Orientation Day 3, 7/4

    Well, we are almost there.  Tomorrow we leave!  We started today with some morning drills at Biola again at 9am.  That was followed at 10 with some ladies-only devotional time and then more training at 11.  The first priority today was having everyone write out their testimonies.  This is important because they have to be e-mailed to the churches in advance.  This is done for several reasons.  First, it gives the pastors the opportunity to read them over and decide which testimony would work best for the particular audience we will be working then.  Then, it needs to be passed on to the translator.  Since we will be working with translators with various skills, it helps for them to read it over to make sure they understand the vocabulary.  Doing them in advance also gives staff the opportunity to look them over to ensure that we don't use concepts that don't translate well (like "sin").
     We broke for lunch about 12 to eat in the Biola cafeteria again. After lunch, it was back to the meeting room to finish everyone's testimony.  While we were waiting to be let back in meeting room, we discussed what songs & skits we might want to us.  Paul expressed (from helping the girls) that we have some really powerful testimonies this year.  When the ladies do their testimonies, as possible, they will be posted on the blog.
     After finishing the testimonies, we worked on the Japanese song Kimi-Wa, and then the team song.  The team song is usually a fun, upbeat song, with hand motions, one that will get the Japanese excited and want to sing along. It is also one with a simple message that the local pastor can explain after the song is over. After practicing the Japanese song & team song, we then brainstormed on some skits.  You will see from the links below what we came up with.  The last thing was Paul assigned was which team members had responsibility for the six team bags, and final instructions for what to bring in the carryon luggage and what not to bring.  We are scheduled to be at the airport at 9am for a 12pm flight.  This team is so ready to go.  For the first time in my 10 trips, ALL of the testimonies are complete and e-mailed to the pastors in Japan BEFORE we have left.  We covet your prayers!

Pictures-7/4
Pictures-All
Video Montage-7/4
Team Song Kimi Wa, 1st attempt
Team Spiritual Song-My God Is So Big, 1st attempt
Team Skit-Burdens, 1st attempt