Langley Family

So, here I come with final post from the summer trip.
(I know, I know it's "finally".......)

So, the last stop was Langley Family in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Mike and Cindy once served as Jr.High group, Tsunami leader in Okinawa with me.
And Tyler and Maddie grew up in the group.
Funny thing is I still remember when Tyler first walked into Tsunami room with nice shirt and pants.

It was perfect occasion, because Mike had his retirement ceremony (he served US Navy, I think, for 26 years.). So he invited Andersens whom I was originally planned to stay with throughout my stay in east coast. They decided to drive down to VA, so I had no choice (fortunately, of course) to accompany them.

They have so cool/nice house. I think when I got there, there were over 10 people sleeping in the house!!!

The retirement ceremony was so beautiful. I always respected Mike for his leadership and integrity for Christ. He truly had it at his work.
As I look to start working soon, it was so encouraging to see and be confirmed what God can do through us at our work place.
Maddie gave a speech in behalf of Langley kids, she did incredible job. It was really nice, to say the least.

at retirement

Langley family

 Maddie giving a speech

 Congratulations!!!

While I was in Fredericksburg, I was able to go to downtown Fredericksburg and Washington D.C. too!!!
D.C. was incredible!! There were so much to see!!
But my favorite was Martin Luther King jr. memorial. The words recorded were impacting and the design was beautiful as well.

downtown Fredericksburg

 Capital Hill!!!

 me with FDR

 Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

 Lincoln Memorial

 With Langley family 

 It was such a great time.
I got to meet many of their family as well. They were all nice to me.

I seriously miss traveling now.
It feels little strange not speaking English all the time, not flying, not getting ride from friends..... etc

Well, I think I just might as well enjoy the limited time in Tokyo now.

I again would like to thank God for making this amazing trip happen.
It was seriously "LIFE CHANGING"!!! no doubt.

I love and miss all the people whom I met and reconnected with.
They are all wonderful gift from God.

To God alone be the Glory.

Yasutomo

East Coast!!! NJ, with Andersens :)

So I left SoCal and headed to East Coast for the first time.

Again, though I did not know at the time, I had a little trouble getting picked up at the airport.
I forgot giving the flight info to the friend who was coming to pick me up. He found out that he only had departure and arrival time, and tried almost everything (it literally was) to find out which flight that I was taking. I flew from LAX to JFK, so these are among biggest airports in the states. It made it hard for him to find my flight with little information.

But, SNS is amazing!!! I miraculously checked-in on my facebook at the airport.
There were dozens of names that I could choose as check-in point, but I chose "LAX United Airlines gate" or something like that. This was big!! For it gave him the info of my airline!!!

So he narrowed it down to two flights and picked one, hoping the right one. Then he saw a guy picture of whom I posted on facebook coming out from gate. Then, he knew it was the right flight!!!

I did not know all of this until he told me what was happening and to him!!! CRAZY!!

well well, so I was picked up by my good friend Matt Andersen.
He and his family live in ProspectPark, NewJersey.
When he lived in Okinawa, he was leading worship. (Wasn't he?? If you were there, I know you'd agree with me :)
I had learned so much from him about worship and had always respected him as a godly man and friend.

He and his wonderful wife Jess have started church while ago, in his neighborhood  and have a great heart to preach the gospel and desire to see their neighbor coming to know Jesus Christ.
I was so touched by their vision and compassion.
Even the story of how God brought them to the place they live now was so shocking and impacting to me.

They lived in 3 floor house. But they are lending the upper two floors. Cool thing is that one of their two tenants is Japanese!!! (cooler is they are both christians!)
So one night we got together and had wonderful fellowship.
We also sang worship in Japanese!!! Matt and Jess still can sing Japanese songs, it was so amazing!!

Matt playing, me laughing. lol

me, Matt, Jess and Akiko (RtoL)

I also met their two younger kids for the first time!!! When they left, they only had one and she was so little too.
They are absolutely adorable kids!!!
I totally enjoyed hanging out and playing with them ;)

 youngest, Joshua 

their neighbor friend, Jennie and Ella (RtoL)

I was so blessed to see how God is using this family in the community.
The area not far from their place, honestly was very scary to me.

"drug free school zone"??

Please, keep them in your prayers.
As they reach out with the bright light of Jesus Christ to the community.

I seriously want to visit them again.
Jess said that I can bring a mission team. hahaha Can that be happen??

Thank you so much for the wonderful time.
Love you, Andersens!!!

with Deans!

