change of address

Since I am no longer in Yorishima I have started a new blog to share what the Lord is doing in Hiroshima. www.reachinghiroshima.blogspot.com

Bard Sherman "Cherry Blossom Tour"

Well, after more than two weeks of concerts and travelling throughout Japan, the "Cherry Blossom Tour" has finally come to an end. Each concert was a unique experience and His Spirit was among us.

On 3/22 in Yorishima about 40 people attended. At the end of the concert Bard shared and eventually lead the group in a prayer for salvation. After all was said and done, the next day we received an unexpected and very generous donation from Saho and Rio's family. It was particularly surprising because their father is a Buddhist monk. Only God knows what is going on with this situation.

The next day 3/23 in Fukuyama the group performed at Takeshima Chapel because it was raining. This concert turned out to be a wonderful blessing for the church. Once things got going the whole church (about 50 people) was dancing and full of life, praising the Lord! The Lord really encouraged the church so much that on the next day Setsuko got an email from Masahara san saying he was touched and moved by such an unforgettable resurrection day celebration. Praise the Lord!
Even Bard and Henry commented that it was one of the highlights up to that point.

On 3/24 in Hiroshima there were more than 100 people. We had trouble with the PA system, but some how despite the technical difficulties, people were blessed. After the performance Bard again lead the group in a prayer to receive salvation. Following that we enjoyed great fellowship with the regulars from the "Mountain Worship" Christian fellowship. Another blessed time!

The next concert was on 3/26 in the busy little "Sunsutei" shopping center at the Fukuyama station. There were rules and regulations about what could be said since it was a commercial location. But despite everything, many people seemed to enjoy themselves and were blessed. An example on how we got around the regulations was when Bard gave his testimony of how his "Best Friend" is always with him. Also, the PA guy was not a Christian, he was a friend of Masahara san from Takeshima chapel, so it was good opportunity for him to hear the Gospel too. Another interesting point was the fact that it rained that day, especially since we had originally wanted to play an outdoor concert and were a little discouraged when things didn't work out. It just goes to show that God is in control!

On 3/27 we travelled up into the mountains to a little place called Niimi, it is the town I worked in this past year. There were about 50 people who showed up. The concert was a success, especially since two of the ladies from the Niimi Bible study accepted Christ when Bard gave the invitation prayer! This was the highlight of it all! After a year of living in a secluded town and struggling at various times to understand why God had allowed me to end up there, I was able to see one of the reasons why...It was all worth it in the end...Praise the Lord for His wisdom!

After a long drive through the heart of Japan, we ended up in Tokyo where we played two concerts at the Kick Back Cafe. Overall, these concerts were performances rather than outreaches due to the relationship focus that the Kick Back ministry emphasizes. The believe in sharing the Gospel gradually and building relationships over time so that people will continue to return to the cafe and perhaps a Sunday or a Wednesday service and eventually be saved. The cafe was a great place where people could enjoy great food and enjoy live music. Despite the restriction on prayer, Bard was still able to share the Gospel. God used these concerts to bless many people through new relationships and great fellowship. Many thanks to Mare san and Kohashi san along with the Kick Back staff for their wonderful hospitality and kindness!

Reaching the West Side西日本でゴスペルを言っています

About a month ago I posted a message about moving to Tokyo. However, recently I was informed by my employer that the available positions we had discussed were no longer available. I was suprised, but that can be the way things go in this type of business. Overall, I realized that there must be something bigger going on. I have always known that in Tokyo there are many people who are sharing the Gospel, much less than in the western side of Japan. So, perhaps that is why I will be staying here in the west, most likely in Hiroshima city. If that is His will, I should be happy to do it.

