We are going to Japan!!! Land of the Rising Sun!!!



Japan gets the first sunrise of Asia

Today we confirmed the location for our mission outreach.  We and a dozen classmates will be going to Japan in early July until early/mid September!  We are humbled and energized to help this nation recover from its recent tragedy.  Fortunatley, the situation has greatly improved in Japan in recent weeks.  On April 14, the US Gov't lifted its travel warning on areas outside the immediate nuclear site in Japan.  There are many places we can help in the country outside the area with heavy radiation exposure. 

When we left home we said to all our friends, "We have the option of India, Japan, Tahiti or Papau New Guinea... but there is no way we are going to Japan with the kids!"  Little did we know that God had a different plan in store for us :) 

 

Our entire family enjoyed the process of "Listening for God's voice" to direct us where to go for outreach.  Our family had the choice of any of the four locations, but we unanimously picked Japan.  Jessica and I intially sensed that we should travel to India, but after days of the entire family fasting and praying, the call to Japan was very clear to us all.  The kids were emboldened by their teachers' encouragement to "pray, listen and share with your parents... you can hear from Jesus just as much as your parents can!"  It was just a terrific exercise to do as a family and gave us tools for making many important future decisons in our lives.

 
A team of YWAM'ers left this week to do a 10 day visit to Japan.  There goal is to see what is happening on the ground and figure out where we can have the biggest impact.  We will fly into the Narita Airport in Tokyo and likely spend a few weeks missioning at the YWAM base there.  Then we will likely travel South to the more rural areas.

Tokyo



Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for this exciting journey.  We still have 9 weeks left here... so much to learn... 







Tokyo, 8 million in city.  Metropolitan Area population is 35 million with largest metro economy in the world
above NYC! Notice Mount Fuji in the background.









Mount Fuji, just outside Tokyo



Japan's flag depicts its rising sun.

















My Dodgeball Team

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Friday night fun!!! I think we found another fun use for our gym - dodgeball tournaments!!!

Jackie Ray's Letter to God and Oddus' Passing

Letter to God by Jackie Ray

(excerpt from her daily journal she is keeping as part of her school here)

God I love you.  Thank you for loving me sooo much and for forgiving me.  God, I know you let Oddus die for a reason, and I know that you will get us another dog if you want us to have one.  I know you have a plan for me and my family.  I know that I miss Oddus sooo much and that I cried when I heard he had died.  I guess now that it happened for a reason and that you love me.  AMEN!

** Note:  Our baby puppy Oddus had to be put down last week.  He was biting people.  We sought the best trainers and veterinarians but they could not save him.  The trainer had warned us this may happpen when we first picked him up as he had not been socialized properly from birth. 

BUT... we now see God's plan.  You see we signed the papers to get Oddus on Dec 1 and then felt called by God (which we didn't expect at all) to go on this mission trip on Dec 5.  We kept asking God why he gave us Oddus but then asked us to go on a mission trip.  In all our planning for the trip, this one thing did not make sense.

However, now we see God's plan... He knew that Oddus was taken from his mother too early and that he would not have long on earth.  God knew that Oddus would have a great life with us for the short time we had together.  And he did!  We loved him dearly and invested our time and hearts into him.  He will be missed.  We had a nice ceremony at the beach where we all collected sticks, just like Oddus used to like to do in the yard, and then we told old stories about him and threw the sticks into the Ocean. 

A special thanks for Ann Drey for working so hard to save Oddus and for handling this sad situation for us while we are away.  Yet another example of Ann's servant heart and love for our family.  We love you Ann!
We miss you Oddie :(

Just another night in da room!

The simple moments :)

We are FREE!!! Happy Easter

"Freedom to me is NOT going out and doing what you WANT to do. Anyone can do that, and lots of people are doing it. Freedom IS 'to have the power to do what you know you OUGHT to do.' Most people know what they ought to do but they don't have the power to do it. They're in bondage.". - Josh McDowell

Its crazy but the more I follow Jesus' example & do what he said, the more powerful I feel to do what I ought to do. The more I read the Bible, stay sober, treat my body as a temple, ask others how I can pray for them, die to my own wants, put others before me... The more powerful I am feeling to do what "I know I ought to do" with the blessings he has given me. I struggle sometimes with BELIEF, but Jesus asked us to FOLLOW. He is the perfect example. As I follow Him, my belief & power simultaneously increase.

