January 2007
“Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”
Genesis 13:17
The Lord continues to give abundantly to the accomplishment of each and every task undertaken by Koza to relocate and rebuild on Okinawa. His handiwork over the Christmas season was one for the book – I mean, from His Book!
We remain in complete awe how He gave us such a reliable real estate agent as “Rieko”, shown at center explaining the outlay of the land now under contract.
The contracts with the three separate land owners are now on file at Okinawa City Hall and will be pending until completion of the land development plan and subsequent land rezoning. Last Friday, while discussing the required land work with Nakamoto representatives, we made a call to the Prefectural office concerning the time line for rezoning. What another work of the Lord to hear the senior executive on the other end state, “Tell Nakamoto to get the paper work in and we’ll support you!”
This is a lengthy process that includes soil borings, detailed surveys and individual negotiations with the land owners of the adjacent lots. A similar land development document was shown to us consisting of at least five inches of charts and grafts. The current estimate for completion of all required work is early April.
We are soundly in Phase Two – Project Design and Fund Raiser of our project. On the 19th of January we made the major payment to Don Highlander of ArchiComp for his preliminary work in the design and plan for the church. Like Rieko, Don is surely one of the most gifted workers God could have brought our way. He and his folks are putting together the detailed drawings which will be passed on to our Japanese firm, Nakamoto. Below is the cardboard model of the latest design provided by Nakamoto taken from the computer renderings produced by ArchiComp. Notice the near side is now distinctively different from the remaining building, emphasizing the worship center and the Cross.
Over the next two months it is essential that we see an increase in contributions. We are blessed that Lot 224 has a cost savings of 1.5 million dollars compared to the other lots that were being considered. Yet there remains a minimum shortfall of 1.5 million dollars. The land left to sell following final relocation will provide most of the delta – though much will depend on the market at the time of sale. Of immediate concern is the fact that come April we must show the contractor our ability to raise the total money required for construction as well as pay 30% of the total cost. That amount will be approximately 1.3 million dollars.
We are encouraging our current members to double their tithe over a two year period, thereby making it possible to reach our goal of $350,000 from local resources. Our pledges are now above $310,000 and actual contributions just over $110,000. The contributions from other sources, such as prior members, have reached $9,526.52.
Please consider your part in this great work of the Lord. He so loved, that He gave. Does our love compel us to give likewise?
Above all, pray for the opportunity we have to share Christ with the Japanese we are and will be in contact with. Of immediate concern is our real estate agent, Rieko and the Nakamoto staff of Shingi, Hiro and Kiyoshi. We must not be so preoccupied with the relocation that we fail to remind all of the need to be ready for that final relocation required of every soul.
(Updates provided by Pastor Bo and Tim.)