John and Etsuko Martin, former Nichigo secretary, along with their son Chris, are planning to return to missionary work in Japan in August 2011. The Martins have a burden for the more than 125 million people in Japan who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. They have served as a family in a variety of settings in Japan, including two universities, with a denominational "Christian Center," with several existing church fellowships and ministries, and in their home, using the gifts and experiences God has given them.  

Please keep the Martins in your prayers - for renewed energy, encouragement, and  effectiveness in their ministry to the people of Japan; for their financial and housing needs to be met; and for the people of Japan to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Greg and Carolyn and family, friends of Ken and Calina Okazaki, are serving full time in East Asia.  They followed the Lord’s lead, packed their bags and have been living there since October 2004 where they work primarily with students and families. They host a seekers study group for students and young adults at their home where their children are actively involved as part of the outreach.  They continue to work tirelessly to spread the Word and enormously appreciate your prayers, support and love.

Natalie Poon, cousin of Lisa Wehara, plans to intern until August 2011 with the Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and other campuses reaching college students with God's love by mentoring students and outreaching in the local community.  Natalie shared about her ministry during service in August 2010.  You can read more about Natalie’s ministry from

this link:    http://nataliepooninhawaii.tumblr.com.

Our Pastor Paul is planning to go on a trip to China in July  2011 for 2 weeks.  The group will primarily teach conversational English to minority tribe Chinese high school students.

This trip will be open to adults as well as college-age and older high schoolers.  Native English speakers, as well as Mandarin speakers are encouraged to participate.

Five of our youth and two leaders, Candy Takahashi and Brian Kawamoto, will be going on a youth mission trip from July 10 - 15, 2011.  Please pray that the Lord will use everyone in service to the Sioux people at the reservation and the light of Jesus will shine through them so that they will be a blessing to Jesus as well as to the people.

Jon Co, from Sturge, went on a short-term mission to the Orange County (OC) Rescue Mission from March 21 -25, 2011.  The Orange County Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization whose mission is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of our Community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care, and independent living communities.

Below is what Jon shared about his mission trip:

On a daily basis, my mission trip consisted of waking up at 7AM and eating breakfast, starting the first shift of work at 8AM, eating lunch at noon, starting the second shift of work at 1PM, and working until dinner time - 6PM. We worked a few jobs - consisting of kitchen work (cooking, cleaning, restocking), landscaping (beautifying the location), warehouse (organizing donations from outside sources), and the children's development center (similar to a daycare) - amongst the students at the site. Students were the people adhering to the program's criteria trying to better their lives with this second chance opportunity. For me, personally, it was astonishing to see how God truly blessed the OC Rescue Mission in the fact that it is self-sustaining and runs solely on donations. I felt encouraged by all the stories I heard from meeting certain individuals and it was amazing to see how God showed Himself in their lives. I was also glad that God was able to use me and basketball to reach out to a few of the students and build stronger bonds than just words, but through the use of a common interest. I really loved my time there and because the OC Rescue Mission is about 5 minutes away from my apartment, I plan to visit regularly and continue to serve in God's place.

Jerry Hom and Ann Omachi, from Sturge, served in Pokhara, Nepal in late October to early November 2010 on a medical mission trip through Project Compassion. 

They spread God's love by ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of all people, through medical outreach, and  supported the ministry of the local pastors (Sundar and Sareeta Thapa, of the Evangelical Fellowship of Nepal) and other missionaries.

Nepal is a country of about 30 million, mostly Hindu and Buddhist.  The life expectancy is less than 60 years, the average salary is less than $3 a day, and there is only one hospital bed per 5,000 people.  Christians make up less than 2% of the population, and are often shunned, undergo social persecution, or worse.

The Okada family, Paul, Mary, Anne, and Michael, from Sturge, went on a mission trip to Bangkok in October 2010.

The Okada family, along with Mary's sisters and parents, have supported a church in Bangkok, Thailand for over five years.  Mary's family led a Vacation Bible School at this church for the neighborhood children, and the Okadas joined them to serve together.  Mary's uncle and cousin are faithfully serving the people and the Lord as pastors in Bangkok. 

As a church, we donated Bibles to the church.

Christopher Bandy, brother of Michelle Bandy, completed his summer 2010 mission trip to Hawaii, sponsored by the Campus Crusade for Christ.  Christopher gives thanks to God for strengthening his faith while he has made an impact to other fellow Christians during his trip.  Below is his thank-you note.  You can also read his reflections (newsletter).

Randy and David Lee, father and son, from Sturge, spent 2 weeks in China on a medical mission trip in late June through early July 2010.