The Blog's Purpose - このブログの目的

左側にいつも載せてあるサブタイトルですが、この頃は、このブログの目的はいったいなんなんだ？と考えています。私はこのブログでイエス様の愛を本当に伝えているのかな？ただ自分が北海道で楽しんでる様子を皆さんに見せているだけのかな？しばらくはこれについて考えさせてください。必ずしもかたちが変わるというわけではないけど、たぶん載せる写真の数（特に自分が入っている写真）を減らして、言葉を中心にしようかな。最近は写真を撮る気もしないで、神様に与えられている時間を心から感謝し、ブログのことを忘れて、主に語られることが聞きたいからこそ、カメラを放っておくことが多い。このブログを読んでいる皆さんの祈り、支援を本当に感謝しています。これからも時間がありましたら読んでください。主が最大限にこのブログを用いてくださいますように！

Lately I have been thinking about the left panel of my blog: what IS the blog's purpose? Is my blog truly sharing the love of Christ with the world? Or is it just showing some of the fun things I've been up to in Hokkaido? (It can be both, I suppose...) I've been giving this some thought, and will continue to re-examine what I am doing with this piece of cyberspace real estate. I don't know if I will change the format of the blog or not, but I may not put as many pictures up (especially ones featuring yours truly). It may become a bit "wordier" than before. Lately I haven't really felt like taking pictures - I would much rather just be thankful for the times God has given me, and take them in and forget about how I can update my blog because I went out and had fun. So I've been giving my camera a rest quite a bit lately. Thank you all who read this blog and pray for me and encourage me - hope you can put up with the silence and/or changes, and may the Lord use this blog for His glory even more than ever!

Two-in-One

Yesterday was a rather interesting day for me. As we have done the past few weeks, we had a Sunday evening service at ICF Lirabell Church. For the first time ever, I stood up in front of people (the Lorincz family were the only attendees, mind you) and led worship! I am far from a good guitar player, but God knows my heart and my desire is to worship Him. So anyways, I was supposed to miss our hockey game last night (7:30pm start) but since our evening service started and ended earlier than anticipated, I drove out to Hoshioki Arena as quickly as I could, and got there for the end of the first period.

I walked to our bench and Kenmochi (the guy I thought would be hard to play alongside but is in fact cool) yelled out, "Hurry UP, Trevor!" So I grabbed the locker room key, got dressed and ran back to the bench, this time on skates. After about 30 seconds, the captain told me I was to be on the top line with Isoda and Michizoe. I got out on the ice, and then they said, "Oh wait, not quite your turn yet, Trevor." But the ref said that since I had stepped onto the ice, I had to play the shift. Well, within a minute...

We had the puck down in their end, and I positioned myself in front of the net, waiting for a rebound, a pass, or a tip-in chance. All the while, screening their goalie. Kenmochi was on the point and he let a low shot go. I got my stick on it, and... RED LIGHT! The first goal of the Godzillas' regular season, scored by #7, TREVOR! After that, we scored two more (I don't think I was on the ice for either), to take a 3-0 lead. But the Warriors stormed back and tied it up, 3-3. I was on the ice for two of their goals. But with 2 minutes left, Isoda (our star) rifled one past their goalie, and we went home victorious!

The most interesting part of the game was when, during the 2nd intermission, one guy said, "Trevor prayed before coming, that's why we're doing so well!" And another guy said, "Yeah, he went to church - God bless you!" Weird - I have not said a thing about Jesus, at least not specifically, but they know what I'm about, and who knows? Maybe this will lead to some serious discussions of some sort! God knows. And we can all keep praying!


昨日はとても祝福された日でした。カルバリーチャペル札幌はICFリラベル教会で夕拝を行いました。私は人生初めて人前でギターを弾きました。練習不足で上手に弾けなかったけどスティーブさんがキーボードを伴奏してくれましたのでなんとか最後までできました。２曲「God of Wonders」と「Be the Center」をリードしました。これからも練習して行きます！神様が私の心を整えてくださり、そして指や声を適切に動かしてくださることを信じます。

礼拝が終わったらすぐに星置スケート場へ向かいました。リーグ戦の初日だったから、途中からでも参加したかったからです。着いたら、ベンチへ控え室のカギを取りに行きました。したら剣持が『トレバー早く！』って言ってました。最初に剣持はちょっと気難しい人だなぁと思ってたけど最近は少ししゃべってたらけっこう楽しい人だとわかりました。すぐに着替えてもう一度ベンチへ行きました。そしてすぐに氷上に出て２分以内にゴジラーズの今シーズン初ゴールを決めました！アシストしたのは剣持だった。ゴールの後の喜びは気持ち良かった！

数分以内にリードを３点に伸ばし、楽勝かと思い込んでいたら残り１０分のところ、同点になってしまった。けど、私たちのスターの磯田が決勝ゴールを決めました。４対３、ゴジラーズの勝利！神様に感謝します！面白いことに、第２ピリオドが終わったら少し休憩がありました。その間、剣持が『トレバーが祈って来たから上手くいってる』と言い、キャプテンの荒木さんが「God bless you!」とコメントしました。私はイエスキリストのことまだ伝えてないのに聖霊様が語ってるように見える！ハレルヤ！昨日の成功がまた永遠の命の収穫につながるように祈ろう！

Now lining up at forward...

