Treasure Hunt - J-band with a message

Friday night, Koinonia Café, Ginowan City. Four strangers to the coffee shop that sells no coffee take to the stage, playing four praise songs (2 originals, I believe) and giving one testimony. The result: a blessed crowd.

Treasure Hunt is a band that consists of sisters Manami and Rebecca on vocals, Osamu on the guitar, and Sugano on keyboards. Oh, and someone on the drums, but he showed up late and was unable to join the performance. Anyways, it was a great little show. The crowd dug it. Rebecca also gave her testimony, which went something like this:

I grew up in a Christian home, and went to church as a child. It was just that, though - going to church. I never thought about it deeply, it was just part of my week. As I entered my teens and started high school, friends took priority in my life. Whenever I was around my friends, I was so happy. But whenever I was away from my friends, emptiness set in.

Then my friends went off to college, and I started working. I spent less time with my friends, and started to feel more lonely. I realized that it was a problem. I thought no one understood me, that no one knew what it was like to be this lonely. Then one day, a Christian friend of mine shared the story of Jesus with me.

Jesus bore a cross and walked a road to His death. He had been abandoned by His friends, and even the close ones left and even denied Him. He was all alone. He knew what it was like to have no friends, no one who understood. HE understood! Someone DOES understand me! And as I learned more about Jesus, I realized that He was the only One who knew me, loved me, and accepted every part of me. He knew me inside out and yet He still died for my sins, still loved me exactly as I was.

Great testimony, Rebecca! Great evening, Treasure Hunt! Great message by Yoshua afterwards, too! All glory to God!!!

Coming of Age

Coming of Age Day is not until next Monday here in Japan, but our school always has a special ceremony the first Sunday of January, in order to accommodate as many students as possible (as many will be returning to mainland Japan to resume the school year). So I got to meet a LOT of my students who graduated from Okisho 2 years ago. Wow, how they have grown up! (Well really, saying "hi" and getting pictures taken together is hardly an adequate way to determine their maturity... but you know what I mean.)

So the boys tend to be "cool" and stand-offish but the girls are excited to take pictures. I brought my camera, but soon realized that my pictures would just take away from their time to take pictures. Besides, I still remember all their names (haha) so it's all good, right? Next time I see them, I'll still remember their names, right???

Congratulations to the class of 2008, on becoming adults. I am excited to see and hear all about the wonderful ways you will contribute to the betterment of society.

成人の日は来週の月曜日だけど、沖尚は少し早めに式を開催しています。多くの生徒が大学のために本土に帰るため、１月の第一日曜日に２年前の卒業生を集めている。高３当時の担任の先生はスピーチをして、記念撮影して終わりますが、なんと皆さん綺麗になってるなぁと思った。２年間しか経ってないのに大人になってる！

男性はクールで少し控えめなので、写真撮ってないけど女性は着物姿で写真撮りまくりだ！けど僕のカメラで写真撮ってもらうとみんなの時間が取られるため、少ししか撮ってない。

初めての成人式だったのでわくわくしました。来年は楽しみにしてる！

It's 2010! Welcome!

We did it! We made it through another year on the planet Earth! Thank you, Lord! 2009 was an incredible year, but I am looking ahead to 2010 with even greater anticipation! And since I believe in a God who gives good things to those who love Him, I can live with a hope that even though the world continues to deteriorate (physically and even spiritually), He sees me, He knows me, and He loves me! That's a great comfort!

So last night "the remnant" (there really aren't many people left at Calvary Chapel Ginowan because of winter break - a lot of people have gone back to their hometowns) gathered and had a little games night. Allow me to introduce the attendees and the games they took part in.

This is Rin, Aogu, Andrew and Yoshua playing Yahtzee.

Then we have Rob, Lynsey, Eder, Dave, Linda, Curtiss, and Ashley playing Risk.

Finally, Tokito, Tamiko, Joe and myself played a little Phase 10 while Natsuki cheered us on.

Then later, a bunch of them played a game called... "Moose Moose"? Looks like fun!

Well, I pray that the Lord would bless you richly in 2010 as well... let's make this a great year filled with rich friendships and spiritual revival!