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.

Nathan went to the Franklin Graham Festival

The opportunity of a life time for Nathan to go and see and hear the message of the gospel by Franklin Graham in Osaka. He and about 15 others from Grace Christian Fellowship in Ome (ie His School) went down to serve. He had so much fun and saw many things. We got him a camera, but at 12... taking pictures is not on his mind. So we have shots of him and the back of his friends heads. LOL But he was moved and I pray God with give Nathan vision to serve King Jesus with all his life.


In an interview Franklin answered a question from a reporter with the following simple gospel statement. I love it.

We have come to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to give the people of this great city an opportunity to find peace with God through faith in his son Jesus Christ.

God made each and every one of us. He cares for us. But the human race has a problem. The human race has broken God’s standard. As a result we are separated from God. But if we’re willing to accept God’s salvation – His son Jesus Christ, God will forgive us, He’ll heal our hearts and He will reveal his plan for our lives.

Satori? Enlightenment or The imminent light ?

They offer sacrifices to idols on the tops of mountains. They go up into the hills to burn incense in the pleasant shade of oaks, poplars, and other trees. "That is why your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. Why should I punish them? For you men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You will be destroyed, for you refuse to understand. Hosea 4:13-14.

Just a note for you who study the Bible in Japanese. I was noticing in Hosea 14 the word in the Shinkaiyaku Seisho for understand is Satori. In my studies this word means enlightenment. This was very interesting as here in Japan those worshiping idols are looking for enlightenment. But the Japanese translators chose satori in stead of rikai. I am not sure why but maybe there are similarities? I do think if fits well with the idea of an individual worshiping a god to seek enlightenment and there isn't any. The NIV says "a people without understanding will come to ruin." Those with idols seeking understanding are without understanding in the first place. Those wanting to be enlightened are without enlightenment. It is the classic cart before the horse. They must first become enlightened before they can have understanding. It is illogical to think you will understand something (ie. a god) when you don't have the capability to understand that in the first place. Am I making sense here? In other words like as in 1 Corinthians 2:14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand (SATORUKOTO GA DEKIMASEN) them, because they are spiritually discerned. In John 3, Jesus told Nick at night you MUST be born again to be able to see the kingdom of God. You can't see what it's all about. You can't be enlightened until you receive and accept the one who enlightens. I was just blown away by this.
So many I have shared with tell me they need to study more or they need to process or think about it. But that will never happen there is a no think zone here it would appear. How can one think about light when his life is dark? How can one come to the light when he is blind and doesn't understand what light means. The God of the universe must draw us in an open our eyes and give us understanding. That is why Jesus told Paul in Act 16:17-18..."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." We are to hopefully enlighten the Japanese by helping them see the IMMINENT LIGHT Jesus first. Amen!

Kiyosato Country Fair

We went to a country fair in the mountains of Kiyosato. It was a beautiful day. Fuji San (MTN) was in the background while we listened to all kinds of music and watched others dance and ate great BBQ. My daughter Jane could not stop dancing to the music she was so lively. It was fun. We went on a hay ride pulled but a John Deere Tractor. They had real American type crafts and stuff on display and for people to make. The crafts did have a Japanese twang in it but it was well done and everyone was very friendly. There was a group of people From Kentucky that came out to help with the whole event and assist in the activities. There was a missionary Paul Rauch that came to Japan back in the 50's. He was of the Episcopalian distinctive. He came to share Jesus. He also saved the town and put it on the map by helping them to diversify their crops and use more modern methods in farming. He even taught them how to brew beer. This facility was a retreat center with a beautiful chapel and meeting hall that looked out at Mount Fuji. It was all fairly new and unfortunately he did not get to see it. But it is cool to see the work still going on.

