We had a slower morning again, which was needed. Everybody is really tired. We boarded a bus this morning for the outing to Masa's Seahorse International Soccer Club. This is a great ministry that Masa started 4 years ago, and has grown from an initial membership of 3 to about 45. They need about 100 to be self-supporting (if you are interested in supporting them, it can be done through MAI-Seahorses--contact the Seahorses through their website @ www.seahorsesoccer.com). Today, we had about 56 kids (in the pictures, the ones in the orange shirts are members of the club, the others are friends--of the friends, about 8 had never been before.) Lots of parents showed up too.
We had a lot of soccer drills, games with the kids, games between the Seahorses and the dads, it was a great day (see pictures and videos). After the clinic, which went from 10-2, we went to the food court in the building and ate lunch. Everyone was really hungry since we hadn't eaten since breakfast at 8. After lunch, we went back to the church and the girls packed for their homestays (leaving at 5:30pm). The staff stayed behind at BJ's.
While the report of what we actually did today is rather short, the ministry that happened was not. First, it was wonderful to see so many kids and parents at the event. Hopefully those who are not currently a member of the club will be encouraged to join by today's event and that it will give Masa additional status. They all also heard Paul's testimony at the end. For some, it was probably the first time to hear about Jesus.
Secondly, we were joined by Emi and her parents (her mother Shizuko you "met" earlier on the tour). Emi became a Christian in 2008 and played 2 years with the Charlotte Eagles. She was able to give her testimony on the 2012 tour, with both of her parents present. This is the kind of continuing relationship building that is so important in this ministry---building on prior contacts, one step at a time, slowly, but hopefully fruit-producing in the end.
Next we also had a surprise visit from a couple doing ministry in the area, Matt & Jessica Whelchel. Jessica is the daughter of Ron & Sherry Rallis, who are members of Sonlight Fellowship at EV Free Fullerton with Paul & Gil. It was great to connect with them. Who knows what fruit/partnership might happen in the future.
Lastly, we had a really surprise visit from Joe & Naoko Adams (and their little boy Sunemasa). This is quite a story. Joe is former Seahorse PDL player (who actually lived with Gil for 4 weeks in the summer of 2007), who became engaged to Naoko. Naoko then was an observer of the tour in 2008, and not a believer at the time. That was the year that a girl named Megan became VERY sick. The girls loved on her and prayed for her. Megan was also depressed that here she raised money for the tour and it was being "wasted." She later got well, but was never able to play. Later in the tour, Naoko gave her life to Jesus and explained that it was because of how she observed the girls loving and praying for Megan. Paul told Megan this at the end of the tour, and she broke down in tears as she realized that her time in Japan was not "wasted" after all. Well, fast forward. Joe and Naoko had been living in Kentucky for several years and had been trying to get back to Japan. Naoko returned 2 months ago, and Joe kept putting off coming. Finally Naoko just bought his ticket and said Joe you are coming. He arrived in Osaka on Wednesday (the same day we did!). Naoko wondered whether the Seahorses might come to Japan in 2014, so she checked her Facebook, which led her to the Seahorse Japan blog site, and behold, not only were the Seahorses coming, they were in Osaka at that very moment. Definitely a God thing on the timing. What a joy to see how God can orchestrate this! Joe is looking for what God wants him to do in Japan. Maybe work with Masa? Well, time will tell.
So, what a wonderful day of watching God work! Thank you for your prayers
Pictures
Day 13 Video Montage
No comments:
Post a Comment