Why Count Sheep?

So this past weekend I spent laying in bed, laying on the couch, and moving between the two. I was wiped out with a bad cold. I have not slept so much on a weekend since... well, I can't remember when I last slept so much!

Anyways, I got this idea at one point: I think it was the middle of the night, and I could not fall asleep. So I decided to count. No, not sheep. No, not the cliche "blessings" -- although what I counted was indeed a blessing, and I would never discourage anyone from counting their blessings.

But I decided to count (and pray for) my cousins. For some of you out there, one hand suffices and you've got everyone accounted for. Not me! As you may know, my dad has 4 siblings, and my mom has 8... which means the number of cousins (and now spouses and children) is almost uncountable!

And in fact, it took me 3-4 sleeps to get everyone counted and prayed for. I started with my mom's eldest brother's eldest son, and ended with my dad's younger brother's two sons. And in between I was able to think deeply about each cousin (30, if I'm not mistaken, not counting spouses and kids), what memories I have with them, what some have been going through lately (marriage, pregnancy, loss of father, move, among other joys and trials), and really pray for them like I haven't done in years.

I even counted and prayed for the uncles and aunts, brothers and nephews, and parents, of course.

I did not have a particularly great weekend. No one really enjoys being sick, having a stuffed up head, feeling helpless and being waited on by a caring wife (well, that part isn't so bad, but only in a selfish, tongue-in-cheek way). But being able to lay there and think about family, about the people who have shaped who I am, about how nice it is to have a large extended family... that part of my weekend was truly blessed. Not to mention more quiet time with the Father.

And so I count my weekend of sickness a blessing. Thank You, God, for making me slow down.

Hockey Night in Sapporo

After a hot start to the season, the Sapporo Godzillas have now lost two straight games. And badly. Still, hockey is a lot of fun! I want to get some practice time in, or just work on my positioning or something. Keep on cheering for us, people... and pray for the souls of my teammates who do not know Jesus yet.


札幌ゴジラーズは２連勝の後、２連敗をしてしまいました。それでも、アイスホッケーは楽しいです！私は個人的にもっと上手になるために練習がしたいです。どうぞ、私たちの応援をよろしくお願いします。そしてまだイエス様を知らないチームメートのたましいのために祈ってください。

Online Class

Many, if not most of you, know that I am now working on my Master of Arts in TESOL. The entire program (save for two residential sessions - #1 #2) is done online, and so my "classes" are all on Saturday mornings, right in the comfort of my apartment. When I joined the program in May 2009, "classes" were all "chat" - all typed... the professors typed and we responded. Since then we have grown in number and technology, to the point where we can actually see/hear our professors, and even students are "on camera" at times as well! Last weekend I was on camera, as you can see from the picture below. It was kinda tricky to take a picture of myself while my whole class was watching - hence the poor angle. Still, you can see: the name of the university, my pic in the corner, the fact that I was "chatting" privately with one of my classmates while listening to the lecture, and also you can see a little of my computer desk area: pic of my nephew, my bro's family, an inspirational Bible verse (Isaiah 55:1-3) and fragrant oil (woody herb). Good times on Saturday mornings! Just 9 more of these sessions and I'm done with the classroom component of the degree! Pray for my thesis though, as I have no clue as to what I will be researching yet. Too many options to choose from!


このブログを読んでくださっている多くの人はご存じだと思いますが、私は現在、大学院に通っています。英語を母語としない人に英語を教える資格（英語で言うと頭文字を使ってTESOLですね）の修士号をとっています。ほぼ２年前に勉強し始めたんですが、その頃のオンラインの授業はただのチャットでした。教授も生徒もみんな、自分が言いたいことを一生懸命打ってからクラスメートの返事を待っていました。この頃、テクノロジー（技術）が発展してるから実際に教授の映像を見ながら講話を聞くことができます。時々、生徒の顔を映したり声を聞かしたりもしています。この前の土曜日に、急に私はみんなが見えるようになりました。ちょっと寝坊しちゃったから髪の毛が乱れていたけど楽しかったです。ただ、映りながら自分の写真を撮るのが難しかった。んで、上の写真はそんなに良い物じゃないかもしれないけど色んなことが見れると思います。１）私は画面の左下に映っていること。２）学校の名前はアナハイム大学であること。３）私は授業を受けながらクラスメートとチャットをしてること。４）壁に貼付けている物：甥っ子の写真、お兄さんファミリーの写真、聖書の御言葉（イザヤ５３：１−３）。５）アロマオイルが置いてあること（ハーブの香り）　あと９回この授業を受けてから単位全部とってることになります！その後、卒論を書いて終わり！でも皆さんの祈りが必要です。あと９ヶ月くらいかかりますので、緩むことなく卒業することができるように祈っていただければありがたいです。よろしくお願いします。

