by YOUR loving God?" I have studied many times the apologetic in a classroom or church sanitized setting where the truth is presented in a way that is palatable and God is sovereign and well yes the truth is if someone does not believe in Jesus Christ his work on the cross and resurrection you can not be saved.

I have been teaching this man for 6 months now. Each week he comes in and we share our lives together. I have really grown attached to him more as a friend than as a student. I value his time and respect his person and individuality. Yet at the risk of offending him and loosing his friendship and all I was faced with the reality of the teaching meeting a lost soul square in the face.

I balked for a moment. I really stopped which may have been micro seconds in real time but it was actually feeling like an eternity. As the truth rolled out of my lips something inside me was saying, "Are you hearing this, do you really believe this?" Here is an intelligent man who is a success in society and is very cultured and you are going to relegate him to the teachings of your childhood about  Jesus coming from heaven the virgin birth and resurrection and rapture and new heaven and new Earth? Is this what your going to give to this man?

I realize now this was a spiritual attack. Yet I can't get over all the times before I had thrown the gospel into a "hail mary" type lob into the sea of humanity and who ever gets hit then we go from there. But this was one of the first times where someone I have vested time with someone who is so not saved but I really care about. I can do an out reach anytime anywhere and lob gospel. It feels good. Your doing the work of the Lord. I come from a Christian family, I have Christian friends in the States, When I worked I was surrounded by a wall of Christian customers and vendors. I have been insulated. I have shared with non-believers but it was more in a volley of truth salvos and decimating the relativity of humanistic existential belief.

So here in this moment I balk for the first time truly hearing my message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ come out of my mouth. I have shared and been sharing one on one for many times but there was something different. I was challenged with this truth of the message of Jesus Christ. I, really in that split second, found myself quoting John 6:60 where the disciples say, "this IS a hard teaching. Who can accept it? Especially in Japan?" And then I heard God respond to me clearly, "Does this offend you?"

I went ahead and praise God shared the truth and spoke all I was supposed to say. My friend went away like some of the disciples in John 6 saying this is a hard thing to accept. As I weep over my friends salvation I find myself wanting to color coat the gospel to soften it. I want to give him morsels of truth that will melt his heart like butter and bring him gently like  a 747 landing safely in the arms of Jesus repentant and broken. Yet it doesn't work that way. I want to say just come to church and have fun. Just have a coffee and doughnut and fellowship. Don't worry about the gospel right now let's just get souls to come to church.

There is a church here engaged in the invitation ministry. They are placing thousands of fliers in thousands of mail boxes. They are happy and boast of their faithfulness to "GET THE WORD OUT" campaign. The word on the fliers says come to church and hang out... hear a concert. I am not down playing this at all but when you ask if those handing out the fliers engage the people and have conversations about truth and Jesus they say no. I vehemently oppose manipulation to just get a name on the roster at church. That is deception.

So as I am sitting and reading John 6 again today and thinking on all the ways of truth that are presented for religion and relating to God or a god I found myself rejoicing in the verse of John 6:68 in response to Jesus' question... "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We (I) believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." I am thinking at how frivolous I have been in my approach to presenting gospel lobbing salvos and now am faced with more focus on expert sharpshooting skill and prayerfully approaching each presentation of the gospel. Eternal life is at stake here we can't take it lightly and think, "Oh well ho hum some day the Lord will get through to them. I did my part." Really? I am engaged in the verse where Jesus says to Paul in Acts 26:18. "I am sending YOU to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

He's pretty close

Nathan is studying about King Herod the Great in his Bible class. I like his picture that he drew himself without any influence. He is a good drawer. I am sorry if someone looks similar to this. There was no intention here but just a 12 year olds desire to express what he is studying.

