Noah's Ark Church School

As David began his work again with the Okinawa Baptist Convention, a letter was sent to all the churches asking if they would like support help from him. Many churches replied and among those that did was Awase Baptist Church asking for his help as an English teacher at their newly formed church school.

Until recently, there have been no Christian schools in Okinawa for Japanese speakers. Okinawa Christian School International where Leslie works, is a choice for those wanting an English Christian education but for those wanting their children to learn at a Japanese Christian school, there has really been no choice. This has been due in part to the history of Okinawa which has had no history of mission schools (such as Soshin School in Yokohama where we used to teach) partly due to recent strict rules by the Japanese Ministry of Education.

Many here were encouraged by a ruling last year that made it so homeschooled students or those who attended an alternative school could take something akin to the GED in America as they approached graduation age. Passing this test would make it possible for them to attend a Japanese college; something that hasn't been possible previously. As a result of the ruling, two new schools have been started to meet the needs of Christian families and one of them is Noah's Ark Church School at Awase Baptist Church.

Noah's Ark presently has 9 students and they are praying for another 5 this coming year beginning in April. The students receive instruction in Japanese in all the major subject areas including Bible in Japanese and also learn English and Bible from David.

We were truly impressed with the progress these students have made over the past year as we attended their "happyokai", a Japanese word that means the students all shared with friends and family the things they have learned in this school year. The pastor of the church, Rev. Gushiken and their main teacher Ms. Esther ask for you to pray with them for the 5 new students as well as for the present students. Many Christian parents want to protect their children from some of the influences that seem to becoming more and more prevalent.

We hope you enjoy the photos and a short clip of the students singing a Christmas song.

Championship

We would like to share with you some photos of a special occasion on our son Shinya's life that happened this past weekend. His soccer team at Alderson Broaddus College in West Virginia won their regional championship. Shinya was ecstatic when we talked to him and he said the school is excited as well because this is the first time in 20 years the school has won a championship in soccer. These photos are of Shinya and his teammates.

Okinawa Baptist Festival

Hello!

What a busy month October was and November looks to be a busy one as well. One very special event that our family has taken part in has been the Okinawa Baptist Evangelistic Festival held over five days from November 5-9, 2008.
The Okinawa Baptist Convention decided to make their annual fall meeting into a special time where Christians could bring their friends to hear the gospel. Each day was dedicated to a different part of society. Wednesday night was a time for the church members to meet and pray. Thursday was for the women, Friday was for the young people,Saturday was for men and Sunday afternoon was aimed at children.
At all of these meetings, fun activities were planned as well as time for more serious thoughts on the Gospel and what it means to meet Jesus. We are excited to see what the results are but we know of at least five children who made first time decisions for Christ and many others who made a decision to live more fully for Christ.


These photos are of some of the activities. Please pray for the OBC, for those who have made decisions for Christ and for those who have heard the Gospel for perhaps the first time.

Blessings,
David and Leslie

Pastor Nohara

Sunday was a special day at Daiichi Baptist Church. After a wonderful time of worship, the entire church gathered in the fellowship area to celebrate the 25th year of service to the Lord of Pastor Nohara. It was a time to celebrate his life and calling.
He and his wife Keiko were brought to the Lord after their Christian wedding. Many in Japan have a Christian wedding that is performed by Christian pastors as they want the international feel the weddings have. Pastors often use this time to minister and share the Gospel and Pastor Nohara and his wife became Christians as a result and began attending church at Naha Baptist.
Pastor Nohara worked many years at the Post Office while working at Naha Baptist Church as a teacher and layman. His three daughters attest to his love and care of them even though he took all of his work seriously. When he told his family of his call to full time ministry, they were surprised and teased him a little but his wife told his daughters that if their father had made such a decision, it was their responsibility to respect it, and they did. They are currently working at Daiichi church as well in
He began his work at a church near the present day Daiichi church but after several years felt the church needed to be in a needier area so they moved to the church location today as a daughter church of Goya Baptist...an area very run down and very in need.
Presently the church is struggling but is very much alive and meeting needs. We are thankful to be a part of their ministry and truly feel a part of the family...
The photos and video you see here are are some of the festivities--many showed their love by special dances and singing. The video is of the Uehara family who have been members since the beginning of the church.
Please pray for Pastor Nohara and his very important work for Christ in Okinawa.

First Week of School at Okinawa Christian School

Wednesday, August 20 marked the first day of school at OCSI-the culmination of all the preparation done during the summer and the beginning of an exciting new year. Echoes of the West Virginia team are still being heard as all are amazed at the new kitchen floor and the new high school locker bay. In addition, the volunteer work done during summer school created a lasting impression.

