Susan’s Love and Persistence Pays Off!
Dear Unified … family,
I received this testimony from Susan K. Susan is right! God now lives in a portable tabernacle and He goes whoever you go! I love the concept that the whole island is one big church! A church without walls!
Enjoy!
Blessings,
Dean
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Hi Pastor Dean,
This goes along with what Paul Uyeda shared, that instead of inviting people to church, we are now going out to them. Couple days ago I was talking with Kwang-suk on my cell when it was my turn to order coffee at Honolulu Coffee Co. She said, Oh that’s your church. Marie, the manager was taking orders so I said to her, my friend says this is my church. Maria smiled because I prayed for her at a critical time when she was going to have a “pow-wow” with her son. God changed her son’s heart and the next day she told me the time “went good.” Another time I’d told Marie, who’s from New York, that I pray for HCC that God would bless it and prosper it. There’s a good ambience there, and I believe it is God’s presence…so it has to be church.
As I’ve thought about the implications of what Paul said, I’ve been feeling that wherever I go is now church. Today at the beach, I saw this place differently. This is my church. This whole island is my church. We simply removed the walls and I feel a sense of ownership.
On Monday I was at HCC waiting for my coffee when I noticed the guy from Palolo Valley whom I shared about at pre-service last year. At that time he was not open to being blessed and frowned at me. But I’d pursued him by telling him I lived in Kaimuki, which led to a little strained casual conversation. Since then I’d seen him one other time when he actually smiled when I said hello. This week he waved me over and told me to come sit down and we talked for 40 minutes. Is God good or what! He’s retired from teaching band at Iolani and public schools. He’s played with the Royal Hawaiian Band and the Honolulu Symphony. In the course of conversation, he mentioned some physical problems – diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea – so I asked him if I could pray for him. Praise God, this time he smiled and said, yes, he could always use prayer. I was jumping for joy inside. Wow, God wants this guy in his family and has been working in his heart. So everybody who reads this, please pray for Alan (’64 Roosevelt grad). He was not open to church the first time around, but this week he was at my church at HCC. God sure has a sense of humor.
Susan
Testimonies are Back!
Dear Unified … Family,
I have been offline for a while, busy, traveling, and recovering from jet lag. People have been asking, Where are the testimonies? I enjoyed reading them. So let’s get them started up again! Don’t forget to send them in as we are archiving these stories for our records and to be faithful to celebrate our Lord. Send them to pastordean@unifiedhawaii.org.
Here are two miracles from Annina!
Enjoy!
Pastor Dean
PS: David Demian is returning as our guest speaker tomorrow. Come prepared for another God encounter!
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This past August 2011, when I was in Finland I received a call from Ken-Wai telling me that our sister-in-law, Lina, had just received news from her doctor that she had stage IV cancer in her soft tissue. Not much hope was given to her. She and her husband, Wayne-Wai made a quick decision to get help outside Hawaii, and within a few days they had closed their home and flew to the Anderson Clinic in Houston Texas.
In that short international call from Hawaii to Finland, Ken-Wai and I felt strongly that the Lord wanted us to believe something extraordinary, but we had no idea what. We joined our not so perfect faiths together, and started to believe and speak out that “mustard seed faith can move mountains, and all things are possible with God.”
Wayne-Wai and Lina arrived in Houston on Thursday evening, a week ahead of their scheduled time to meet with the specialists at the Anderson Clinic. Friday morning Lina woke-up with a high fever and she was rushed to ER at the Anderson Clinic. One of the doctors decided that her treatment should start right away, and not to wait for the scheduled appointment. Her diagnosis was not good; the cancer had advanced and attached itself to her organs already.
For the next 5 months, Lina received five high dosage chemo treatments; she was in and out of the hospital and experienced many serious setbacks. The doctors never really gave her any assurance that things would get better. It would be one day at the time. Meanwhile, the Lord had encouraged Ken-Wai and I to speak His truth into the situation. The Lord frequently reminded us that He can use ordinary people’s faith to make miracles. I would wake up in the mornings with thoughts “The Father’s Kingdom is here, and His will is done in Lina’s life as it is in Heaven.” There is no sickness in heaven, so that must mean Lina is not sick. We would call and write cards to Lina, and encourage her that all things are possible with God.
When we were not seeing a healing miracle as we had been expecting we were struggling with our faith, starting to doubt if we had heard correctly or was it only our wish. As you are aware, Ken-Wai and I see things pretty much black and white; it is or it is not. We needed to make up our minds as to which was more real the doctors’ opinion or the Lord’s. Through those months, we have to remind ourselves, ”no turning back to unbelief”, we were asking God to burn the bridges behind us so that we cannot go back.
