Kauai One-day Trip

　　　　Today I went to Kauai island, for the first time, to learn the wonderful SNI teachings, how we should deal with envrionment issue as a practioner of God's love, and so on, with the distinguished members there, and spent a meaningful day.

　　　　This time it was an one-day trip, therefore, I got aboard an airplane that departed 7:15 a.m. Honolulu Airport. That is why I had to leave home 5:30 a.m. A flight time is 15-20 minutes. The island is close to Oahu, however, airplane is only available to come and go to the island. Let me show you some photos.

　　Seicho-No-Ie facility. It is nothing less than "Building in the Green." It was built in 1971.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　Grope Photo

　This is a tree of avocado in the garden of Mr. and Mrs. David Hamada, President of SNI Kauai. He quickly took two pieces of them and gave me as a sourvenir.

　Last one is a move of natural water sprout.



　Mrs. Hamada contributed her impression to SNI Hawaii Newsletter on my visit. Thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality! Here is Mrs. Hamada's Message.
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　　　　The members of Seicho-No-Ie Kauai were honored by the presence of Rev. Tetsuya Abe on Sunday, August 24, 2008, his one-day visit to Kauai.
　　　　The day's activities began with our Sunday Service at 9:30 a.m., with Rev. Abe as guest speaker. Rev. Abe briefly spoke about his life raised in a Seicho-No-Ie home. He fondly mentioned how his grandparents and parents, whose devotion to the teachings had a great spiritual influence in his life. Rev. Abe continued to inspire us as he reminded us that, "God is Absolute and all-powerful.” And when we believe in God with sincere faith, all things are possible. We must also express sincere gratitude to all people and all things, for this is the key to happiness.
　　　　After our Sunday Service we all joined in fellowship and enjoyed a delicious lunch that was prepared by our ladies.
　　　　At our afternoon session, Rev. Abe spent time to explain the reason for the (new) changes in the Seicho-No-Ie rituals and ceremonies as well as changes in our Sunday Service procedures. He also mentioned that the "Future Goals of Seicho-No-Ie” is to implement these necessary changes in order to reach out to the young generation as well as other ethnic groups. He mentioned that we must enforce the realization of "World Peace” through our heartfelt gratitude and sincere love for mankind…and in Truth become one with each other and one with God.
　　　　NO one, not even Rev. Abe, leaves our Garden Island before first taking in some of Kauai's scenic spots. So thanks to our "Hawaiian” tour guide, David "Kawika” Hamada, Rev. Abe was able to experience a little bit of "Beautiful Kauai.”
　　　　Our sincere appreciation, Rev. Abe, for your very inspiring visit to our Center. Thank you very much

-TA

Family Reunion

　　　My younger sister with her husband, 7 year-old, and 3 year-old daughters, came to Hawaii from Japan for sightseeing. We had a very nice time exploring undersea by submarine and dining at a fancy restaurant, and so on.


Though taken against the sun, but this is the only group photo of the day


　　　　　　　　　　　　　Boarding


This is the submarine we took


Everybody was paying attention to the fishes


　　　　　　　　　　　　　Pali Lookout

　　Beacon fire at the restaurant. Whenever I came, I worry about what if those leaves catch the fire...　

Thanks to their visitation, we had a very happy time and enjoyed our company. Thank you! Lastly, let me share a video recorded inside the submarine.



-TA

New Semester

My daughter, Manami, went back to school after a week vacation. During the week, she seemed to miss the classes, teachers, and friends. The school started a new semester from last week, and Manami got a new teacher, Ms. Amy. She is so great, beautiful and attentive that she sent us parents some photos of Manami at her class. We feel very happy to look at them.

Let me share those photos with her comments.
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Here, Manami is working with Summer, Gianna and Taisha at the writing center.




Manami was interested in the play sushi in the home center. We are trying to incorporate things from the Japanese culture into our class. We have kimono and Japanese style food and dishes. We also have some books with Japanese writing and music with both English and Japanese words in our listening center. We want Manami to know that her culture is important and that she truly belongs in our class.




Manami is trying a puzzle. She was able to complete it, and she can identify numbers in English.






Manami likes to work independently and with friends. She was working on puzzles with Kawehi.




