Day 6, July 31, Homestays, Church, Tournament

     Today the team was split up into groups.  16 people were still on 5 different homestays, while the other 18 team members stayed at BJ's church.  So, the morning part is only about the homestay that I was on as (of course), I don't know what happened at the other locations.  It was great though to be split up and it was obvious how much it meant to the church to have us there.  They seemed very delighted and encouraged to have us there--but as I said, I don't know who was more encouraged---them or us.  I was particularly struck during the service as we sang "Fairest Lord Jesus."  The beginning of the last stanza started with "Beautiful Savior, Lord of the Nations . . ." and it hit me that here we were worshipping together as different nations----a little taste of what heaven would be like.  Talking with some of the others, our experience probably wasn't too different.  The people were so kind and generous and wanted to do whatever they could to serve us.  It was very humbling.  Our church actually had a 7:30 service, but said we didn't have to attend that one (about 10-12 people).  We did join the children's Sunday School class at 8:45 until about 9:15 and then they did the traditional making shave ice.  I say traditional because every church I have visited here seems to do this.  This was the first time though that it was not merely ice and the syrup.  They had toppings like mandarin oranges, pineapple, mochi balls (hard to describe-kind of chewy), sweet bean paste and green tea powder.  It was all very good.  After Sunday School, we attended the church service from 10:30-11:30, and then joined most of the church for their Sunday lunch which they do 3 times a month.  It was great to sit with them and get to know them better.  I was showing one of the ladies at my table my family picture taken at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center this summer and she remarked that she had been there with friends and walked the trails (about 40 years ago)!  Lunch went until about 1:15 and then we had a short break until we left about 2.
     We had come prepared to go straight to the field for the games.  We were playing the team called the FC Papas.  They have a team of men, 50 and older, and a team of 40 and older.  We played both teams on an alternating basis.  The older 50 men are the team that BJ is goalie for.  Mr Mizuno, who has been a part of every Osaka trip we have been on, is the captain of the FC Papas.  The schedule was to play 6 20-minute games, but then they wanted to play more, so we ended up playing 8 20-minute games.  While this was good game time (Masa and some of the guys who had helped out got to play in the last two for us), the disappointing part was that one of the two teams had left by that point and didn't get to hear the song (we did just the Japanese song) and Paul's testimony (Paul did it because it was a group of older men). Oh well, the Lord knows.  I don't remember all of the scores, but it was something like 1-0, 0-1, 1-2, 0-0, 2-0, 0-2, 1-1, 0-2).  Our goals were scored by Alexis (2), Marg (on a great steal), Sarah, and Masa in the last game when he played for us.  We also played so long that the people who had the field reserved at 7 came and we had to do our post-game song and testimony stuffed into the stands.  Flexibility, always the key.  There were some members of the other team that were new and never had heard the gospel.  We pray that the seeds planted will be able to be watered and harvested some day by BJ.  We particularly pray for Mr. Mizuno as he is always around, helps with transportation, and even hosts a homestay, but yet has not made a decision for Jesus.  There must be something that attracts him and we pray that God can overcome whatever is holding him back.
     After the game, we took the bus back to the food court we were at the first night for dinner.  Then it was back to the sento to clean up, and then home for much needed rest.  Thanks again for your prayers as it is amazing to see how well everyone is doing with jet lag, but some much going on and still having great attitudes.  Next year is most likely an "open" tour, so anyone could come who wants to.  Some of the girls are talking like they would like to come back---which would be great as it says a lot to the Japanese when people return.


Pictures, Day 6
Pictures, All
Video Montage Day 6
Team Song Day 6
Marg's Testimony
Paul's Testimony

Day 5, July 30, Masa's Soccer School

    The morning started with breakfast at 7:30 and then cleanup. This may seem like a mundane task, but with 34 people, and the kitchen so tiny and on another floor, it used to consume a lot of time. This year they assigned cleanup detail and did it on the first floor. It went a lot faster and we were able to finish earlier. BJ gave an introduction for the morning which was real inspiring as he talked about how many people would be there who had never heard the name of Jesus and those who hearing it again would drive it deeper into their hearts. It was a great focus to begin the day and trip with as it drove home from the people themselves how important it is what we are doing. Erin followed with encouragements to the girls to group in threes and discuss what they are learning in their devos (see video montage for these two focuses). We left at 9 for a 45 min bus ride to the facility. It is on the roof of an 8-story building and was held in three separate futsal (small fields) courts surrounded by nets.  One of the surprises was to see Matthew there. He joined us for the tour last year and has an amazing story.  His parents are American missionaries in Japan--they run an organization that saves babies to be aborted. His mother was a 14-year-old and part of a Mafia family whose grandmother wanted her to have an abortion.  Just prior to that, the doctor noticed a brochure that had been left in his office and called Matthew's parents and told them about him.  Not only did they rescue him, but they actually adopted him! (That's why the American name). I had heard but never met an abortion baby.  God has a great plan for him and it is exciting to see his love and desire to serve the Lord (he hopes to go to Biola soon but is not sure if he can financially.)

      The kids are ages 5-12 and are soooo

Days 3-4, July 28-29, Travel

     Wow, you would think we were going on a missions trip for something?! What a morning!  It goes to show that the enemy will stop at nothing, big or small, to try to sidetrack and ruin attitudes. Horrendous traffic to the airport, so we didn’t all bet there until 11:30.  However, that is the advantage of planning to arrive 3 hours early.  Check-in actually went very smoothly, but Gil’s backpack got left in the car and the driver had to come back in that horrible traffic.  Paul forgot his phone (very important for coordination in Japan) or at least thought he had.  It was in a different pocket.  Another member forgot her 2 t-shirts and Paul had to bring some more.  At the airport, another member dropped her phone and the screen cracked.  Another member’s name had been misspelled on the team list and so it didn’t match with the passport—but with a little extra verification, it was approved. 

