Christmas

There were lots of Christmas activities in the month of December....the Okinawa Prefecture Christmas where Joanna performed with her musical choir, the Okinawa Christian School Elementary program where Joanna danced to "John 3:16", the OCSI high school Christmas program, Daiichi Baptist church and the outdoor concert that Leslie's church choir ladies participated in, Christmas party at the church, and parties for the physically and mentally challenged among other things....it was a busy time!!!

Joanna's class had a party as well and before the party, her teacher Mrs. Loh asked the students to answer the question, " What does Christmas mean to you" Here are some of the responses from the third grade class:

"Christmas is all about Jesus" Kaito
"Christmas is about God's love" Akiko
"Christmas is about Jesus being born and Santa's elves. Santa Clausgiving out presents and really all about God's love" Joseph
"Christmas is about Jesus and presents and Santa Claus. Jesus is a good guy" Yo
"Christmas is about Jesus and the angel said, "Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people today: in the city of David a Savior has been born" Joanna

We pray that your Christmas was blessed and that you felt the love of the Savior whose birth we remember.

Jo's class party

The elementary Christmas program


Our church family at Daiichi Baptist Church


Members of the children's musical

Members of the Daiichi choir

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.