The first week started off really well as Joanna was able to meet her new teacher and get reacquainted with her friends. Of course she is very happy about the lunch menu and loves being able to learn at school again. Her new glasses will make it easier for her to continue to be a good reader.

Leslie is so thankful that God was so evident and at work. We are all so excited about what the school year will bring in the lives of our students and parents. We have lots of new students, several new teachers and staff and new programs and improvements to be thankful for.
Please check the ocsi. org secondary page for all of our events.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Departure

With an 11:30 depature time from Naha airport, our crew had to get up and out early. We made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare and said good-bye to the team along with Vee and Ai Tetsuo and their small son Setsuri.

We are so thankful for the time we were able to spend together and are excited about what this trip will come to mean to each person who was on the trip as well as to the church and family members who will hear about their adventures in the future. We also know that their trip has made an impression on many at OCSI, the Okinawa Baptist Convention and Hokuzanso Camp.

We truly appreciate how many of you made sacrifices so they could be here. Thank you for your support of them and of God's work in Okinawa.

Keep them in your prayers as they travel and as David and Joanna will be traveling back to the US on Monday and we ask for your prayers for them as well.

Peace Park

Today was the team's last full day on Okinawa and we had a lot planned for them. We left OCSI at around 8:45 after speaking with the Crossroad's Bible Study via Skype and arrived at Goya church to pick up the last crew when we were asked by Pastor Tomari if we would be OK with taking the wife of a visitor from Niigata Prefecture with us for the day. We readily agreed and enjoyed spending the day with Mrs. Nakamura.

Our first stop was at the Memorial Peace Park at the most southern end of Okinawa. This Park was built in 2000 to remember the over 250,000 troops who died in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. We first went to the area where the names of all those who died are memorialized on black marble slabs. Most of the names there are those from Okinawa and Japan but there are also names of Americans, Koreans, Europeans and those from Taiwan. The photo was taken at the memorial flame near the cliffs where many lost their lives.

After looking at many of the names, we then went to the museum where the complete history of the war and in particular the Battle of Okinawa is presented in order to get a more global view of what happened in Okinawa. This was a very sobering presentation and with artifacts, photos, video and actual testimonies of those who experienced the war, we all had a better idea of what life would have been like on Okinawa at that time.

We boarded the bus again and headed to lunch and after eating a choice of curry, beef bowl or McDonald's, we went to International Street in Naha. There the whole crew took advantage of the many stalls and vendors of all kinds of Okinawan goods. We met after shopping at a local Starbucks and there we saw the fun purchases. There were t-shirts, dresses, bags, sandals, robes, scarves and many other things that will be making their way to West Virginia tomorrow.

Dinner was at a local department store where everyone could split up and try their own restaurant. We chose our favorite called "Wafu Tei" where we can get good Japanese food. Hilda and Grace ate sushi and really seemed to enjoy it. Some used the time as a last minute chance to do a bit more shopping.

We then headed back to the apartments for some packing and much needed sleep to prepare for the trip home.

Hokuzanso-The Next Day

The second day at Hokuzanso started early when Jane and two of the Melanies woke up early and went to see the ocean at sunrise...it was a lovely sight and they said they felt they had been led by God to be there at that time and see His beautiful creation.

The rest of the gang woke up a bit later and began work on the main camping building. The men worked on cleaning off the roof while the women worked at cleaning the sleeping mats. The mats required getting them out of the closet, putting them up and hitting the dust out, carrying them out to the basketball court to be wiped down and then finally putting them back again.

Mrs. Kawamitsu was overjoyed and said that our WV team was the hardest working team she has had up at the camp. Mr. Kawamitsu was in shock and thankful for the new weed-eater that Roger bought for him. He kept saying, "kansha shiteimasu, kansha shiteimasu", (I am so thankful) over and over again. As the group were getting on the bus, Mrs. Kawamitsu pointed at Si and said, "You look like an international movie star." Si will certainly want to come back.

The team left the camp and headed to the pineapple park and were able to taste a bit of pineapple and drink some pineapple juice. They arrived back at school in time to enjoy dinner and Bible study with the missionary teachers at OCSI.

Tomorrow is a trip to the Peace Park and then shopping at international street...then to the airport by 9:20 for their trip back to the US.

Hokuzanso-Baptist Camp

Today is Tuesday with lots to report on how the day went at our Baptist Camp in Hokuzanso but first a run down of Monday is in order.

