First of all, some words on how to work the links below. Every day there will be a link to pictures for that day. If you have already seen all the previous pictures, you can select that link. If for any reason, you want to see all of the pictures so far, you can select the "Pictures, All" link. There will always be a daily link so you won't have to scroll every day through all the pictures to find that day's. Also, when you open the picture, if all you see is the picture and not the info bar on the right side, you can select the little "i" in the circle near the upper right and it will bring up the info bar which will include a description of the picture. This will be more important once we are in Japan. Any comments you make here are read by all. If you want to ask me a question directly, I can be reached at seahorsesinjapan@gmail.com. Enjoy, and thank you for your prayers and support.
The morning began bright and early at the Biola soccer field as the team gathered for morning practice from 7-8:15. Then it was off to breakfast at the Biola cafeteria, showers and on to the first orientation session at 10am in the Biola business building Rm 206. The morning started off with Paul giving the schedule for what we were doing the rest of the day. Then Paul introduced testimonies practice and discussed that testimonies had to be given in short sentences (for the translators) and that length had to be short (a 3 minute testimony becomes a 6 minute testimony translated). Lauren then instructed the team on how to complete a testimony, what to include and what not to include. Paul also added some instructions on how to avoid "Christian-ese". After spending some time writing, the team broke into groups of 2-3 to each practice their testimonies. Everyone most likely at some point will give their testimony, but no one is required too. Then a few of the players got up front to practice. After completing testimonies, it was off to lunch at the Caf. After lunch, we got back to the room which had been locked for security and no one was there to open initially, so Paul improvised and started discussion of skit practice while we were in the hallway. Once we got back in the room we continued skit and song practice. To explain, we always have at least 2 songs to sing depending on the circumstances. One is a Japanese song called Kimi-Wa which they love to hear us sing in Japanese. Kimi-Wa means "You Are Born To Be Loved." Then we sing a fun American song, but one that has a message and hand motions, so the audience can participate and the message of the song can be translated. To get more of a taste, see songs and skits on the blog header. The skits are always at least one serious skit that can also be translated (like the House Built on the Rock from Matt 7:24-27). Coach Brett then organized teams for the clinics to be held at our various locations. We finished around 2:30. 3:30 to 4:30 was pre-game practice, game from about 4:30-6:30, then off to dinner. While at dinner, Paul & Cody Snouffer (Seahorse CEO) addressed the parents about what to expect their girls will face in their ministry opportunities. He also explained that one of the players (Riley) got sick and will not be able to go on the tour. Another player (Cassidy) is still having passport issues and will not be traveling with the team tomorrow. Hopefully she will be able to join the tour in 2-3 days. Please pray that it works out that way. Paul also introduced some of the staff and explained what their roles were. After dinner, Paul gave final instructions for departure tomorrow morning and Cody Snouffer gave the send-off prayer.
Just as a reminder, the will be no blog for at least 2 days as we are traveling. Then it depends on when we arrive and how much time I have.
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