Blog Post #8

Hi all

Wow! These last two days have been so busy.  I couldn’t send a blog yesterday because my wi-fi was not working so here are two updates together.

After a great camp on Thursday morning we all hopped a train for our last game, at Tokuyama University.  The Seahorses have a longtime relationship with the university and this night is one of the highlights of our tour.

After a hard fought first half, the two teams mixed players and enjoyed a great time of playing together.  Then the after game fun began.  The University always throws a big party for us and we spent a couple of hours just talking, eating, singing to each other and performing special dances to each other.  This relationship is what the Seahorses are all about....making friends, building relationships and living Christ with those who do not know Him personally.  The teams respect each other and the Seahorses have a chance via social media to continue to share with these girls of their relationship with Christ long after this night is finished.  Watching our team on this night was a very special reminder that we are to live out our relationship with Christ every day and in everything we do.  These young ladies that are on this tour have done just that!!!!

Friday morning was our last day of camp.  The campers all had lots of fun, learned a lot about soccer, and valuable lessons about integrity, telling the truth etc.  Most importantly they learned about Jesus Christ.  Gizzi did a great job with the evangecube, so the kids who attended our chapel heard clearly about salvation.  It was a great week and campers and parents alike can’t wait for us to come back.  Well, I have one more blog to send  later as we are all heading for different airports and heading home tomorrow.

Picture Set #13, Marine Base Camp and Soccer Games

Here is the latest set of pictures with the following description: "This is the last of them. Camp both days. The first camp was crazy hair day and then a soccer game and dinner with the girls. The Friday was our closing, ending with pizza with the kids and rest, shopping, time together, and packing."

Picture Set 13
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Blog Post #7

Hi all.........
This is going to be short and sweet!  By that you can know that we are VERY busy just now.

Yesterday we had a great morning at camp with the emphasis being on integrity .  The coaches all did a great job and the campers had lots of fun.  The afternoon found us doing a bit of sight seeing at a very old and beautiful bridge and castle.  We even went to the sight of Paul’s house where he lived when he was growing up here.

Today will be perhaps our hardest day of the tour as we have camp in the morning, then we taxi to the train station and jump on a train.  After about an hour ride we then get on a bus to a university where we will play a very hard game with a very good team.  After the game they will feed us and we will enjoy a great time of fellowship with them.  Then..... back on the bus, train, taxi’s and then home.  Tonightis a special night because we say sayinora to  coach Jerry as he has to leave in the morning.  So all in all.. a very busy and long day.

We covet your prayers today.

Thanks from all of us!

Picture Set 12 (Marine Soccer Camp & Sight-Seeing)

   This picture set is from the soccer camp.  Since they mentioned that one game had been canceled due to rain, it is likely that the soccer camp was in the gym due to conditions on the field, whether it was actually raining, or was too wet from the prior rain.  This has happened one other time.  The sight-seeing pictures were to the area where Paul grew up as a kid.  The team picture in the uniforms was taken on the river bed in front of the famous Kintai bridge.  The picture of the castle is the Iwakuni castle (you can see it in the far upper-left corner of the team picture.)  The team picture taken with them in their casual clothes I believe could be in front of the place where Paul used to live as a kid (that is a traditional picture taken-Steve can correct me in the blog if this is not the case).  His house is no longer there, but this is where it used to be. (Gil--written from memory)

Picture Set 12
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Blog Post #6, Picture Set 11 (Bus ride to the Marine base)

Hi again...  it’s me! (Steve)

After a nice ride  down to iwakuni, check in at the marine base, dinner and a team meeting we were ready for the Seahorse camp.  Tuesday morning greeted us with around 70+ kids ready for a great time of fun, soccer and for those who’se parents allowed, a chapel time.  The morning went very well as the team, now camp coaches, poured  into the kids.  The first day of any camp is very important as the coaches meet the campers and begin to develop a relationship with them.  We saw some great things happen today as the kids were loved on by the coaches. An example of this is two little boys, brothers, who were difficult to begin with, slowly changed as the morning went on.  This was a direct result of their coaches showing Christ in their reactions.  Soccer time was fun and went well as the kids were taught passing techniques.  Chapel time as well went well as we learned about being honest.  Christina, our great goalie shared about her life and about her faith in Christ.  It was a great first day!

