Hi Friends,

開けましておめでとうごさいます。

Happy New Year!

Hope you’re having a great start to the New Year.

We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2009 mission to Japan. Applications are online at www.gopgm.org and the application deadline is January 31st.

This year’s mission will be under the leadership of Daryl & Sheri Kobata who were my assistant directors last year. They are planning to return to Shizuoka in Mid to late July for a 2 week mission. The cost will tentatively be $2750 and includes Airfare, Lodging, transportation, and most meals. This team is looking for light construction help, Children’s ministry team, performance oriented (hula, vocals, etc.) members.

We’re still setting up the Tokyo/Yokohama mission details. But stay tuned. Brad Watanabe will be leading that mission team. And it will once again be a ministry to College and young adults. There’s a possibility that this mission will also include a performance team to play in various concerts & music venues.

That’s the update for now.

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

Hi Gang,

I’ve posted a video recaping a small bit of what we did this past summer. 

Click here to watch the video.

Can’t wait until next year.  If you are interested in applying for the team, please let us know.  We are taking applications now and for those already signed up, it’s never too early to start saving some money and fundraising.  Email me: arlen@gopgm.org or you can call me at the church office (808) 674-2700. 

Blessings,

Pastor Arlen

We just got back, but some people are already talking about fundraising for next year and some didn’t make it this year, but are thinking about next year.

Can you join us for next year’s mission trip? Let me know if you’re interested. Email me at arlen@gopgm.org.

I’ll have more information about dates and possible team dynamics.

We’re tentatively looking to return to Shizuoka and put on another Kids Camp to build on what we’ve done this year.

We would also like to train youth leaders and build their Youth Ministry. This is going to be a really strategic ministry in the next few years.

Tokyo ministry may be on different dates because we want to have more impact on the college campuses. But the same college ministry focus will be there.

There’s also the possibility of an Ukulele and Hula Ministry team too.

Stay tuned.

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

I just couldn’t leave Japan without staying at the “Domes”. During our stay in Japan, we stayed with Pastor Dennis, Kaku, Erika, and Daniel. While the rest of the Shizuoka team stayed at these wonderful domes.

Each dome has 4 Beds, 2 Futons, a full Bathroom (with mini-ofuro). We wanted to experience the domes so the Hayashi’s adopted us and we stayed with their family. It was a nice experience staying there. (But I was so tired, I crashed and snored, so I hear)

As we said our final goodbyes, we took some last pictures with Pastor Dennis & family before heading off to Tokyo.

We had more adventures at the airport…

When the LA boys arrived to check in, they were surprized to find out that their flight isn’t until Wednesday. That was our original return date, but due to some conflicts we had to return home early. Somehow, the LA tickets didn’t get changed. Oh well, that was just one of the mishaps of the trip. All in all, it was a great trip and we are all looking forward to return next year (if possible).

Can you join us?

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

Well, this is our last Sunday here in Japan and as usual it is packed full of opportunities to minister. Today our kids got to perform a couple of songs they’ve learned last weekend at the Kids Camp we put on. Hopefully I can get some video of this later…

While I preached again this Sunday, the kids had another great time in Sunday School.

After service, we were treated to a Brazillian BBQ. Yum!

In the afternoon, we planned to go to a care home and minister there, but our plans were changed when we heard our friend Inoue-san had taken a turn for the worse. We decided to return to the hospital and worship there and pray for him.

Tonight we also played volleyball. But sorry, I’m busy playing, so there weren’t any pictures. We were even able to reach out to the non-Christians at volleyball by giving them some omiyage from Hawaii and blessing them in the name of the Lord.

See you tomorrow, we’ll be heading home…

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

Well, today is a day to shop and rest up for tomorrow and we’ve just received some bad news. One of the church members inoue-san who has Lou Garrigs disease (i know, I can’t spell). Has just gone to the hospital and taken a turn for the worse. We can’t take pictures inside the hospital room, but here’s a feel of where we were…

Today is also Andrew’s birthday, so we celebrated with some yummy goodies.

We celebrated life and death. And praise God that He is there with us through both.

I had a chance to speak to this group of leaders in the church. In their church, everyone is encouraged to go through a discipleship program called ENLI (Every Nation Leadership Institute). These are some of the up and coming leaders who may one day plant churches. Many of these are leaders of ministries (I had a chance to share a devotional time with many of them yesterday).

At night after a long day, we sometimes get a little crazy. This is what I mean…

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

After the temple, we went on a hike to see a statue of a samurai and more worship and prayer.

Pretty cool sights huh?

Our day continued as we dropped off the team for some R & R and dinner at the local “obon” festival. I’m sure we’ll see pictures later… Melissa and I headed back to Pastor’s house for an evening leadership meeting. There I shared with the group a message about praying for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation and servanthood.

Then we were treated to dinner by our host Pastor. Yum. Japanese Hamburger steak and Nabemono.

It’s been another full day. おやすみ。

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

BTW- I noticed we didn’t post for THursday. What a nightmare… We found out that we had to pay cash for our hotel… $2700. And boy did we have trouble getting money from the banks. But no worries. Our debt will be paid for because we figured out the system. The rest of the day was a day of shopping and walking in Tokyo. Sorry, I have to get pictures from the others, I didn’t take any…

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

Well, we had another full day in Japan (although not as full as yesterday).

We crashed last night and didn’t get up until after 9 this morning.

But from then, we were off. I took about half an hour to setup a new router for Pastor Dennis. Then we picked up the team at the Domes and headed for lunch… JIB Curry.

From there, we needed a little exercise to work off the huge lunch, by the way, here’s the scenery from the restaurant.

So we went to pray at Shuzenji Temple.

The first thing to do is a ritual hand washing. Andrew is nice and clean now…

Then you can pay to get one of these wooden tablets and a priest will pray for your requests. (How does he pray for all of them? It must take a long time…)

Here’s the main room of the temple.

It was beautiful and the scenery spectacular. And yet all of creation (especially the sekada bugs) seemed to be yearning for God’s redemption and new creation.

More of our journeys later…

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.

Wow, this was possibly the most full day of ministry we had! We didn’t get home until after 10/11pm.

This morning we went to Yokohama Grace Bible Church. Wednesday service there is small, and especially today because all the teens and college kids went off to youth camp. But it was awesome. Pastor Scott, the haole (はくじん) led the entire service in Japanese. He is amazing. There, Pastor Arlen got to greet the church and say a few words.

In the evening, our team had multiple events going on. Sheri led a Children’s Ministry Seminar at Hope International Fellowship. Brad and the guys went off to a “Live House” concert where they built some great friendships and encouraged several to come to church on Sunday. Check back on his blog for an update there.

Meanwhile, Melissa stopped by a Women’s Small Group, where she had a great time listening and seeing God work in that group. Many are not Christians yet. They are still seeking.

After ministry, dinner and a whole lot more, we didn’t get back to the hotel until almost Midnight. Ahh the night life of Tokyo.

Until next time… じゃ　また　ね。

Blessings!

Pastor Arlen

PS- it might help to learn a little bit of Japanese, and I suggest this excellent website to assist you.