Feeding 5000

The feeding of the 5000 in John 6 is also in the other three gospels. One of the only two miracles that are recorded into all the gospels. It is one of the main miracles to fulfill Deuteronomy 18:15 to show that Jesus was that prophet sent from God greater than Moses.  It also demonstrates God's giving nature. He didn't give to some and not others. All present were filled and satisfied. This really ministers to me in regards to the gospel. I have to question my motives as to why do I sometimes share with a select one or two but not others. I like how God turns to Phillip who is a native of the area and would know best the logistics of engaging in this ministry. Often times we take our ministries to the limits of our resources and then stop because we have no more. God wants to do more but we can stop and stifle what God wants to do. We had an experience one time where because of the facility that was not large enough people were turned away due to logistics. The people turned away were heart broken and had very limited to no more contact with us after that. Those that were invited only 1/2 came and there was plenty of food and plenty of room. Our limitations are God's limitations. Jesus could do no great work there, in Nazareth, because of Unbelief. Jesus tells the man to only believe, to which the man's reply is I do believe but help my unbelief. Which is a round about way saying I want to believe but my faith is weak. When the disciples obeyed Jesus they just went about the logistics of grouping the people and having them sit and then appropriating baskets and ready for the Lord to work and then the miracle happened. It wasn't based on their work but I believe because they obey and were faithful God did the real work. They got to participate in the work. God doesn't need any help but often he deliberately restrains his work until he has our participation. We can protest and say like Andrew there just isn't much here to work with I don't see the possibility.  Yes with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible.  

It is the Christmas season our activities get way too busy and out of control that we do loose sight of the One we are trying to honor. Let's keep our eyes and ears open to what God wants to do this season and obey him. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the miracles of love and feasting that happen. What a thrill and joy it is to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. He loved so radically he touched more deeply he spoke more boldly than any man to date. If we go in his strength we can expect God to do something. The fun part is you don't know what he wants to do but you just do it and wow God is so good. It could be as simply as feeding one or maybe as amazing as 5000.

A note of interest to me is that the barley loaves used were not considered a high quality. The Talmud records it as horse food. But beside that the seed is crushed and flour is made and then baked.  No one in the history of the universe has ever been able to plant a handful of flour and get a crop. But how much more silly for someone to plant a loaf of bread in the ground and expect it to yield. But the person who eats the bread of life Jesus, which means we digest into our heart the word of God, we will see as it goes our of our mouths multiplied in the hearing of those around us. This may be the season to share gifts but I want to pose a challenge for us to try sharing scripture into the hearing of our family. Not our platitudes or opinions but hard core Bible verses and see what God does. I have so many say, "the Bible really says that?" and then I show them and they are surprised. Jesus was crushed and buried and is the fruit of eternal life. How can we expect our family and friends to come to salvation when we are not planting the Bread of Life into their heart. This Christmas give everyone a slice of the Bread of Life and see what happens.

John 6:51

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Bump of Chicken

Bump of Chicken is a very popular band now in Japan. They are not Christian in fact they sing about many subject but one song that is popular is called "Karma". I found the lyrics facinating as he describes his life he had dirty hands and no control it speaks to me about the depravity of mankind. I am not endorcing the band or the song but I am one who can appreciate art sometimes and I like all kinds of music. The lyric that really got to me is at the end of the song where it says, "When you build a cross on the sunken reasons the promise will be fulfilled we'll become one." "Shizumeta riyuu ni juujika wo tateru toki yakusoku wa hatasareru bokura wa hitotsu ni naru." I'd be interested to hear what you might think the writer means here?

A single glass ball fell
When I went after it, I dropped another one
There's only enough sun for one
And only one left

As soon as your heart starts beating
You take up space, whether you want to or not
And you protect that space so no one else can take it

The hands I'd kept clean
Now look dirty
Before I can doubt my memories
My memories are doubting me

We'll meet for sure
Using our heartbeats as signs
I'm here and I'm always calling you
When the tired old reasons pile up and start to sway
That's when you know the reason you were born

As long as life exists
We take up space whether we want to or not
Two can't fit
When there's just enough sun for one

A single glass ball fell
And when it did, something shot out
It bathed in the light in the spot it stole

I've been counting my footprints
But at some point it became just a number
Apparently what I mustn't know
Is between one and zero

We'll meet for the first time
Using our screaming flags as signs
Don't forget, I'm always calling you
When we bury all the piled up reasons
That's when we'll make a promise

We're mirrors, both of us
Reflecting each other's karma
Our dirty hands will touch
And well know its shape

I'm here, and I can touch you
We're both here in this sun that's only enough for one

Don't forget, I'm always calling you
From the inside of the same glass ball
Yeah, we'll meet for sure
When you build a cross on the sunken reasons
The promise will be fulfilled
We'll become one

Thanksgiving

This was actually a simplified meal we ate on Thanksgiving. We are missing many dishes in this picture.