We had a game scheduled for the afternoon but because of a great downpouring of rain it had to be cancelled.  So the afternoon and evening were pretty slow for the team but we had time to do laundry, catch up on sleep and just fellowship together.  The team has bonded very well and we are all in this together........so are you because your support and prayers are what keep us going.  So, thank you all for that.

Please pray for our next day at camp as we love, teach and live Christ in front of the campers.  Also keep in prayer those who are not felling well, or who continue to recover from injuries as we need everyone to be fit and ready as we minister to the kids.

Until next time......  Steve

From Laura:

We had our send off by our host. They sang us a song and we prayed the Lord would provide for them and meet their needs and that they would continue their church. We had the hynack award and an encouraging time on the bus. 

Other photos on their way!

Picture Set 11
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Blog Post #5

Hi All,

Sunday was a great day for the Seahorses. The team was split up into five groups to attend five different churches in the area.  Japanese churches are usually attended by small groups of people.  Only 1% of the Japanese people are Christian.  All of the churches were very happy to have the Seahorses visit, encourage , fellowship and share with them.  The girls gave testimony about their walk with Christ which is very encouraging to the believers there.

After the  services, the church members fed the girls and then delivered them back to BJ’s church where we all had a bit of rest before the evening game against a very good girls team that were very disciplined and played a high level of soccer.  Also, we played a men’s team in a round robin type tournament.  A bit about our team.....we have an eclectic group of players.  Some are very skilled and have played, or do play on college teams, others have played in high school.  Still others of our team have little experience, but love the game and the mission of the Seahorses.  So, when we play a quality team...we don’t exactly know how it will work out on the field.  Of course, we are using the game of soccer as a means to share about the love of Christ, so winning or losing a game is not our major focal point. Such it was on Sunday evening....but it was a very competitive game against the girls team.  We are so very proud of the team play last night.  What it does when we play well, is that we earn the respect of the team we are playing that allows us to share our faith in such a way that the other team listens to what we are saying as we share with them.  After the men’s game, Pastor BJ, who plays goalie on the men’s team shared.  It was the first time he has been able to share openly about his faith with his team.  This is an important part of the Seahorse ministry.......facilitating those who live and work here to be able to share of the love of Jesus.

Monday was a travel day as we bussed down to Iwakuni.  We will spend our last days at the US military base where we will be having a camp for military kids.  This is a special place for Paul Gizzi our tour director as he grew up in this area.  The bus ride was very eventful as the team had a lot of fun giving out the “Hynack” award to the person who made the funniest mistake these last few days.  Then we gave out the encouragement award.... the whole team was honored because everyone has been very encouraging and helpful during this tour.  It shows the fact that the SoCal Seahorses are unified and eager to minister together!  It doesn't get any better then that!

Till tomorrow...........

Picture Set 9 (Saturday & Sunday), Picture Set 10 (Church)

Here are the picture sets for Saturday, Sunday, and some from one of the church visits.  Here is what Laura wrote:

"On Sat we did a soccer clinic all morning into the afternoon with about 50 kids and shared a testimony. After we played the boys team, Sunday we had church all day. In groups we went to different churches and 6 of us did home stays. (i'll send a few more pictures from the church) and then we played against the girls soccer team at night and also the mens team over 50, which in total was 3 hours. It was a long, but fun night."

Picture Set 9

"Just a few photos from our church we were able to go to and fellowship with them, share a meal, and share our testimony."

Picture Set 10

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Blog Post #4

Got up early yesterday (Friday) and did a little sight seeing at Kyoto, about two hours from Pastor BJ’s church, where we are staying.  Then back to do a clinic.  Thank you to those who prayed for our nagging injuries, it seems we are in pretty good shape physically right now but still a couple of girls are still hurting.    We are still pretty tired as the schedule is hard and the weather is very hot and muggy.  After the clinic we had a Sento bath and then on to a special dinner.....sushi!!!!!!!!!!  It was a fun night as the team tried many different types of sushi..... some were very adventurous , some not so much like one teammate who had 5 or 6 plates of...........French fries!!!!!  All in all it was a great night of fun, fellowship and great food.

Today (Saturday) we had a clinic in the morning with the Japan Seahorses.  It was the best clinic we have done so far.. everyone involved, teaching the kids and having a great time.  It all ended with a big water balloon fight!!!!  After we all settled down ,Thamara gave her testimony to the kids and we sang our Japanese song.  All in all..... a great time of soccer. 

