Hedoro, (tsunami sludge) that is. While Carol, Megan and I went up for 24 hours in Tohoku to help with serving lunch in a neighbourhood of Ishinomaki, we also got involved in removing the sludge from a home. Carol remarked that it didn't stink as much nor attract the flies as it had in June. We met a team there from Ontario, from Hamilton, Burlington and other nearby places.
Meanwhile, Megan was manning the beverage table, keeping people hydrated on a very hot September day. I posted earlier about a volunteer who'd been bathing the feet of the elderly in shelters, thus following Jesus' command, and here's Megan offering a cup of water in Jesus' name. Every Saturday since March Christians have been organizing this lunch for the people of this neighbourhood.
It's yakisoba this Saturday. That's a fried noodle dish with vegetables and chicken. Notice the huge imported propane barbecue in the background. Not a common sight in Japan.
Over 100 came for lunch and conversation, and there was also a program for children after lunch. Then it was pack up the food, fold down the tents, and head back to Tokyo. We slept for 12 hours on Saturday night after this exhausting trip that had started the previous night.
This is representative of the local neighbourhood. The house on the left is completely untouched since the day the tsunami flooded in. The house in the foreground is completely gone, either swept away or collapsed by the tsunami, and carted off to the five story tall rubble pile near the sea. The house in the background is in the midst of repair. The same could be said for the lives of the people living here. We provide a hot meal, a place to gather and meet neighbours, and a listening ear for the many who need to talk. We trust these bonds of friendship and trust will grow and bear fruit in time.
