On Thursday, Friday, Monday and yesterday (Tuesday) groups of us went to four different temporary housing locations, and I'd like to share with you a few of our most memorable encounters there. There are so many stories to share, and so I'll apologize in advance for the length of this post. You might want to grab a cup of coffee as you read!
At each housing complex, as you already know, we planted flowers with the residents there, did crafts and performed small musical concerts. These activities gave us many opportunities to interact with the residents, and as our time progressed students grew bolder using the small amount of language they have learned to communicate. Jenny and Meredith have picked up phrases quickly were especially bold. Alex, Emily and Ryan have put their language studies to good use as they often translated for others in our group. Alex and Emily wrote name tags in Japanese for each member of our team. All the students have now given their self introduction in Japanese, and the residents especially love hearing how old we are! What has been most powerful for us, however, has been listening to specific stories from people who experienced the terror and powerful destruction of the tsunami.
One woman spoke of her experience running to the mountains to escape the tsunami with only the clothes on her back. She said that as she waited on the mountain it was cold and snowy and during those first twenty-four to forty-eight hours there was nothing to do but wait and endure the cold, wet snow. Once she came down from the mountain there was no way to get out of town and no way to contact her son to see if he was o.k., nor did he have any information about her. This experience is common. She pointed out that the clothes she was wearing now, and every piece of clothing she has, have been given to her by Christian groups, and she is thankful.
Another man said he managed to run back to his house and grab his camera before running up the mountain. After our musical concert, he pulled out a half dozen large photo albums and invited us to join him looking at the photos. Along with two young mothers, he shared his story. He said he wanted to take the photos so that the next generation, like the young children of the two woman who were currently playing in the room, would know and remember what had happened. One photo showed a man sitting on top of his floating house, surrounded by water. The woman said this man was her friend's dad who was, luckily, rescued. When the wave first washed back out towards sea they said the water was calm enough for rescue, but subsequent recessions of the water were more violent. Another woman spoke of wanting to help people who were crying out but there was no chance of a successful rescue and so she had to run to save herself.
Amidst these sad stories our students have cheered on and supported the residents through their presence and smiles. During crafts at Onagawa West a woman commented that the girls surrounding her gave off joy and energy that she needed. Students, just be being themselves, have brought out countless smiles and happy laughs from residents. Fiona especially connected with a woman when she found small green frogs outside. The woman also loved frogs and we made a friend as several of us joined Fiona and the woman and talked about the different sounds frogs make in Japanese and in English (kero-kero versus ribbit-ribbit). She came back the next day when we visited the other half of her temporary housing complex. Jenny, who has been quite bold speaking to residents, initiated conversation between herself, a few other girls (Amy, Alex Figone, and Anna) and some women who were sitting around tables outside. Yesterday, after crafts were completed, another woman started playing the piano we had brought and explained some traditional Japanese songs to us. Bethany sat next to her and Ariel and Devon joined them and soon we were talking again about the tsunami. Her story was similar and yet unique. She explained that with her house completely gone, her children in a far-away city, and with her being past working-age she really didn't know what to do. She asked for our opinion as to whether she should try to rebuild or to rent an apartment, explaining that although she could get a loan she would never be able to pay it back. Through the help of Satoshi, a Grace Mission Tohoku staff member, we explained that because we are Christians when we encounter problems that seem to have no solution we bring them to God in prayer. We offered to pray for her. She seemed reluctant, saying that her husband, who was a fisherman, would pray everyday to the Shinto god in their house for safety and good luck for the day, but that she wasn't religious. After some more conversation we asked her again if we could pray for her. She agreed. When we bowed our heads and closed our eyes she did the same, but kept one eye open glancing around to see if we were really serious and whether or not all of use were actually closing our eyes. Ariel prayed for the woman and asked God to give her guidance and support. Satoshi translated the prayer, and when we finished we told her that we would be praying for her even after we left Ishinomaki. Her name is Kyoko.
In addition to connecting with adults, the students have made special connections with young kids and other students as well. Yesterday we met three girls who are in 7th grade. While eating dinner together they asked why we came to Ishinomaki. This is a question that residents often ask and the older residents specifically want to know how we paid for the trip. Meredith was bold in telling these three girls that we came because we are Christians and serve a God who loves us and loves them. She then shared the gospel story. The girls said this was the first they have ever heard the story. Last week Mack connected with a small boy who stuck to his side like glue. They played and played in the parking lot and then Mack helped him get his dinner and sat together with him in the middle of the bench of a picnic table filled with older men. Simply being there is what matters. Residents have told us that it is the Christian groups, specifically, who have stuck around. In this way, just our presence is a testament to God's love and one that requires no translation.
At each complex we also have performed some music. At Watanoha 1 during our first day of visits, some residents came into the community center while Ariel, Alex Tymchenko and Emily practiced. As they heard us singing some traditional Japanese folk songs they joined in and invited others to come inside. Soon there were about eight residents. They explained that in this room they had a kind of Church meeting and that they were studying some hymns. They brought out their own music and we sang together "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in Japanese with them as well as "Amazing Grace." Some other of our students were sitting in the back and between songs the residents asked if we were all Christians. When they heard our positive reply they looked both surprised and impressed. One woman said she was an "egg" Christian - not even a baby yet but she is learning and wants to learn more. It was amazing to be able to share our music and our faith in this interaction.
Constantly the residents thank us as we go about our work at each complex. One housing unit, Onagawa East, went above and beyond our expectations, however, and showered us with gifts. After planting flowers we were told the residents wanted to dance for us. They set up two large taiko drums and we brought out chairs for the other residents who were gathered. They asked us to sit in front on the ground as they had a surprise for us. The music began (the booming of the taiko felt powerfully somewhere inside your chest, accompanied by the high trill of a wooden flute). And then a dragon peered out from behind a parked bus and danced around us, pretending to devour each of our heads in turn. This was for good luck. After the dragon dance they invited our students to try out the drums for a little while and then three different woman preformed traditional Japanese dances. We felt quite blessed by their outpouring, and as if that wasn't enough they then presented each of us with handmade goodies (knitted scrubbies, bags made from Japanese cloth and tissue holders). Considering that all their worldly possessions, including their houses and towns were washed out to sea this was a very poignant experience for us.
Through these four days at temporary housing we have truly seen the presence of God in the small connections we have made and the larger relationship we have cultivated on behalf of Grace Mission Tohoku (GMT). We are learning that God is bigger than the language barrier, bigger than we can comprehend, and he is working. Although we will probably never see these residents again on this side of heaven, GMT will continue to minister to these people after we leave, and that is encouraging. Please continue to pray for the residents of Watanoha 1 and 2, and Onagwa East and West.
- Jon (for the rest of the team)
