For the past 26 years, ACCTS has had a staff couple resident on Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan . Since they will soon be moving to mainland Japan, it's appropriate to report on the incredible ministry God has accomplished through their faithful service on the island. The following was extracted from their periodic staff reports on this unique family counseling and teaching ministry:

 

2010: We counseled three young Marines from horribly abused childhoods, by showing them how Jesus can heal them, and then make them into powerful instruments for God with life-changing results The ensuing ethics/Apologetics/ theology/ practical Christianity discussions we have on the boats going to the dive sites would make seminaries envious.

2011: Despite a fall resulting in surgery and physical therapy, we started a diving program specifically for those afflicted with PTSD. Several Christian doctors and active duty divers are interested in helping. We also led two Bible Studies for Japanese women, and provided marriage counseling for four couples and several wives of deployed service members, in addition to teaching Apologetics twice a week and ministering at the local Christian Center on Fridays.

2012: Visited Australia and the US over the spring and summer to raise support, visit our children, and attend the wedding of one of our "very special" Marines. Before and after our trip, we taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to 15 Japanese, using a Bible Study for the most advanced students. Two African men joined the class, and were profoundly influenced by the Christian teaching. Continued teaching Apologetics to 21 Marines, and was encouraged to hear how they use this training for evangelism in their work places. We also led a class on dealing with PTSD for 15 military wives, one of whom accepted Jesus and was saved from witchcraft! Our Bible Study in Mark has had a significant impact on the participants, and one of them has asked for individual discipleship to strengthen his faith.   We often help prepare Friday night dinners for 40 or more Marines and Sailors, and share teaching responsibilities with the Cadence staff for the lesson that follow.

 

2013: I have been disciplining a young Marine officer, taking young Sailors and Marines scuba diving on Sundays, and teaching an Apologetics class at church. Linda has a weekly Japanese Bible study at our house and teaches English using the book "Calm My Anxious Heart" every Monday. Linda continues counsel military families. We both lead the Saturday night singles group (mostly service members) at church and go to a Thursday Bible Study group, and are members of an "over 50's" small group on Sunday nights. The young Marine I meet with Monday nights is quite interested in ACCTS work in an Asian country we're doing work in. He studied the language at USNA. I think he'd be great!

 

20 14: We counseled innumerable Marines at all hours, saving many marriages and resolving problems for others.Gave at least 20 copies of "The Love Dare" to teach Marines how to love like Jesus before The Lord brings them a woman to love.We continue in Bible study every Thursday night, and God has used this time to restore another marriage. We cook for 15-30 Marines every Friday night at Hansen Christian Center from 6-10:30 pm, and teach the lesson every other week. On Monday nights, I teach Apologetics at Camp Hansen and Linda leads a Japanese Bible Study for 8 regular students. We have seen some miraculous transformations - one man has become our first Japanese Deacon! I was ordained as a pastor this year and have just been elected as an elder/ trustee of our church of 1000. It is humbling to be responsible to God for the growth of the many he has given us.

 

2015: Linda continues to teach ESL to Japanese on Wednesdays, and several o military wives have helped her.  She uses "The Love Dare" to teach them to love like Jesus, based on 1 Corinthians 13.  The results are amazing, as people not only came to know the Lord, but also to love and obey him.  On Thursdays, Linda teaches a Bible Study for 24 military wives.  When asked why each one was taking the class, they ALL had anxiety issues - many were depressed and experiencing panic attacks.   It was absolutely astonishing to watch God transform these women's' lives. We spend a lot of time counseling military members and their wives to address a host of issues. As an elder at our church, I also spend time with the pastors and the other elders tending our flock. (We're the overseers for a start-up church near Campo Hansen.)

 

2016: Linda has been teaching two classes, one on prayer for military women based on the movie, "War Room." The other is for Japanese women on "The Power of a Praying Woman." It is exciting to see them grow in the Lord and become obedient to His Word.  We have been in a transforming study based on "Making Peace With Your Past" and "Moving Beyond Your Past."  Six faithful military wives with horribly abusive pasts have worked their way through this teaching and learned the joy of walking daily with the Lord. Linda's ESL class now has about 70 Japanese - she uses "The Power of a Praying Woman" as a way of discipleship. In August we had the opportunity to visit Melbourne for the Parliament Bible Study. Brock spoke on "An Engineer Looks at the Cross," and we were treated to a fabulous Australian breakfast in the Parliament's gorgeous dining room (even as members of Parliament dashed in and out for various votes. God even provided an opportunity for some counseling!

 

2017: We have mixed emotions as we prepare to leave for our new assignment on mainland Japan after 26 years, but we continued to minister to various community groups through Bible Study, ESL, and Apologetics classes. We also supported missionaries from Grace Brethren who are developing animes (computer animations) to reach Japan with the Gospel. I was blessed to provide marriage counseling and then married a young Marine couple. We look forward to what God has in store for us at Camp Zama.