Today was commissioning Sunday at Cerritos Baptist Church. The two teams going this summer are to the Philippines and to Swaziland. After the commissioning, pictures, and all church potluck came the last minute details of the trip. We are 4 days off and counting. By the grace of God and the generosity of our church, I think we have met our financial goal. Penny, one of our two team leaders, gave a touching brief talk on the quilts they have handmade and who they might go to: either a child or a teacher. My heart swelled with A.n.t.i.c.i.p.a.t.i.a.t.i.o.n. I am looking forward to seeing who will get which quilt. Each of the quilts represent so much time and love. God will bless those who had a hand in producing these quilts of love.
Thank you each one, whether you sewed a little, cut fabric, or made the whole quilt. Every bit helped. We will be the fortunate recipients to see the quilts going to those in need. For those of you staying people behind, thank you.
May God bless you as you seek His face. Remember to pray for us.
Sam
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
2008 Swaziland Team
Back Row L to R: Seiji Akiyama, Russ Takahata, Gary Tawa, Todd Shimoda,
Kyle Shimoda, Sam Ha
Middle Row L to R: Gladys Kamikawa, Rosie Tamanaha, Valerie Tawa,
Bethany Shimoda, Penny Takeda
Front Row L to R: Stephanie Takeda, Amanda Shimoda, Liz Shimoda
Great team photo! Thanks for the picture Penny!
Great team photo! Thanks for the picture Penny!
8 days and counting...
Waiting is one of those things I try to teach my kids whenever we are in line somewhere, whether it is the grocery store, department store, or even the library. Waiting is one of those things every individual on earth does. Waiting is one of those traits learned the hard way. For the most part, I do not mind waiting. But...this waiting...counting down the days until departure...this type of waiting is qualitatively different. It is like waiting for the sun to break after a cloudy day. So, this waiting has reminded me of waiting for an opportunity for service.
Serving does not have to wait. It can be today.
Right now.
So, although much remains to be done, waiting is a good thing. While waiting, I can pray. I read part of a book called The Ten Second Prayer. You can pray any day, any time, for any thing. Who knows? This could be the prayer that changes a life. So, pray.
Pray for peace in the land. Pray for my pastor and his wife. Pray for myself to have a clean heart and a right spirit. Pray for salvation for the children. Pray the famine is lifted in South Africa. Pray that our words may touch children's hearts, as I know they will touch ours. Pray that we have a safe journey. Pray for the missionaries that do this daily. Pray for the individuals supporting us. Pray for our families that remain behind.
I could go on and on. Hopefully you get the idea, so take a moment right now to pray for one of these things or one of your own requests.
Did you? Thank you.
In Revelation 5:8, it tells of the prayers of the saints are offered up before the Lamb (Jesus) . Your prayers may seem at times unheard, yet scripture tells us they are not. God's ways are not our ways.
Think on these things.
God bless.
Sam
Serving does not have to wait. It can be today.
Right now.
So, although much remains to be done, waiting is a good thing. While waiting, I can pray. I read part of a book called The Ten Second Prayer. You can pray any day, any time, for any thing. Who knows? This could be the prayer that changes a life. So, pray.
Pray for peace in the land. Pray for my pastor and his wife. Pray for myself to have a clean heart and a right spirit. Pray for salvation for the children. Pray the famine is lifted in South Africa. Pray that our words may touch children's hearts, as I know they will touch ours. Pray that we have a safe journey. Pray for the missionaries that do this daily. Pray for the individuals supporting us. Pray for our families that remain behind.
I could go on and on. Hopefully you get the idea, so take a moment right now to pray for one of these things or one of your own requests.
Did you? Thank you.
In Revelation 5:8, it tells of the prayers of the saints are offered up before the Lamb (Jesus) . Your prayers may seem at times unheard, yet scripture tells us they are not. God's ways are not our ways.
Think on these things.
God bless.
Sam
Sunday, June 22, 2008
11 days until we leave for Swaziland
Hi Everyone!
We shared with the kids at Cerritos Baptist today and passed out prayer wheels to our supporters at CBC. We need all the prayers we can get! So thanks for praying for us! Amanda, Bethany and Kyle Shimoda led our sharing with the kids. They did a great job! Our kids are getting to know quite a bit about Swaziland with 3 teams having gone and Pastor Solomon and Grace coming last year.
I am trying to improve my knitting skills so I will be able to teach the kids knitting. I also need to practice my crocheting too! I am excited and worried too. About health and safety of us and of the kids at home alone, kids leaving for the Philippines mission trip and Tim going back to Miami before we return. Health of Sam and Gary. Gary had 2 bouts of dizziness just today and two other incidences in the last 5-6 months. Hopefully everything will be fine.
OK, this is enough for now to check if this works!
Valerie
We shared with the kids at Cerritos Baptist today and passed out prayer wheels to our supporters at CBC. We need all the prayers we can get! So thanks for praying for us! Amanda, Bethany and Kyle Shimoda led our sharing with the kids. They did a great job! Our kids are getting to know quite a bit about Swaziland with 3 teams having gone and Pastor Solomon and Grace coming last year.
I am trying to improve my knitting skills so I will be able to teach the kids knitting. I also need to practice my crocheting too! I am excited and worried too. About health and safety of us and of the kids at home alone, kids leaving for the Philippines mission trip and Tim going back to Miami before we return. Health of Sam and Gary. Gary had 2 bouts of dizziness just today and two other incidences in the last 5-6 months. Hopefully everything will be fine.
OK, this is enough for now to check if this works!
Valerie
Preparation...eleven days and counting
We are in the final stages of preparing for our two week trip to Swaziland. Swaziland is a nation with one of the highest incidences of AIDS in the world, around 39 percent. Children are growing up without parents. Children the age of ten and younger may be the primary caretaker for their brothers and sisters. There is little hope for them. Into this environment, we hope to provide an answer through Jesus.
Our fourteen member team will be going in a two stage trip over 25 hours to South Africa. There we will be helping Pastor Solomon with the New Life International Institute by distributing hand-made quilts for each child and teacher, establishing a library, building bookshelves, running a Vacation Bible School, teaching sewing, knitting, and croqueting, as well as working in their garden. We will do whatever needs to be done in order to reach the hearts of the children for Jesus. It is because of the generosity of the people here that we were able to gather resources to ship in a 40 foot container to Swaziland. It has arrived safely! Praise God. Because of the joint effort of the people, ministry goes ahead. All people involved, those going and those staying can have a hand by praying for our safe journey, effective ministry, and staying well.
We can never know how much Jesus cares
With what little can we then compare
His grace, his blood, his death, the cross
All this to save the dying lost
We go to share, we go to care
To go because of you.
Thank you all for your participation.
In Christ,
Sam
Our fourteen member team will be going in a two stage trip over 25 hours to South Africa. There we will be helping Pastor Solomon with the New Life International Institute by distributing hand-made quilts for each child and teacher, establishing a library, building bookshelves, running a Vacation Bible School, teaching sewing, knitting, and croqueting, as well as working in their garden. We will do whatever needs to be done in order to reach the hearts of the children for Jesus. It is because of the generosity of the people here that we were able to gather resources to ship in a 40 foot container to Swaziland. It has arrived safely! Praise God. Because of the joint effort of the people, ministry goes ahead. All people involved, those going and those staying can have a hand by praying for our safe journey, effective ministry, and staying well.
We can never know how much Jesus cares
With what little can we then compare
His grace, his blood, his death, the cross
All this to save the dying lost
We go to share, we go to care
To go because of you.
Thank you all for your participation.
In Christ,
Sam
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