     Have you ever thought about how expensive amusement park or event food is?  Well, 

Day 2, Orientation & Send-Off

     The morning started with practice at Biola.  We couldn't use the main field as it was being refurbished, so we practiced on McNally field by the tennis courts.  After about an hour and a half of drills, we went over to the soccer meeting rooms for more orientation.
     Paul started with some overall orientation about the country of Japan and then discussed in detail what we would be doing each day (see 2016 Itinerary).  After discussing the schedule, he went over a lot of administrative and functional details of day to day activities.  This was followed by an extended time of relational evangelism.  While he mentioned that we do have (if necessary) bi-lingual Four Spiritual Laws, the emphasis is on relationship and just telling your story.  Introvert or extrovert, it doesn't matter, the most important thing to consider is just to be who you are, be interested in the relationship, and be prepared to answer questions of why we are who we are, as people will be asking questions.  It is also not just us having a relationship with them to share the gospel, often it is us providing a bridge for the pastor to have a relationship with the Japanese, so relationship evangelism can be either direct, but mostly indirect.
     Assistant coach Katie was able to share about her trip to Japan in 2012 and had some really encouraging words (see video montage) that were great for all of us to hear.  Coach Erin continued that spiritual focus by introducing the devotional book she created for the team to use not only on this trip but during the rest of their 28-day training period.
     Then it was time for lunch in the Biola cafeteria.  After lunch we worked on our Japanese song ("Kimi Wa") and came up with our American song ("I've Got a Peach of a Savior").  After that, there was a break and then about 30-45 minutes of testimony workshop where each player wrote out and practiced their testimonies.  After testimony workshop, Dani V. led the discussion for coming up with our spiritual skits (lost sheep: Matt 18:12-14 and the treasure hidden in the field:  Matt 13:44) and funny skits.  It was great to see the enthusiasm of the team and their focus on themes that would reach the audience with a simple gospel message.
     Following the skit practice there was a break of a little over an hour before we had to be at Whittier Christian H.S for our intra-squad scrimmage from 4-6.  It was great to see so many parents there.  Following the scrimmage there was the send-off dinner at Biola's firepit put on by the Biola moms.  Thanks so much ladies!  In all my years (9), I have not seen any send-off like this.  Including the spread, the team was blessed with a crowd of 90 people--by far the largest send-off we have had.  After dinner and some words by Paul & Erin, the team performed it's Japanese song, American song and team cheer.  The evening was closed in group prayer and closed out by Randy Brunelle, coach Erin's dad.
     Thank you to all the supporters for coming and lifting us up in prayer tonight and throughout the trip.  We couldn't do it without you!

Day 2 Pictures
All Pictures
Video Montage, Day 2
American Song
Japanese Song
Team Cheer

P.S.  Most days in Japan, I will post the blog daily, which in Japan time would be about 7-10 am US time.   This will be true except for travel days where there might be a one day lag.  There will be no blog tomorrow as we will be traveling.  The next blog should be probably Fri morn 7-10am your time.

Day 1, Welcome & Orientation

     Well, we are off and running!  Quite the full house as this year will be the largest number of people taken in the 21 years of Japan tours.  30 tour members and 4 staff.  Housing will look slightly different this year too, but as usual, flexibility is the byword of any missions trip.  The tour unofficially started at 1pm as the ladies arrived in town back from their summers away, and spent the afternoon getting reacquainted and meeting the new freshmen.  There was relaxing out by the pool (for those who could stand the heat) or inside where it was quite cool.  Paul did a welcome before dinner and then the girls were introduced.  Vickie (Paul's wife) fixed a wonderful dinner, followed by her signature brownies.  During dinner, Erin supervised the passing out of the team gear.  This may not seem like much but imagine trying to organize backpacks, 5 different shirts, jackets, pants, shorts, uniforms for 34 people.  Coaches Erin and Katie were very organized.
     After the equipment was passed out, we met back in the main room for some more orientation.  The first part we watched the video "Why Japan?" It is a great video (produced by YWAM), only 4 1/2 minutes, and explains very succinctly why ministry in Japan is important.  If you haven't had a chance to view it yet, it would be perfect to view now to understand why we (& others) are going (it is available on the blog or select the "Why Japan" link above).  After the video, Paul used a powerpoint presentation to give an overall view of the kinds of things one might possibly experience on the tour.
     The rest of the orientation was continued outside by the pool.  It was mostly overview again of the types of things we will be discussing in more detail tomorrow.  The most important emphasis in this was the importance of relationship in Japan and making the effort to try to connect with them despite a language barrier.  Erin emphasized what Paul said by adding that we don't really even need our phones there--maybe for pictures, but not to let the desire to connect back home make us miss what we are really there for.  Even using the phone to try to help communicate might make one miss the joys thru tribulation of trying to communicate and how that can actually help build relationship as you struggle together to figure out words.  Also emphasized was the importance of testimonies, and that it is not just the "wow" testimonies that are important as different testimonies reach different people.  We also had a cultural overview of things we would discuss in more detail tomorrow.  Committees were set up to come up with the team songs and skits that are used as part of means of communicating the gospel, or simply breaking the ice.
     Personally, I am really excited to see how excited the ladies are already and it is only the first day.  Thank you all for your prayers.

Pictures (if you open the individual picture and select the info icon (white circle with an "i") then there will be a description of the picture)
Video Montage, Day 1