Still in Japan!

  Wow, it's been crazy!  I'll try to catch up.  After Okinawa  we went to Fukuoka, my dad wrestled there in 1967, the older gentlemen remembered him, strange.  The pastor of the church was Yokota-sensei.  That was the name of the first base I was stationed at in Japan.  The meetings went very well.  We had one special meeting with two Japanese scientists who are Christians but, struggling with this issue.  It was a great meeting.  They came to the other two meetings that we held after that.  One man is studying the cell.  There is a 'clock' in each cell that runs on a 24 hour cycle.  He was telling me about it and it was very interesting.  I just couldn't understand it all!  He, even though he was unsure of the age of the earth etc., said that he believes the days in Genesis probably were 24 hours because of the clock in the cells of our body.  They can't find a way to 'reset' them without messing things up badly.  The only time the 'clock' changes is when a woman get's pregnant.  If it doesn't change, she can't carry the baby.  Very cool, I just wish I could have understood it all.

  By the way, I told you I'd share the most difficult question the 3rd-5th graders asked me in Okinawa.  They asked about the trinity, they asked about who created God, they even asked about wizards!  Hands down though the most difficult question was, "Is Santa Claus real?"  Wow!  How do you handle that without getting thrown out of the country!  I just couldn't believe the questions though from these young folks.  Don't ever let anyone sell you that the younger generation isn't interested in spiritual/Biblical issues!  They are hungry!  The picture above is from the 'castle' in Okinawa, it was very beautiful.  Had the opportunity to share with some young school children while there.

  After Fukuoka we went to Kumamoto to a Christian camp in the countryside.  Just beautiful!  It was started 40 years ago American Missionaries.  They sold it to the current Pastor when they turned 85 and returned to the US from the mission field.  The response there was huge!  There were over 50 people who came.  Over 20 of them were ABWE missionaries and their families.  The ABWE missionaries are working with me to come back to about 6 places where they are in that general area in a couple of years to work with their missionaries.  That was very encouraging.  One young Japanese Pastor and I had a very good conversation about the age of the earth and the days in Genesis etc.  He walked away very appreciative of the conversation and at least thinking about his position.  The picture below is from Kumamoto where I wore the yukata!

  After Kumamoto we went to Saidaiji.  The first meeting was to the PTA of a Christian School.  90% of the ladies there were non-christians.  The Pastor, Akai-sensei, was very encouraged after this meeting.  The ladies really listened and responded.  That was encouraging to me as well.  That night Masami and I spoke to a packed house!  They had to set up extra chairs and they extended into the hallway!  There were around 80 people.  Believe it or not, that's a big meeting in Japan.  The man who made the Japanese Creation Museum DVD was there and filmed the talk that night and the next morning, (today as I write this!).  They are getting the message out as much as possible here and really need your prayers.

  After speaking this morning we got on a train and traveled 4 hours to to get almost to where I speak tomorrow to a group of AWANA students.  We're looking forward to this.  Please continue to pray for Masami as she translates.  She's nervous but, I konw God is using her to share the message here for sure.  She knows my heart and knows how to translate what I'm saying.

  Got a cool email from an Army chaplain in Okinawa where I spoke last week, thought I'd share it with you!

Carl,  Defending the Bible from the very first verse takes place here in Okinawa.  As an Army Chaplain, I have played the Answers with Ken Ham video series (Cedarville version) during a weekly lunchtime Bible Study in my office. Also, I have handed Soldiers the booklets dealing with Creation/Evolution issues.  Additionally, I purchased and placed in the protestant chapel the same booklets and personally given them out to chapel attendees.  Most of those in attendance were very receptive to the material both at the chapel and my office. To my surprise, I have not encountered any major conflict.   Lord willing I'll soon be heading to Colorado and doing the same in my next unit and chapel.  Thanks for the materials you publish. 
Serving Christ is Okinawa, Japan  Dale G.

  Got a couple of more pictures from the Philippines as well.  The Pastor that I met with , Dr. Stephen Tan, was an amazing host.  Pray for his wife, she's ready to give birth any day. 

I got to spend time with the young adults group, great folks.  We had a really good conversation and they truly blessed me.

  Well, that's just about everything.  I'd really appreciate your prayers.  Lot of things running around in my head on this trip.  I'm really searching for the Lord's wisdom because it's kind of confusing some times.  I never dreamed of doing what I'm doing at the moment.  I get mixed emotions because there are times when it seems very clear that I'm in the Lord's will then there are other times that I feel like I'm walking in quicksand and don't have a clue as to what I'm supposed to be doing.  I'm just being honest so your prayers are truly appreciated.  Blessings!  I know one thing for sure, the Lord wants us to be bold and tell folks about Him so, Stay Bold!

Carl k.