Prayer, please お祈りください

春と言えば、就職活動。まぁ、大学生はもっと早くやっていると思いますが、新学年に備えて英語の教師の募集がけっこうあります。私は明日（水曜日）と金曜日に、面接があります。神様の御心がはっきりとわかりますように祈ってください。どちらも子どもに英会話を教える仕事だと思いますので、自分に向いてるかちょっと不安でもあるが、神様に不可能なことは一つもありません！アーメン？アーメン！


Spring is here, and job-hunting season is open! Well, it actually opened awhile ago. But I actually have two job interviews to teach English conversation to kids - the first interview is tomorrow (Wednesday) and the other is on Friday. Please pray that I would clearly know what God's will is, and that I would follow His calling! I'm a little worried about teaching young kids - never really done that before - but with God, nothing is impossible! Amen? Amen!

Prayer Answered!

I already posted on this nearly 3 weeks ago, when the certificate of eligibility came in, but now it is officially in my passport and on record: you are looking at the first Calvary Chapel Sapporo missionary! And I was given a 3 year visa! PRAISE THE LORD!

３週間前に認定証が届いた時にも投稿しましたが、昨日から公式になりました。私は史上初のカルバリーチャペル札幌の宣教師です！しかも３年間のビザが与えられました！主に感謝します！ハレルヤ！

Yuni Once More - 由仁・ワンス・モア

木曜日の夜はいつも通り由仁町に行って伝道をしました。今回はキーボードがなかったため、スティーブさんが御言葉を分かち合ってくれました。由仁町のSさんがいっぱい質問して、本当に救いが近いと思います。続けて祈りましょう！

Thursday night, as always we headed out to Yuni to do ministry. Since we didn't have a keyboard with us, we mostly did ministry through the Word. Steve shared, and Mrs. S had lots of questions. I think salvation is near! Let's keep praying for Yuni!

Prayer Request - ANSWER!

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!!!


早くもビザの認定書が届きました！申し込みを出してわずかな４日後に告知が来ました。奇跡ですね！神様は本当に皆さんの祈りを聞いてくださり早く答えてくださいました！カルバリーチャペル札幌の宣教師としての３年間のビザを獲得しました！主にハレルヤ！そして皆さんの祈りを感謝しています！

Important Prayer Request - VISA

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.


皆さん、こんにちは。先日に言うのを忘れてしまったけど月曜日の午後に宣教師のビザの申し込みを提出しました。前もそうだったけど私の状況は完全に神様の御手の中にあります。私にできることは祈ることだけです。神様の御心が明らかになるまで私が安心して目の前にある業務を果たすことができますように祈っていただきたいです。皆さんの祈りをいつも主に感謝しています。これからもどうぞ、よろしくお願いいたします。入国管理局の連絡次第にまた皆さんにお知らせいたします。

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。。。

Urgent Prayer Request

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!


