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.

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.