In Community:

June 2018 Newsletter

Welcome to the Neighborhood

by Pastor Craig Swanson

I think we are all aware of the problem housing has become in the Seattle area.  A recent report stated that over 1,000 people are moving into Seattle and surrounding cities every single week.  This not only stretches limited inventory even thinner, it has driven the cost of housing through the roof, added to traffic congestion and strains existing services.  It is also one of many causes of the ever-growing homeless situation.

Homelessness seems to be a problem without a solution.  As more services are provided for the existing population, new people come into the area hoping for help.  Our tech-centric economy has left many people unequipped to compete in the job market and the gap between rich and poor continues to grow.  The opioid addiction crisis is making efforts to solve the problem even more challenging.  The complexity of the issue leaves many who are working toward solutions feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.

One of the many organizations attempting to make a difference is the Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI).  They have sponsored “tiny house” communities across the area, staffed them with security and provided services for job placement and opportunities for permanent housing.

I was recently notified that LIHI, together with two other churches in the neighborhood, will be opening their next “tiny house” community on the corner of 18^th and Yesler in the near future.  There will be 38 units in this fenced and gated community.  It will be staffed with around-the-clock security and includes a “no alcohol or drugs” policy for the site.

Faith Bible Church has not yet been contacted regarding an official role in ministry to our new neighbors but at the very least we can be friendly and welcoming.  God has placed our church family here in the Central District to be salt and light.  Let’s all consider how we might show God’s love to those He brings across our paths.  The homeless have a special place in the heart of God.  Jesus identified with them, telling those who would follow Him that “foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head”.  How might the Lord use us to bless our neighbors and love them as we love ourselves?

ROCK Clam Digging

by Amy Li

The ROCK high school group events are starting to become a monthly feature for the FBC Grapevine but I hope you enjoy hearing what this ministry has been up to this year! As the school year wraps up, we are trying to fit in as many activities as possible, which just really shows how much we actually enjoy spending time with one another, ha–ha! The April event was our first ever clamming trip to Ocean Shores (thanks to the Rustia’s for offering up this idea!) which was a great success. It all started off with a long and late four–hour drive to the coast. We arrived at the beautiful house in a small town fit for a fairytale. The first night we just caught up with each other around a huge stockpile of snacks, because that’s one thing we never have a shortage of. Thanks to the ROCK parents who really know how to bake!

Although this trip was not necessarily as structured as our ROCK retreat in March, God was still working within our group that weekend as we all took a break from our busy schedules to just rest. Whether it was our traveling safety, overall provisions for the trip, the laughter, conversations, and late-night mafia games of blindly accusing one another, or the miraculous moment when Chris Jo caught his one (and only) clam on Saturday and his 300% yield improvement on Sunday, God was with us. But in all seriousness, I believe that God was glorified through our community-building because in community, we can be known and loved in a way that reflects how God knows and love us.

On Saturday, we woke up to the beautiful sun shining through our windows, the briny smell of the ocean, (even a morning run on the beach for some of us) and a hearty meal prepared by the breakfast crew. By 10 AM, we were all geared up to catch low tide, with our shovels and clam guns, adorning knee-high rubber boots or super stylish hip waders. We told the students (half-jokingly) that our dinner depended on the proficiency of their clam digging, so no clams caught meant no dinner. Now even though I admit I was a skeptic as to how digging around for clams in some muddy waters while completely covered in sand, could be as fun as people claimed, by the end of it all, I was won over. Roney and Sharon Rustia, who were our guides and instructors for the weekend, demonstrated the first catch of the day, as we all stood around gazing in admiration. We all wondered if we could do it as we started wandering the beach, poking at the ground. Some of us tried and failed, it seemed impossible… but then one person caught a clam, then another person, then another! All of a sudden, we were catching clams left and right! There’s a certain adrenaline rush that comes when you spot the perfect “dimple” in the sand, signifying that an unsuspecting clam is located underneath you, and you plunge the clam gun into the soft sand, quickly but carefully not to crack the clam. And then that perfect moment when you just know, you’ve caught it.

As we wrapped up, the scene could have been straight from a movie, like warriors exiting a battlefield, rain starting to come down as we shouldered our tools that had served us well, tired but satisfied, and proudly carrying our bounty of 175 clams, big and small, cracked and fully intact. We were soaking wet, with sand all the way up to our armpits, but with the biggest smiles on our faces. The next step of cleaning and preparing the clams for cooking was not as glorious. Opening them up, taking off the shells, and disposing the guts into our so-called “crud bucket” took a couple of hours, but we were able to enjoy the fruit of our labors, with delicious clam chowder, garlic butter sautéed clams, and katsu-style clams. At this point we were all tired and even a little weary about going out the next day, but once we got out there on Sunday, the feeling of catching clams was just too satisfying to resist. We went back at it again with gusto, seasoned professionals at this point, but with the mission of catching clams for everyone who made this trip possible.

