Mo Nakatsui

Steve Ogata

Harvey Moriyama

Wil Chew

If you are reading this blog, it's because you are interested in learning about what Harvey, Steve, Wil and Mo are doing in Thailand. You may have heard that they are building a source of clean water for a village. But more than that, they will be communicating the love of God to a village made up of 12 Buddhist families and 10 Christian ones.

They will be leaving at 11:55 PM on Thursday, April 16 and meet up with 12 ZOE ministry students and three ZOE staffers.  The 19 of them will be working with Integrated Tribal Development Program (ITDP) to bring water to the village from an uphill stream through pipes, clean it, and store it in a tank for use by the 82 men, women, and children who make up the village of Sa Per Day Kee.

More than anything they covet your prayers to God almighty on their behalf. To help you pray for them you will find attached to this blog a schedule containing information on what they will be doing each day they are away. Pray for them.  As you pray, remember that they are in a time zone that is 15 hours ahead of us who are in the Pacific Time zone.

If you would like to view our Itinerary for the trip, you can download the pdf file HERE.

By Pastor Terry Gee

After a sermon is over what do you do? You could think about what you’re going to do after church. You could talk to others about your NCAA Tournament Bracket once the last song is finished. Or you could just leave.

However, if you choose to do any of the above, you may be subject to a whisper in your heart that will go something like this:    …be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Perhaps we could benefit from a re-looking at our own post-sermon processes. Here are three things to try after a sermon:

1. Go to God

In Prayer - Pray in your seat right then and there. Ask God to work in your life and change your heart. Confess sin if you need to. Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart as you commune with Him over what you just heard.

In Song - Why do we have a worship song after the sermon? It’s another way in which we can respond to what we’ve heard, whether in praise to God for who He is or in contrition when we have seen our sins exposed by the word of God. Sing if it helps you respond to the word or just pray and let the words of the song and the worship of others minister to you.

2. Go to the Church

Dialoguing with others about what you just heard can be a helpful step towards having the truth of God sink into your heart and life. In doing so, you will not only benefit yourself but others also. Perhaps your brother or sister would have gone about their day without ever thinking about being a doer of the word apart from you asking, “What did you think of the sermon?” I hope that this question can be a regular topic of discussion for our church in the sanctuary and over lunch.

3. Go Into the World

Now is the time to go and forgive the person who offended you. Go visit your friend who is suffering in their season of life. Spend time with your kids and talk about how to grow in holiness. Wake up early on Monday and go pray for your workplace. Take the truth that God spoke to you and the conviction He has laid on your heart and carry it out.

            May God work in our lives as we seek to be not only hearers of the word, but doers as well.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (Ref. James 1:22,25 ESV)

Terri with the church school staff

by Terri Wong

It has been nearly four years since God called me to serve as the Church School Superintendent in the spring of 2011. Without a doubt, the Church School ministry at Evergreen SGV is absolutely amazing!  I am so thankful for the wonderful Department Heads, teachers and helpers who serve faithfully every Sunday for the glory of the Lord. They love God and they love the Evergreen SGV children. It is a privilege to serve alongside these humble servants.

Along with my duties as Superintendent, I get to teach the 3rd and 4th graders which I absolutely love. On Feb. 1 (Super Bowl Sunday), I taught the lesson on Moses and the Red Sea. The students were asked to name characteristics of God. Some words shared included awesome, cool, everlasting, great, incredible, joyful, merciful, kind and powerful. God created a path through the waters of the Red Sea to save the Israelites. Moses and the Israelites were so joyful that they praised God for His care, protection and power. The lesson focus was to praise God always, as He is the One who helps us in both good and bad times.

As I watched and cheered the Seahawks that day, along with most people from our church, I could not believe the end of the game. I was stunned and in disbelief. The Seahawks were set to win, right? But the team I was cheering for lost! I was sad for most of that evening, but was quickly reminded that God does not make mistakes. God is to be praised always – in good or bad times, through wins or losses. Yes, win or lose, God is worthy of all glory and our worship.

As a Church School teacher, I have learned and re-learned many lessons like this over the years. As the Superintendent, the Lord has blessed, stretched, encouraged, embraced and loved me and I am thankful for His faithfulness. God continues to show and teach me His ways are always good. A super lesson learned…again.

By Julie Miyake

The past few months, I've been seriously considering early retirement.  Most friends and family, especially my husband, Rickie, have been extremely supportive.  But I still felt I couldn't hear God's confirmation clearly. 

One night, I prayed for God to forgive my sins and cleanse me.  I asked Him to speak to me clearly.  Instantly, I heard a voice saying, "I want you to do MY work whole-heartedly."  Was that my imagination or really Him speaking? 

The next morning was Blessing Sunday.  I prayed and told God I'm leaning towards early retirement, and asked Him to confirm my decision, and show me opportunities to serve Him.  I saw an image of two double doors opening in the middle, with a bright light pouring through.  Then we went to church.  I was hoping for Frank and Joyce Salgado, our bible study hosts, to pray for us.  The line was long with so many people.  What were the odds we would get them when it's our turn?  Nearing the front, they were available but someone else was in front of us.  But when it came her turn, she told us to go ahead while she waited for her son. 

Frank and Joyce indeed prayed for us!  I did not tell them what I heard or saw in my prayers earlier.  While praying, Frank said he saw the Red Sea parting in the middle.  It was exactly the same image like the centerfold doors opening in the middle I saw earlier.  Instantly, I knew God spoke through Frank to confirm my decision.  Next day, I submitted my retirement paperwork. 

This morning, I shared what happened with Kay Carey.  She asked me to share my testimony.  I was bashful.  While praying, I heard the voice saying, "If Kay asks again, do it."  I was finding excuses.  I figured I wouldn’t see Kay until next week, and she'll have forgotten about this, so I was safe.  Shortly afterwards, Kay returned, and asked me again.  I knew then that I had to be obedient and listen to the voice.

I feel so peaceful with my decision after the Lord's affirmative confirmation.  I am really looking forward to starting a new journey this April.  On top of that, Rickie and I are excited to welcome our first grandchild this Spring!  God is awesome!!  He does speak to us.  All we need to do is ask.  And listen!