Here is Manami with Jalei. This was taken a few weeks ago in Ms. Lois' class. Jalei is still in the 3-year-olds' class, so we don't get to see her very often. She and Manami got along well and used to sit together at lunch.


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Manami is only the Japanese at the school, however, she now enjoys attending classes in English, which I believe will make her huge benefits in the future.

-TA

2008 August Message

To Revere the Center (2)
Rev. Tetsuya Abe
　　Acting Chief, Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii Missionary Area

　　Mrs. Cindy Murakami was born in 1938 as the eldest daughter among four siblings in Sendai, in northern Japan. Her family ran a bakery, however her father didn't work seriously. He drank from morning till night and was violent to his family. His wife was so fearful that she could do nothing to improve the situation. In this way, Mrs. Murakami had a difficult time as a child.

　　When she was in high school, she fell in love with an American soldier stationed in the city and married him when she was 19. After their marriage, they came to Hawaii, her husband's birthplace and started a new life. She was 9 months pregnant at that time. They dreamed of a happy life here, however that was not meant to be. Her husband spent lonely days when he was a child because his parents passed away very early. On the other hand, Mrs. Murakami spent hell-like days when she was a child; therefore, they didn't know how to create a happy and cheerful life and divorced less than a year after their marriage.

　　After a few years of sadness, she met her current husband at a coffee shop and got married, and they were immediately blessed with a son. However, their happiness didn't last long. Her husband, who was born and raised as the eldest son of a wealthy family, worked with a sincere attitude, but Mrs. Murakami, lived life with a spirit of defiance, so they could not be on good terms with each other. Now she can see him as an unselfish man with a good heart; however, she considered him as sloppy and spineless at that time. As a result of continuing to treat him with contempt, he gradually stopped providing for his family and started womanizing.

　　She was very disappointed with such a terrible marital relationship and another divorce came to her mind; however, she chose not to for some reason. Seeking salvation, she read various religious books. "I remember in my childhood when my grandma often took me to temples and I had a strong feeling that there was something that would save me," said Mrs. Murakami.

　　She once joined a Japanese religion, but it didn't satisfy her. One day, when she listened to a radio program on KZOO, she was captured by spiritually strong words such as "Man is a child of God" and "You can change your destiny by changing your mind." Having felt that this is exactly what she sought, she called Matlock Center and made an appointment for private counseling.

　　After consultation with resident minister, Rev. Mario Kawakami, she immediately joined SNI. By practicing Shinsokan Meditation and reading SNI books, she was able to solve many problems; however, she still could not be reconciled with her husband and another ten years had passed.

　　"I really want to change my destiny at any price," Mrs. Murakami thought and in the middle of February of this year came to me for private counseling. After listening to her life's story, I told her as follows: "Despite any situation you've encountered, your parents have always deeply loved you but they failed to manifest their love which they must have regretted. Since the center of your family is your ancestors and your husband, if you want to solve your problem in accordance with the SNI teachings, the only way is for you to worship the divinity of your husband and see his True Image. In fact, you do LOVE your husband." I concluded our counseling by encouraging her to attend the 44th International Spiritual Training Seminar (ISTS) to be held at Jisso Center at the end of the month.

　　As she listened to the lectures and practiced Shinsokan and other ceremonies at the ISTS, her feelings toward her husband has gradually changed from hatred to love. Among the attendees was the husband of Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop, who came to Hawaii as a lecturer. She asked him the following question, "What makes a husband the happiest?" His answer was to be accepted and recognized by his wife. His words had a great impact on Mrs. Murakami.

　　Going back home, she started to practice the prayer of reconciliation to her husband and parents in a sincere manner. After a few days of practice, she unknowingly spoke tender words. It was her husband who was astonished and pleased. When she saw his delightful smile, the accumulated hatred and anger in her mind disappeared. Mr. and Mrs. Murakami are now running their own company making Hawaiian dancing dolls and it is a very prosperous business with rush orders. "Heaven comes to my home," said Mrs. Murakami.

　　Whatever your environment or family situation may be, when you revere and take care of the center, everything goes well harmoniously.

　　Special announcement: We will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Jisso Center on Sunday, September 7. Contemplating the significance of Jisso Center, let us make this the opportunity for our Missionary Area to advance God's Humanity Enlightenment Movement - International Peace by Faith Movement. Thank you very much.
(To be continued)