Yabuki Breeze Blog

Here is a post from Dallas teammate Jeff. Good stuff.

Roy

Hey Gang,

I have some fantastic news! Johannes (Muslim student from Iran that has been attending church with me) trusted Christ as his Savior and Lord yesterday afternoon! Thanks, praise and glory to God! We met for lunch at Jason’s Deli and he prayed to receive Christ right at the table.  We had an incredible time and as the conversation turned to spiritual things, God opened the door to transition into the gospel and he was very receptive. I have been praying for him for the last few months and God was clearly working in his life and drawing him to Christ. It was so cool as I asked him if it was the desire of his heart to invite Jesus into his life and he said yes! He said he wanted to go to heaven and was surprised at how simpl e and easy to understand the gospel was. He thought it would be a more difficult and longer process to become a Christian.  The thing that was so cool was how God used my mom’s cancer to really speak to Johannes’ s (not real name) heart. His brother recently died from cancer and when we first met back in March, the fact that we both had loved ones with cancer connected us. Yesterday he told me that since his brother’s death, he had really been thinking a lot about heaven and hell and what would happen to him when he died. I shared with him how the Dr. had given my mom 3 – 6 months to live and that she was at peace and ready to go be with  Jesus. He then said that he didn’t have peace like my mom did, but fear because he didn’t know where he would end.

Tags: email, Praise, testimony

It has been a while since my last post. There have been many very time consuming projects afoot. Anyway, I wanted to post some things that have been on my heart but I haven’t had time to post. I am going to bring in some tidbits from our most recent prayer letter that share what is on my heart right now…

In many ways this has all the indications of being a very emotionally draining week for me and my family. So many difficult things happened (see Prayer needs below). There were some sleepless nights and lots more prayer than usual. Still, God is here and working and for that I am truly grateful. We have lots of huge prayer requests this week. Please pray specially. The next couple of weeks will feel difficult and the effects of the last couple of weeks will start to be felt.

Praises

• God gave our DFW team a wonderful, wonderful retreat. We looked at a new strategy for ministry for the DFW area that incorporates what we already do but looks to expand on it using a new paradigm. We will need some prayer warriors if this will work, but if it does, it could be really special. Let me know if you are interested in praying specifically for this for the next year in a concentrated way.
• I have been really blessed by seeing how my kids have been getting along at this point of the summer. I will miss the special times together working at home with them here when the summer is over.
• We had a wonderful banquet for the Chinese EMBA students at UTA where they got to hear from a wonderful Christian business man who spoke at their level and also they connected well with their friendship partners.

Prayer Needs

• Many of you have been praying for the Chinese student, N, who police are looking for as she has been missing since Saturday. There is no new news to report. Please keep on praying for wisdom on the part of the police and that she will be found one way or another.
• My grandfather in Japan passed away today. I did not know him too well as he was always so far but I do know he was a very special man who was a huge influence for my mother. I’ll never forget his wonderful laugh, his constant smile and his deep but simple wisdom. I just wish I could have gotten to know him better. I don’t believe he ever knew the Lord. That saddens my heart.
• My oldest son turns 13 this week. I can’t believe that that little boy who was little more than one year old when we came to Texas is going to be a teenager. In many ways I am so proud of him and yet I feel compelled to pray for him and all the kids every day. There is so little we control and so much we depend on God’s grace.
• We began our “Politics, international relations and religion” discussion group at Starbucks on Wednesdays two weeks ago. The first one had one Italian student. This week we doubled our attendance with the Italian student, an Iranian couple and myself. Please pray for good conversations about worldviews and stuff eventually opening up discussion about Jesus.
• We are winding down our summer groups and getting ready for the craziest month of every year when we welcome new students. At UTA alone there are over 600 new international students coming and we meet most of them in this busy month.
• Pray for wisdom on some financial and priorities things we need to decide on for the city ministry soon.