Seriously, without the help of the Rustias and all of the families who contributed their tools and other supplies, none of this would have been possible, so thank you! And of course a thank you to the Kumai’s and Chris Jo, for being our fearless adult leaders and making these big trips run smoothly.

Apart from the clam digging, we enjoyed each other’s company by cooking our meals, going swimming, playing volleyball, and just relaxing together. Another highlight was Saturday night, as our heroes of the weekend, the Rustia’s, joined us again to break bread together, spend time in worship and hear Roney share a part of his story. It was encouraging to hear him testify of the ways that God has changed and transformed him over the years, in ways that even Sharon could attest to. He had uplifting and practical life advice for the whole group, regardless of what stage of life we are in. We even caught the last of the sunset on the beach that night, celebrated the two birthdays of Nathan C. and Stacie L. in our group (orange!), and finished off the night sitting around a fire pit.
Suffice it to say, this weekend was full. Full of activities but heart-filling as well. It was the last big “hurrah” for the seniors of the group who are graduating this year and will move up to the College & Young Career group this fall. As I spend more and more time with these students, I just can’t help but think how special this ROCK group is – they are a group of friends who really know how to invest in relationships. We give God all the praise for that gift of friendship and this beautiful weekend that will be a treasured memory for us all.

Senior Spring Celebration

by Kevin Chan

Whether you’re young or old, there’s definitely something about the sunny and warm weather that lifts our spirits!  Well, spring time is definitely here again for us all to enjoy!  And what can be better than enjoying a great time of fellowship in the name of the Lord?

Once again on the morning of Saturday, April 28^th, our fellowship hall was festively decorated and the kitchen was filled with delicious aromas awaiting the arrival of our guests.  The Seniors committee thought it would be fun to change things up again and came up with the following menu for this luncheon: garlic roasted baby back ribs, rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted vegetables, chili over rice, corn bread, coleslaw, fruit platter, and blueberry tart for dessert!

As our guests arrived and found their seats, they were quickly met with a cup of tasty punch by our young servers.  It didn’t take long to fill up the fellowship hall and everyone was ready to have fun!  Watson Louie introduced our guests to an ice breaker game called “What’s That Year?”  From a scrambled list of local interests, people at each table had to guess when they were established (founded or completed) and then set them in correct chronological order.  To be fair, the rule was no looking up information on smart phones.  Okay, did you know that Seattle is home to the world’s second gas station (better known as the “fill station on Pier 32”) in 1907?

Here are the rest of the answers: University of Washington – 1861, Boeing – 1916, Ballard Locks – 1917, Oh Boy Oberto – 1918, Garfield High School – 1920, Uwajimaya (in Tacoma) – 1928, I-90 Floating Bridge – 1940, Fuji Apples – 1962, Starbucks – 1971, Microsoft – 1975, Mariners Baseball Team – 1977, and the Columbia Center Tower – 1985.

Pastor Mike came up and prayed, thanking the Lord for our time together and asked for His blessing upon our food.  And our guests made their way up to the buffet line.  There are always great catching-up and fun conversations going on while people are waiting in the buffet line!  It was definitely great to see George and Linda Yutuc smiling in line!

After lunch, while most people were ready for a nap, Jim Spray wanted to introduce everyone to some “Cage Fighting Aerobics”.  What???  He wanted to teach everyone some boxing and wrestling moves, which can be beneficial in keeping you healthy and/or safe/alive!  But as usual, Jim had to start off with a joke, so here you go: There are two old men sitting on a park bench.  First man complained about all the aches and pains he’s feeling from just being old.  Second man smiled and said that he felt like a new born baby!  First man asked how’s that so?  Second man explained: I have no hair, no teeth and I’d just wet my pants!  Everyone in the audience laughed!

Everyone began by marching in place.  Jim called out Judy Fukuda for falling behind and everyone chuckled!  Everyone moved on to squats, punches and kicks.  Then combos of squats, punches and kicks!  Now wrestling moves: grab your own wrist as if you’re grabbing someone’s neck, then turn and throw them down!  Now punch and kick to the side!  Jim then called out Freddy Harris for kicking in the wrong direction and everyone chuckled again!  A few more squats to cool down, take some deep breaths and let it all out.  All done, go be cage fighters now, Jim yelled!  Boy, these are some tough seniors that you wouldn’t want to tangle with!

Dr. Gary Kato came up and said that nobody is allowed to fall asleep for the next five minutes, as he had important health information for everyone!  As he was telling a few jokes on stage, his wife (Rieko) passed handouts to everyone for reference.  Dr. Gary was the first Japanese-American doctor to do his residency at Swedish Hospital (his claim to fame).  He said that they really need to develop a memory pill!  After age 27, it’s all downhill for everyone when it comes to falling!  Three things have been medically proven to boost your immune system: blueberries, vitamin D, and red grapes.