We have always celebrated Thanksgiving at my mother's home in California. It was a big family deal. We have a big family and there was big food too. Here in Japan, thanksgiving is a little different. There are turkeys here but not so much the expense but there are not many ovens that can cook a big turkey. Our convention oven can bake but it just won't fit a 12 pound bird. We opted for Chicken from Costco. It was really good and with all the other fixens we didn't miss a bite. This year we had a private family time and then on the following Sunday we had nine friends come together. Three of our Christian friend and 6 non-Christian friends. The six are from our English School. it was great to be sharing our story and faith.

Our family tradition is to go around the table and say what we are thankful for. I was surprised at the answers. Some even indicated that Mihoko and I are who they are thankful for to be sharing with them and inviting them into our lives is a big deal. The smallest acts of kindness can transform an individuals life that is dull and monotonous. We played a game and in the course of it found four of the ladies were all nurses. They didn't know and neither did we. They were sharing stories and one Christian nurse shared her search for meaning in life even though she was trying to make a difference and care for people she felt it was in vain...until she met Jesus. She professed that she prayed every morning to some unknown god asking for the things she needed that day. She was having a form of a relationship with a god she didn't know. She looked into other gods and none of them fit the nature of the one she had been communing with. Then she met Jesus. He was even more perfect than the one she had and he filled her every need and longing. One of the other nurses got all excited testifying she had been praying for a while to some god she didn't know but knew he existed. She was yearning to discover who this god is? She was not ready to identify Jesus as her God but she is now very serious in learning more about him. We are so blessed to be watching the action happen all around us. Pray for Sugai san and Sato san to have a relationship with Jesus and for many others to be actively sharing their faith. We are so thankful to God for bringing us to Japan. All praise to him.

The In-laws...

I am a really blessed man. I love my in-laws. We have been living together for the last 6 months and it has been a test of our relationship. Today they started to pack a few items toward moving out. We love them but there is a reason the Bible tells us to leave and cleave. We are not to be under that parental control but led and guided by the Lord. They will live about 2 and a half hours away. Their move though isn't as fast as I would like but they are showing signs of promise. I imagine they will wait til we are in the states and then they will use our car.


It was over 21 years ago that I met Mr and Mrs Hori. I was dating Mihoko and they came to the US for a visit. Mihoko was at Azusa Pacific University and we met at her apartment for a dinner together. I was so nervous. We had casual conversation. Then after dinner Mr. Hori nervous started to roll up the chopstick paper. He rolled it at an angle and it was like really long. Then he made a pair of glasses. SO when in Rome...I rolled my paper. We had matching glasses. Then the paper broke. SO we put the eye glass paper rings on the table and using the arm of the paper glasses we put it under our bottom lip and held it in place by making a funny face. Then we played a game to try and pick up the rings without using our hands. It was hilarious. I knew then I liked these people.

A while later I went to Japan as a short-term missionary and was able to stay with them for a couple of weeks. They loved me and took care of me. Even now they are still taking care of us. Mrs. Hori is a willing servant who wants to do everything. She will mend my clothes any time. The plus factor was the day we left for the mission field back in 2008 is Mr. Hori gave his heart to Jesus. He has been coming to church and we are enjoying a blessed time as a united family. But we had made arrangements from the beginning of their move over here to have them find a separate place. They were blessed with a place near Mr. Hori's home town in Nagano. They will have extra room whereby we can stay when we visit. Pray they will remain healthy for many years and enjoy grow in the Lord. Pray they will find a good church there. Pray Mr. Hori will find some godly men to grow in the Lord with.

