Our Team - 2007

Kristyn is seen here doing two of her favourite things; Smiling and drinking coffee. Kristyn is an intercessor and has a heart to pray for the government of Japan. This is exciting as we believe we are to see people impacting all of the seven arenas of society and government is of course one of them.

Kristyn also keeps us linked to the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association prayer network attending their monthly prayer events. Kristyn will also be working on our team for the April DTS next year.

Our Team - 2007

Bob Bastable comes from USA and like me he met his wife on the MV Anastasis which was YWAM's first Mercy Ship. Bob and I also worked on the same Evangelism team for a number of years here in Tokyo.

Bob is now partnering with our team for the April DTS and also helping with the pioneering of the ship4japan vision. Today we will have a Skype conference call with Captain Jesse in New Zealand as we move toward attending the world wide Marine Reach conference in NZ next February.

This picture was taken in the same room that Akira was in when we helped to paint David's new house.

Moving to Tokyo 2

Moving day came on Monday. We had a School of Worship outreach team from Korea, our team members, the director of HI-BA with a volunteer and a friendly neighbour in the white T-shirt in the front.

The vehicle for transportation was loaned by Charles McJilton, CEO of Second Harvest and driven by John LaDue, our former YWAM National Chairman, and one of his team. I had to stay the night at David's house as by the time we had unloaded everything it was too late to get the last train home.

TBC Offering

Every Sunday at TBC we have different people sing during the offering time. Last Sunday it was Chiro. Chiro is one of the boys in my high school boys small group. For a long time he hung around the high school band when David and Jonathan were a part of the high school worship team. Chiro was an eager learner and picked up lots of hints skills and tips from that time. Now he is the high school worship leader and is fully able to to worship with confidence leading the whole church as he worships.

Thanksgiving

We had a Thanksgiving meal with Bob and his family yesterday. Bob is married to Sachiko and father of Noah. Noah goes to school at a church school in Tokyo, the same church that the Brisbane team are currently serving with.

Bob works with me on the ship4japan project and is also a key part of our next DTS team that is preparing for the April DTS in Tokyo. Like me Bob is an ex-seaman.

Moving to Tokyo 1

Our YWAM team is currently moving from the outskirts of Tokyo into the city. David and Maria will move on Monday26th of Novenber. Bob, Akira and I helped by painting some of the rooms in thier new house. Akira attended the summer camp at TBC. It was an English fun camp for college and High-School and Middle-School youth.

Brisbane Sports DTS

One of the things we have been doing for a while now is receiving Discipleship Training School's (DTS) outreach teams from different countries. This team is from YWAM Brisbane and this picture was taken at the nearest station to the church where they were staying. I had to give them an orientation to Japan and a part of that was to show them how to purchase tickets for their train rides. The focus of this school was sports and today they will be at Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ) where David & Jonathan attended to help with a sports outreach.

Flashback

Hello!

My name is Sarah Somers-Harris. I am 14 years old. In this picture I am horseback riding. I have been horseback riding for about a year now and have gotten to cantering level. I love horseback riding very much When I grow up I am going to be a missionary in Lesotho and the main way of transportation is by foot and horseback so I am training myself for the future. God provided the money for lessons by giving Mommy an English teaching job. She pays the monthly fee and I pay the lesson fee!

Mary November 2007

All our children were home schooled. Mary is especially interested in art, has taken lessons and even had her pictures in an exhibition. Here she is trying out her new art supplies bought for her on her birthday. I am sure glad she knows what she is doing.

Mary is actually named after Rhonda's mother who went to be with the Lord in March of this year. When Mary was born the Lord told Rhonda, "She will be a blessing to your mother." When the girls and Rhonda were with Grandma Mary towards the end of her life, Mary had a very sweet way of gently hugging her, kissing her lightly on the cheek, and saying, "I love you, Grandma." Grandma liked that.

Certificate November 2007

That's our boy Jonathan. Jonny (19) is studying business at Trinity Western University in Canada. He is in his second year of study now. I guess he did this managing thing just for fun. He has always liked sports preferring soccer to basketball but the certificate is for real. If you are really interested then read the rest of the story.

We are looking forward to seeing him when he returns to Japan this summer during the summer holiday. Hope to get a photo for the blog when he comes.....

TBC Small Group November 2007

TBC encourages all its members to be in small groups. Sarah, Mary and we meet with small group leader Jesse and his wife Anna at their house on Thursday afternoons. Jesse is a great cook! They are about to become the proud parents of their first baby coming next month.

This week's study was a follow up to the message on Sunday about missions. We prayed for each other and also the people with whom we are each sharing the gospel. Please pray for this and also for Jesse and Anna as they prepare for baby's coming!

Mary November 2007

Mary Elizabeth Yoshiko (12) is busy taking a practice test because every year on the first Sunday in December there is a proficiency test for students of Japanese. Every one on our team is taking the test, there are four levels. Sarah & Mary are taking level 4 along with David, Maria, and Kristyn - introductions coming later - Bob is taking level 3 and Rhonda is taking level 2. If Rhonda passes then we will study together for the level 1 next year.

Rhonda November 2007

Hi there! Yes, this is Rhonda, now aged 53! And as comes with age I have had my health challenges these last few years. There was a scare with uterine cancer 2 years ago but praise God that has not developed. Just today I found out that what could have been breast cancer also is not. Praise God! But I would ask that you pray as there will be final confirmation of that in the next 2 weeks. You can imagine the thoughts that went through my head today in the doctor's office - similar to those of 2 years ago...my girls still need me as mom and homeschool teacher and there are a few things God has called me to do with John and the YWAM team in Tokyo!

Sarah November 2007

Sarah (14) loves drama and dance. In this picture Sarah is performing in a skit acted at all 5 service of Tokyo Baptist Church last Sunday. Sarah has just been set free from bondage - can you see the rope? and the defeated demon lying on the ground? It was a powerfull message of the need for missions and a challange to "GO" on a mission trip with TBC soon.

For more info on TBC go to www.tokyobaptist.org