Nick's Japan Adventure

pictures/video

2009-05-16T07:28:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Here are some more pictures. I will explain in Nara we went to this park that has a lot of Buddhist temples and shrines in it. This is a picture of mike feeding the crazy deer that come really close to people. they are not afraid of anything. The picture of the suitcase is known as

"Big Birtha" the pictures

are of us leading worship

at Osaka church, and

in front of the English school

have a great one

Recap

2009-05-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry there has not been an update for a few days it is because the places we have been staying have not had internet. Ok so Monday we headed out to Osaka (3 hr drive) where we met Robin's old boss who owns an Grace English School. This is a place that is a Christian organization that teaches English to the Japanese people in Osaka. After enjoying a great supper we head to a little church where we did a mini concert and and gave our testimonies. The cool thing is that Kenji from the Nagoya church came up and gave us a hand he played both guitar and djembe, and he also sang a few hymns in Japanese. For me it was a really cool experience. A key verse for tonight is the one that says "where two or three are gathered God is there also,"(paraphrase) Even though there was only 20 people there including us it was a really cool service God really showed up. After the service we headed back to the school and went to bed. This was our last full night of ministry :(...

Tuesday the owner of the English School took us to Nara to do some sight seeing there is a beautiful park there that we walked through. It is a Buddhist park but it was very beautiful. In it there was the world's largest wooden building and inside of it was one of the world's largest statue of Buddha. After walking around and watching what this religion is all about I was so thankful that I believe in a God that I do not have to pay to say a prayer or that I question whether or not God heard my prayer. The God I believe in is a God of second chances you do not have to pay for his love, it is free. Something that cool was there were a lot of deer just walking around the park and walking up to people so they can feed them. At around 4pm Robin, Mike and I headed to the train station so we can go to Tokyo. We went to Tokyo for two reasons one so we can see the famous "crossing" where a lot of people cross 1 intersection from a bunch of different directions. We also went to Tokyo so we could stay at the World Gospel Mission house. Kevin is the person in charge of the house he is from the United States it was nice to be able to hang out with Kevin and hear his vision for Tokyo.

Wednesday was the LONGEST DAY EVER. I can now officially say that I have been in 3 countries in 30 hours. It was very tiring but I did it. Both of our planes were very smooth and safe. We arrived at the Halifax airport around 9:30 pm and I got home around 2 am. Due to the whole time change and what not I am writing this early Thursday morning. A praise note is we were able to get through all of the customs, immigration, and security very smoothly!! (Praise the Lord)

I just want to say thank you to all of you whole helped me financially, and who spent a lot of time praying for us while we were traveling and while we were doing ministry. I believe God used us in a powerful way this week to encourage these many churches and ministries we worked with. I would ask that you would continue to pray for the leaders of the ministries and church as they are going through a hard time. I will continue to post some more picture.

Thank you again & God Bless!!!

Nick

more pictures

2009-05-10T17:01:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

Here are some pictures from the last few days!

Sunday

2009-05-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's

Yesterday we had a great day. we headed back out to Gifu City for their morning church service. This was the same church that put on the service Saturday in the mall. There were 33 people in the service including 3 of us, 20 regulars, and 10 new people. The church was very excited to have the 10 new people show up. During the service we lead worship I gave my testimony and Mike preached. Mike gave an altar call and a lot of people responded. After the service we had a MASSIVE dinner. It seemed as though the people kept bring more food out. As far as food goes we are definitely tasting everything. During the dinner there was lots of people asking for prayer so it turned into a prayer meeting which was cool. After everything was cleaned up the pastor took us up a 300+ m mountain to a castle. It was really beautiful out today so we were able to see very far. On our way down the mountain the mountain before going on the tram the pastor treated us to a nice cold drink. Before heading to the train station we went in the tallest building if Gifu it was 43 floors, that seems small to us but all of the buildings are small here. Once arriving back to Nagoya we had some Japanese fast food which was really good. When we arrived back at the church where we were staying the young adults were having a party so we joined them, after dessert it became a worship service. Overall it was a really good day in the Lord. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, today we are heading to Osaka.

