Sharing Time, Tokuyama game, July 19

     This morning we had our traditional "Ebenezer" time where we put our stones of remembrance of the trip.  We spent 2 hours of everyone sharing their highs & lows from the trip, cultural experiences they enjoyed, and a verse that they would put on their stone of remembrance.  It was a very precious time.  That went from 9-11.  At 11 we went across the street to Missie's restaurant for lunch of her BLT sandwiches and curry rice that someone had donated.  We had a little time of rest and then were picked up by a bus from Tokuyama, where we will be playing our game tonight.  It was about an hour bus ride south from Iwakuni.  We usually take the train, but the track apparently had been damaged by the recent floods.  Two Tokuyama students came with the bus to escort us down.  After Paul finished talking with them, then he had Kelly talk with them as they wanted to practice their english, and Kelly also knows some Japanese.  When we got to Tokuyama, we had about an hour before the game and it was wonderful to see how well the girls mixed.  We played 2 15 minute games (shortened because of the heat and humidity) and then 1 15 minute game with mixed teams.  After the game & showers, we had more time of spontaneous mixing.  The girls couldn't have done better establishing relationships.  Another interesting event that happened before dinner, was there were some people from the church of the local missionaries, Jonathan & Dorothy Luethy, who came to pass out Bibles to the students.  This is unheard of, but the president, who was in attendance at the gathering, had given it the OK even though he himself is not a Christian (but his wife is).  We saw many of the girls looking them over.  Pray that after the testimonies of our songs, and Sims' actual testimony, that they will be led to read the Bibles to see what this is all about.  Another interesting experience was that after the church members passed out Bibles in our room (successfully), they went outside to pass out Bibles to those outside.  A member came back in and grabbed Sims and said they wouldn't take them.  Sims went out to help and they did take the Bibles from her.  This illustrates perfectly why what we are doing is so important as a bridge to reach the Japanese people in a way that those here initially cannot.  Well, after the program, there was a lot of mixing and then it was difficult goodbyes.  We have established great ties here and they want us back. Not only are we having an impact but we are allowing others to do so.  Pastor Glen and pastor Keegan at Calvary Chapel Iwakuni have said that they want to partner with us even more next with when the Biola mens team comes.  Pray for all these continuing relationships and the new ones we established with the Iwakuni Angels football club.
     We did another hynack session in the bus on the way home and finished it back at the church.  It was hilarious and just what the team needed to finish their time here.
      It is already 11:30 as I write this.  I have to pack and we have to be out of here at 7:45am as we have many connections to make.  Therefore, this blog will not be the usual.  I will upload todays pictures, but with no explanations.  I also will not be adding the video montage for the day.  Check back in a couple days and I will have the pictures labeled and the montage up.

Pictures--7/19
Video Montage--7/19
Testimony Sims--7/19