Ome Matsuri (Festival) and GCIS

Our kids have been attending GCIS Grace Christian International School for this year. They are having such a blast. one of their classes is a music class where Pastor Jonathan himself has been teaching them to sing some traditional songs like swing low, Oh When the Saints and I'm gonna sing sing sing... The kids were all very nervous but together they had a blast to get up on stage and do it. We are so proud of the kids. Grace Christian Fellowship the church had a booth with clowns scattered through out the venue and the kids were given game cards. They'd have to find clowns and read scripture verses to get stamps which then upon completion would gain them access to make a Christmas decoration. The kids loved it. I got in on handing out the game cards and it was so much fun. The clowns did a great job and had too much fun clowning around. Pastor Jonathan said it was easy to transport all the staff this year since they all dressed as clowns they all fit into the car. LOL he is too funny. May God sew the seeds of the gospel into the hearts of the people that heard. The GCF Worship team played a few song and did a great job and Jonathan sang with them Amazing Grace in English and Japanese. I was a little worried wondering if they were going to sing all 6 verses both in Japanese and English. Whew they didn't and it was pretty. God bless you all.

5 Years ago today November 18th, 2005 7:30 am

It was hard waking up at the Tiperton Hotel near UCLA. It was 7am. Soon 7:28 and I needed to shower and eat breakfast and go see our 4 year old daughter in the hospital on life support. It was day 24 in the hospital. I slide off the bed and pray with tears. "Lord please have mercy? Please let today be the da..." Before I can finish my prayer at 7:30 in the morning the phone rings. "Good morning Mr. Bolinger we are needing you to come down to the hospital to fill out some paperwork?" The administrating voice said. "Kind of early don't you think?" I sighed. "Mr. Bolinger we can't go ahead with the procedure without your consent." "Procedure? What procedure? Our daughter had been on an ECHMO life support machine for about 4 days and she was declining. There were no other procedures. "Um...didn't someone call you already?" "Ah no. About what?" The admin person not a Christian says, "OMG" Mr. Bolinger Congratulations your daughter got a heart you need to come and fill out the paperwork immediately the team is on stand by waiting." WHAT!!!!!!! WE GOT A HEART! My daughter is going to live again. She was dead in my eyes like my first born son. He had the same condition the same disease the same life draining trail of death and he went to heaven. Now my daughter we expected the same fate. "Mr. Bolinger? Mr. Bolinger? You still there?" I was a complete ball of tears I had collapsed on the floor. I eeked out in a mickey mouse voice, "Yea I'm on my way." I hung up and just fell into praise and worship before my Lord and King Jesus. The redeemer of my soul and now the healer of the daughter. He had always been a healer and capable of healing but I was lacking faith. His grace (Unmerited favor) was poured out upon us that day in a mighty way. The gift of life so precious. We never consider how precious life is until we see it draining out of the ones we love. Hope flies out the door and we are depressed and console ourselves with scripture and platitudes of grandeur but death sucks. When death is robbed of its victory and my daughter was snatched from his teeth by Jesus we shout in exalted victory PRAISE THE LORD. GLORY HALLELUJAH! The Lord spoke to me clearly, "Get up and get ready. Call your wife!" I called Mihoko who was at home. She was wondering where what's going on? She was busy with things at home and had missed the Doctors calls. "Mihoko are you sitting down?" "Why, where are you?" "Um did anyone talk to you?" "About what?" "That we got a heart?" "WHAT?" "YEA the admin just called and I..." I relayed the whole story to her. She was overjoyed and tearful as well. She left home and went to the Joyful life leaders meeting where all the ladies were in tears rejoicing that Jesus had answered all our prayers. She somehow got to the hospital which from Santa Ana to West La is a 50 minute drive with no traffic and she was going North bound on the 405 and some how through traffic made it in 45 minutes. How she doesn't remember. LOL. We were waiting from morning until dinner time. The operation didn't happen until late afternoon. We received the call she was doing great and everything looks wonderful. Again the tears of joy flow down. That was November 18, 2005. A day like many have where our family had sunk to the pit of hell and were in ashes and morning only to be lifted out of the pit of death and set upon a mountain of praise and glory. Thank you God my Father, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Holy Spirit for your love and mercy and that awesome precious gift of grace.

