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