a first time for everything...

This last sunday marked a first for me. I was asked to be the translator in the Sunday morning service. Pastor Tim gave the message in Japanese and I translated into English. Up above are the notes I received to work from. I really enjoyed translating and hope that I will be able to translate more in the future. It is going to be interesting to watch as we transition more into giving messages in Japanese and translating into English, rather than the opposite which we have been doing.

Yesterday, the last of the Bible College students left for home. Here's a picture on the last day of classes. It was a good semester; some difficult times, some very fun times, a lot of ministry together. It seems so quiet around here without sharing the house with 7 other guys. But soon we'll have another group coming in for another semester. Time to get ready.

The picture above is my main ministry here at Calvary Chapel Ginowan. I've been giving the role of worship leader. This means I will be overseeing the entire worship ministry, as well as leading worship at the services. Short term, this means I'll be leading every week; long term, this means I'll be able to train up some musicians in our fellowship and create a few worship teams that will be able to lead in the different services we have, and will be able to play and sing at the various outreaches that come up around here. Also, next semester I will be teaching the course on Worship at CCBC Okinawa. It's going to be a very exciting year.

He's got a Ticket to Ride...application.

Well, it's been quite a while since I've updated this site. My apologies; I tend to get caught up in everything that is happening and spend my spare time studying. Blog spot seems to have been thrown on the back burner. However, I'm putting this on the high priority list so that you all can see what is actually happening here in Okinawa.

The picture above is the paperwork that I am filling out in order to remain in Okinawa for a year. It is the application for a religious activities visa (i.e. missionary visa). I've spent the last few months becoming more and more involved in the ministries here, especially in leading worship for the Sunday and midweek services, and I, as well as the senior pastor here, feel that God wants me to stay long term and minister here in Ginowan, while being trained in pastoral ministries. It is very exciting, and very scary. It means that I will have to depend totally on God to provide for everything I will need. But where God guide, God provides. Japan needs Jesus, and I have no doubt that God will provide for His gospel to go through Japan. Please keep the ministry here in prayer as we are not only experiencing the Enemy coming against believers very intensely lately, but we are also seeing fruit from the gospel being preached.