All along the journey, the Lord had shown Lina enormous favor; she was weak but her tumor was getting smaller, and finally there was a decision to remove the tumor. Lina was informed of the seriousness of the operation and that in most likelihood the surgeons have to remove some of her organs and the possibility of a normal life might not be an option. And there would be another risk. If they are not able to remove the large cancer tumor in one piece, the cancer will spread quickly through out her body. Lina went through an operation of over 13 and half hours.
After the operation, the surgeon talked with my brother-in-law Wayne-Wai and told him that the operation was a miracle. They did not have to remove any of her organs and they got the whole tumor in one piece. Lina was healing super-fast from the operation. Praise God, Lina is returning home to Hawaii March 22nd, cancer free. My brother-in-law thanked us for not giving up on Lina’s miracle, and he also said that this experience has made him a believer.
I wanted to share this testimony with you, Pastor Wayne, because this is an example how the Lord can use ordinary people with not so perfect faith to accomplish extraordinary things. I felt this testimony would encourage LMI Monday Night Ministers to continue to pray and believe in the supernatural realm.
There is another big miracle that is attached to this is one: About a year ago, I was asked by Pastor Kerry what would I desire the Lord to do in my life in 2011. I asked the Lord that Ken-Wai and I would come to the place where we can minister together. Lina’s healing miracle is the first fruits of our ministry together.
Blessings,
Annina
Even Seniors Have Chicken Lines To!
Dear Unified … family,
The seniors are chiming in! Even seniors have chicken lines to!
Remember, tomorrow night you will have the opportunity to cross chicken lines in a flock. If you want to go out as a group meet at the church at 6:30 pm. There will be a Treasure Hunt led by Paul and Betty Uyeda! If you enjoyed crossing your chicken line alone, try doing it in a group. Wow!
Blessings, Pastor Dean
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Hi Pastor Dean,
This is my story. God has a way of doing things.
I had a flat tire yesterday morning. Thank you God that it was after droped off grandchildren at their school. On the way home, I usually go for a walk, as soon as I went around the corner of Mililani Towncenter parking lot I heard my car’s back tire go clump, and clump..clump..clump. So I parked my car and looked at the tire, looks ok, so I went on for a walk. When I came back, and to look at the tire, behold, my tire is flat..flat..flat. So I called AAA, she asked my location is, and she told me that a half hour await for a roadside assistant. Within twenty minuts a man called me and there he was from Pacific Repair. When he started to work on my car, I was excited because I can tell him about Jesus while his working.
During a conversation, I asked him if he goes to church? He said he wants to but keep missing it. He said he is Muslim. Wow! I thought to myself this is the most closest to musulim people I ever gotten. He said his name is Ash. He said that he studied his bible and he knows all about God, he believes in Almighty God and Mohammad as Jesus for Christian.
Oh no, Jesus is God! I said. Then I told him Jesus’ crucifxion and resurrection. And our God is Trinity. But he had different belief. Then almost he was finishing up changing my tire. So quickly, I prayed in my heart Lord what should I say to Ash? God quickened my heart to pray for him that he’ll have an encounter with Jesus. So I asked him can I pray for you? He said yes, then I prayed, and he’s cellphone start to ring. So I thanked him for changing my tire and he thanked me for a prayer and he was gone. I pray for Mr. Ash’s salvation that he will come to know the Truth the real Jesus in His precious name. Amen!
Fusako W.
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Hello Dean,
Mary T’s report reminded me that some of us kupuna’s haven’t been too anxious to report. I know a few of us who do pray for strangers but don’t have computers to send a report – and in my case, I just figured my stories weren’t all that exciting. But, I finally figured that our job is to seek and pray – If God doesn’t allow a home run, it’s not our business – we just need to go to the next person he points us to and pray. Anyway, here’s three short stories.
1. Last week, a couple of friends and us had lunch at Cinnamon’s in Kailua. I asked the Lord to tell me if there was anyone I should pray for. Nothing. Our waitress was a veteran who had been at Cinnamon’s for 27 years – ever since they opened. She was most pleasant and efficient so I tipped her nicely. After lunch, while waiting for the ladies to return from the powder room, I asked the Lord again, and this time, I received the word to go and thank the waitress personally. So I went into the restaurant and hunted down our waitress who just about to go into the kitchen. I called her by name and she came out – so I said, “I wanted to thank you personally for blessing us with your service.” And her response was, “OH, you just made my day!” and gave me a great hug.
