Our team's buzz word was 'flexibility'. We knew as we prepared that we may not be able to use any of our preparations. What did we prepare, you ask? We were expecting to be in the elementary schools of Onagawa Town...perhaps seeing 400 students over the course of the week, doing an 'immersion' English experience for them. So we planned for that: skit, games, crafts, English lessons, sports, and music. It was fun! We met around 4 times pre-trip, and put together a lot of good material--every team member contributed. We got the church involved with the craft prep--we even had the church kids help make banners for the Onagawa school kids. So we worked really hard on preparation. I kept reminding everyone that we might not get to use all of this--the plan hadn't been set, and wouldn't be until the last minute, so we needed to hold our plans and expectations loosely, trusting that God would open the right doors for our time there.
Good advice, and everyone took it, everyone except me, that is! On the trip up, I got a phone call saying that we wouldn't be meeting 400 students...but around 55; we wouldn't be in the schools everyday...but only once, for 45 minutes; we wouldn't be creating the English immersion environment with our ideas...but the school had planned the time for us and we would just implement it. WHAT?!!?!! But...but...but...
After I got over my disappointment, it was a great reminder of a basic lesson in missions: there is a great arrogance in going into a new place (whether it's a new culture, church town, or whatever) with an agenda of all we have to offer. God calls us to be servants...and a servant responds to the requests and demands of the one he serves. What a wonderful opportunity for me to repent and renew my commitment to be a servant of Christ in the Tohoku region.
The time in the school, by the way, was bathed in the grace and goodness of God--so many people were praying for us, and it was so apparent in how the event unfolded. We partnered with a team of wonderful ladies from the Midwest, and the 22 of us spent a wonderful time with the 3rd graders of Onagawa. These kids almost all live in evacuation centers, and are in an incredibly stressful environment--can you imagine waking up everyday and being surrounded by the complete devastation/rubble of your entire town? That is their reality--here are some scenes of their town:
Heartbreaking. But those kids we met showed the resilience and heart of little warriors. On the surface they looked normal--like kids you meet any day in anyplace, Japan. Just below the surface, though, you could sense a whole lot more. But they entered into the time with us with joy and enthusiasm--it was really a special hour.
Other than these few, I still haven't gotten the pictures from this event--we designated photographers--so I hope to do another post on this event alone. It was the last day of our trip, and a fitting end--we saw God work and do beyond what we imagined he could do through this time.
Back to the rest of the trip. Our mission is narrowing our focus to the city of Ishinomaki, and specifically, to the Watanoha and Koganehama area. Here is a map of the region:
We spent Saturday with our MTW partners from Tokyo doing a feeding and open market. Every week they have been setting up at an empty lot or nearby community center in Koganehama to serve this community. Many people in the area are in a category that falls between the cracks of the system. Their homes are still standing--some people are actually living on the 2nd floor--and because of that, they are not receiving the same kind of aid that others are. And yet, the vast majority of them have lost their jobs, their homes are ruined, and they too look ahead to the future with much uncertainty and fear. And so they need supplies, food and aid of all kinds. It was a privilege to meet these residents and hear their stories. They are sad stories. These are people who don't know what the future holds. I was struck with the pain of having everything stripped away--all your material possessions, your work, your livelihood, your loved ones--and being left with nothing. I've never had that experience--99% of the people I know never have either. And yet along with the pain I can't help but believe there is a privilege in this condition--to be left with nothing forces you to ask what is really important, what really matters. In the midst of the ugliness of utter brokenness, when the beauty of Christ is revealed, there is nothing left to distract, nothing to interfere with being able to gaze upon his beauty. We pray this is so for the people of Tohoku, of Miyagi Prefecture, of Ishinomaki City,and of Watanoha and Koganehama. Here are some scenes from that day:
We fed around 300 people that day--the menu was yakisoba,which is a grilled meat, vegetable and noodle dish. Once we got the hang of it--particularly the spices--people seemed to enjoy it. (Not that I would know--I spent the entire day with my head down, cutting vegetables and grilling!) These same people also waited patiently in line for the open market, where our team set up a system of receiving supplies--fresh vegetables, clothes, other items. Some of the people had been lined up when we arrived at 9:00 a.m.--for a 12:00 event. That may not seem like a big deal, but it really caught me by surprise. Japanese culture is fast paced, busy, hectic...I couldn't have imagined people waiting 3 hours for simple food and 'shopping'--another reminder that everything has changed--everything--for these precious people.
There is a lot left to tell. The most encouraging time of the trip was the work we did with Samaritan's Purse. I think I'll save that story for another day. I'll close with some pictures of our team, our campsite, and our fellowship. This group was AWESOME. I never once heard anyone complain about anything--and there was plenty of fodder for complaints! (pit toilets, hard ground for sleeping, uncertain plans, hard labor, hot temperatures, and other little frustrations along the way) Every member of the team worked hard, shared their gifts, and contributed to the fellowship and unity in Christ we experienced. I love my team! It was a privilege to go through this experience in Tohoku with them--a small taste of the beauty of the body of Christ as it works together to serve God.
Well, I guess that is all for now...ahhhh...so much unsaid. Oh well, to God be the glory--great things HE has done and is doing!