緊急ですが、皆さんの祈りが必要です。ブログを見てくださる時にはもう過ぎてるかもしれないけど神様は私たちと違って、時間に縛られていないので、「遅い祈り」がないと信じています！私の生徒の美樹子さんが３０分後に電話で英語の面接／テストがあります。合格したらイスラエルのエルサレムでフードバンクでボランティアをすることができるようになります。美樹子さんは神の民であるイスラエル人に対して重荷があって、その聖なる地に神様に奉仕をしたいと思っています。今日は最後の英会話のレッスンだったけど美樹子さんは今日、体調が優れていなくてそして緊張しているみたいです。けど、神様の御心であれば必ず合格するから大丈夫！と僕が励ましてあげた。皆さんの祈り、感謝しています！

News Without Pictures

Every time something fun is happening, it seems like I have forgotten my camera at home! So I haven't had much to update lately. But here's the latest and greatest: the Yuni ministry is going well! Still no "increase" or "harvest" but it seems like the two ladies we are primarily ministering to are more and more interested in the gospel! The past two weeks I went to Yuni solo (Steve and Michiyo had other engagements) and for the first time ever, I have had to "carry the conversation" so-to-speak. But God gave me boldness to share about His Son, and while neither made a commitment, I could see their eyes lighting up! I hope and pray that their salvation would come soon! Pray for Shoji-san and Sakamoto-san, please!

God has allowed me to teach His Word recently - last Sunday and again tomorrow, I am teaching at church on Sunday morning. God has given me wisdom and insight that I couldn't have gotten on my own. Since the majority of the church is children when Steve and Michiyo are absent (as they were last week and will be tomorrow) so I am trying to teach more at their level without taking away from the content and application for any adults present. So pray that tomorrow's message would also be blessed!

We tried to apply for the missionary visa yesterday, but we hit a few snags - so we will have to apply next week or the week after, depending on how quickly we get the necessary paperwork. Pray for God's mercy and favour in this process - of course His will will be done, but pray for our peace of mind as we wait!

I have a few private English students - one of whom passed his grad school entrance exam (praise the Lord, for He still does miracles!), the other of whom has a "telephone test" on Monday. If she passes, she will be heading to Israel to do some volunteer work at a food bank in Jerusalem. Pray for Mikiko, that God would give her the ability to answer any questions that come her way! If she heads out to Israel, hopefully she will be getting in touch with Takako - one of my favourite ladies from Calvary Chapel Ginowan/Calvary Chapel Okinawa/OCSI! It would be so cool if they could meet in Israel and be a blessing to each other!

I will be heading to Korea in two weeks for my grad school residential conference. Pray that my travels would go smoothly and that I can be a light for Christ to my classmates. Some of them are Christians, many are not. One in particular is seeking, it would seem. Then hopefully at the beginning of November I will be heading to the Tokyo area for a men's retreat and then to the Osaka area to meet up with several friends. May the Lord's will be done!

久しぶりにブログ更新をさせていただきます！最近はイベントがある時にカメラを忘れたりしていて写真は撮ってないです。けれども、伝道は続きます！由仁町に毎週木曜日に行って、特に２人に福音を伝えたりゴスペルコンサートを披露したりをしています。この前の２週間、ピンで行ったけど（スティーブと美智代は違う用事があって行けなかったから）なんとか上手く行ってます！イエスキリストをまだ受け入れてないけど関心があるみたいです。神様は僕に必要な言葉、そして必要な大胆さを与えてくださったからお二人の救いはこれからだと思います！どうぞ、続けて庄司さんと坂本さんのために祈ってください。

先週の日曜日も明日も教会で御言葉を教える機会が与えられました！神様は常に私に必要な知識や知恵を与えてくださっています。スティーブと美智代がいない時に教会の人数はほとんど子供達なので、彼らのレベルに合わせながら大人がまだメッセージから適用のできる内容が聞けるように努力しています。どうぞ、明日のメッセージは主に祝福されるように祈ってください。

昨日は宣教師（宗教）のビザの申し込みをしようとしたらいくつかの書類が足りなくてすぐに申し込みができなかった。けど、書類が届く次第にまた申し込みに行きます。もちろん神様の御心になるけど、私たちに安心が与えられるように祈ってください！

私は個人の英会話のレッスンをやっています。一人は先月、大学院の入試に受かりました。神様はまだ奇跡を起こしています！ハレルヤ！もう一人は明後日、テレフォンテストがあります。もし受かったら、イスラエルのエルサレム市に行ってフードバンク（食料銀行という貧困者のための援助）でボランティアをします。あそこでもし可能であればテルアビブにいる孝子さんと会ってほしいです！私は孝子さんとOCSI、カルバリー沖縄、カルバリー宜野湾で奉仕などをしたことがあって、１０年間くらい知っています。お二人がお互いを励まし合えたら本当に嬉しいです！美樹子さんの試験のためにもどうぞ、祈ってください。