2. Yesterday, I took Marie to the optical shop because she had stepped on her glasses and the frame got bent – luckily, the lens were not crushed. Anyway, the optician, her name was Bev, straightened out her frame and asked me if mine were OK. I gave her my glasses and told her they were a little loose – so she proceeded to adjust mine. We asked what we owed her since she had spent 15-20 minutes of her time. She said there was no charge. So, out of the blue, the words came out of my mouth, “Can we pray for you?” She said cheerfully, “Yes!” So, both Marie and I prayed for Christ to bless her and she thanked us for the prayers. Marie slipped a $5 bill across the table to her and Bev this time thanked us, saying our tip will bless her daughter with a MacDonald lunch. We don’t know whether she is a Christian but now, we know her more personally than before.
3. Today, after a couple of errands, I decided to stop for some Korean take out at our favorite Korean place next to Times Supermarket on 4th Avenue. I asked the Lord whether I should pray for the proprietors — didn’t get any response so I waited for my order. While waiting, I noticed a picture on the wall of a small Korean take out store in the Aina Haina shopping mall with the same name and the owner’s name – Ray and Shirley Kodani. I asked the man if he was Ray – and he proceeded to tell me that they had that shop in Aina Haina for many years but decided to quit when the mall changed owners a couple of years ago. They were “resting” until this small place opened up and they decided to “re-open” their business a month ago. This time, I sensed the Lord saying “now!” So I asked if I could pray for God to bring prosperity to their reopening of their business. They both said yes, so I prayed for the Lord to bless them with many new customers as well as returning customers. Shirley wanted to know if I was a Priest because I prayed so beautifully – I said not at all, I credit the Lord for guiding me with the right words. About then, I asked them to tell me about the plaque on the wall above their counter – an abstract black and white picture with some Korean characters written below and some fine print I couldn’t read. Shirley said the Korean characters say that this house belongs to the Lord!!! Wow, I asked if they were Christians, to which she replied she was but Ray was not. I told her Ray was not a Christian “yet” because I can start praying for his salvation – she was beaming! I left the store with the feeling that we were now more friends than business owner and customer.
Gene and Marie F.
Great Lesson Learned!
Dear Unified … family,
Sometimes as we bless others, we realize God is really trying to bless us instead. Sometimes when we think that others are the problem, God transforms us instead. Mary T. sent this in and I so appreciate her transparency. Truth being told, if the Holy Spirit really had His way in more of us, there would be less of us standing in His way.
Great lesson learned!
Transformation really happens one believer at a time!
Blessings,
Pastor Dean
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Hi Dean and others:
Well I didn’t report in because my only experience was one rejection from a man who was limping and one prayer for a woman who was a Christian. I also have not been approaching people because no one seemed “highlighted.” But I think I’ve made an important advancement in that area. I realize I need to change my outlook toward people in stores. Even though I am always willing and eager to help someone in need – helping people with directions, paying for purchase of food for a homeless man I used to talk to when he sold newspapers, lending a lady $5 to complete her purchase while her husband ran to the car to get more money, etc. – I tend to get irritated with people who slow me down in aisles and check out lines.
Big breakthrough came today after exercise class. There is a woman who comes at times. I know that she spends time in CA and in HI. Also that she is on the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood in her home city in CA. Also that she kind of dissed Easter when I once said, “Oh you’ll be here until Easter” to which she replied, “Easter! I don’t care about Easter.”
Needless to say I have had a negative attitude toward her when I see her. But today God put it on my heart to want to bless her in prayer. So I asked her to help me out with my pastor’s assignment to pray a blessing on a stranger who was not a Christian. She said she couldn’t say she wasn’t a Christian because she had been baptized and that I should pray for her unsaved husband. Anyway, she agreed to my praying for her.
I prayed a Father’s blessing from her spiritual Father, I blessed her spirit to know that He was always with her to help with every step, every thought, every decision, etc, etc. Then I saw a single red rose and told her that God wanted to give it to her as an expression of His love, and that He saw her as His beautiful daughter.
She said it was a beautiful prayer. I said it was more than just words because I only pray the truth. I sensed more of a disturbing conviction than a happy feeling but that is between her and God. I’m just glad I was able to bless her.
The blessing for me is to learn to see people as someone God wants to bless, not for me to feel negative about, even if they are blocking the aisles. Then maybe He will highlight more people to me. Thank you God for the breakthrough.
Mary T.
A LIttle Child Shall Lead Them!
Dear Unified …. family,
Isaiah 11:6 says, “a little child shall lead them.”
Here is a testimony from Janice Vierra being pushed over the chicken line by little Aimee. Way to go Aimee! Don’t let the big people get away! Aimee you are amazing!