My last stay in California, I was able to spet time Dean family.

I met them in Okinawa and actually when I was in states last time, I stayed with them.

The reason I stayed with them this timing was to attend Suzie' (Regina's sister) wedding. She is wonderful lady who loves the Lord. She met her (now) husband at Bible College. (Bridal College remains!! haha) 

It was so beautiful and glorifying wedding. They truly showed the marriage was by the Grace of God. They were great witness for Christ.

Sue and her dad Michael

Jeremiah 

Regina and Claire

Beautiful Couple

worshiping Jesus as a couple/one

With Rizzi family

with Dean family

One of the memory I had there was the conversation with Josh at one night......
Josh, he is so intellectual guy. It was so funny.
He found out my major is International Relations with emphasis on U.S..
So he would ask me many questions on U.S. politics. But, on the contrary, I really do not like talk about politics with others. (if it's not in class or just for joke or something not deep) So, I kept saying "Ok, this is it. We need to stop this conversation!!", but he insisted asking and talking about it!!
well, well, now it has become a good memory but at the time, it was funny but very nasty at same time. haha

I think Regina had hard time reading me. I was getting used to American sarcasm. So I was being little sarcastic time to time, but she couldn't tell if I was serious or not!!! Sorry Gina!!
I thought it was very funny though...

I love seeing their kids growing up too. Jeremiah was still baby when I saw him last time. Now he talks!! I really enjoyed playing with Jer and Claire the Smarty!!

I truly miss them, but know I will see them again.

God bless you!!

SanDiego with Gaines

So, it is always hard to say goodbye....

I said goodbye to Cook family and headed to SanDiego.

There, in SD, I stayed long friend of mine, Gaines family.
I actually had privilege of serving Jr.High ministry with them in Okinawa.
I remember playing guitar with the oldest, Christian. He name our band "Holy Fire Band". (because all we played was "holy fire") He was so adorable!!

Hannah

Luke

Christian

So, I walked into the house and met Christian. He first said, "So, now I have to call you Mr.Yasutomo ?"
I was like "NOOOOoooooooo!!!!!!"(in my mind)
I kindly said, "you are my friend, call me Yasutomo as you did in the past!!"
Luke the younger son was all grown up. and I first met their youngest Hannah as well.

They are the one, I think, who took my word most seriously when I said "I'm here to hang out with you!" haha
Though we didn't do much, but it was so relaxing time.
Of course, Steve took me super cool burger place in downtown. We went on hiking and went to Rancho.
I went to Christian and Luke' baseball game too!! Luke was so cute in his playing, Christian was actually really good batter!!

              downtown SanDiego                        Luk and Christian after the games

           
The best part of the SD was Wednesday night when Steve took me to Horizon Chapel, Adoration with Evan Wickham.
He is all time one of my favorite teacher/worship leader.
He taught on Acts 12. It was super good!!! I was just absorbing the truth.
We had extended time of worship as well which was extraordinarily good!!

with Evan Wickham

I haven't mentioned his wonderful wife, Tiffany. She fed me super nice foods.
She is more like my good friend than sister or aunt. haha
We actually had fun playing sarcasm that I have acquired in states.

As I spent time with them. I saw their heart for Okinawa, Japan.
I really pray that they would one day come to Okinawa as missionary.
But God always has His best. This is just my hope ;)

with Steve and Tiff

Funny thing is I leave for Okinawa this morning and Steve is already in Okinawa for his job. Hahaha
I said goodbye to them with teary eyes, but I'm seeing him again this soon.

But, I truly miss all the Gains family!!
Thank you so much!!

One day at beach!!!

oops, I forgot to mention one friend!!!

So while I was staying in LaHabra, I was able to hang out with my friend whom I met first in Okinawa about 6 years(!?!?) ago, Lynsie.
I think she absolutely Love Japan. She has been to Okinawa twice and to Tokyo twice!! That's very crazy.

So, I had seen her at her last three trips. (She came to Japan to help relief in Tohoku while I was in England.)

So when I got in states, I was able to get hold of her and by the grace of God, it actually worked out!!
She took me to Huntington Beach which was one of the coolest beach ever!!

Huntington Beach

She came with her friend Amy, so I got to know her as well.
We had lunch at Ruby's, walked around the main street, went into stores....etc

Hurley Store!

But the best part was bike riding!!!
We rented a big bike which seems for two people, but they put all us thee in it.
So it was kinda small for us, little bit hard to pedal but nice work out, I say.