Our daughter is 9 now and we are living in Japan as missionaries. It is totally an amazing crazy story how we just stepped out in faith to serve our Jesus. He is able to do anything. We now live to honor our Lord with our lives. I give Jesus all the glory honor and praise due his name. May God continue to bless our daughter with great health and joy.

Kick off the Christmas season right; Honor Jesus!

This has been around the web and on Facebook I thought I'd put it here for those of you who haven't heard it yet. I really love this song and it always reminds me of how much greater heaven will be when millions of people all at once will sing a new song to our God and King Jesus Christ. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas ahead of the season. God bless you all.

This is a video of many Choirs gathering at Macys of NY and they in the middle of the shopping day bust into song. There is said to be 650 people singing there. It is quiet thrill to watch.

The GCIS teaching crew at least most of them

We are missing some of the teachers but at the Undokai we were able to hang out together and have fun. There is Mr. Eric Myers from CC Florence OR. Then Ms. Erin Shaver from CC Kansas and CC Ginowan in Okinawa. Ms. Anna Bennedict I don't know her origins. There is Mr. Justin VanSlooten, Ms. Teruko Smith, Ms Teruya, Ms Hatori, Ms. Ashley Rechten from New York. There are many other teachers I am sorry I don't have you all here. Then lest I hurt his feelings there is the school Principal Mr. Jonathan Wilson who is also the pastor. He did great leading the games and must of had an extra cup of coffee to keep up that energy level all day. It was a great day and we pray and thank God for these folks who take time to bless our kids and love on them. God bless you all.

Undokai or Sports Festival GCIS

It was awesome weather to get out to Wakakusa Park and spend a day with a family that is all about Grace. Our kids are blessed to be able to go to Grace Christian International School. It is at Grace Christian Fellowship in Ome about 30 minutes away from where we live. The kids are loving the teachers the students and yes even the school work. As I type my son in on another computer flailing fingers on the keyboard doing a report. But Saturday we all gathered for Undokai or Sports Festival. The Japanese schools every year have a sports day where there are races and games and fun activities. They can be very serious and it is usually an all day event with lots of family attending. At Grace there is grace to go around and we had fun playing games and getting to know other families. Although I did sense some heated competition when we had a tug-o-war. The parents decimated the teachers so they had the teachers and students verses the parents. We held our ground for a few seconds but at last we lost. Their victory cry was not very spiritual to say the least. Oh well, even they need grace. HA! and we parents set a good example of being good sports and having a fun day.

Pastors/Leaders Mens retreat

It was awesome as 28 some men got together and were simply in the word and worshiping Jesus for two days. It was glorious to have guys from all over Japan fly in and we just were giving face time to Jesus. It was a time for reflecting, reevaluating, and rededicating. Senior Pastor Tim Newman from CC Windward Kaneohe, HI; came and taught a study on Joy in the ministry from the book of Philippians. It was wonderful to learn about Paul and how in the difficult times serving the Lord you wouldn't know it because Jesus was always his focus his source his life his everything. Paul had tremendous joy in all aspects and levels of ministry because 1. He prayed. 2. He was positive about all his circumstances were the sovereign hand of God working out a greater impact for the sharing of the gospel 3. Paul knew humility if you have no humility you have no joy. 4. Paul knew Jesus Christ. He is the source of his Joy. 5. Paul learned contentment with just Jesus and nothing else. Contentment will only be found if we trust the providence of God. The Lord brought unity and love and a tremendous joy into all our hearts as we just kept the time centered on seeking Jesus. We had a couple of extended times of worship that God just use to pour out his spirit and we were able to pray for one another and encourage each other. The physical food was awesome too as Pastor Travis once again made the most amazing meals. We also had a lot of time for just hanging out and fellowshiping. We played board games and Travis even had an iphone game that was so hilarious and funny. We had two teams and one team recorded answers to questions into the iphone and then it would play those answers backwards for the other team. The other team had to record the sound identically and then reverse that sound to hear the correct answer. You had to be there to see it. I love all the guys there and it was just a real thrill to wait upon the Lord Studying the word fellowship and prayer and worship. Thanks be to God almighty who made this all happen. God bless the CC Tokorozawa folks and the CC Fuchu guys who did all the cooking and cleaning and preparing. God bless Pastor Tim and the teaching he gave it was awesome. God bless even the guys who beat me severely in that game of Tikal. Especially Jonathan who should feel guilty. LOL You know why...