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Hi Dean,
Today I was at City Mill doing my last errand, wet from the rain and rushing to get home to prepare for company when Aimee tells me, “Mommy, I think you should ask if the cashier wants you to pray for her?” I sighed and said, “You’re right.” I then tried to gauge when was the best time to ask the cashier. I kept delaying as I thought, I shouldn’t interrupt her while she’s punching in my items or she might make a mistake and I didn’t want to hold up the line, stall…stall… Aimee kept nudging me, now mommy, now. People kept getting out of my line because I was doing a return so I thought, no excuses now. After I prayed for the lady she had a really big smile and she said, “Wow, did your daughter really tell you to pray for me?!” I had told the cashier my daughter wants me to ask you if you need prayer. How do you like that lead into a conversation? I am thankful that when mommy’s act like chickens, they have 6yr. old daughters who push them over the chicken line!
Blessings, Janice
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Looks like the sun is coming out again! More opportunities out there to share the love of God by sharing a blessing with people. Don’t forget this Friday, Paul and Betty Uyeda invites everyone to join them on a monthly Treasure Hunt! They will be meeting at 6:30 – 9:00 pm at Unified … Sounds like fun! Crossing the chicken line in flocks can be fun to! Cluck! Cluck! Cluck!
Blessings,
Pastor Dean
P.S. Send your chicken line encounters to pastordean@unifiedhawaii.org.
The Blessing of Crossing Your Own Chicken Line!
Dear Unified … family,
It is exciting to watch God move in our midst. One of these stories is the work God has begun to do in Mike Kanayama’s life. I got permission from Mike to share a part of this story with you. We are proud of Mike, and amazed at what has transpired in a few weeks. The transformation Mike is experiencing is an excellent example of why Unified … exists!
Unified … exists to help people rediscover the Joy of finding their significance in God.
Enjoy!
Blessings,
Pastor Dean
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Thank You Dean, (Hi Kerry!)
I just wanted to share what God had put on my heart. I will go to Japan some other time, as you said, when I am able to spend more time dealing with personal and spiritual matters. It is my heart attitude toward Japan and Japanese the Lord was dealing with and I do believe it is related to your submission last week to step over your ‘Chicken Line’, if I may put it that way, to freely and totally follow the Lord’s call. l responded to the Lord’s revelation and stepped over my ‘Chicken Line’, so to speak, to reconcile with my ancestry and being willing to go to Japan to make it right. Now I feel a peace in my heart and a joy that is bubbling over. I feel settled, good and right. I am not boasting or prideful, my conscience bearing me witness. I feel like Heb. 12:11, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
It seems God is putting me in a season of repentance. I love knowing what is wrong so I can make it right. I used to fight and argue why I am right. Now after experiencing the freedom and peace of repenting and restoring relationships I am quick, eager and joyfully repent. I heard it said ‘repentance is a gift’. I don’t know if it is scriptural, but I totally agree. I gain so much by repenting toward righteousness for it puts me into alignment with God and man. Each time I step out to obey what God shows me it is like another domino going down, which hits another one, and another one, etc. This is what I feel like is happening in my life / heart.
Dominos. I started praying at LMI again for the first time in over a year. It was good praying over and encouraging people. Just as I was about to go to bed I channel surfed to PBS. They were showing a concert with 3 Italian young men called Il Volo. As they sang my heart swelled up and I started to sing even though it was mostly in Italian. After the show was over I picked up my guitar for the second time in over a year and sang, and worshipped, disregarding the time of night and hoping my condo neighbors would not mind. [Domino] The first time was yesterday morning. [Domino] Yes, I believe God is restoring my guitar playing to me. Well, I continued to sing and play unto the Lord until 1 am. I felt God’s presence and pleasure throughout.
I feel something real, deep and powerful is happening, like I am having a personal revival. In truth, I don’t fully comprehend it and I don’t want it to stop. I will focus on fully experiencing and appreciating what God is doing, not try to figure it out, and keep alert for the next move of the Spirit.
In reflection, these big things started out with a little step of desperate obedience to not give up when I was feeling the worst, which tipped a teeny tiny domino toward a ‘chance’ meeting with Kerry ‘Bang’… tip- ‘Bang’… tip- ‘Bang’ … tip- ‘Bang’… tip- ‘Bang’ … tip- ‘Bang’ … tip- ‘Bang’, etc. to today.
Sorry for rambling but I wanted to share with you both what is happening with me. Thanks so much for all you have done for me personally, for what you continue to do at Unified… faithfully spearheading this move of the Spirit and what you do all over the world. I know little revivals are happening all over the place in our little body at Palolo. I bless and love you both.
One ‘Chicken Line’ at a time, “Hai!”
Your son in the Lord,
Mike K