After a busy Sunday, most returned in the morning to the work they did last week. Si continued his work with the OCSI maintenance crew and was able to get all the locker work done as the ladies worked at OCSI in classes. Betty led the chapel for the students as she taught them songs and shared a lesson with them. Roger and Jim spoke at a workshop on church planting to about 20 Okinawa Baptist Convention pastors. The afternoon was spent in fun activities as Betty and Jean were able to visit several of the local military bases with one of the teachers from the base. It was good for them to see where their husbands had served while in Okinawa. The Melanies and Jane went with David to the traditional pottery village and the rest went out on the boat owned by Max, one of the maintenance crew and went snorkeling. It was a great time. Roger said he would have given up his Corvette for the experience!! It must have been great!! In the evening, Pastor Tomari took them all out to dinner....the buffet restaurant had some old staples as well as some new foods.."sliced pigs ear in peanut sauce anyone?"

Today started a bit slower as we took off from OCSI at 10:00 to head to the Hokuzanso Baptist Camp in Nakijin. It is such a help to Mr. and Mrs. Kawamitsu to have their help. The team will be cleaning the kitchens, doing some groundswork, and helping with cleaning up the main building.

They got started as soon as they arrived and seriously began cleaning the kitchens and cabins. Mrs. Kawamitsu wanted them to take it easy....but they didn't listen!! Talk about those stubborn West Virginians! But after about an hour and a half of straight working, they took a break and went swimming in the beautiful East China Sea. We then had a cookout and shared about how this trip has made an impact on us.

Most are making peace with the critters at the camp: the gekkos, mosquitoes, mice and other creepy crawlies...although the camp isn't a four star resort it is a place that has introduced many to God and His love for them as they have stayed there. How thankful we are for the work that is being done by our team.

Sunday-Day 5

What a day Sunday was!! It started in the morning at Daiichi Church with worship and Sunday School. Jane sang and Roger preached. Roger was able to spend some time talking about church planting with Vee, the pastor of Great Commission International church.

After the service, there was a time of fellowship with church members making origami and eating delicious goya cake. Lunch was at yakiniku (Korean Barbeque) restaurant where you cook your own food. Roger said the octopus was delicious.



We then went to the beach and visited several islands connected by long bridges. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful.


Evening service was at Goya Baptist Church where Roger and Jim are staying. Jim preached and the WV crew sang for the congregation. Joanna took some photos too!


Tomorrow is a busy day at OCSI.....

Baptist Day

Day four started a bit later than the other days so far and after having a bit longer in the morning to rest, we headed to Koza Baptist Church for the annual Baptist Day worship service. Baptist Day has a long history within the Okinawa Baptist Convention as a day of fellowship and fun for the English speaking and Japanese speaking churches. One aspect of ministering in Okinawa is the way that denominations work hand in hand together and the Okinawa Baptist Convention is no different. The Japanese speaking Japan Baptist Union and the Japan Baptist Convention from mainland Japan and the English speaking Southern Baptist Churches and American Baptist Churches have for a long time linked hands in service together. Baptist Day has been a way to encourage that fellowship.

Our team was able to be a part of the worship and all seemed to enjoy the singing and preaching as well as taking part in the service themselves. When they were introduced to the congregation, the group got up on the stage and sang, "Country Roads". The OBC provided lunch boxes for everyone and they were delicious.

After the service, the team went to Daiichi Baptist Church and participated in the afternoon bilingual service just now getting up and running as Great Commission International Church. Roger preached and after the service everyone enjoyed shopping at the Christian bookstore at the church.

Dinner today was at "Hana Ori" a restaurant serving Okinawa homestyle cooking. Team members had fried noodles, Okinawa fried chicken, seafood noodles and fried chicken with vegetables. The restaurant was a hit. After dinner the main part of the team went to the beach to watch the sunset while Jim Crouch and Melanie Neal went to Tomigusuku Baptist Church to spend the night with church members. They will speak at service tomorrow morning.

Carrie continues to be feeling a bit under the weather but she did sleep more today and was able to eat a bit more food. Continue to keep her in your prayers.


Tomorrow is another day with two church services. Roger preaches in the morning and Jim in the evening.

Friday

Day 3 was a busy work day. Each member of the team worked in some area at Okinawa Christian school. Since summer school is in session, several worked in classrooms with the regular teachers. Some worked in our library and helped to straighten and put books on the shelves. Some did hot work in our kitchen putting down a new floor as well as helped with taking lockers out of the locker room and moving them down one story.