来月には東京のメーセジをはりました。でも、さいきん、私の社長は自分に東京の仕事がないというた。ちょっとびっくりしたよ！これはじんせいですよ！いまから、たぶん広島にいくいます。なでもいいです。私は神様のプランがほしいですよ！

Praying for a fruitful time 神様、バードシャーマンのカンサーとには祝福をあげてください！

We have continued to meet on Saturdays with the kids. They have continued practicing that old Gospel song, "Can't nobody do me like Jesus." They will be singing it with Bard at the Yorishima concert. This Saturday, the lady from the Yumei wave radio station will be visiting and may even sing with the kids at the concert! Overall, things are good. Concert preparations are in their final stages and we remain in prayer asking for a fruitful time of ministry. His will be done.

まだ、私たちは土曜日で子供といしょうにまちます。かれら、ゴスペルのうたのなまえの“カントノーボヂーヅーミライクジーサス！”子供とバードといしょうに寄り島のカンサーとでうたうをしっています。土曜日はゆめいウェーブのラジオの女のひとけいています。かのじょも子供といしょにうたうをしています。すべてのことがいいです。カンサートのじゅんびはさいごステジでけど、まだいのりをしてからいいミニストリーがほおしいです。神様のプランがほしい！

Bard Sherman Concert Radio Advertisement バードシャーマンのコンサートのラジオ宣伝です。

Here is the recent add for the Bard Sherman concerts from the local radio station. (In case you are curious how we got the picture along with the the radio advertisement, the Sumida family has a digital television with a station that picks up local radio waves. Pretty cool, huh!) They will continue promoting the concerts all throughout March and on February 28th they will be interviewing Setsuko on the radio! In addition, they will probably be televising the concert in Yorishima since since they are also a local cable t.v. company. It all started when Setsuko sent them an email asking them to post the concert on the televised community bulletin board. What a tremendous blessing! So, let's praise the Lord because, especially because they are doing this all for free!
これはさいきんラージオでコンサートの宣伝です。（角田のテレビおかげでビデオあります。すごいよ！） 三月までつずけて宣伝します。二月二十八日ラジオでインタビューをしっています。たぶん、テレビでコンサートをみせるでしょう。テレビの会社もですから。きかけはせちゃんがイーメイルをおくった。そのときにけいじばんにのせいたいかった。でも、いろいろのことがあげました。すべてむりょうでした！神様をさんびしますよ！
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnaSL9m4veE

Japan's Church of Jesus Christ in Niimi

"I remember Joseph"/Concert preparations Praise Report私はヨセフをおぼいりましたよ！バードシャーマンのコンサートのじゅんびのプレースリポート

Last weekend we did not meet with the kids becasue Setsuko and I went to the JCFN renunion conference in Tokyo. But this weekend, as usual, we met with Nagisa, Saho, and Rio. The story was about Joseph, which we had read before. Nagisa said, "I remember this story!" That was encouraging. Afterward, we continued studying phonics. We spelled our names and words like "Jesus". Another fun filled time for the glory of the Lord!

Bard Sherman outreach preparations continue. Here is a Praise Report of what has become:

YORISHIMA:
1. The cable television and radio station company, "Yumei Wave" will be interviewing Setsuko on the the radio on 2/28, not to mention they will be adverstising the concert for free, Praise the Lord!
2. The Asakuchi city BOE has allowed us to advertise the concert to the students via flyers in the classrooms!

FUKUYAMA:
1. Takeshima chapel has secured the Boys and Girls club for our Easter concert and a shopping center for our mid-week concert..."public places for public outreach!"
HIROSHIMA:
1. Mountain worship has announced the outreach to its many participants via their website.
NIIMI:
1. Niimi church has created a CD of Bard's music with translations in between the songs for the purpose of sharing the Gospel!
TOKYO:
1. Kohashi-san has booked Bard for two concerts and is providing rooms for the guys.
2.Missionary Janet Brown has offered her guest house for the Sherman's.