P.S. it was 32 degrees C which translates means 89.6 degree F It was EXTREMELY hot.

Many Blessings,

Nick

Video/picture

2009-05-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Kenji Playing a song in Japanese

And two little kids I gave Canadian pins to.

May. 8, 2009 - Saturday

2009-05-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

this morning we began our day FINALLY being able to sleep in till 6:45 and had some breakfast. Before practice Robin, Mike and I went for a little walk down the street where there was a market going on. At 10:30 we met with Kenji and another guy from the church where we are staying and practiced for the ministry today. It is cool some of the young adults for this church are going to help out the other church in Gifu. We spent some time playing both English and Japanese songs, with both Robin and Kenji singing.

This afternoon was a really cool experience. The church rented the stage in the indoor/outdoor mall to have a service, and to promote the service tomorrow morning. We spent some time leading worship and giving our testimonies. It was really nice the pastor spoke both English and Japanese very well. Overall, it was a great ministry for some of the people from the Nagoya church it was their first time doing ministry outside of the church. It was a very cool experience watching them talk with strangers.

Last night Robin took us around Sakae a city not fat form Nagoya and then we went up the tallest building in the Nagoya. I think it was 46 or 50 floors up. It was such a beautiful night out for walking around. Something we need to do because we are eating so much.

A funny note a couple of days ago while we were doing ministry the Japanese health organization called robin to see if we had any new sings of swine flu (which we don't) and then today they faxed papers to the church wanting us to fill them out, taking out temperature both morning and night everyday till we leave. The Japanese are very cautious people, even if somebody has a cold they will wear a masks. There is a lot of people wearing masks around here. I will post a picture of one of the members of the welcoming committee when we landed in Japan. These government people came on the plane and took all of our temperatures with a picture machine that apparently was used in the sars outbreak.

Alright this is getting long enough Thank you everyone for your prayers as we continue to encourage both Robin and the two churches here. This is a real learning experience and God is doing some really cool things.

I hope you all have a great day!

Nick

P.S. Ok, SO i have a hard time with this picture posting thing i will explain

#1 - The band getting ready to play with the Pastor introducing us

#2 - The health person from the government I did not get a picture of his white rubber boats

#3 - Picture of the group from the Nagoya church

#4 - Kenji and I doing the percussion thing, it was nice to have another drummer

#5 - The Band again!

Pictures #2

2009-05-08T17:34:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures the ministry ones are from the first night we were in Japan at the prayer meeting.

youth for christ

2009-05-08T15:06:00.001-07:00

The last few days due to the wonderful "Jet leg" we have been waking up at 4:00 am yes thats right and we are unable to fall back to sleep. I am please to announce that today is the first day that we are able to sleep in till 6:45 am because our bodies were so tired.

Ok so here are some pictures from last night's meeting with the youth for Christ group just outside of Nogayo. It was in a community high rise building and it was their first ever meeting. There was a youth ministry in the city before but then things did not work out. So this local guy (not sure of his name or how to spell it) who is a pastor and a local teacher in a school started the first ever Youth For Christ in Japan. When we got there we started to move tables and chairs because it was set up for more of a lecture then anything else, then we practiced some music and got the order of the night set. Because it was the first ever meeting of youth for Christ there was not a lot of people but it was good to be able to hang out. The Pastor was a very good communicator and a translator so it helped things go a lot more smooth. So it was a very good time, there was one guy we met who was a Japanese surfer, who also played the classical piano and harps. In this part of the country there is a wide mix of interests here for teens. But one thing that we found out is there life struggles are very similar. On the way home we stopped at the transfer train station and did some touristy things. We even had some good baked goods. Alright Today we got some cool things lined up so I will post some pictures tonight. Have a great day/night.