After a bit of afternoon rest to help with the jet lag, our team went to Mihama and helped Pastor Vee Tetsuo with his ministry in a very busy shopping area in Okinawa. He had prepared tracts with the arrival photo of our team as an introduction and information about the evening church service and sent them all over the area to hand out. The team handed them all out-no one attended the Friday evening service so the WV group had a wonderful praise and singing time in the small rented room above Starbucks.

The service was over about 8:00 and since no one had eaten dinner, we went in search of a place to eat....we looked and looked but it was hard to find a place to serve 15 at one time. We finally found an A and W Rootbeer restaurant that was very happy to have us and we were finally able to sit down and relax a bit and celebrate Jim Crouch's 78th birthday. All the people in the restaurant joined in to sing happy birthday.
Saturday is Baptist Day at a local church and then we will be doing more street evangelism, attending church and then resting a bit before Sunday.
Keep everyone in your prayers for their health.

Day Two in Okinawa

Our team started the morning early today--most everyone was up at the crack of dawn in spite of extreme tiredness. The group working at school met at 8:00 for teacher devotions and then at 8:30 for elementary chapel. But the 9:00 time slot was important for the three Melanies and Carrie. It was a time for them to gather round the computer and Skype their families. Thanks to modern technology they were able to see and hear their families at the Crossroads Church Wednesday Bible study. It was fun for me to see them communicate with their children, husbands and brothers this way.

The main part of the group spent the morning helping in the elementary classrooms and in the afternoon helping with science and PE activities. Si worked hard with the OCSI maintenance crew putting in a new floor in the school kitchen and others attended pastoral meetings. As soon as school was out at 3:00 we went to our home and we all ate curry rice (a Japanese favorite) and cream stew on rice. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and although a couple in our group were ready to close their eyes, we were able to discuss the plan for the next several busy days. After meeting we went shopping at the 100yen store and a local grocery store.

You may wonder who the lady in blue is who is eating dinner with us this evening. Her name is Dibbie Adkins and she is working at OCSI as a volunteer teacher for summer school. She also is a native West Virginian and it was a serendipity to realize that she had gone to church in Huntington with Betty Crouch and Jane Riffle over 20 years ago. God is amazing! Coming all the way to Japan to meet old friends makes all of us aware of how He weaves this beautiful tapestry of relationships old and new.

Tomorrow is going to be another busy one with work at the school in the day and evangelism in the evening. Dinner will be in an area called Mihama.

Arrival

We are thanking God that our WV champuru mission team made it safe and sound to Okinawa this evening. All 12 of the group came out with their luggage- smiling and in good spirits. The weather is hot and muggy and the van we were traveling in had no air conditioning but not a single complaint was heard. They are all very excited about taking part in ministry here and were full of questions as we made the trip from the airport to the various locations where they are staying (with a quick side trip to McDonald's). Tomorrow they will begin their work at the school and after school is out will come back to our home for dinner and a meeting about what to look forward to in the coming week. I imagine they may be a bit tired so we will make it an early dinner.

As we stopped at McDonald's I helped a little with ordering and after we were done, the cashier leaned over the counter and said in a quiet voice with a smile on her face, "Is this group of people all together?" I said, "Yes, it is-these are people from our church in America who have come to Okinawa." What an impression our group made even as they were doing something so simple as ordering. It made me realize yet again of the constant watchfulness of others around us. It is evident this group has an awesome opportunity to share Christ in many ways and as the watchers around see them so full of love and care and learn how far they have come for their faith, it will be a testimony to the truth of the Gospel. "They will know we are Christians by our love....."

Anticipation

This photo is of a traditional Okinawan dish called goya champuru. Goya champuru is made from a bitter cucumber called goya and a mix of egg, tofu, carrots and pork. Some people here talk about champuru as a truly mixed or mixed up dish made of different ingredients that are absolutely delicious together.
We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our West Virginia team tomorrow--we think of them as our "champuru" team--different people with different gifts from God who will be a wonderful blessing when mixed together in Okinawa.

It will be a super busy time for all of us, but we are so excited about how God will use them as they minister in Okinawa. Some of the experiences God has planned for them include:

• Volunteer work at Okinawa Christian School International with the summer school program. We have over 125 students who are participating this year.
• Speaking and giving testimonies at local churches. Our team will be speaking at Goya Church, Tomigusuku Church and at Daiichi Church.
• Leading a workshop on church planting. The Okinawa Baptist Convention will be hosting a workshop for pastors led by our own Roger Adams to help the pastors increase their understanding of church planting.
• Handing out tracts and doing street evangelism at two very busy areas in Okinawa: Mihama and Gate Two Street. David and Pastor Vee Tetsuo have begun a small church plant aimed at young people who have no church background. Our team will be handing out tracts and speaking to people; inviting them to church. (see our earlier blog for more information)
• Helping with cleanup of our Baptist Camp in the northern part of Japan. (See our earlier blog for information on the camp.) We will spend the night at the camp and while there our team will be cleaning the kitchen to ready it for the summer season and work on the grounds.
  

