Joel & Kelly Kaylor

 (This blog is inspired by a quote by D.L. Moody that my brother Steven quoted during his sermon on Sunday at Hope Church.)

 D.L. Moody once said, “If God be your partner, make your plans BIG!”

Is God your partner in every way of your life?

How big are your plans?

Do you live (make decisions, plan and act upon) based on God being your partner?

Do you live every day based on your BIG plans with God as your partner or are you just getting by?

Try this exercize:

1. Imagine the BIGGEST plan that you can think of if God really is your partner and there was no way to fail.

2. Now read Ephesians 3:20

New Living Translation: Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

The Message: God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Make your plans as big as possible for God and His Kingdom (His Church) and He will make sure to fulfill your plans beyond your “wildest dreams” for His glory (v21).

 How BIG are your plans?

This past week we celebrated Elisa’s 10th birthday. It is so hard to believe that 10 years has gone by since she was born. I specifically remember the day when she was born (almost by the minute). 2:21am on April 25th. She was in my arms literally less than 5 minutes after she was born! Now she is a “big” girl quickly turning into a beautiful young lady. However, she will always be Daddy’s Little Princess!!

Here is what we did for her birthday:

Family and Friends birthday party on Monday. We invited family and friends from church over for appetizers, games, cake and ice cream. Kelly made this incredible iPod cake. Even with our microwave size oven she manages to create magic with her incredible baking skills.

On her actual birthday she was able to have whatever she wanted for breakfast. She chose waffles and ice cream.

On Saturday the four of us went out to eat for our very own celebration.

 PHOTOS OF ELISA’S BIRTHDAY WEEK

SPRING IN JAPAN

We are blessed to live near a road lined by gorgeous sakura trees.  The cherry blossoms came into full bloom the first part of April. Despite it being a very busy month, we managed to take a walk along the road and take some pictures.

In Japan, it is tradition to have a picnic underneath the sakura blossoms every spring.  This is called hanami.  While Joel was in the US, the kids and I went to a nearby park, ate our picnic lunch, played games, and took some pictures of the beautiful spring scenery.  I was surprised at how many families were there.  We also got to talk to some children and their parents which was a great way to practice Japanese!

(Japanese families enjoying Hanami)

OSAKA WEDDING

While Joel was in America, the children and I traveled down to Osaka for a friend’s wedding. We traveled with our good friends, Kenji and Sachiko Nakamura and their two young boys.  When you look at a map of Japan, the distance between Tokyo and Osaka doesn’t look far but it took us about 10-11 hours each way.  Needless to say, we were very tired when we arrived in Osaka.  The wedding took place at JHouse, a growing church near downtown Osaka with the reception immediately following at a nearby restaurant.  Receptions in Japan are very elaborate.  Dinner involved seven courses with the next course being better than the last.  First on the agenda was the cutting of the wedding cake.  The mothers of the bride and groom were the first to cut the cake and feed it to the bride and groom respectively.  Afterwards, the bride and groom fed each other the cake.  An interesting twist to a wedding tradition!

The wedding was a great time to see PBC alumni from the past 10 years.  It is always amazing to me how City Bible Church has been able to impact Japan through the lives of so many Japanese students who attended PBC.  We returned to Tokyo the next day after hearing many great reports of what God is doing in Japan.

JOEL’S TRIP TO SEATTLE AND PORTLAND

During spring break, 25 youth from Hope Church attended The City Church’s youth conference. I was asked to go as one of the interpreters and drivers. It was an understatement to say that it was a privilege to go with 25 Japanese youth that are dedicated to what God has for them. They are all the leaders of Japan! It was so rewarding to see every one of them touched by God. On a personal note, it was a very strategic time of focusing on God for my ministry and future in Japan. God specifically spoke to me at every worship service and session regarding what He is doing in me now and in my future. THE BIG TAKE HOME LESSON from the conference: God always matches and exceeds your expectations. The more specific you are in seeking God, the more specific He will be in meeting you and speaking to you.

I took a short 48 hour trip to Portland. While in Portland I had a “Japan Vision and Reporting” Meeting for our supporters there. Thank you to all of you who showed up. I was overwhelmed by the turnout and deeply moved by your love and encouragement! While in Portland I was also able to meet with Bob & Sharon Wagar (City Bible Church Missions Pastors) and Frank Damazio (City Bible Church Senior Pastor). Both of these meetings turned out to be very strategic in receiving wisdom and guidance in how Kelly and I are to move ahead with plans to plant a church in Osaka. Only God could have worked these meetings out.

I can honestly say that every hour in Seattle and Portland was productive as I also had a detailed shopping list that Kelly gave me. I was also able to stop by some of my favorite places to eat: Thein Hong (twice in one day. Can you say “Pepper Salted Squid”?), Pho Van, Karma Café and Elmer’s (good ‘ole American breakfast).