Tags: Big Howdy, Birthday, discussion group, Grandfather, international relations, Japan, Loss, missing, paradigm, police, politics, Praise, Prayer, Staff retreat, Strategy, Teenager

Here is a report from Ron Bunyard about of of the many students I shared about in the past. After one round of practice, I had the opportunity to talk about Christ and why I believe. It was the work of many people coordinated by God powered by the Spirit who made all this possible…

Praise the Lord!!! The first of our Chinese golfers has come to know Christ.  “Mark”, the first of our golfers who I began to teach two years ago has recently given his life to Christ in China.  We are grateful for the grace that God is pouring out on our ministry as we are faithful and obedient to share Christ’s love with students.  Please pray for “Mark” as he has returned to China and as he grows in Christ. “Mark” is a high level Chinese businessman who will have great opportunity to influence many for Christ.

The pictures is from the internet… not from “Mark”

Tags: Golf, Praise, Student

“awesome trip!!!!!” - Student

“I just want to thank you for the perfect weekend. We had a lot of fun this weekend and I am sure that none of us will ever forget this trip” – Another Space Weekend Student

(see pictures & video) This last weekend was a very special weekend for me. Over 100 international student from both the DFW area and the Houston area had the privilege of going to visit the NASA Space center and also meet an astronaut at this special event sponsored by ISI in both Houston and the DFW area. We left early Saturday morning for houston from campuses around the metroplex and after much traffic arrived at the Space center around 2 PM. We toured the Johnson Space Center, and enjoyed the museum. We then stopped for dinner at various restaurants in the area. Some of us ate pizza, other ate Vietnamese food, some hamburgers… I personally ate mediterranean food with some Persian, Indian/Kuwaiti, and American friends and had a great time learning about this new cuisine.

“The student went to meet the astronaut but returned with a new deep friendship with their host families that they will never forget.”- A staff colleague…

We then went to University Baptist Church where we met Astronaut Steve Nagel (he is married to Astronaut Linda Godwin who also was there and they were host families too). It was really cool when we arrived, the student got their first taste of the loving hospitality of their host famlies as the host famlies stood in a row a the door, expectantly holding up signs with their students’ names. It was an amazing gesture of love and care. For many of the students, this was first time in a Christian church and there were a bit of nerves. One of my Persian friends asked a lot of questions about churches… it seems the most prevelant question was, “what is the difference between the different types of Christian churches.”

After pictures with Nagel (see pics), the students hear a talk about his experience as an astronaut and about the space program and then the Pastor of the church gave a very well done presentation of the story of the Bible leading to talking about Jesus and who He is. It was genuine, gentle and yet all truth. The students were presented with the opportunity to receive a video about Jesus and we were touched by how many of the students took them. It was very encouraging. You could also see how the host families were already bonding with the students as they sat together and the “parents” really made sure the students know what was going on. This translated to some wonderful contact time between he students and their host families and they all went home after the presentation. I wish we all could have heard some of the conversations. The next day, when we all met together again, it was clear really bonding was happening.

The next day, after visiting the host families’ the students visited the churches of their host families and were exposed to “regular church” and we all went to the beautiful bay boardwalk city of Kemah to enjoy more time together and for lunch. As I walked with friends, it was fun watching the students and American hosts almost operating like one family. Finally, we met, took a picture and boarded our buses and cars to go home. One of the cool things that happened at Kemah… I was waiting with the host families coordinator and some of our team to be seated for lunch. The coordinator got a call from her daughter as we were talking. She took it and we found out one of the Korean students who was a regular part of fellowships had prayed to accept Christ with her host families. WOW! It really reminded us about what this is all about!

Another interesting story… The trip started in an interesting way. Before we even left, we weren’t sure we would have enough housing or rides for all the students. As late as Tuesday, I have seen God work in miraculous ways in this regard in the past but it is always nerve racking until the very last minute. This was no exception. The Tuesday before the trip itself, we had only enough beds for 80 people with 120 people signed up. We were prepared to have our staff and volunteers sleep on floors of people’s homes and in church gyms but we were still short on housing for the students. I even reserved a motel room for a few of our staff. By the time we arrived, we had enough room for all the students AND volunteers with some space to spare. I even HAD TO cancel the motel room…:-) It was amazing. The transportation issues were just as amazingly taken care of. As many of our partnering ministries, including BSM, Salvation Army, Church ministries, Campuses without even a student, student volunteers etc. came together and provided the needed transportation to bring these 100+ students down. It was truly amazing to see the Body of Christ working together to be the Body of Christ.