Let's not fool ourselves. If we are not following his example, Jesus is not the leader of our life.

Let's be free this Easter. Break the chains. We are powerful with Christ.
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The Heart of the Father by Dave Sr.

"The Heart of the Father" - that was our topic this week. I felt pretty prepared going into the week since I know very well the heart & love of my Father. I also have a growing, loving relationship with my Son. However, I was blown away at just what the love of The Father can do!!!

Our amazing teacher Ben Nonoa (Samoan Man Teaching in pic) had a toolbox full of exercises to help each of us be healed & transformed by our Father God. We learned that even the greatest human father cannot give a child 100% of what they need, but the Almighty Father can give us 101%!!!

As my Dad & I discussed over my excited telephone call home to him, "There are no mistakes when God's Love is involved. He has a plan for us."

Jessica & I lift up our Fathers and Mothers this weekend for the love they have given us and for showing us God's Love.
P.S. No there was NOT a cold spell in HI. David & I were skiing together in Taos, NM, home to Jess' parents, on our way to HI :)
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Field Trip to Valcono by Maggie

My favorite thing on our field trip to the valcono was when we were going to the volcano and we stopped at the Black Sand Beach.  I met a friend in my class named Jadyn.  She is from Kokomo, IN!!!  Can you believe I met her here in HI?  She is in the picture with me.  She is really nice.

God is Good Friday

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Jessica praying at morning service. Founders of YWAM Loren and Darlene Cunningham in background.

Bring it to the cross...

The Father's Love Letter & a Rainbow!!!



This Rainbow arched over our campus this week.  Rainbows happen all the time in HI.

 Today we focused on this letter from God to us. It is Bible verses strung together into an amazing letter.
IMAGINE IF THIS LETTER WERE REAL?
IT IS :)
***********************************


My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2. I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31. For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17  I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being.  Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39  Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is… Will you be my child? John 1:12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love,
Your Dad
Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2011 http://www.fathersloveletter.com/

Week 1

Dave Sr - A++++++++ for the first week.  Exceeded our expectations.  How?  Why?

Well, we really hit the ground running in our first week.  So much for easing into things.  Our schedule is so rigorous and rich, I've found it hard to take the time to update the blog.

Our speaker all week was Donna Jordan, a 72 year old woman that has been LISTENING TO and walking with the Lord for 40+ years.  We often say people are "walking with Jesus", but she is doing it a level few of us ever reach.  Everything Donna does she asks Jesus for direction.  What cloths to wear in the morning, what to say next, what speaking engagements to accept, what to throw away out of her closet, etc. etc.  Sounds kind of crazy doesn't it?  I thought/think so too... but after spending the week with her, I feel more able to hear the Lords voice in my life.  It's really as simple as asking Jesus the answer instead of asking myself.  I'm asking Jesus to direct my day in a way I never have before.  Its amazing, peaceful, fun and energizing all at the same time.  At a minimum I feel an increased consciousness of Jesus in my everyday decisions, direction and choices.  At a maximum Jesus is speaking and I am listening.

Donna is one of the early settlers of the University here in Kona.  She moved here in 1976 and when she arrived Darlene (co-founder of YWAM and "Mother" of this movement) approached her and said, "We've been praying that if you showed up here, you would know with certainty that God had sent you... because we don't have any room for you to live her on the base."  Donna and her husband Peter ended up living in a tent 10 miles up the hill with four children.  Her husband was a successful pilot and business man, that first came to know YWAM while serving on the board of a Canadian YWAM base.  They gave it all up to simply let Jesus direct their lives.  As she said, I gave up everything, but now in my older age I have (YWAM) family all over the world and houses all over the world (her friends' homes).  She was leaving us to fly to China to speak to YWAM'ers there.  They teach our DTS school in China, though it is technically illegal.

A favorite quote from Donna that I felt summed her up... with tears in her eyes she said, "If I ever thought He stopped speaking to me I wouldn't want to go on.  For the past 40 years it is all I've known."

I could go on and on.  It was a week of great learning, great application and great emotion.  A few points...
- I was expecting great Knowledge from Donna, some "secret tricks" to hear God.  I did receive very solid knowledge and bible study... however the greatest learning came from the application exercises.  Listening to God is like any other exercise.  Gets better with practice.
- Storing up knowledge and learning in our brains is at minimum a great waste.  At maximum a sin.  What good is it to know much and apply little?
- I am sensing that God wants me to more "have the mind of a child"... the world can seem "sophisticated, smart, sexy, Hollywood worldly",  What good is it?
- The greatest miracle is a changed heart.