Pastor Mike then came up and said everyone had to sing, as his father-in-law (John Nakamura) chose the songs!  He also shared some trivia related to three of the songs: Chattanooga Choo Choo (originally sung by the Andrew Sisters and featured in the movie called Sun Valley Serenade, later popularized by Glenn Miller), Don’t Fence Me In (originally sung by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters, featured in the 1944 movie called Hollywood Canteen)…Walter Fukuyama pointed out that it was also a very popular song for the Japanese-Americans who were at the Minidoka Internment Camp, Sentimental Journey (originally sung by Doris Day in 1945 and it was her first ever No.#1 hit), and Blessed Assurance.

We then had the privilege of hearing Kenji Kumai share.  It was also very special for us, as Kenji’s parents (Pastor Mike and Jinko Kumai) were in the audience.  Hey, here’s a little trivia on Kenji: He’s not quite a senior yet, as he’s only 50. He had chaired the Seniors Ministry from the very beginning and has set the foundation for much of what we do. And ah yes, most of the seniors simply want to thank him for introducing prime rib to our fall menu!

Kenji began by thanking everyone in the Seniors Ministry and all our senior guests for the past 17 years, as it has been such a fruitful ministry/outreach!  He pointed out that this is a celebration indeed for God’s work!  A slide show was presented; where we saw our kids growing up over the years as well as our seniors growing older.  We miss our seniors who have gone home to be with the Lord and we rejoice in seeing all the new seniors who have now taken their places!

Kenji was born in Quito, Ecuador while his parents were on the mission field.  He has an older sister (Grace Hitomi) and a younger twin brother (Junji).  Kenji had the opportunity to live and to grow up in Ecuador, Brazil, Japan and the frontier state of Alaska before settling down in Seattle.  Kenji and Jeanne (daughter of Howard and Betty Inouye) have been married for 27 years now and have two children, Rachel and Jonathan.

Kenji highlighted their early years in Brazil.  Before they accepted their post there, the Kumai family was promised electricity, running water, telephone, TV and all, but it was just the opposite when they got there.  Instead, they had to learned to live without all of that!  Kenji and his siblings learn to make pets and toys of whatever they could find: snakes, rats, armadillos, opossums, frogs, toads, piranhas, bats, wasps, butterflies, crickets, beetles, tarantulas, scorpions, giant centipedes, flying cockroaches and whatever else.  They were so good at catching theses critters that their science teacher paid them to harvest specimens for classes!  They also had to contend with serious diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and rabies.  Even though their family had brushed up with some very close calls, Kenji pointed out that God protected them!

Kenji briefly touched upon his middle school years in Japan, where his Japanese improved.  He also pointed out that his maternal grandfather made a great impression on his early faith in the Lord.  Then on to Alaska they went during his high school years.  It was the first time that Kenji and his siblings had gone to a public school.  Kenji admitted that he fell away from the Lord at this time, as his interest grew in sports and work.  And it was God’s grace and his parent’s prayers that kept him out of trouble.

Following their older sister’s lead and hearing that Seattle and FBC was so wonderful, all three Kumai siblings eventually made their way to Seattle for college.  They immediately got plugged into the ministries on the UW campus and the FBC college and career fellowship group.  They met their peers who were on fire for God and felt His leading to serve.  Well, then Kenji met Jeanne and the rest is all God’s doing.  Kenji said, “God is so good!  He had every step planned out for me!”  Jeremiah 29:11 is Kenji’s life verse.

Over all the years they’ve been married, Kenji and Jeanne have been serving together in just about every ministry here at FBC.  Their latest is leading the high school ministry since four years ago and they’ve been tirelessly doing it since.  Kenji has had to make a few career changes too, whether by his choice or not.  Again, he firmly believes that the Lord has planned out everything for him!

Kenji’s latest challenge is running, thanks to their daughter, Rachel!  They’re running races together and he talked about their last race, where he started out strong and then as the race went on…  Kenji started noticing that people were passing him up and it became humbling for him.  At first he noticed skinny young ladies in their 20’s started passing him up, then by men older than him, then by moms pushing strollers with babies, then by an over-weight lady, and then by two ladies in their 60’s.  Near the end, Kenji was humbled!  He just wanted to stay focused and finish the race (by finishing strong).  Kenji referenced Hebrews 12:1-3.

In closing, Kenji encouraged those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus as personal Savior to give his/her life to Him!  It would be the most important decision one can ever make, because it has to do with eternity.  All we have to do is to believe in Him, to confess our sins and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and we’ll be saved.  Kenji referenced John 3:16 and Romans 10: 9-10.  And Kenji closed in prayer for us.  Amen Everyone!!!