They had a dance troop that wore Laderhosen and did some dances. At one point with the big picture of the founder in the background and the German looking dance troop I wondered if they wouldn't secretly break away and run up the mountain to get their freedom? The ceremonies were opened by a singer who sang the good ole hymn "Amazing Grace" In Japanese it is amezingu guresu. We went with our sister church Grace Christian Fellowship and had a great time just hanging out and eating and fellowshipping. Pastor Jonathan was there but his dog had him going a hundred miles an hour all over the place. Don't get food near that dog he'll eat anything. If there is water around he'll jump into it. I had fun with Sammy the dog because he did remind me of my childhood and all the fun I used to have. Now I am reminded of all the reasons I don't want a dog in the family. Great weather great food great friends great fellowship all in all it was a great day.

Blessings

We were blessed the other day by another heart patient. Our daughter Rachel goes to the hospital every month and there are always similar faces there. There are long waits for blood work and echo-cardiograms and the Doctor visit. In the heart clinic there are many patients that return for follow-up like Rachel. We have met so many of the famous transplants people that have been on TV and all. The golden folks that Rachel loves are the Obaa sans. The older ladies that just love her to pieces. They talk and as Rachel's Japanese is getting better they are so happy to be able to communicate. Some times they just sit and do aiyatori. In English, I have no idea what to call it. But you take some yarn about a foot long and then tie the ends together and with your fingers make all kinds of designs. Rachel can make a broom and a bunch of other stuff. So every so often we receive some love from the ladies. This week we got a Box of expensive Musk Melons. The blue label is a certification and on the internet they go for about $50 bucks each. We thought of auctioning them off on the web for the cash but we ate one and they are so wonderfully yummy. You can't sell this. Bon Appetite!

Saiboku -- MMMMM Bacon

We went a while ago to Saiboku. It is a glorified pig farm. Although we only saw three pigs were were assured there were more somewhere. When we went into the main gift shop we met most of their relatives all wrapped in plastic shoved inside sausages. We wanted to actually see the sausage making procedure but it didn't happen. My family had a garage door company when I was a kid and every so often we'd get a job at Farmer John's in downtown LA. Not a fun place to go. Especially, if the doors on the slaughter house needed work. The smell was horrendous. The mess was phenomenal. The cattle cars on the train tracks were lined up outside and one by one they all went in and non came out. I know this all sounds gross and sad. But here in Japan it is all cute. Like everything else.
They can take a very stressful subject and just candy coat it with all kinds of cute. They even had a disturbing sign that said, "No parts of the pig are wasted." And then they proceeded with pig manga to show how the skin was used for bags and clothing and how the waste material was used in fertilizing the fresh vegetables that were on sale in the store. I wasn't very hungry for salad after that. But I still was longing for a big bratwurst or kielbasa sausage. But there were none. Yes folks there were no spicy German summer sausage no Chorizo. It was a big let down to say the least. But the kids had fun and I met some unusual characters who didn't say anything. It is hard to have a one way conversation with someone when they just laugh at you and say nothing. We didn't buy any meat as the prices were at a huge all time tourist in your face high. I know I am sounding pathetic but I was so dissapointed in the siborg saiboku place.

The best customer service without the cutomer

http://www.japantoday.com/category/commentary/view/in-japan-the-customer-is-not-king

The link above will take you to an article that was what I feel well written. Japan is a wonderful place to live if you can accept the rules and the package and don't try to get it your way. If you seek to make any changes it can be a most frustrating experience. This article explains why. The company makes customer service a manufactured product so there is little to no exchange or interaction. They can have perfect service by the book but there is something missing. There is a distinct lack of personability.

"I don’t blame the server or the person at the cash register for the inflexibility. They are just following the manual which is incredibly rigid and allows for little or no bending of the rules. There is never any intention of malice or annoyance. And there is never any lack of politeness or friendliness on the part of Japanese service staff. Staff are generally friendly but I find it is a false or insincere friendliness that is obviously right out of line 34 of the training manual. You can often see the catalogue smile on the clerk’s face wane if you ask for anything remotely out of the ordinary. Back home, friendliness is by no means guaranteed when you walk into a shop or restaurant but when you do find it, it tends to be genuine and sincere."

I got to thinking about the Church and the way we can get into the manufactured production of a service. We loose the personability to interact with the people. There needs to be a connection. I can remember many times in my growing up when the pastor would say something profound and men would say amen. That was at a Baptist church even. There would once in a great while be a story told where the pastor would verify the facts with the audience. There was a homey feel to the service. I don't think there should ever be a singling out in a service someone for the brunt of a joke.