らいしゅうはわたしたちとこどもといしょにあいませんでした、JCFNのミーチングに行きましたですから。でも、こんしゅうはなぎさ、さほ、りおがあいました。ストリーがヨセフの読みました。これはにばんときをよんだ。ながいさは“おぼりましたよ！”というた。それはほんとに自分にがばるになりました。あとで、まだフォニクスを勉強しました。私たちのなまえを書きました。たんごのイエスや、いろいろも書きました。イエスから、たのしみました。

これはバードシャーマンの日本のじゅんびのさんびのリポートです。

寄り市まで：
１．二月二十八日は会社のテレビとラジオのなまえの“ゆめいウェブ”はせちゃんといしょうにインタビュをしっています。
２．BOEの浅口市の許すをあげたから、私たちは学生にコンサートチラシをあげらります。

福山で：
竹島チャペルはイスターコンサートから、ボイスとガラスクラブをもらいました。ショピングセンターももらいました。これはいいところでオウトリーチですね！

広島で：　
山のワシプのひとはウェブサイトでコンサートをはりました。

新見で：　
新見のきょうかいがバードシャーマンのCDと日本語のメセジをつかりました。

東京で：
１．キークバークカフェイは二回コンサートをしています。
２．ジャネトブラウンのゲストホウスではシャーマンのかぞくがねています。

Tokyo and Freeters 東京とフリータース

Recently as things have developed, I am in the middle of negotiations for a job in Tokyo. This decision has come as a result of a need for change. There are a variety of reasons for this change:

• It would be disrespectful to continue living (on the weekend) at the Sumida's old house for a second year. It would be appropriate if Setsuko and I were planning to marry, but we are not. She is my "big-little" sister in the Lord!
• The children's ministry has basically become a girls club ministry, which can be continued without my help, Lord willing. Takeshima chapel has said they want to support the ministry.
• My services with "Daichi chruch" in Hiroshima have ceased.

So, I have found myself at a turning point. I believe the Lord has called me to Japan and that my main responisibility、 at this point is to learn Japanese so that I may be available for greater service, other than English teaching. That being the case, Tokyo has a lot of opportunities and Christians to work with and I can continue studying.

One of the groups I hope to reach is the so called "freeter" generation, whom you could say they are like the modern day "hippis" of Japan. The thing I like the most about the so called "freeter" group is that they acknowlege the oppression and legalism within Japanese society and they reject it and want change. They see that living life is more important than your job. My so called "freeter" friends are kind, loving (as much as possible apart from Christ) and they appreciate simple living. The "rat race" in Japan causes people to obsessively invest their lives into their jobs and into the system and ultimately lose sight of God and His purpose for our lives. Therefore, I think that the so called "freeters" are on to something; something in the direction of finding God and His purpose for our lives. May God save the souls of the so called "freeters" and the rest of Japan for that matter.

さいきん、東京のじゅんびをしっています。このじゅんびのことから、ちがうのことがいるです。

• 来年すみだの古いうちができません。ただしいですから。
• 子供のミニスタリーはぜんぶ女の子です。たけしまチャペルてすだたい。
• だいちのきょうかいで私のサービスがおわりです。

たから、いまひまです。かみさまが日本にわたしにつれてきました。いま、一番たせつなものが日本語のべんきょうをするです。たから、東京にいくのことがいいです。東京にたくさんこうきがあるとおもいます。たといば、フリータースはさごいのこうとです。

フリータースはアメリカのむかしヒーピににていります。私はフリーターのことの日本をすてるがすきです。たいてい日本人はしごとはいちばんたせつなものというた。でも、フリーターはいたないよ！フリーターのいちばんたいせつなことがじんせいです。私のフリーターのともだちがしんせつな、あいする（でも、イエスさまのあいのことがいちばんいいです）、とかんたんなじせいがすきです。日本の“ラトレース”がよくない。“ラトレスー”はみなさんのじせいによくないになりまん。もくてきはちがうよ！かみさまのもてきがありません。たから、ふりーたーのじせいがちょっといいです。じせいのもてきがしごとのことじゃないです。かみさまはフリーターと日本人にきゅさいをまらいます。

