Yabuki Breeze Blog

July 2007 – (pictures) Every summer, a group of young Korean scholars descend upon Arlington for a one month program of English study and American cultural exposure. This year we had the priveledge of hosting almost all of these scholars at several of our events including our Friday night group. In fact, one night all of them came and dominated our group. We also had the privilege of taking them shopping and doing other things there were not able to do otherwise. It really felt like family with almost all of them. They came away with a great impression on Christians and Americans.

Lisa really connected with one of the students, S who is a Christian and had a real heart to serve the Lord. The fellowship was wonderful. It felt like we had a true sister even though we just knew each other a very short time… I guess that is what heaven is going to be like some day…

Tags: Culture, English, Korean Scholars, UTA

Luke’s Speeder, Obi Wan’s Light Saber, R2D2′s suit, these were just some of the things Roy, J-10 and two TCU students experienced at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Star War’s exhibition. Purple Cow milk shakes were also on tap for this trip. Also, just a week later, on July 4, Roy, these same two students from Italy & Korea and at least 25 others from many other countries enjoyed fireworks while sitting in volunteer Bab’s yard after a delicious Hot Dog barbeque. (Pictures)

Texas Christian University (TCU) is one of the campuses we are trying to develop a new ministry on in the DFW area. This summer, we are working hard to develop relationships with new summer students as they start their journey here in the States. Hopefully these kids will form the foundation for the next school year. Babs and volunteer leaders Bennie & Patti Moore and other students leaders have done a wonderful job of building the ministry at TCU.

Tags: 2007, July 4, Summer, TCU

Arlington Park Baptist Church had people who had a heart for international students. Many of them had much experience but they wanted to partner with ISI to more strategically reach students. Thus came the partnership that resulted in a special July 4 party for UTA ELI students.

Ron Bunyard coordinated ISI’s involvment with APBC Missions Pastor Robert Smith, long time international student lay minster Pot Samermit and Roy’s mentor Al Kawamoto and around 20 student and many more church family members interacted, played games, etc. It was a great opportunity to break the ice with several new students. The whole Yabuki family was able to be at this party of students and families.

ISI is always open to partnering with other churches and organization to reach international students because it is our goal to touch EVERY international student and we can’t do it alone.

Tags: 2007, Arlington Park, July 4, Ron, Summer

The glamor of a photo shoot… there is nothing like it… Last month Esther a Chinese American student volunteer who just graduated gave us a special gift. She  did a photoshoot of the family (photos). It was not the easiest thing in the world to do to get the kids to cooperate but She did a wonderful job. Praise God for this thoughtful student and her special gift to us. Please pray for her today as she is leading a missions team to Hong Kong this summer. Pray also for direction as she seeks God’s will for the next chapter of her life.

Tags: 2007, gift, model, photoshoot, Summer

As you know, Japanese are deep in the hearts of the Yabukis. While we must focus on all international students in our ministry, Japanese are still special to us. God is working in the metroplex with japanese. Here are two examples…

• Roy received a call from a woman who wanted to start a equipping conference for people ministering to Japanese. This turned into a lenghtly conversation which turned into a two lunch interviews about her joining ISI staff. She is a gifted and passionate woman who has a long track record in corporate America and entrepreneurship. She seems perfect to spearhead some of our technology initiatives and special ministry to Japanese.
• Roy & Ron met with a couple from Arlington Park Baptist Church to start a english partner relationship with three Japanese students. This couple and these students seem to hit it off. Roy had the special opportunity to help out with this ministry as a substitute teacher

Tags: Arlington Park, Japanese Ministry, Judy

July 2007 – (pictures) “International Students want to serve the community…” the conversation Ron had with the new UTA ICF president kind of went. Ron took that to heart and was able to set up a situation for them to work with Habitat for Humanity to help build a house for a low income family. Just that week, the small group the Yabukis’ are a part of at Fielder Road Baptist church were looking for volunteers for a Habitat for Humanity missions project. ISI linked the two and the rest is history.

The Habitat for Humanity trip with UTA students was well received by the students and the Americans. Our students were really touched by the experience and said they had a great time. For many of them, this is the first time they did this sort of work (e.g. painting, powertools, siding, etc.) These were believing and unbelieving students and many were touched by the opportunity to serve.

The Christian students saw a different way to serve the Lord. The unbelieving students were able to see Christian faith in action. It was a perfect match. Ron sees this type of ministry as an opportunity for future ministry to disciple Jesus followers and to expose eager non-Jesus followers to genuine Christian worldview in action.

Tags: Fielder, Habitat for Humanity, House, ICF, Ron, UTA

It has rained, and rained… and rained much of this summer. It has been very unusual in that way. In others ways its been fairly typical… Here are some of the exciting things the family has been doing this summer.

• The kids are out of school and enjoying time with mom… playing games… going outside, etc.
• J-10 went on his first weeklong Boy Scout Summer Camp. They slept in two man tents (in the rain) with his troop, hiked long distances to get around Sid Richardson Scout Ranch (SR2), and took a whole bunch of fun classes. In general he had a wonderful time. It was a proud moment when on family night, when we came up to visit, one of the scoutmasters told us how much J-10 blossomed as a person and as a leader. I can see that. During that same time, T-7 was the “Big Brother” in charge… and even the “man of the house” when Roy was at the ISI conference. He did a wonderful job learning how to do that. It was good seeing him helping with buckling his sister in and other things.
• Lisa ‘s Sister Becky and her family came out for the week of July 4. We tooks a much needed one week vacation Lisa planned outings every day including trips to Six Flags (it rained), a trip Athens and its fishery (T-7, C-4 and their cousins C and P caught their first of many fish there), etc.
• T-7 and Lisa were in the 152 entry strong Arlington July 4 parade representing Cub Scout Pack 323. It was awesome seeing them as such celebrity’s in the city.

Tags: 2007, Boy Scout, Family, Parade, Summer