In the quote above the service staff is just following the manual. Are there many Christians just following the manual the Bible but are without genuine friendliness? Do Christian who serve the greatest service organization in the Universe have a false and insincere friendliness? Christians can appear friendly and polite and have a false church face. Oh how different our lives would be if we were to follow the apostle Paul's writings: Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

Gifts are delicious

Mihoko received a whole box of apples from her Uncle Takemichi Hori (Ojii san) He is a wonderful man who needs Jesus. Pray for him. We are enjoying the fruit of someone else's labor. Also Mihoko's Dad made his world famous California Rolls. We devoured the first two platters before remembering to take a picture of a smaller plate. It was delicious. Thank you Oji Chan and Ojii San we love you guys.

Sakurai and Indian Curry awesome

We love Chizuo and Mari Sakurai. Chizuo is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Kokobunji. They have an awesome church with some really awesome growing in Jesus people. We get together with them every once in a while and today they took us for some wonderful Indian Curry. I had the cheese nan and curry set which had two types of curry. I can't tell you what it was like but they were good. I also had this Mango Lassi (yogurt) drink. It was amazing. We went back to CC Kokobunji and had an even greater time in prayer and fellowship. God bless you Sakurai Family and the CC Kokobunjitachi.

Simon says, "Do a monkey?"

I let Naoto lead the Simon Says game in our eigo club and he said Simon says, "Touch your head." Simon says, "Touch your toes." Simon says, "Do a monkey.?" It was hilarious. They knew what he meant. Somehow my strange teaching methods is doing something. I guess you could say, "Our monkeying around is paying off.

Felice's Cake

Felice was blessed by Sachiko's Daughter who works for a bakery. She made Nathan a special cake and the day before Felice left she received a special cake. It was good. I love Rachel's face here. She is such a good actress. She fools me all the time. It was a yummy cake but I can't remember the flavor. I believe it was plain yellow cake with cream in the middle with some fruit. That was what was in the last one anyway.

Boys need their mommies

I don't care how old you get boys need their mommies. I love this shot because Nathan at 12 is reminding me of him at 2 being fed by his mommy. Mihoko loves to do this. Nathan will be mortified that I'm posting it but he only has 6 more years of us and then he will be on his own. For now we get to enjoy him and reminisce about his life.

The last supper and lunch and evening snack for Felice

We had a great last day with Felice. Actually, Mihoko did. I stayed home and helped Nathan with his tons of homework. But anyway, Felice was able to get up to Kawagoe for a tour of the old town and some great ramen. She also was able to get some great photos. They saw some really old Japanese style homes and even a Ninja house where they had fun. Felice's favorite shot is when Jane was standing by a window and she captured Jane in the sunshine. Felice want's to name the photo touched by and angel.

Then in the evening we went out to a nice Japanese style restaurant where you sit on tatami(Bamboo) mats and the boo part is when your legs fall asleep and you have to stand up to use the restroom. Talk about banana legs. That didn't happen to me this time. It did before but we were ready and knew the point our legs needed stretching and this in turn would allow us time to stop plowing at the trough and sit back and enjoy the meal more. Felice and I ordered some Ton Katsu and this was good stuff. This wasn't the breaded ham slices like you get a some places in Santa Ana California. This was delicious. We scurried out from there hit some 100 yen shops or 99 cent stores. Oh maybe I shouldn't mention that for those of you getting Omiyage (Presents). LOL We then went to Saty a department store and just before closing we got some Taiyaki with sweet beans. It was good and Mihoko knew what to do when coming home she toasted them some more to make them crunchy and it was real good. Anyway, Felice is back in CA by now and hitting an In-N-Out while on her way home. I told her she could get back in time for the evening service at CCCM. Praise God she was so wonderful to encourage us and give us some much needed training in admin and media management and also Mihoko was privy to some piano secrets for leading worship which she was so excited to try. I asked if she would play worship but she shied away so we pray.