For the Godzillas... #7, TREVOR! A couple of months ago, I joined a local hockey club as a way to get some exercise and also to make contacts with other men (and women) and to reach out to a different demographic... I am sure few if any of my teammates have ever heard of Jesus. Anyways, last night we played a scrimmage for the first time in over a month. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a talented athlete or hockey player. So when I was told I would be lining up with the two best players on the team (Isoda and Kenmochi) on the top line, I was as surprised as anyone. I skated with Isoda in the previous game as well, but figured I was just replacing Kenmochi, who was absent.


Another interesting thing I should mention - I thought Isoda and Kenmochi were a lot like the guys who made me want to quit hockey in the first place, some 25 years ago. They seemed like they had big egos and looked down on those who couldn't play up to their level. So playing on their line brought out a little fear in me. Would they stop passing me the puck when I missed one or two chances? As it turned out, Isoda set me up for two goals, and me and Kenmochi had a lot of chances that we both barely missed. After the scrimmage, they talked about how easy it was to play with someone like me - I am always in the right position for a scoring chance, they said! My reasoning: I am not a gifted skater, so I find open ice in the slot and wait for them to find me! I had an awesome time out there, and wish I could make it to Sunday night's league game. Alas, God has called me to something else: helping lead worship? (More on that in a bit.)


昨日は１ヶ月ぶりにアイスホッケーをやりました。２ヶ月前にゴジラーズというチームに入って、メンバーの中で私は中の中ぐらいだと思った。先月の最後の練習試合にトップライン（いわゆる１軍）に入らせたけど、それは人数足りなかったからだろうと思ってた。ゴジラーズのトップ２人のフォワードは磯田と剣持です。二人とも足が速くてパックコントロールが上手でシュートも的確です。カナダ人として恥ずかしいけど、本当にホッケーはヘタッピーです。しかし、今日のゲームには、１軍に入らせました。前回欠席した剣持は今回いたので僕は２軍かなぁと思ったらキャプテンの荒木さんが私を磯田と剣持と組んだ。


したらなんと、２点決めました！磯田のパスが上手くて決めるのが簡単だった。磯田も３点ぐらい決めて、剣持は１点か２点決めた。２人ともあんまりおしゃべりしないからチームメートを見下してるかと思ったけど試合が終わったら二人とも『トレバーとプレーするのはすごいやりやすい！』とほめてくれました。これからもゴジラーズの成功のために、そしてチームメートがイエスキリストを受け入れるように頑張りたいと思います！

Fun at Kumon? 公文のお楽しみ会

昨日は初めて公文に行って採点をしなかった日だった。と言いたいけどお楽しみ会の後、採点の作業がありました。けどその前に子どもたちと４時間ぐらい遊べました。色んなゲームやパズルを出して一緒に楽しみました。ほとんどの時間は豆運び競争のコーナーを担当しましたけど、空いている時に練習していました。生徒には負けましたが、２０粒の小豆を４８秒以内に運ぶ事ができました。いつも一生懸命勉強してる子どもたちがゲームなどで盛り上がるのを見て、やっぱり子どもたちに触れる仕事が与えられて感謝だなぁと思いました。これからも公文宮の森教室で頑張ります！


Yesterday I went to Kumon as usual, but instead of grading homework the entire shift, I only had to do so for the final hour! The reason: we had a fun day for the kids! It was the first Kumon day of the year, so the kids got to play games and do puzzles and stuff. Most of that time, I spent watching the kids play a game in which they have to move 20 little beans from one bowl to another using chopsticks. My boss asked me if there is any kind of game like this in the west. All I could think of was the egg-on-a-spoon relay. I was thinking about the use of utensils and how these "games" kind of train kids to use utensils skillfully. Anyways, it was fun - I didn't beat the kids too badly when I played... but I certainly learned how to use my chopsticks better! Having a day like this, where the kids I usually see studying hard, actually playing and having fun, made me realize that I am blessed to have a job at which I can be around kids. They're the best! Here's to another year at the Miyanomori Kumon!