For follow-up, we have set up a facebook group where student, hosts, volunteers and staff alike can share pictures, videos, swap stories,  and there is already some traffic including pictures, videos etc. The friendships made on this trip will likely last for a long time. What an amazing trip! God is Good!

Tags: Astronaut, Houston, Praise, Space Weekend

Last Monday seemed like a bleak day. We were gathered for our monthly ISI DFW Staff meeting. Usually a good thing. But on this particular Monday, several things were weighing heavily over us. Little did we know that God was going to use this to grow our faith…

Our colleague Derrah, spend the last couple of weeks struggling with a medical situation with his mother Polly. This normally vigorous nonagenarian recently fell on a outing with her Sunday school class and then later again at the ER. This was very uncharacteristic of her. The result was a couple of hematomas in her head. Then they found out that the reason she fell was that she had a couple of silent heart attacks in weeks previous and a part of her heart and lungs were failing. Fearing a stroke because of the hematomas the doctors did not want to do surgery but her body had other ideas. She began to suffer from dizziness and disorientation. They couldn’t figure out what was going on. Bounced from the internist to the neurosurgeon to the cardiologist, it was looking bad and she was getting progressively worse. Some said seizures, others, pressure from the hematomas. About the only things they “could” do was surgery to relieve the pressure. Surgery seemed out of the question… She would not likely survive it. But, by last Monday, she was determined to have surgery to relieve the pressure. Whether it was successful or not, it would be a win for her… to be with the Lord or to “hopefully” get her functions back. So on Monday, we were praying for Derrah to have courage and wisdom to do the hard but right things in the spirit of her wishes.

At the same time, our colleague, Ministry rep, Pat Bradley had struggled through some things too. Earlier in the week she had heard from her doctors that they would not treat a condition that caused her constant pain because there was nothing left that they could do. She felt the need for prayer from elders. One of the other staff shared both of these needs with me and we decided to devote much of our meeting to praying for her and Derrah’s situation.

Be began by praying for Derrah, and then we prayed over and for Pat at our meeting. It was very intense. In addition, we have had our network of prayer warriors on both of these prayer needs for several weeks now. It was clear God was there. His presence was palpable and it was exciting. But at the end of the meeting, Pat got a call and we found out that her also nonagenarian father had a stroke. Oh man… we let her go and prayed over lunch for her. On Thursday, both situations came to a climax and we just happened to have our staff Christmas party. Neither families were there. While we had fun a the parties, we were all aware of the life or death situations going on in the lives of two of our compatriots… We prayed then too…

Then… we began to see God work… at the end of the party, we got a text message from Derrah saying Polly made it through surgery… Then we started hearing reports that she was progressing quickly. Pat shared with Derrah that since the prayer, her pain was much reduced. Wow… what was going on? God answering prayers the way we asked… in His will? Pat’s dad, while still very bad, was walking and stuff… she was able to be his advocate… By this Monday, the storm clouds, while still present, seem to have dissipated much in energy. Things are better… and God not only answered ours but your all’s prayers!!! Below is an e-mail sent by Derrah…

Dear Friends and Family,

God continues to answer prayer in unbelievable ways concerning my 90-year old mom (Polly Jackson). Tonight she came home with us—discharged from ICU to HOME! Five days ago a surgeon drilled two nickel-sized holes into her skull to relieve pressure to two large subdural hematomas. For the five days before that she could not speak three words together, remember anything, walk, or use her right hand… and more than one MD was ready to write her off at that point as incurable with brain damage and to send her to a nursing home to die! The hospital social worker met with me to arrange it. But God has other ideas…

Despite not having walked for 10 days, today she got out of bed at the Physical Therapist’s request and walked the equivalent of one city block unaided except by her walker. She took care of her own toilet needs, needed no more nursing care on her two head incisions, and was stable on all her meds and vital signs… so they let her come home! One nurse in ICU told us that instead of four DAYS, most folks who had what she had spent four WEEKS in ICU.

The hospital was full and there was no bed for her on regular nursing floors. Since she no longer needed ICU, and I asked the MDs what prevented her from coming home. They shrugged their shoulders, and I said, *Let’s make it happen.* And they did! So at 6:00 p.m. this evening, we drove mom home… by God’s love and grace… and in answer to your faithful prayers! The unbelievable happened. Her neurosurgeon was amazed!

