Nago Outreach and Baptisms

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We had a great time in Nago with the outreach with Pastor Tim. The weather was perfect and the BBQ was outstanding. Later in the night the firework show was out of this world. We were all so blessed. Thank you Yumi for the great pictures.

San San Maru

This is where the cafe is located in Akamichi, Ginowan City. We love this area, located on the crest of the hill, it is always cooler in Ginowan City because of the higher elevation. Ginowan is the 3rd oldest city in Okinawa just after Naha City and Okinawa City. The 330 (San San Maru) is one of two main arteries that extend from Naha half way up the island. Ginowan City, the place we call home.

The Crown Prince of Japan Visits Today

The Crown Prince Naruhito will visit Okinawa today (far left). I don’t know if his wife and child will be coming too, but it is big news on the island. An e3 reliable source has said that traffic will be heavy on the island and security has been “beefed up”. Maybe the Crown Prince will have time to stop by the Koinonia Cafe for a good cup of “Crown Prince Coffee”.

Kelii and Jean-Luc from the KRY

Yeah! Nicky Wahlen sent me this picture today. I heard that the KRY was ministering at CCHonolulu, Stephen Mercandante emailed me and now I got this cool picture. Thanks Kelii and Nicky, the KRY, the best Christian Band ever!

Outreach in Mihama

  Tonight we had a great time at Mihama doing some outreach and witnessing. Afterwards we headed towards Justco for some refreshments and went over to the new area that has just been built near the water. It is called Depot Mihama, absolutely beautiful.

Beautiful Okinawan Sunset

We were hanging with the SOS crew at Araha Beach in Chatan City. It was a beautiful relaxing time, and the weather was nice and cool. A good change from the hot weather we have been having. Just one more thing to remind us that we are living in paradise.

Pancakes at Climax Coffee

We ordered the small for 400 yen (about $4.50 usd) berry pancake dessert. Don’t worry, it was not all for myself, Zach and I went halfers, and the rest jumped in.

Happy Birthday Chara!

Birthday’s come around a lot here at the Koinonia Cafe. After service we celebrated another one. Happy Birthday Chara, we pray that today was a special one for you.

Up to Nago!

But it rained the whole time. That was ok, we spent the night at Pastor Tim’s house and then spent the whole day hanging out and having fun. We went to Pineapple park, Justco, and some of us even went to the city gym. It was a great day of fellowship.

Zach is Back!

Zach has been back for a few days now. It is a blessing to have him back in Okinawa. He comes back to the island not as a students but as an instructor at the Bible College. He will be teaching the Book of Romans and Pastoral Epistles this semester.

Jonathan Heskett in Mainland Japan

Our good brother Jonathan from CCGinowan is in Mainland Japan climbing Mt. Fuji with his father this summer. This is a picture of both of them at the bottom of the mountain and this is Jonathan at the top of the summit. God bless you bro, we hope you are having a blast with your dad, be safe returning back to Okinawa.

Dan Pallman’s Licensing Service

We were blessed with the opportunity to license Dan Pallman as a Pastor before he left for Portugal. The Pallman’s leave Sunday morning. It has been such a blessing to have them a part of our life for the past 6 years. When I first met Dan I remember how nice he was and he was so welcoming on my first encounter.  He is the same guy 6 years later but now more seasoned in the Word. God bless you Dan and Deb, we love you so much and are going to miss your whole family. Love, your Ginowan Family.

Israel Recap 2010

Hello, we did a little recap of the trip to Israel. We hope that you like the video. Just click on it above.

Brother Larry Torres

What a joy to see Larry again. For those of you who do not know this brother, he used to live here in Okinawa when he was a part of the Marine Corps. Now he works for them in Germany but came back for a visit. It was great re living old times with our bro, and believe me we have some great memories. God bless you Larry, we love you bro!

Back in Okinawa

We made it safe back to Okinawa. It was a great trip to the Middle East. God blessed our trip in every way, we could not have asked for more. From visa miracles, lost camera found, to finding our wallet, God was so good to us on this trip. Thank you for all your prayers.

Arrived in Hong Kong Airport

We have arrived safely in Hong Kong after a good night early rise in Korea. The guys got up at 3:30 in the morning to watch the World Cup Final and then we left the hotel at 6:20am to catch our flight to HK. From our view of the area it is so beautiful. The mountain range and clouds look surreal.