Once Again I steel from my Brother In Law's website

This is a great story very motivating. I hope you like it.

My sister Carol Wheeler came across an encouraging story of Henry Peterson. It appears in numerous places on the internet. I hope it encourages you as it did me.

The Georgetown Coach Lou Little stood on the sideline watching the players practice shaking his head in disbelief. It was a Monday morning and to say that some of the guys were tanking it in would be an understatement. He blew his whistle, called everybody together in the center of the field, and started to let them know his feelings.

After ranting about commitment and desire he turned and pointed to Henry Peterson. “Look at this guy” the coach, said “He’s been on our team for four years and never played a down. He’s first at practice and last to leave. He studies film, works out in his spare time and never complains when he doesn’t start. This guy is the glue that holds our team together. I wish you guys could follow Henry’s example more often.”

In Henry’s senior year, Georgetown had the best season in the school’s history. They were due to play Fordham University with their last game to win the state championship. This was the biggest game in the schools history, and excitement was at fever pitch.

The Monday prior to the game Coach Little was walking off the field after practice when Henry approached him. Henry said that his father had passed away that weekend and that there was to be a memorial service for him that Saturday. Much to the coach’s amazement, Henry apologized and said that he needed to be at the service.

Coach Little told Henry to go with his blessing and as a mark of respect the team would say a prayer for his dad before each practice and they’d also dedicate the game to his memory.

On the morning of the big game the Coach was in his office going over some last minute plans for the game when the door burst open and Henry walked in.

“Henry, what are you doing here, I thought it was the memorial service this morning.” Coach Little said.
“It was coach, but I felt like I had to be here. This has been my family for the last 4 years and I know my dad would want me to be here”
“Well ok, if you’re sure. Of course it’s great to have you”
“Coach, can I ask a favor?”
“Sure Henry, anything for you, you know that”
“Coach, I want to start today”
“Well Henry, I know I said anything, but I’m really not sure about that. This is the biggest game in the schools history”
“If you start me coach, I promise that the first missed assignment, dropped ball or mistake of any type you can pull me out the game.
The Coach looked hesitant, but he could see something in Henry’s eyes that made him believe that this young man wasn’t going to let him down.
“Well, ok Henry, but one mistake and you’re out, ok?”
“You got it Coach” and with that Henry turned and left the coach looking rather bemused.

That day Henry Peterson made 15 tackles and assisted in 11 more. He caused one fumble, recovered another and had an interception for the winning touchdown as Georgetown beat Fordham. He was voted Most Valuable Player and in short played the kind of game that people are talking about 60 years later.

After the game Coach Little ran onto the field and hugged Henry.

“Henry, why didn’t you tell me you could play like that, I had no idea. I could have used you for the last 4 years, but I never saw it in practice.”
“Did you ever meet my father Coach?”
“No, I didn’t have that privilege. I saw you walking round the field arm in arm with him a couple of times and I’m sorry now I didn’t come and say hello”
“Well coach, my father was blind and today was the first time he got to see me play football”

ESL students

Over the last few months we have passed out over 6000 fliers in our town. We have doubled our school and it is a blessing to have the students come to my home and learn English. We are becoming like a family and some are sharing very personal stuff. Pray that we can minister the love of Jesus into their lives.