OCSI Christmas Program for 2012

The video is too large to put up here, but if you're interested...
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B191Kcvn6vOAY0dJZHIyNV9ROU0

The girls both did really well and had a great time!

Christmas Activities

Every year our school goes Christmas Caroling.  We try to bring some cheer to the community, as well as hand out some free literature for those that want it.

We all had a good time-- it was not really cold like last year.

Earlier, the girls made a gingerbread house:

In the Midst of a Storm

We would covet your prayers for Okinawa, as a typhoon is on it's way. Some say this could be the strongest in 13 years. God alone knows for sure, so we''ll trust Him to keep us safe!

Tokashiki Youth Camp

Well, the plan was to take the ferry to nearby Tokashiki Island.  However, due to the two typhoons, we were not able to go.  Instead, we had camp at the church.  Maybe not as exciting, but all part of God's plan.

There were times of worship and teaching each day.  It was neat to see the youth leading and speaking.

Since we were still on Okinawa, we found some local fun things to do.

Round 1 is a sports place with lots of sports, games, etc.

Torii Pool

 Smores

And lots of time spent with the kids.

All in all, a good time spent focused on God.  We'd still like to see Tokashiki though!

Two Typhoons

Please pray for Okinawa and Taiwan-- there are two typhoons headed our way.  Okinawa is right in between the two.

We are supposed to be traveling to nearby Tokashiki island to help with a youth camp. Pray that we do not have to cancel this camp!

VBS at Calvary Chapel Okinawa

This week was pretty busy and a lot of fun!  We attended VBS, which was a Double Blessing-- not only could the girls attend, but Debe and I were able to help out.

Each day went something like this:

Children arrive at the church and are greeted inside and out with an "Island" theme (Our VBS is Promise Island). Yeah, it's a little weird to do a tropical island theme while ON a tropical island...

 First there is a large group meeting where we sing, pray, watch a skit about today's "promise."

 Then each group moves to a different room. This was the games activity which Dan helped with.

 There was a Drama room as well; the sets were great!  Here are Paul and Silas in "Jail."

 Josh and Zach helping out with the drama.

 There was a craft activity each day as well.  All the activities related to the same Promise.

The smiles say it all!

Five Things I Learned About Alabama

It was a quite interesting visit to the "Deep South."  It was way different than my image before we left.  I guess I pictured hillbillies in pickups with shotguns or something; instead Birmingham is a place I could probably live in.

Here's what I learned:

1. It is HOT down here! Check out the car thermo: (Yep, it hit 107 one time)





2. Southern Hospitality is alive and well.  Everyone seemed courteous and friendly, at least compared to my experience in New York.

3. Sweet Tea really is.  Sweet, that is.  To be honest, I found it to be too sweet, but than again so is Snapple or Arizona.


4. Many famous people were from Alabama, including Helen Keller, Hank Aaron, Nat King Cole, Coretta Scott King and others!

5. Without question, the BEST BBQ in the world comes from the South.

Heading back to Japan

Well we are on our way back to Okinawa.

It was a wonderful 3 weeks in the U.S., but it will be nice to get back to our own place too.

Alabama Botanical Gardens

Today we went to visit the Botanical Gardens here in Birmingham.  The girls all had matching dresses and we wanted to take some nice shots.

Thanks to Rebecca who made all the dresses by hand-- they came out great!!!

Happy July 4th!

The girls made Tshirts with their hand prints.  They came out pretty good!

Thank you Honey and Rebecca for helping the kids out!

Road Trip, Day 6

Well, being that it is Sunday, we decided to go to a local church.  This is Calvary Chapel Johnson City (Tennessee).

It must have been by design, as we met a couple that know some friends of ours at CC Oki!





We also stopped at a "Hands-On" Museum.  They had this interesting Noah's Ark display as well as many other things you can touch.

Road Trip, Day 5

Today is a day of just driving.  We need to get halfway back to Alabama.

We did stop for grubb.  I have to say, they sure can cook well down here!

Due to a major power outage, the local hotels are completely booked!  We must drive an extra 2 hours!

Road Trip, Day 4

Today we head through Amish country to get to Dover, Delaware.

Dan's brother, Matt and family live here.


Thanks to Matt, Cindi, Elizabeth, Torin, Ian and Duncan for putting us up!

Not pictured is Dan's other brother, Lee and family who drove down as well, but left before we got the camera out.

It was good to see two of my three brothers and their families.

Road Trip, Day 3

 Today we are visiting Debe's Grandma who lives in a quite small, quite rural town in Pennsylvania. 

First though, we stopped to visit some friends from the old college days.  Howard and Lisa, it was good to see you and your wonderful family!





Finally making it to Coudersport, the girls got to meet their great grandma. (Emi met her 6 years ago, but for Mika it was the first time)

For recreation, we went on some paddleboats on a nearby lake.

The girls wanted to go camping, so we did-- right outside of grandma's place.

The Lord was with us as it stormed greatly that night; thunder and lightning and lots of rain, but we all stayed dry!