Some of the team are having home stays tonight, getting a chance to  experience Japanese culture first hand.  The remaining team members will have a night off, dinner and hopefully early to bed.

My observations of this trip so far is very positive.  The girls have bonded together and are becoming a team of sports ministers.  Doing clinics, teaching drills and playing games ; all the while letting Christ shine through their lives as they minister for Him.  It is a privilege to be on this team and observe my teammates, in very hot and humid situations showing Christ’s love to the young soccer players we are working with.  

Still trying to do video’s to send from the girls perspective!

Thank all of you for your prayers and support....you are part of this team too!

Till next time....sayonara!

Picture Set 8, Shopping in Kyoto and Clinic at Night

This picture set shows the team picture on the temple steps in Kyoto, and pictures of the clinic in Osaka with Pastor BJ.  Also, in the testimony picture, is a young Japanese man named Matthew who has helped the Seahorses on a number of tours now.  He has a wonderful testimony.  He was an abortion baby, who was rescued at the last minute and not aborted and then adopted by the American missionaries who rescued him.  He is now a wonderful Christian young man with a heart for ministry and has greatly helped the Seahorses for several years.  Great to "see" you again Matthew and wish I were there to see you again.  I must also say from one who wishes he were there that it is great to see the heart of ministry in the faces of these young ladies.  It is obvious the love they have for these Japanese kids.  I wish I had had the chance to get to know all of them too.  God bless you and thank you Laura for capturing the heart of ministry.

Picture Set 8
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Picture Set 7, Visiting a School & Soccer Clinics

Here is the latest picture set from Laura.  Thanks Laura so much for taking such great pictures while splitting your time between that and playing.  You are doing a great job!

Picture Set 7
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Blog Post #3

Shhhhhh!....quiet please.   The Seahorses are resting right now on the floor of a church.  It has been a long, hot two days as we left Iwata and are now in Osaka.  Our bus ride from Iwata was good and having a Sento bath last night was refreshing.  The team arrived here pretty tired so it was nice to have a couple of more relaxed days.  Also some  of the girls have some nagging injuries that need some time to heal so this time of a little easier schedule is good.

This  morning we were invited to tour an elementary school.  It was very interesting to see how school is done here in Japan.  They teach classes like sewing, art, music even swimming.  It is the first grammar school I have ever seen with a swimming pool.  On the roof no less!!!  We take advantage of these type of opportunities to set up future ministry.  Here in Osaka we are ministering along with Pastor BJ, and Masa and Chie from the Japan Seahorse Club.                 

I am trying to set up some video interviews with some of our team members so you can hear first hand their impressions of the trip so far.  It is my thoughts, as a non-playing member of the team that the ladies are working hard to do their best in all ways, to bring honor to Christ as they minister here.  

Keep a lookout for the video blogs called “Impressions”. I think you will like them.

Thanks for keeping us in prayer..... it  (the prayer) is working!!!!

Till next time.........

Picture Set 5-Soccer Clinic, Picture Set 6-Pastor Hasui's pictures

Picture set 5 are the pictures Laura sent of the soccer clinic.  Then, Facebook notified me that Pastor Hasui had posted some pictures, so I downloaded those to make a set.


Picture Set 5-Soccer Clinic
Picture Set 6-Pastor Hasui's pictures
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Blog Post #2

Wow! Another day filled with different and exciting things.  After another great breakfast, team meeting, worship time and thoughtful teaching time led by Coach Jerry we were ready to start the day.  Because we were playing a game in the evening, we had a relaxing mid-day at a shopping mall!! We were able to surprise Victoria, whose birthday it was with a cake and happy birthday song in the food court. Great fun.

We then began to get ready for the game.... Our opponent was Shizuoka Sangyo Universities girls team.  SSU is a sports university training students to go into the field of sport as players, coaches etc.  this was a very good, disciplined team of high quality players.  The Seahorses have had a long standing relationship with this university with both their men’s team and ladies team having visited southern calif in the past few years.  This is an important fact because it has allowed our team to openly share our faith with the player of SSU.  Emma shared after the game in a clear and concise way about her relationship with Christ.  After the very hard fought game both teams returned to the church for a great party time.  A time to continue to earn the right to share the gospel with these young ladies who desperately need the Lord.  It was exciting when one of the girls from SSU revealed to us all at the party that she was a follower of Christ.