With Lynsie

With Amy

 Another Best Part is that they took me to their job, PETSMART....... which I thought strangest place ever!! They had suite room that had TV, they had phone for dogs...... apparel for dog.....

At night, we went to midweek Bible Study Calvary Chapel Montebello which Lynsie and her family go to. The church sends mission team to Japan almost every year, and I am so grateful for their support. 

with Pastor Pancho

I was able to see some people I know at CCM as well. And I also got to know her family and her BF. I really love the church, which is so loving and welcoming!!

Lynsie and her bf Derek who works at church.

He was really cool guy!

Thank you Lynsie!! Come Japan again!! lol

Cook Family クック家

ガーデン・グローブの伊波家に別れを告げ向かったのは、
ラハブラの（家はブレアでしたが）クック家です。
After I said goodbye to Iha family, I headed to LaHabra to stay with Cook family.

クック家とは、3年前にミッションズ・カンファレンスで初めはケイラと出会いました。
その後、他のみな（ランス、ローリー、ケンドラ、ケルシー）にも会うことができました。
パスター・ランスは（結局、この呼び方に自分の中で落ち着いたのですが）、カルバリー・チャペル・ラハブラ（以下、CCラハブラ）の主任牧師で、ケイラは大学に通いながら教会でも働いていました。
I've known them for about three years. I first met them when I was in CA last time. Pastor Lance is a senior pastor/founder of Calvary Chapel LaHabra and Kayla (oldest daughter) works at the office while going to college.

教会の外観

Calvary Chapel LaHabra

CCラハブラとパスター・ランスは日本との関係が深く、カルバリー・チャペル・ジャパン・カンファレンスにはほぼ毎年来てくれています。
これは本当に感謝なことだなと思います。

今年の5月のカンファレンスで

Pastor Lance at the Japan Conference

彼らとは5日間過ごしました。とても短い間でしたが、とても良い経験をさせてもらいました。
最初はハーベスト・クルセイド！！（前にも書きました）
パスター・ランスに「こんなにも多くの人が、キリストの体として手をとりあって働いているってすごいことだよ。」と言われて、周りを見回したときは圧倒されました。
そして、グレッグ・ローリーの招きに多く人が応じ、キリストを信じる決心をしました。
I spent five days with them. Though it was very short time (I felt), it was very good time and had wonderful experiences.
First bomb was Harvest Crusade!!!
When we are seated, pastor Lance said to me something like "Isn't it wonderful to see all those churches and christians working together as body of Christ?".
Yes, it was so beautiful to see that, and I was just amazed and blown away!!!

すごい大勢の人

The crowd of people

グレッグ・ローリーのメッセージ

Greg Laurie preaching

招きに応答した人々

People came to accept Jesus into their hearts

泊めてもらった全ての家族に、「時間を共に過ごせたらそれでうれしいから、あまりどこに連れていこうとか気にしないで。」と言いました。しかし、クック家にも色々なところに連れていってもらいました。
その中でも楽しかったのは、メジャーリーグのエンゼルスの試合です。
高橋尚成も中継ぎで投げました。そして、12回の2点ビハインドからの逆転劇でホームのエンゼルスが勝利しました。
そして、試合中にはケンドラがスクリーンに映っていたので、そこに飛び入って、自分も映りました！！！！！
To every family that I stayed with, I would say "I'm really here to hang out with you. So don't think that you have to take me places.". But, they did take me to places. So nice of them.
One of the highlights was the Angel's game!! My fist MLB game!!
Takahashi pitched for few innings and they came back from 2 points behind and won!!
Kendra got on the big screen, so I just jumped and got in too!!! It was sooo fun. haha

高橋尚成。お疲れ様でした。

Takahashi

一緒に観戦したみんな

Group of us

MercyMe

また、試合後にはクリスチャン・バンドの"MercyMe"のライブがあり、三塁側の最前列で観ることができました。ちょー良かった！
MercyMe had concert after the game. We were able to get the very front row!!

最後の日曜日には、ケイラのバースデーパーティーでビーチに行き、遊びました。（僕はもっぱらバレーばっかりでしたが）
Last Sunday with them, they had birthday-party for Kayla at the beach!! I LOVED IT!! (I was playing volleyball most of the time there. hahaha)

日本でも、アメリカででも、再会が待ち遠しいです！ありがとう、クック家！
Either in Japan or in the states, I can't wait to see you again. Thank you Cook family!!