最後に、１０月の中旬の大学院の研修会のために韓国に行きます！あそこで１年ぶりにクラスメートに会います。また、初めて会うクラスメートも何人かいます。私がどうにか神様に用いられてキリストの光を輝かすことができますように。クリスチャンのクラスメートは何人かいるけどノンクリがほとんどです。そのうちの一人は福音に関心があるみたいので、祈りましょう！そして、１１月の上旬に関東や関西に行きたいと思っています。まだチケットの予約とってないけど、主の御心であれば行きます！

いつもブログを見てくださり、心から感謝致します！

Prayer Requests for September

Hi everyone. I was going to make a video post of my prayer requests, but realized that most people would probably watch the video once, if that, and possibly forget the requests. So I'm going to put them in writing, and hope you can pray with me about these things.

皆さん、こんにちは。私の祈りの課題をビデオの形で載せようと思ったけどやっぱり一般の方々は一回だけ再生して、おそらくその祈りの課題を忘れるだろうと気づいたので、リストアップします！どうぞ、私とともに祈っていただいたら幸いです。

1) My current visa expires in December. I am planning on applying for a missionary visa as soon as possible. Pray that God would guide the process and that I would not be anxious.
私の現在の教育ビザは１２月に切れます。早いうちに宣教師のビザに申し込みたいと思います。神様の導きと私が心配しないことを祈ってください。

2) Ministry continues! Along with Steve and Michiyo Lorincz, I have been heading out to Yuni on Thursdays and to Tobetsu around once a month. My work and study schedules conflict with those ministries at times, unfortunately. Pray for the people of Yuni and Tobetsu. Also, we are gathering in the Lorincz apartment every Sunday morning for service. It is a small place but for the time being, it is more than enough. Praise God!
ルーリンツご夫妻と伝道生活をしています。毎週木曜日には由仁町に伝道しに行き、月一回くらいには当別町の家庭集会をやっています。時々、私のアルバイトや勉強の時間割が伝道行事とぶつけているので行けない。由仁町と当別町の人たちのために祈ってください。そして、毎週日曜日の朝にはルーリンツさんのアパートで家庭集会をやっています。小さな場所ですけど今は十分です。主にハレルヤ！

3) Part-time jobs here, there, and everywhere! At the moment, I have three part-time jobs on top of studying for my master's degree and private English lessons. My schedule is so irregular and although it sounds really full, everything is in such small quantity that I do not feel that I am terribly busy. Please pray that God would continue to provide for my needs and that I might shine the light of Christ in my places of work (most of which do not allow me to share the gospel).
アルバイト生活中。現在では、３つのアルバイトをしながら大学院の勉強をしています。それに、個人の英語のレッスンをもやっています。私の毎日が違っていて大変そうに聞こえるかもしれないけど実は、けっこうヒマです（笑）　神様が続けて私の必要をすべて備えてくださることと、私がバイト先でイエスキリストの光を輝くことを祈ってください。

4) I am trying to learn guitar so that I can help with worship at our services. This would have been much easier if I had started when I was younger (i.e. a kid). But I still have the desire, and feel like I am oh-so-slowly making progress. Pray that God would be glorified through my guitar playing and that someday, I might be competent enough to play worship songs.
最近、ギターを習い始めました。若い頃（すなわち、子供の頃）から習えばよかったかもしれないけど徐々に弾けるようになっています。ギターを用いて主を賛美するのが目的なので、私の練習が祝福されるように、そして神様が栄光を受けるように祈ってください。

Thank you, and feel free to share prayer requests with me, either in the comments section or by e-mail! You know how/where to find me! God bless you all!
祈ってくださり、ありがとうございます。もしよかったら、皆さんの祈りの課題をも聞かせてもらいたいです。メールかコメントの方を通して聞かせてくださいね！主の祝福が豊かにありますように！