April Update

This year is moving right along, and it's hard to believe that summer is around the corner, we are looking forward to our visit to the states this summer. We will be there for 6 weeks. We have already purchased our tickets and getting everything ready to go. Below is our tentative itinerary.  The girls are looking forward to not only time in the states, but the Christian summer camp they attend in Okutama, Japan. This year Eilya is even able to go! This year we have been so blessed to have several visitors to Okinawa. We have had some people from the leadership of Team Expansion, Megan’s Mom and step dad, our friends from Tokyo, our friends from Sapporo, and last month Andy’s father is came into town for a week. Next month we have Megan's brother Daniel is going to come and serve for a month.
Classroom Visit
As the Elementary Chaplain, I not only get the opportunity to lead the chapel services for the Kindergarteners, Lower elementary and upper elementary, but I get to get involved with different events and activities. This last week I got invited to one of our 2nd grade class. The students had lots of questions about heaven, hell, and faith. So i got to spend an hour with the 2nd grade class. I gave a 10 minuet lesson on faith and believing and following a God who you can't see, and opened up a Q and A time. For second graders they had some very tough questions. Questions regarding the trinity, heaven/hell, consequences of sin, and the existence of God. It was such a fruitful time. The students have great questions that I think at some point we have all considered. I'm very thankful for the 2nd grad teacher didn't such down the questions, but gave the students a platform to ask them. 
Megan's Bible Study
We have some very exciting news. Megan has started leading a Bible study for some of the mothers of our student. There are currently 4-5 women in the study. It is a bi-lingual study. The women are all non-Christians except for one. It is a great group of women, and we are so excited for this opportunity. As you know there is a majority of student who are not Christians at this school, so the thought of influencing the children AND the parents at the same time is very exciting 
Seniors
The end of the school year is fast approaching, and with it comes lots of different actives. The seniors just had their Senior Banquet (our version of Prom). The senior class trip. Which Megan is leading most of the seniors to Taiwan to support a Christian orphanage (The Home of God's Love). Then shortly after that is the graduation.  
Needs for this summer
Summer is fast approaching, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone this summer. Trips back to the States is always a huge expense. We have already paid for the plane tickets, however we still have to cover a variety of expenses, notably, a rental car and lodging. If you feel led to help us in our trip to the states we would be grateful. If interested please see the contact & Support page.  Here is our tentative schedule for this summer 
Summer Schedule

• June 13 - Last day of school
• June 17-25 Joy Bible Camp for Mia, Naomi, and Eliya
• June 25 - Fly to Houston
• June 25 - 29 - Texas
• June 29 - July 12 - Oklahoma
• July 12 - 24 - Missouri
• July 25 - August 4 - Florida
• August 5 - Fly back to Okinawa
• August 7 - OCSI staff meetings