JAPANESE SCHOOL 

Elisa and Joshua started school this past week. I think we as parents were more nervous than they were.　With teachers the school has over 1500. Elisa and Joshua are the only fair haired students.  This makes them very easy to spot in the huge crowd! Both of their teachers seem patient and willing to help in any way they can.  Joshua’s first grade opening ceremony is considered very important.  Both parents will take time off work to attend and will dress up. The boys will wear suits and the girls will wear dresses. The first grade students enter the gym holding hands with another student, walking under an arch held by the sixth graders while accompanied by the tune, “It’s a small world After All”.  There is of course many picture taking opportunities.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekaylors/sets/72157604469683761/

Elisa and Joshua have a 15 minute walk to and from school everyday.  Usually several students will walk together but it is not uncommon to see a first grader walking by himself to and from school.  That is why all students are given a battery operated buzzer which emits a very shrill sound that is supposed to ward away “bad people”.  They are also given a sticker to put on their backpack that says they are in possession of the buzzer.  I’m not really sure if that puts our minds at ease or if it instead drives us to think of what could possibly happen.  I am glad to know that my children are in God’s hands!

FROM WHERE WE STAND

ELISA

Hi! Elisa here! About a week ago I had my first day of Japanese school! I had a great time. In my class there are 38 kids including me. It is so cool. You have special shoes to wear and special backpacks to wear and stuff like that.　Today I did P.E. That was fun. I used to sit in the front of the class but now I sit in the back of the class. I don’t know how I got switched over there but I like it anyway. This picture above is a picture of me in class on the first day. (Notice I am still sitting in the front row) In my school, there are 6 grades (1^st grade~ 6^th grade) and there are 1442 students in the school. This school is the biggest school in Japan. In my grade( 4^th) there are 7 classes. I am class 5. In Joshua’s grade (1^st) there are 7 classes just like mine. But he is in class 2.  

JOSHUA

This is me at my first day of school.  My teacher’s name is Sato Sensei.  I sit beside a girl named Matomi Suzu.  She is Japanese but was born in Fiji.  Every morning the sensei says “kiritsu” and then we stand up and say “ohio gozaimasu”.  I am learning how to play the drums.  I already know two beats.  My cousin is teaching me and he is very good at the drums.  Sometimes he plays the drums for worship.  My favorite worship song is “Open up the Sky”.  I want to learn how to play the drums for that song!

Can you guess which five star hotel we are in?  This is actually a picture of a bathroom at a rest stop along the highway to Osaka

These buttons are actually a part of a toilet. This is very typical of modern toilets. To name a few of the functions, there are buttons that control the temperature of the seat, water pressure of the water jets (in lieu of toilet paper) and a button for music to drown out other soundsJ

SUPPORTING THE KAYLORS

We are completely relying upon financial support from individuals and churches that are partnering with our vision of raising and releasing leaders that will build and strengthen churches in Japan. Living in Japan is NOT cheap, but we have experienced God provide in amazing ways. If you have been supporting us we are so grateful as we wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing without you. If you have not supported us financially, would you prayerfully consider partnering with us? Imagine being a part of reaching Japan?

To Contribute Financially

(all financial contribution is tax deductible through City Bible Church)

1.Secure Online Giving at

A)www.CityBibleChurch.org – click on “Online Giving”

B) www.TheKaylors.org/support and follow instructions

2.By check payable to:

City Bible Church

9200 NE Fremont

Portland, OR 97220

Note in the memo line: Joel & Kelly Kaylor-Japan

I follow the blogs of several people and one of my favorites is Perry Noble. He wrote a blog a few days ago that perfectly described what Kelly and I are feeling in terms of the vision that God has given us about Osaka and Japan. He answers the question ”How do you know if your vision is from God?“.  I can’t say that I have experienced every point Perry mentions, but I was I so encouraged that I decided to post it. So here it is. Enjoy and hopefully it will encourage, stimulate and challenge you with the vision that God has given you.

How do you know if your vision is from God?

by Perry Noble

Great question…here are a few suggestions…

• If you feel confident that you can accomplish what is in front of you with no problem at all…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If no one is angry at you…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you don’t have to ask anyone to sacrifice to make the vision come true…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If religious people are not steaming at you, blogging about you and/or leaving your church…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you have the money in the bank to do what God has asked you church to do…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If every step is perfectly designed and nothing happens to totally throw you off along the way…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If someone doesn’t try to talk you out of what you are about to attempt…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If you don’t stay up at night thinking about the vision…then you didn’t hear from God.
• If your vision is in contradiction to God’s Word…then you didn’t hear from God.  (And no, you didn’t get a “special revelation” that gave you permission to trump His Word!)
• If you know all of the answers…then you didn’t hear from God.

Those are just a few things that came to mind.

—-

WOW! Thanks Perry! May we all hear from God in what we are supposed to do and give our lives to fulfilling our vision from God.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

(there are a few videos at the end of the photos)

This was the first week of school for Elisa and Joshua. The Japanese school year starts in April. The reason is because of the “new life” that starts to appear in the Spring time. I am not sure if that is the real reason, but it sounds good:) Cherry blossoms are everywhere.