Next... off to bed because we have another busy day coming up!!  Please keep us in prayer as the girls are tired and we have some injuries that keep us from playing our best.  It is our prayer that our tiredness and nagging injuries will not keep us from doing what we are here to do.... to play our best and share our Savior!

Thanks for all of your support and prayers...... (Steve)

So it was Victoria's birthday yesterday so we got her a cake and sang happy birthday in the mall. Then we took pictures with a guys soccer team that was there. We were in the mall most of the day and then played a game at night against a college league. After we were able to have dinner with them and play games with them.......Laura

Picture Set 4

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Blog Post #1 (Updated 7/9/17 7:44pm (PST) for video & pictures)

(The videos below were added separately and then some new pictures were added to Picture set 3)

Greetings from Japan!

     After a long, 24 hour day, two flights, 2 hour bus ride we arrived at Iwata safe and sound.  Twenty one tired but very happy Seahorses Ladies Japan trip 2017!

     After a good nights sleep and great breakfast hosted by Pastor Hasui  and the Iwata Christ Church where we are staying during our time here in Iwata.  We spent some time practicing songs and writing and refineing our individual testimonies which are a very important part of our time here.  After games, the team sings a couple of songs and then one teammate shares her (or his..we have three men on the team) testimony.

     When had our first field trip in the afternoon, visiting a large compound that had many small temples.  It really brought home to the team the real reason we are here.  The hopelessness of empty religion.  Nevertheless, the grounds were beautiful and calm and it was a relaxing afternoon.

     After a great meal at the church, we were off to play our first game.  Our opponent was an over 50 men's team.  Not to be taken lightly, they gave the Seahorses a great, tough game!!  After the game we sang our song to the other team and then Jerry Cole, our coach shared his testimony of God’s grace in his life.  The men listened and heard the message clearly.  That is why we are here!

    Then off to take a Sento bath, refreshing Japanese style bathing.  Quite an experience!!!

     On Sunday morning after breakfast the team broke up into two parts.  Some stayed at Iwata Christ Church for the morning service and some attended Sakuragi Christian Center for services and lunch.  After a relaxing afternoon, we all came together for a very wonderful worship service with worship teams from each church leading us.  It was a refreshing time of worship and praise. 

More tomorrow.  Please keep us in prayer!

Picture Set 3
Picture Set 2
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Video of Team Song--Hippopotamus
Video of Team Song--Hippopotamus-long version

Pictures from Iwata & Pastor Hasui's church.

Hello All, We hope to have more pictures and especially some video soon, but due to the internet connections we have been unable to get too much at this point.  Here are some pictures Paul sent.  When I can, I will put descriptions on the pictures.  So for this set (and future maybe), if you select the individual picture, and then the round white icon with the "i" in it (the "info" icon), you should be able to see the description.

Picture Set 3-Paul's
Picture Set 2
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Game against 50 year-olds

A game was played against 50-year-old men.  Here are some pictures in picture set 2.

Picture Set 2
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More Pictures

No blog update yet but some more pictures have been added.  They are having some problem with the internet and uploading the pictures, but 18 more pictures have been added.  Since there are still not many, I have put them all still in a single album.  Enjoy and keep praying!

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Day 1, 2017 Seahorse Japan Outreach Trip

Hello All,

     For those who have followed the blog in the past couple of years, this year will be a little different.  Since I (Gil Mellis) created the blog a couple of years ago, I have been doing the blogging and adding pictures and videos.  I was not able to go this year.  Laura Brow and Steve Brown will be combining to send me the updates along with pictures and videos.  As I receive them I will post what they send.  There will be links to the videos.  Whatever pictures I get, from Laura, Steve, or anyone else, will be posted in various folders.  For ease of viewing, each posting of pictures will be labeled Set 1, Set 2, etc.  There will also be a link to the complete folder.  If you only want to look at the current set, just select the set option(s).  If you want to look at the folder with all the pictures, you can select Photos-All.  Thank you all for your prayer and financial support for this year's tour.  I am sorry I did not get to go, but God knew better.  Be prepared for the amazing ways God works each year and the stories that you will experience through your tour members.  The first set is small, but yesterday was orientation and a game.  The link is to some pictures from the game:

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