Finally, you might think I sound a bit like I've joined a cult :)  At times this week I wondered the same :)

But, as my good friend Jim S said before I left... "Sounds like a cult, but I guess its the kind of cult you wanna belong too!"

Love and Peace to all.  I write this sitting in my room on a Saturday night with my kids playing at my feet in our humble one room home.  Jess and I spent a good part of the day working in the kitchen serving others.  Probably first time I've worked a real labor job in over 10 years.  Jess works again tomorrow morning at 6am.  Our backs are tired but our hearts are full. 

Jackie Ray finally meet another Jackie Rey!!!

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One block from our campus is a wonderful Restuarant named Jackie Rey's(named after their daughter - pictured). Her mom said she is 12 going on 30, just like ourJackie Ray!!!

GOOD NEWS! ANYONE CAN NOW POST A COMMENT ON THE BLOG. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SET UP AN ACCOUNT.

We changed the settings on the blog so that anyone can now post Comments.  At the bottom of each posting you will see a note about the current number of comments.  Simply click on this spot and you can post a comment.  So post away :)

Maggie on Turtle Beach!

NO! we don't go to the beach everyday!!  This is a picture from the same day we took the other shots.

View from our classroom

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Sometimes we have class outside. It is a great place to learn about God!!!

Fw: Jackie Ray's new friend

Jackie Ray is becoming quite the outdoorswoman!!  Everyday she brings home some new creature.  Yesterday it was Emerald the gecko, today it was Gieco.  Gieco fell from her hand is sleeping tonight behind our dresser (hopefully he stays there :)

What I learned today, April 11, 2011

Dave Sr - The one thing the Enemy (devil) hates the most, is for us to really LISTEN to God.  The devil doesn't mind if we go to church, sing songs, hold bible studies, etc.  But he really gets upset and his plans get messed up when we are listening to God.

Our new room!

David Jr -  Our new room home is fun!  There is a huge loft up a few stairs where Maggie, Jackie Ray and I all sleep.  There is a downstairs where my parents sleep. Downstairs is also our living space and has our kitchen, bathroom and table.  It is very cool.  We bought bedding, lamps, food, lawn chairs, fans, plastic storage bins, and a lot of other things like towels and sunscreen.  It looks really nice, a lot better than it did when we got here.  We even got a rug.  The chairs were even a little torn, so we bought some chair covers, now they look really good.  Our room has come together very well, my Dad has even aimed all the fans to match with the breeze.  That way we don't get too hot when we go to sleep.  The kitchen is very small and there is no dishwasher so we have to hand wash all the dishes.  They have a microwave though.  In the bathroom there is a small shower, toilet, and a sink. We purchased some bright turquoise towels.  It really brightens up the room!  Right outside our door is a porch and when we walk down the stairs there is a playground with tether ball and a basketball hoop.  Then there are trees and grass.  Right below us in our building is the school we are going to.  Its very easy just to walk down the stairs to go to school.  There are always kids playing and you never get bored it is so much fun!!!

Here goes nothing... Here goes everything!!! Gotta reach for something, or you'll fall for anything!!!

Dave Sr - Those are favorite lyrics from our Mission Theme Song by Bebo Norman.  The song really sums up how we are feeling as we launch on our new family adventure.  Well, we have arrived at the YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base here in Kona, Hawaii.  This base is also known as the University of the Nations!!  It is a very special, place, probably the most spiritual place I've ever been.  It took us about 24 hrs and we returned to that peace of being in God's will in a holy place.  We know that, "We are where we are supposed to be and that He has a plan for us."  When we are able to really know this fact, suddenly every challenge is a good book... that God is writing for us :)

I came to tears today.  Been quite awhile since that had happened...  Worshipping with my son David in the prayer room, I went from normal old smiling me to bursting with tears of joy.  God's love just shot me in the heart. 

I thought, "What a gift God has given us!!!  To share this experience with my son."  From time to time I worry about him (as all parents do).  "How is school going? Who will he marry?  He's gonna drive a car someday!!!, etc. etc."  We all have those thoughts.  But today God said, "You did the right thing bringing him here.  Someday you will be with Me in heaven with your son, and you will remember this time you chose to join us together."  It overwhelmed me.  Wow!!