We
will start off today with an update on the housing situation alluded to
yesterday. Matthew Gordon was
wanting to come with us to Iwakuni, but because he did not have his paperwork
in early (as this was last minute), he could not stay with us on the base. As Matthew’s parents are missionaries,
they have connections, so they contacted a pastor, Roy Toma, who agreed that
Matthew could stay with them (they live just off base), and then the people
from Iwakuni could bring him in each day to spend the day with us. Well, 2 hours before we arrived in
Iwakuni, we get a call and are told that one of our players who is not a U.S.
citizen, would not be allowed to stay with us after all, even though all his
paperwork had been previously approved.
This really threw us for a loop until Paul had the brainstorm that
this player could stay with Matthew!
So, a call was put in to the pastor who agreed to house both
players. If Matthew had not
decided to come with us, then we wouldn’t have had another option. God knew in advance. Plus, this gave Matthew someone to stay
with. As if God wanted to add an
exclamation point, 7 years ago Pastor Toma’s kids went to Biola! God shows up again to remind us that He
is here and in control.
On
to today. We were awakened at 6:45am
for a 7:15 walk to the South Mess Hall.
It was a choice of omelets made-to-order, or select items from the buffet
line. There was a mixture of
reactions from those excited to have American food, to the one who was proud
that up to that point he had had only Japanese food. After breakfast, we walked another 10-15 minutes down to
Penny Lake where the soccer clinic was to be held. Camp started about 8:30 and ran until 11:30. After an initial all-camp session, the
camp was broken up into 8 stations for 8 different activities. Some of the players manned the
stations, and some of the players were assigned to each particular age
group. At each water break
(frequent), the groups would re-join at the next station. During some of the breaks, the guys
would do some fun games/activities for the kids ( I think you will enjoy the
videos) When camp ended at
11:30am, we did our American song, a skit based on Matthew 7:24-27 (Wise man
built his house upon a rock), and closed with a testimony by Clayton.
We
walked then back to the mess hall for lunch. After eating lunch it was 10 minutes back to our rooms where
we had a little free time until about 1:50 when we had to meet up for a walk to
the taxi pick-up area. We took 7
taxis to the train station, and then a 45-minute ride south to Tokuyama to play
the college team down there. Last
year our women played their women’s team, so I am sure they are looking to win
this year. When we arrived at the Tokuyama station, we were met by the Tokuyama University bus and several hosts to take us to the University (so we didn't have to do taxis again). We saw a lot of the same people that we have seen for many years. The president of the University, who sponsored us (and is not a believer) was very happy to see us, and was sorry that we couldn't do dinner with them like last year, but this is their last week of finals, so they had to study. Actually, this speaks of how much they value the relationship as they took several hours out of a time when they have a big final tomorrow to play against us. We were also visited by the local missionaries, Jonathan & Dorothy Luethy, and Bill Noar. The university president's wife IS a believer and is in a Bible study led by Dorothy Luethy. They also really put out the welcome mat as they provided a live brass band to play both the American and Japanese National Anthems. As far as the actual game is concerned, we looked really strong and won 3-1. Goals by Devin, John & Daniel M. JT & Andre looked awesome in goal (see game highlights video).
After the game we did our team song, they did a team song (and Kousei explained it), and then Clayton did his testimony again, but this time translated by Kousei. It was quite a crowd. The mens team must have been 30-40 strong, and the entire women's team was there to watch also. The all had megaphones and were cheering and yelling throughout the game. You may be able to hear it on some of the video highlights. After Clayton's testimony, Paul elaborated on it and added what the Seahorses/Biola trips are all about. He invited them to come to America and have their own tour, which we could help host. Since we couldn't eat with them, they very kindly provided us with a gift bag which contained a Tokuyama U. ornamental scarf, and a boxed dinner. Then after showers, it was bus to train to taxi to our rooms. There was a short meeting while waiting for taxis, so once we got back to the rooms, it was straight to bed for the team.
We did have an interesting God moment on the train. We had gotten to the train early and had taken a bunch of seats. Others got on, but since standing is common, you usually only give up a seat for an elderly person (Paul & I felt we qualified). Anyway, a bunch of people got on and none of them looked old. The the players noticed one who was not young and had a rolling suitcase to hold, so Paul got up to give her his seat. As is his custom, Paul engaged her in conversation as the rest of us looked on. She was Japanese but spoke very good English. It turns out that she knows the missionaries who had just been at our soccer game tonight and has even attended the Luethy's church on occasion. There were probably at least 8-10 cars on the train, with each car probably in 3 sections, so not only was she on the same train, but there were 24-30 possibilities of her being in a part of the train we never would have noticed (sorry for the stats---this is being written by an ex-auditor :-) ) We love when God reminds us that he is there, whether in a big or a small way.
Tomorrow we have camp in the morning, some free time in the afternoon, and a time for a tourist visit to the island of Miyajima.
Pictures
Video Montage
Camp Nicknames
Yoga Class Skit
House Built on the Rock Skit
Ronald McDonald Song
Buck-Buck game
House Built on a Rock Skit
U.S. & Japanese National Anthems
Game Highlights
American Song with Tokuyama
Tokuyama Song
Testimony--Clayton
After the game we did our team song, they did a team song (and Kousei explained it), and then Clayton did his testimony again, but this time translated by Kousei. It was quite a crowd. The mens team must have been 30-40 strong, and the entire women's team was there to watch also. The all had megaphones and were cheering and yelling throughout the game. You may be able to hear it on some of the video highlights. After Clayton's testimony, Paul elaborated on it and added what the Seahorses/Biola trips are all about. He invited them to come to America and have their own tour, which we could help host. Since we couldn't eat with them, they very kindly provided us with a gift bag which contained a Tokuyama U. ornamental scarf, and a boxed dinner. Then after showers, it was bus to train to taxi to our rooms. There was a short meeting while waiting for taxis, so once we got back to the rooms, it was straight to bed for the team.
We did have an interesting God moment on the train. We had gotten to the train early and had taken a bunch of seats. Others got on, but since standing is common, you usually only give up a seat for an elderly person (Paul & I felt we qualified). Anyway, a bunch of people got on and none of them looked old. The the players noticed one who was not young and had a rolling suitcase to hold, so Paul got up to give her his seat. As is his custom, Paul engaged her in conversation as the rest of us looked on. She was Japanese but spoke very good English. It turns out that she knows the missionaries who had just been at our soccer game tonight and has even attended the Luethy's church on occasion. There were probably at least 8-10 cars on the train, with each car probably in 3 sections, so not only was she on the same train, but there were 24-30 possibilities of her being in a part of the train we never would have noticed (sorry for the stats---this is being written by an ex-auditor :-) ) We love when God reminds us that he is there, whether in a big or a small way.
Tomorrow we have camp in the morning, some free time in the afternoon, and a time for a tourist visit to the island of Miyajima.
Pictures
Video Montage
Camp Nicknames
Yoga Class Skit
House Built on the Rock Skit
Ronald McDonald Song
Buck-Buck game
House Built on a Rock Skit
U.S. & Japanese National Anthems
Game Highlights
American Song with Tokuyama
Tokuyama Song
Testimony--Clayton
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