 I am so proud of Elisa and Joshua. Both of them took on this challenge as if it wasn’t a challenge. I was born and raised in Japan, but I have never been to a Japanese school. There were so many things that I don’t know about attending a Japanese school. Our whole family literally walked into the realm of the unknown this week. Even though I speak the language there were times I felt like I didn’t know the language. I told Kelly that I have a whole new appreciation of what she goes through every day. Having said this, Elisa and Joshua went to school like it was normal! They really are troopers. Imagine being the only Caucasians in the entire school (1442 students) let alone your classroom!

 The school is the largest in the prefecture and they said it is also the largest or the 2nd largest school in the nation.
Enrolled students: 1442
Teachers and staff: 83
4th & 1st Grade has 7 classes each.
Elisa is 4th grade, 5th class, front row.
Joshua is 1st grade, 2nd class, back row (I have no idea how they decide who sits where).

This school has a very good reputation in the region and is very popular. It also has a very good “returnee program” which specializes in students that don’t know Japanese, which is perfect for Elisa and Joshua.

ELISA’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL was on Monday, April 7th. She just finished 4th grade in homeschool, but because of her birthday she started Japanese in the 4th grade. Her first day of school included registration, going to the gym for the first school assembly, getting settled in the classroom and instructions from the teacher.

JOSHUA’S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL was on Wednesday, April 9th starting in the 1st grade. First grade entrance ceremony is a VERY big deal in Japan. As you can see in the photos everyone dresses up including all of the first graders. The day consisted of registration, going to the classroom, marches into the gym where the parents and teachers were waiting for them (see video on flickr), entrance ceremony that lasted about an hour, parents and the students went back to the classroom to be introduced to the teacher, take roll call, and receive instructions from the teacher.

I want to say this again. Kelly and I are sooooo proud of Elisa and Joshua. They have been a source of encouragement to me this week. When I am faced with new challenges and lots of unknowns, I will be reminded of how Elisa and Joshua just marched right into the crowd of 1442 as though they owned the place! Amazing what your kids can teach you!
 

I have to do this blog. Kelly and the kids were at the airport to pick me up at 5pm on Friday. AHHHHHHHH! It was soooo good to see my family. I missed them so much. Kelly is one amazing hot woman! I am so in love with her! She amazes me everyday! I am so proud of Elisa and Joshua. They are the greatest kids in the world.  

How would I function without my family? Answer: I CAN’T!!

 I got back from Seattle and Portland last week and I hit the road running. Sorry it took so long to get this blog out.

Here is a what my schedule was like this past week:

• Landed in Tokyo at 5pm on Friday
• Rushed straight to Hope Church for a weekend special conference with Dave Patterson from The Father’s House.
• Monday was Elisa’s first day of school.
• Spent most of Tuesday figuring out everything about the kid’s schooling.
• Wednesday was Joshua’s first day of school.
• Thursday I went to a planning meeting for the Passion World Tour. They will be during an one-day event in Tokyo this October and it looks like I will be involved.

Okay, back to my trip to City Church Generation Conference. We took 25 youth from Hope Church to attend this conference. The conference speakers included: Christine Caine, Joel Stockstill, Beney Perez, Judah Smith and more. The worship was lead by Jonathan Stockstill and the Deluge band. Every worship service and every session was powerful. I was incredibly touched and God spoke to me very specifically on the first night. If we went home after the first service it would have been worth the trip, but every session after that just kept getting better. Here are some my highlights from the trip to the City Church Generation Conference:

• God specifically spoke to me at every worship service and every session regarding what He is doing in me now and my future (specifically regarding Osaka).
• Watching every one of the youth that we brought get touched by God in very powerful ways. There is nothing seeing Japanese young people (future leaders of Japan) dedicate their lives to God and be touched by God!
• THE BIG TAKE HOME LESSON: God always matches and exceeds your expectation. The more specific you can be in seeking God, the more specific He will be in meeting you/speaking to you.

Recapping my trip to Portland:

• Katsumi and I took 48 hours (literally) and went down to Portland, Oregon and City Bible Church.
• Met up with my missions pastors at my favorite Vietnamese restaurant and shared with them about our transition and our future plans in Osaka!
• Had a “Japan Vision Meeting” where I invited my supporters (prayer and financial support) for a time to give them a report on our transition, what we are doing now and our plans for the next 2 years. I was overwhelmed at the standing-room-only turn out!!! There was such a buz and excitement in the room that no one could drum up even if you tried. WOW! Kelly and I are sooooooo blessed to have such incredible supporters! Without them we would not be able to fulfill our calling in Japan.
• Completed the 3 page shopping list that Kelly had prepared for me (she is so organized). Believe it or not, I enjoyed doing this as it was all about pleasing Kelly. It was the least that I could do as she stayed home with the kids. By the way, a huge thank you to Rebekah, Joyce, Stephanie, Kelly (not my Kelly), Katie, Cheryl and Nathan for helping me complete the shopping list.
• Katsumi and I finished off the 48 hour stay in Portland by having a big breakfast at Elmers.