God Bless,

Nick

Picture #1&2 - Us playing some worship songs

Picture #3 - Us hanging out as usual and eating

Picture #4 - Mike and the Translator/leader while he is giving his testimony

A very Cultural Experience

2009-05-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

It is 4:53 AM on Friday morning, yes that is right we are up at 4 am, why you ask because of a wonderful thing called JET LEG!!!! So I am going to let you know of a very cultural experience we had last night. So we were invited over to a lady from the church house last night for supper so we went over and it was an all out dinner party. We first began the evening in the living room on the floor taking party in a Japanese tea ritual, we then proceed up stairs to another room were there was much laughter and singing. Then we went to another room where Picture #1 takes place. Picture #2 is of the plate of Sushi. That is a table FULL of SUSHI!!! Yes thats right RAW FISH!!!!! I like my fish BUT COOKED!!! so we were eating it slowly and the host came over and gave us something else and it made my mouth go on FIRE it was so hot. Lets just say Mike and I are going to take some time away from fish and go to trusty old McDonalds today for a nice Big Mac!

The 5th picture is of us eating supper and the 6th picture is a cake the host made one with a canadian flag made with strawberries, and the other with a Japanese flag made with strawberries. The Canadian cake had the chocolate with writing on it.

Yesterday afternoon we met Robin and did some walking around Nayago (i think thats how you spell it) and did some site seeing, the 3rd picture is the outside of a cool Buddhist temple, and the 4th picture is of the inside of the temple.

We are really having a great time, we have a really cool teen ministry planned tonight so I will write more later. We are having a blast, and learning a lot Thank you again for all of your prayers and support!

God Bless,

Nick (which means 'meat' in Japan) My parents must have been hungry when they named me!!

P.S. Sorry the cake picture did not load! Enjoy!

Pictures

2009-05-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

From left to right - The Pastor @ the church, Seggie, Mike

The Dinner table

Supper
Us eating as usual

Welcome to Japan!!!! - Tues/Wed

2009-05-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

After a VERY long time, we finally made it to Japan.

Short story:

- Flight delayed in Halifax

- Missed connection to Tokyo

- Stayed night in Newark hotel with $60 food coupons (free)

- 13 hr flight to Japan

- 12 hr day on Tuesday

- In Japan and started the night by doing prayer meeting

That would be the reader's digest version of the story, as soon as we got to the church we arrived to a welcoming committee holding signs and waving their hands. That was exciting, once inside we got changed and started the prayer meeting, the pastor opened up the service with some songs, and 3 of the members gave an update on their recent trip to Thailand and then we played three songs in English/Japanese Mike and I gave our testimonies, and then Mike preached. Giving my testimony with a translator was a little challenging but it was all good. Overall, it was a great service!

After the service a lady brought us flowers from her garden and we enjoy a traditional Japanese meal that consisted of beef, vegetables, rice, and fresh fruit. It was a very delicious meal. After that Mike and I head to bed after being away for 28 hours.

I forgot to mention that our Tuesday consisted of 12 hours due to the flight and time change. This is a lot of adjustments that but we are going to get through it. Continue to keep us in your prayers for safety and good health here are a few pictures.

I will post pictures when we return!!

Patience

2009-05-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

Ok so our plane was suppose to leave Halifax at 8:52 am this morning and we were supposed to be in Newark, NJ around 11:10 am to catch our flight at 1:15 pm. But that NEVER happened so here is how our mourning went:

- The screen first said the flight was departing at 9:35 am not so bad, we could still catch our flight.

- Then the screen said we were leaving at 10:10 am that would make us miss the ONLY connection flight of the day.

- We ended up leaving around 10:30 am and arriving at 12:00 pm in Newark.

- We get off the plane and talk to a very unpleasant customer service person and she arranged for us to get on the plane at 7:00 pm and arrive at 10:59 pm in Las Angeles and leave at 12:30 am tonight. This kind lady also gave us meal coupons for lunch. So after lunch we decided to go and double check to make sure everything was still A.OK so we went and the lady said we were going to arrive around 2:30 pm on Wednesday after staying the night in the L.A. airport.

- So after MUCH frustration and sorting out the kind lady (much easier to deal with then the other lady) not only arranged for us to leave tomorrow mourning at 11:10 am straight to Tokyo but gave us a free hotel room, and meal coupons.

- God is Good!!! he has everything worked out.