It is a very busy schedule with lots packed in--so we ask for your prayers for this special group of volunteers. Please pray that God will protect their health in this very hot and humid season as well as protect them spiritually and emotionally. Please also pray that the work they do will bring people to the kingdom of God.

Pray for:
Roger Adams
Jim Crouch
Betty Crouch
Jean Richmond
Carrie Adams
Melanie Rumer
Melanie Neal
Melanie Kearns
Si Riffle
Jane Riffle
Grace Alsop
Hilda Alsop

We will be sending daily updates so please check back often.

Blessings
Leslie

God's Protection

Children's Day is observed in Japan on May 5th--it actually began as "Boys Day" many years ago but has turned into a day in Japan to stress the importance of respecting the character of all children and promoting their health and happiness. It is still commonly known as Boys Day and if one travels out during the week before May 5th, one can see huge, beautifully colored "Koi Nobiri", carp like streamers made of paper or cloth that fill with wind and seem to swim in the air. Together with long red and white ribbons, the carp are hoisted on a bamboo pole with a pair of pinwheels high above houses and rooftops. A carp is flown for each son in the family with the largest one representing the oldest son and the others ranging down in size.

We have always felt so blessed with our two sons--we have recognized that both are a gift from God and we have dedicated them to God. As we left America and traveled back to Japan, many of you know how difficult it was to leave Shinya( a college junior) and TK(a college freshman) behind. As a missionary, leaving our family behind is one of the most difficult and sad things we face. We have been thankful for many of your letters and emails as you have offered to lift our family and our boys up to God for protection and care.

We really felt those prayers this week of Boys Day as TK was in a car wreck that could have killed or hurt him seriously--we are so thankful that he was unhurt. The car was totaled on a very isolated bit of WV highway but immediately after the wreck, a state courtesy car was right behind to help TK and make the necessary calls. It was a scary thing to get the message that TK had been in an accident--but it was such an unbelievable blessing to know he was fine. God was watching out for him--we are thankful for your faithfulness in lifting him up and we ask for your continued prayers that this incident will become something that helps him understand God's love and care in his life.

Music Ministry

David has been blessed by the way God has used his musical talent here in Okinawa and in Japan. He has written several songs as a way of sharing the Gospel and been a part of several music groups. One group was started by Vee, a member of Daiichi church, called the "Bokushillas". Bokushi is the Japanese word for pastor and this group of acapella singers has been primarily made up of of Okinawa Baptist Convention pastors. He will be singing at a special service on April 18th with several Japanese Christians from the Tokyo area and will sing background for a new Christian CD to come out in a couple of months. God certainly uses the talents and gifts we have from Him for His service--and ours is the joy as we do.

Daiichi Church

We were thankful this Easter for the blessing of the resurrection!! It was a special day for us as we worshipped at Daiichi church in Okinawa, City. Daiichi was started about 15 years ago by Pastor Nohara and his family; wife Keiko and daughters Ai and Naomi. They planned it to be in a business area to reach out to inner city folks. They rented a former clothing store with four stories and since that time of beginning, have had a wonderful group of believers. We have begun a partnership with Daiichi and will be helping the church out. Leslie will be working with children and women and David will be working with the youth, starting an English worship with Vee, Ai's husband, and helping with the start of a new small church plant. God is at work and we are so blessed and excitedThe man in the middle of the photo in the back is Vee--who has a passion for spreading the Gospel and for teaching about worship. A native of Nagaland, he is married to Ai, the daughter of the pastor. They have three small children: Rebito, Kozo and Tsetsuri. In the photo, you also see our family, Vee's family and Stan Murray, our International Ministries area director. The video is of some of the children at Daiichi singing on Easter morning.

Nakijin

One of our favorite spots on Okinawa is Nakijin or Hokuzanso, our Baptist Camp. We are so thankful for the forethought of former missionary Ed Bolinger and the Okinawa Baptist Convention for purchasing the land in the northern part of Okinawa as a Christian camp area. Many have enjoyed the camping experience there and many have made decisions for Christ there. We love to go up for a day trip or to stay overnight to get away and to relax and enjoy the natural beauty and ocean. This video is of our trip today; the beautiful and clear beach was amazing. When surrounded by such beauty, thanking God for His creation is a natural thing.