Thank you for your prayers! あなたのいのりのにありがとうございます！

Finally, after three tries, I was able to get my Japanese driver's license! Thank you for your prayers! ついに、三回あたで、日本の運転免許をもらった！あなたのいのりのにありがとうございます！

Jesus always hears! いつも、イエスが聞きます！

Once again we met with Nagisa, Saho, and Rio. We sang a new song called, "ain't nobody can do me like Jesus" and "ai, ai, ai." The message was included in the song. Setsuko made sure to tell them, that nobody can do for them what Jesus can do. Afterward, we continued with our phonics. Practicing basic words and then some new ones such as "prayer," "heaven,"and "Jesus." I told them that when they pray Jesus hears them because He is in heaven. I emphasized that He always, always, always hears them. Hopefully they will call out unto Him and be saved!

もいかい、わたしたちはなぎさ、さほ、りおあいました。　あたらしうたうのなまえは“カントノバヂーづーミーライクジサス”をうた。“あい、あい、あい”もうた。きょうのメセジはうたうのなかにありました。せつこさんはこどものたちにだれもイエスにかわるものはないというた。メセジあとで、もちょっと、フォニクスをしました。ホニクスのことばは英語で“プレー”、“へべン”、“ジーサス”でした。わたしはこどもにいのりのときにイエスさまがいつも聞きますというた。イエスはわたしたちのいのりをいつも、いつも、いつも、聞きますよ！こんどうはこどものたちがイエスをしってキリシタンになります。

Jesus said, I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."わたしは義人たちではなく，罪人たちを悔い改めへと呼び寄せるために来たのだ

We played a phonics game ゲームのホニクスをあそんだ

This week we had Nagisa, Saho, Rio and our special guest Darren. Darren is my friend from Niimi who also teaches English. He came down for the weekend to visit. We sang "God Bless You" and "Ai, Ai, Ai" The message was from Matthew 9:9-13. Jesus had a dinner with tax collector. In our lives, we often are mean to certain people. But, when we look at Jesus, he teaches us what is the most important thing is to share truth and love of God. Even Jesus' disciples did not expect that Jesus would have dinner with sinners. Setsuko concluded with the words of Jesus. "Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' 'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Thanks to God, we had a great time!

このしゅまつはなぎあさ、さほ、りお、ときゃくさまのダレン先生。だれんさんは新見からわたしのともだちです。だれんさんも英語をおしえています。かれはよりしまにきるであいますから。わたしたちは“ゴドブレスユー”と“あい、あい、あい”いしょにとうたた。メセージはマテオの９：９－１３からきました。イエスさまとしゅうぜいにんといしょにばんごはんをたべました。私たちのせかいには、よくいじわるなひといます。でも、イエスさまをみたら、かれはわたしたちにいちばんことの愛のかみさまをおしえています。イエスさまのがくせいがイエスさまとしゅぜいにんのばんごはんのことがわかりませんでした。メーセジのおわりはいえすさまのことばでした。“イエスはこれを聞いて，彼らに言った，「健康な人たちに医者は必要でなく，病気の人たちに必要なのだ。 9:13 それで，『わたしはあわれみを望み，犠牲を望まない』とはどういう意味か，行って学んで来なさい。わたしは義人たちではなく，罪人たちを悔い改めへと呼び寄せるために来たのだ」。”（マタイによる福音書）かみさまにおかげで、このときはほんとによかた。

BARD SHERMAN GOSPEL OUTREACH JAPAN 日本でバードシャマンゴスペルアウトリチ

We are blessed to have the Bard Sherman Gospel trio coming to Japan in March. They will be playing a variety of concerts in Okayama, Hiroshima, and perhaps Tokyo (if the Lord wills). This is one of the flyers for the Yorishima concert outreach on March 22. Please pray for a fruitful time of sharing the Gospel.