- So here we sit in the Hotel waiting patiently until tomorrow morning. I believe God is really teaching me a lot about patience on this trip. Everything from money coming in to waiting for planes. But in the end God is Good, He will never leave us nor forsake us!

Continue to check back I will soon be adding pictures, and more posts. Remember God is Good, no matter how frustrating the situation you are in is.

Many blessings to you,

Nick

Departure

2009-05-04T03:01:00.000-07:00

Today is the day,

I left my house in Saint John at 1:45 am and arrived in Sussex around 2:30 it is now 7:03 am and we are now waiting at our gate for our airplane in Halifax. Customs, and security both went really well and we were able to save money by not having to check money in. PRAISE THE LORD!!

From Halifax we fly to Newark, New Jersey and then on to Tokyo. We are expected to arrive in Tokyo around 1:15 pm, (not sure which time zone) Right now I am on free internet at the airport so as soon as I get another connection I will send more updates. Thank you again for all your prayers and support.

God Bless,

Nick

Update

2009-04-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say that I know have 1,240 with $760 left to get, my passport came today in the mail and we are leaving in 6 days. God is Awesome and I believe he will provide the rest of my money needed.

God is Good, All the time, All the time, God is Good!!!

More updates to come

Blessings,

Nick

Fiancial Update

2009-04-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

For those of you who have been on a mission's trips or are going on one and you stressed out about where the money will come from 'TRUST GOD'!!!! Here is my story;

- At first i had $150 for a long time (getting stressed)

- Then I received another $200 (was a little less stressed, but still stressed)

- Two weeks ago I gave God a piece of my mind in regards to money because I personally could not afford to pay for it and called the trip off. That day after asking SO MANY "WHY GOD WHY QUESTIONS" God provided $290 (God has a funny sense of humour!)

- So there I sat at $640 and needing another $1360 in order to go. So again, I began to ask more why questions to God.

- Yesterday I was very stressed out about a lot of things and the money being one of them. While working yesterday a nice kind lady came in to buy some carpet and we began talking about church, school, and the trip, after talking she left and that was it.(so i thought)

- This morning I arrived at work to find out there is a message on the other departments phone from this kind lady (Esther) for me.

- So I called her back and we talked about her carpet she had bought and she stopped me and said (but that is not why I am calling) she would go on to say that on her way home to Sussex she had a prayer time and God told her to help me out with my trip. She asks me am I able to get a receipt? I said yes, she says "I just sold my house and made a little extra money, would $500 help you." I said Yes.

Thank you Esther for following God's leading in your life!"

The cool thing about this is I did not send her a letter and I have NEVER met her in my life until yesterday morning! Talk about a divine appointment set up by God.

- I am pleased to announce that I now have $1140 with only $860 to go. I am believing and trust that God WILL provide.

Blessings to you all,
Nick

Update

2009-03-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

I am sorry for the long delay for an update. I would like to say the tickets have been purchased we leave on May 4th and return May 13th. I am trusting that God will provide the rest of the money. He is never late but right on time. Next step is to get the pasport up to date. Thank you to all of you who continually are praying for me, and are supporting me. The next posts will be a little more frequent.

Many Blessings,

Nick

Raising Support

2009-02-08T11:25:00.001-08:00

Hey Everyone,

As I begin to send out support letters, people can support me in two ways:

1) Prayer - without prayer and God's hand on our trip spiritual things are unable to happen. We need God to be part of our trip all things are possible through Him who gives us strength.

2) Financial - This trip costs $2000 cdn I am having faith and believing that God will provide that money so I am able to go.

So what will we be doing?

Thanks for asking, We will be working with Robin White who is a missionary in Japan. We will also be working with a college and university, as well as 2 local churches. This is a door that I believe God has opened for me. Please continue to pray for me as I prepare to endeavor on this new adventure that God has planned.

Thanks again & God Bless,

Nick

Welcome

2009-01-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

As I begin planning, and raising support for my Trip to Japan feel free to check back here for updates on how things are shaping up. Blessing to all of you. More to come soon!

Nick