Giant Burgers Cause Jaw injury

One of the good things about traveling in Asia you get to read the newspaper in different countries. I liked the article that I just read; “Giant burgers cause jaw injury”. It talks about Taiwanese dentist complaining that their clients are suffering from jaw injuries. They report that the human mouth is designed to “gape over objects measuring up to 4 centimeters”. The problem is that fast-food restaurants have burgers over 8 centimeters high (3 inches) and are causing Taiwanese people to suffer injury from opening their jaws to wide. This cracked me up. So next time you guys think about ordering a 4X4 at In-N-Out, you better think twice.

Tel Aviv to Incheon Airport

We arrived safely about 4:30pm on Sunday into Korea. We had a nice dinner and tomorrow we head to Hong Kong. Chuck and Vunder will be waking up at about 3:30am to see the Finals of the World Cup. We will leave the hotel around 6:20am and fly out at 8:30am.

Zach in LA

Zach made it safe back to LA and Pastor Cisco has picked him up. It was a blessing to have Zach with us in Okinawa. He will be in California for a few days and then fly back to Okinawa to join us for SOS Japan. Praise the Lord!

Blogging in Ben Gurion Airport

We are leaving tonight heading to Korea. In Korea we will spend the night and fly out the next morning to Hong Kong (3 hours flight, then to Taipei (1 hour flight), then to Okinawa (1 hour flight). It should be easy, just chillin until we leave. Rob is checkin the baseball scores and Chuck and I are bloggin. Joe Tipton is with his Uncle still in Tel Aviv. He should be arriving soon.

Hard to say “Good Bye”

Now remember, we did not say “sayonara” but “matane”, because sayonara means like a permanent goodbye. We will see our sister again. God has great things in store for Takako. They already love her there and are telling me good things. But she will definitely need our prayers everyday. So continue to pray for Takako. It was difficult to leave but remember Takako “Matane”, we will see you soon.

Saturday after Service Meal

The Church gathers for a luncheon after the service. Because they also have a soup kitchen God always provides for the service. It was excellent! We had cheesy Mac and cheese, rice, soup, eggplant, and a vegetable stir fry, a meal for a king.

Saturday Morning Service at CC Tel Aviv

CC Tel Aviv has service on Saturday morning and not Sunday morning. To them their day of rest is on Saturday because that is when the country takes their day of rest. Brian Harrington was sharing in the Word because Pastor Steve Apple is still in the States. It was a blessed Sunday morning. Can you see Takako in the picture?

Zach’s Departure

It’s that time, when good things have to end, it is time for Zach to head back to the States. He will be spending a few days there and then flying to Okinawa. We had a great trip, a blessed time in the Holy Land. Have a safe trip back Zach!

It’s Takako

Perfect timing. She knew that we were coming back to Tel Aviv so she came by to say hi, we had just drove up from the beach. It was great seeing her. God willing we will see her tomorrow at church. Takako also drove with Vunder, Zach and Pastor Tom to the airport to see Zach off.

One more day in Tel Aviv

Tonight we drop off Zach at the Airport so we have to stay a little closer in the City of Tel Aviv. The boardwalk was so beautiful and there were people everywhere, the beach was packed. We are going to miss this place. I love the bottom picture, catches everyone’s perfectly.

From the Top of the Mt. of Olives

Before we left Jerusalem, the boyz took a trip to the top of Mr. Scopus to get a great view of the Old City. I cannot believe that our trip is almost done, so fast, so fast. It was a blessed time in the Old City.

Early Morning Run

This morning instead of running on the outside of the walls of Jerusalem, we ran on the inside walls. It was real early in the morning so the shops were not open and barely anyone was in the city. It is so quiet in Jerusalem in the morning, but as the day gets going, the city gets hopping.

He is not here, He is risen!

At the Garden Tomb, what an experience! We had the greatest guide that I have ever had at the Tomb and I have been here 6 times. It is always a blessing to arrive here and to realize that our Lord has Risen from the Dead! We were all so blessed.

Praise God! 3 more years!

Today Tom Cotton received his visa to remain in Okinawa to continue to minister for another 3 years! We are so blessed! While Pastor Tom has been in Israel Tom has been teaching Sunday mornings at CCGinowan. It is a blessing to have this mate with us from down under.

Golgotha: Place of the Skull

This is Golgotha the place where many believe that Jesus was crucified. It is directly located above the bus station in Jerusalem. Also, the hill is now the property of the Arabs and a graveyard that has recently undergone some new construction. As you look at the hill you can see the face of a skull. This might be destroyed in the coming months, as the Arabs are building more graves. The place of the skull might become defaced.