私たちにしゅくふくことが三月にバードシャーマンのゴスプルのトリオをきています。かれら岡山で、広島で、たぶん東京で（かみさまのプランだたら）、たくさんコンサートをしています。これフライヤが三月に
寄り島のコンサートですから。そのときにゴスパルのシャーがおいのりしてください。

HANA'S PRAYER ハナのいのり

Teaching phonics、フォニクスをおしえています。

This weekend at "Joy Time" we had Nagisa, Saho, Shinya, and his mother. We began with a Japanese song that had a samba rhythm called "ai, ai, ai".　"Ai" means "love" in Japanese. The song had a dance that went with it. It was a good warm up. The Bible story was about Hana's prayer, how she prayed, and how God answered her prayers. The message was "be thankful to God" from 1Samuel 2. Then, we had an English lesson. It was our first class learning phonics.

しゅまつはジョイタイムになぎあさ、さほ、しにや、しにゃのおかさんいました。はじめはサンバのリシム日本語の歌をう歌。歌のなまえは　“あい、あい、あい” でした。“あい”のいみは“ラブ”です。この歌がおどろがありました。いいワームアプでした。せいしょうのストリーがハナのいのりので、いのりをするがどうで、かみさまのこたえるのどうでした。　メセジが“かみさまにおかげです”１サムレル２番チャプタからでした。そして、英語のれんしゅうしました。このクラスがはじめのくらすのフォニクスをならいました。

”WHO IS THE GREATEST?” “だれがいちばんえらいですか？”

Nagisa and Rio's puppet show!

なぎさとさほのパピとショー！

Today we met with the children after a long Winter break. Nagisa, Saho, Rio, and Shinya attended. We sang "God Bless You" which has both Japanese and English lyrics. Then Setsuko told a story using puppets. The story was from Matthew 18 about Jesus asking, "Who is the greatest?" Jesus wanted His disciples to undertand that we are all important. Therefore, we need to serve one another. During the story, Setsuko asked the children, "Who is the greatest?" Saho quickly responded, "Jesus!" Afterward, we had a short brief English lesson and then it was free time. During free time Nagisa and Rio had their own puppet show! (see picture)

あとで冬休み、きょうはこどもと私たちといしょにあいました。なぎさ、さほ、りお、しんゃ、きました。私たちはうたの“ゴドブレス”。このうたは日本語と英語があります。せつこはパピトとイエスさまの本をよみました。マタイでしたから。しつもんが“だれがいちばんえらいですか？”イエスさまはでしにたいせつなことがあるとおもった。だから、私たちはおたがいにつかえる。せつこはこどもに、“だれがいちばんえらいですか。”さほははいやくこたえた、“イエスさまです！”あとで、英語のべんきょうをしました。それから、フリータイムでした。フリータイムになぎさとりおといしょにパピトショをーあできました！（写真をみてください）

ＢＡＣＫ ＦＲＯＭ ＴＨＥ ＳＴＡＴＥＳ/ アメリカからかえりました

(My family and I at SFO before I returned.)

これしゃしんはSFOでまえのかえるのとおきで、わたしとかぞくです。

I am now back in Japan after a nice trip back to the States. It was a blessed time of seeing family and friends. I spent a lot of time with my niece Mila whom I adore. We went to the beach, went on walks, played a variety of games, and even read the Bible together. She said, "I like reading the Bible. I 'm good at it!" What a blessing it was to hear her say that. May the blessings continue into this new year as we see the great things that God has planned.

いま、アメリカから日本にかえりました。そのときはしゅくふくことをしました。じぶんのかぞくとともだちをみました。じぶんとめいこのなまえのミラといしょうにあそびました。じぶんはミラちゃんをあいしてるよ。わたしたちはうみにいったり、さんぽをしたり、たくさんゲムをしたり、せいしょうをよみたり。ミラちゃんはせいしょうをよむがすきで、じょずです。 すごいよ! ことしはかみさまのすごいプランをみています。