Like I said, I have been eating a lot of good food since coming to Korea (just yesterday, FYI). Daniel and Nayeon (his lovely lady friend) have taken me out for dinner twice and I had lunch with Pastor Tom and the crew today. And I went out to a few great coffee shops today as well! Here are a few pics of the people and food.
Well folks, I got to Korea safely! It has been awesome... I arrived, hopped on a bus for almost 3 hours, then waited for Daniel to pick me up... he and his lady friend Nayeon got to the bus stop about 10 minutes after I did, so I just sat and waited and people-watched. Then we met the CCBC crew and headed out to have some dinner - kind of late but I was hungry. So I ate some really delicious soup while getting Korean spice juice on my Mariners jersey! But whatever... good stuff.
Then I went back to Daniel's apartment and talked with Pastor Tom and the Bible college guys, and Daniel's roommate David (a Korean guy who probably likes baseball more than I do!). Got to bed late and woke up too soon! Not really, I got to sleep in a little. Went out for breakfast with Pastor Tom and then hung with the crew in the morning. Unfortunately (for me anyways) they took off for Seoul around noon so I didn't get to chat with them much. But after that, I hung out with Pastor Mike and Daniel, and we did a couple of English classes/Bible classes and then me and Daniel went out for dinner with Nayeon. And oh, I had a few good Korean coffees today, too! Tomorrow's my last day in Daejeon before heading to Seoul for the Anaheim University conference (residential session) - can't wait!
We decided that since Chuck and Yumi were coming all the way from Okinawa to visit, and since there is not much "Calvary awareness" up here, we would put them to work and have Chuck give the teaching (and Yumi translate). So Chuck taught out of 1 Corinthians 9 and did a great job! We were so blessed to have the Robbs visiting with us - great fellowship and encouragement!
Then on the way to the airport, we stopped at a really famous place in Sapporo - Hitsuji ga Oka. A statue of the famous William Clark (he who said "Boys be ambitious" to the young men of Hokkaido University) overlooks the city. It's beautiful, but unfortunately it was raining so we did not spend a lot of time outdoors. Anyways, good times... hope to see you again soon, Chumi!
Looks like I got the visa - in record time! On Friday my certificate of eligibility came in the mail, and I have been approved for a 3-year visa as a missionary for Calvary Chapel Sapporo! Just 4 days after we put in the application! Praise the Lord! Thank you all so much for your prayers!!!
A few days before Chuck and Yumi arrived in Hokkaido, Steve was talking and said, "So what time do Chumi arrive?" We thought it was so funny that now we refer to them by this "one name." After all, the two have become one flesh, right? Reminds me of the "Kayondrew" thing! Anyways, we are so blessed to have Chuck and Yumi Robb here from Okinawa. They have been a huge blessing so far and we will have another day or so with them before they travel back to the south.
We went out for Jingisukan (Genghis Khan) - grilled lamb and cabbage and sprouts. A different place than last time, and probably even a little more delicious! But again, food was not the most important part of the day. By any means. We headed to Yuni again and did a gospel concert. This time the mixer worked so we were "plugged in" and sang 11 songs! Before we started, though, I presented a short devotion about who God is. When I shared Psalm 8:3-4, one of the ladies piped up, "I don't understand that. I mean, I understand the words but I do not believe them." And she asked some really difficult questions, but the Holy Spirit gave me the words to answer her. It was awesome because I went from being startled to slightly nervous to confident in my answer, all with a huge smile on my face. The Lord helped all the way! Then after the concert, Yumi talked to the lady for over an hour about all sorts of things. She even asked us if she had to confess all her sins to us in order to get baptized! Anyways, I really believe salvation is nigh for Sakamoto-san... let's keep praying for her!
Hi everyone, I forgot to mention this the other day. On Monday afternoon, I was able to submit the necessary paperwork for my missionary visa! So although the situation was always in the Lord's hands, now there is absolutely nothing I can do about this - it is 100% up to Him and His favour and mercy! Pray that God would give me peace in my heart as I wait for His will to be more fully shown to me! Pray that I would continue to do His work with all my heart. Thank you. I will post when I have more information about my visa.
By the way, I just did a Google image search for "missionary visa" and the #3 picture that showed up was... ちなみに今さっきグーグルの画像検索にmissionary visaを入れてみたら３番目の画像はなんと。。。
Sorry, I couldn't resist taking a pic like this, boys! It was a fun season of fantasy baseball and I enjoyed the competition... I can't believe I'm the champ again this year! See you in the spring! Start training now, 'cause I'm getting ready to go for a 3-peat!
Most people in the West know about the menacing, dominating historical figure Genghis Khan - the Mongol. But did you know that there is a food (well, a meal, I guess) named after him? It is famous here in Hokkaido, and yesterday we went to a famous Genghis Khan (better pronounced and written Jingisukan) restaurant before heading to Yuni. Needless to say, the grilled lamb and mutton was incredible and very filling... but more importantly, the Yuni ministry:
We got there in plenty of time to set up the equipment for the gospel concert in the pastry shop, as we have been doing almost every Thursday these days. Last week when I went and shared a bit of the Word with the owner, she was very intrigued and I said, "Do you think it would be OK if I shared at next week's concert before we begin?" And she said, "For sure, please do!" So I prepared a short devotional/message out of Matthew 11:28-30. But anyways, as we were preparing, Steve's amp just stopped powering up. So we could not get any juice, and instead of doing 12 songs with great orchestration, we sang 4 songs acapella. Fortunately we had numbers (5 of us) so we were able to get through the songs alright. I think it was a blessed evening despite the technological failure. (Stupid Satan! But then, I guess God allowed it so it's all good!) Mihoko was able to share the gospel with one of the ladies who came, as well! Praise the Lord!
Sapporo (and specifically the Lorinczes and I) are blessed to welcome two special guests to the area: Mihoko Bolinger and her friend from CC Costa Mesa, Felice - who is an assistant to the missions director for all of Calvary Chapel! So in true Calorie Chapel fashion, we went out last night for delicious ramen, then checked out a panoramic view of the city, and finally some sweets (cake and milk tea). Can't go wrong with the 2 F's: food and fellowship! Thank you, Lord, for visitors!
Hi everyone, I know most of you won't see this until it's too late, but there is no such things as a "late prayer" in God's time - He is not bound by the same rules as we are! Please pray for my student Mikiko, who has a telephone interview/test that, if (when) she passes, will allow her to volunteer at a food bank in Jerusalem, Israel. Mikiko has a real heart for the Israelis, God's people. I just had my last lesson with her, and she said she is feeling a little under the weather and also nervous, but I assured her that God's will will be done! Anyways, thanks for praying!