She's Gone - 帰国

The alarm went off at 4:45am this morning. Had to get mother off to the airport. We left while it was still dark, around 5:20am. It took about 75 minutes to get to the airport - the roads were clear (both of traffic and snow). I had an incredible 3 weeks with my mom - that is the most time I have ever spent with her by myself - EVER! But I am so blessed to have a wonderful mother, and to have had that time with her. Thank You, Lord! Thank you, Mom! Pray for safe travels for her, as she is returning to Winnipeg (she's probably landing in Tokyo as I type this) and then down to Texas. Busy lady!


今朝は４時４５分に起きて５時２０分ぐらいに空港へ向かいました。３週間前は喜びながら空港へ行ってましたけど今回は少し悲しみながら運転していました。けど、こうやって人生初めてこんな長い時間をお母さんと二人きり過ごせた事を感謝しています。非常に楽しい３週間でした。お母さんの素晴らしいところをもう改めてわかり、もう一度神様に感謝しなきゃ！と思った。そしてお母さんが遠い北海道まで来てくれた事をも感謝しています！お母さんの旅路が守られるように祈りましょう！

Sheep on a Hill - 羊ヶ丘

今日で２回目この羊ヶ丘に行きました。けど、今回、初めてわかったのは実際にこの丘の上に羊が飼われていることだ！良いなぁ、この羊たちが毎日この素敵な全景が見えるなんて！羊ヶ丘にクラーク博士の銅像があって、雪祭りの博物館もあります。すごく興味深いところで、展望台も素晴らしいです。札幌に来る際はぜひ、羊ヶ丘に行ってください！


Today I went to Hitsuji Ga Oka (Sheep Hill) with my mom. Last time I came with my friends, it was really rainy out and we didn't spend much time outdoors. This time, though, despite it being a little cool, me and mom got to see a splendid view of Sapporo, and we also checked out the sheep (yes, Sheep Hill has sheep grazing it) and looked through the Snow Festival Museum. Overall it was a great day, capped off with some famous Hokkaido soft serve ice cream! If you ever come to Sapporo, you must check out Hitsuji Ga Oka!

Pounding the Rice!

On Sunday after church at ICF (International Christian Fellowship) some of the members made rice cakes, traditional Japanese style. It was so much fun to watch them... first an older guy had a go at it, then one of the youth leaders, Ray, got in on the action, and finally the big bopper, Charles "Chip" Brown pounded that rice into submission. We all enjoyed the rice cakes covered in toasted soybean flower and black sesame. GREAT stuff!

ICF (インターナショナルクリスチャンフェローシップ）の礼拝後に何人かが餅つきをしました。最初はあるおじさんがやってから、ユースのリーダーの励（れい）君が挑戦して、最後にチップさんがアメリカンパワーを見せてくれました。そしてみんながきな粉＆黒ごまの餅をエンジョイしました。最高だった！

New Year, New Face

２０１０年はずっとヒゲがあった一年だったので、２０１１年の初日に久しぶりにヒゲを全部剃ってみました。あんまり気に入ってないけどインドの遺伝子が強いもんだから、今夜までにヒゲが生えるね（笑）冗談だけどね。しばらくはノーヒゲでいるけど、皆さんに次に会う時、どんなトレバーが現れるか楽しみにして！


For the entire year last year, I had facial hair of some sort - mostly the same style all year. So for the first day of 2011, I decided to go clean-shaven for the first time in ages. The result: not so great... it might take some getting used to. But the beauty of having Indian DNA is that by evening I will have a full beard again anyways. Kidding of course - I will remain unbearded (this is not a real word, I know!) for awhile, but by the time you all see me again, you could be looking at an entirely different Trevor!

Countdown to 2011

Well folks, it's a new year! What a better way to ring in the new year than to blog about it? Last night, I had the Lorincz family over and we chatted and watched a movie. I think games were an option too, but we never got around to it. Anyways, it was nice to have a "full house" here - I think it was the first time that more than 2 others were in my apartment with me, ever! Anyways, I pray that everyone would have a wonderful 2011 - even more exciting and blessed than 2010 was!!!


皆さん、２０１１年ですよ！時間が過ぎるのは早いですね！あけましておめでとうございます！沢山の人々がこのブログを読んでいることを感謝しています。どうか神様がこのブログを用いて日本人に喜び、希望、励ましを与えたら幸いです。今年もどうぞ、よろしくお願いいたします。昨夜は、ルーリンツ御一家をアパートに誘い、一緒にビデオを見たりおしゃべりしたりおつまみを食べたりして楽しい夜を過ごしました。皆さんの大晦日はいかがすごしたでしょうか？２０１１年がさらに神様に多くの祝福が与えられるように祈っています。