How can we say THANKS sufficiently to you for your prayers and TLC? Simply give us the privilege of praying like that for YOU and your needs!

Below is a pic of mom taken tonight. Pam gave mom a pink cap a friend had given Pam recently to cover mom’s shaved head and keep it warm. Mom said, *I always wanted to be able to wear a ballcap!* [One of the reasons she made it to 90 may be that kind of positive attitude in the face of adversity!]

Derrah (for Pam and Mom too!)

Tags: Illness, Praise, Prayer

February, 2007

Dear Ministry Partner,

What has God been doing in your life during the first 2 months of 2007? It has been a challenging time for us, and yet the Father’s care is constant and His blessings abundant. Following are a couple examples of what’s been happening with ISI in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Spring Howdy

As the Spring Semester came along, ISI, its partner ministries and volunteers worked together to help the many new students arriving at UTA. This culminated in the Spring Howdy Party where over 200 students from 22 countries got together to celebrate the beginning of spring semester with line dancing and great food donated by local churches and businesses.

In December and January, Roy got calls from some of the student organizations on campus because they were short handed in picking up students from the airport. Roy was able to mobilized friends, ministry partners and volunteers to help with very short notice.

Students Learn About Their Calling – Urbana Missions Conference

I (Lisa) have fond memories of my first Urbana experience in 2003, so I was excited about participating again this year. Altogether 30 of us from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including ISI staff, volunteers and students loaded up in 2 church vans and 2 individual cars to make the 11-hour drive to St. Louis. This year the theme was “I Have a Calling.”

We were challenged from the book of Ephesians to see how God poured out His grace on us so that we could bring glory to Him through our lives. Different ones of our students were touched in different ways. Sam was challenged to pray for others and for the world, realizing that prayer is more than just asking God to bless us. Mari talked with reps from different missions organizations trying to see where God’s plan for her might be when she finishes school. Yoko, a recent graduate, made preliminary applications with a couple missions organizations. Irena participated in the HIV/AIDS track to learn more about how to minister to people with this devastating disease. All of us enjoyed the powerful worship.

There’s something electrifying about praising God with 22,000h 22,000
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se za?ne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

WP-Bible plugin people in several different languages. It kind of reminds me of what heaven might be like. As for me, I really enjoyed learning about the technique of manuscript (inductive) Bible study. I’m looking forward to trying it out this year.

Thanks to the many churches and individuals who helped make the Urbana scholarships possible. Altogether we were able to give 17 scholarships or partial scholarships. Urbana is only 5 days, but it is powerful and life-changing. Your investment will bear fruit in eternity!

Prayer Needs

• The transition of the day to day ministry at UTA from Roy to Ron Bunyard. This will enable Roy to focus more on his City Director responsibilities.
• God’s perspective in dealing with electronics that all seem to be breaking down at the same time (frustrating—we need patience to deal with this!)
• Roy’s work to get ISI recognized as an official organization at TCU (Texas Christian University).
• Good teamwork with the students planning the Spring Break retreat. Wisdom for Roy as their coach.
• Health for the family—T-6 and C-4 have had the flu recently!
• Revitalization of Friday night Bible study. The current group is not showing much spiritual interest.
• Wisdom for Lisa in dealing with a relationship problem with one of our students.
• Adequate monthly income to meet our needs.

Blessings

• Great time with our new Chinese friend Mr. Sun at the Maverick’s game.
• Fantastic Houston trip last weekend hosted by ISI staff in Houston. Seven UTA students participated.
• Jonathan will be getting his Arrow of Light (highest recognition in Cub Scouts) on Feb. 17.
• Two recent large donations to help us make up last year’s deficit.
• YOU. Yes, you are a blessing to us, more than you know. Every time you bring this ministry before the Father, you bless us in tremendous ways, and breakthroughs happen.

Remember that you can learn more about our ministry or make tax-deductible donations by visiting www.yabukibreeze.org.

Partnering with you to reach the Nations,

Roy & Lisa

Tags: Praise, Prayer, Spring howdy, Urbana