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...........