The Latest from Tohoku

Back in 2011, Carol and I and countless other people in Japan dropped everything to help CRASH get going as a response to the triple disaster in Tohoku. Approaching three years since the disaster, CRASH is still at work in the area, and here's a video report:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152100361707518&set=vb.201131439904666&type=2&theater

Partnership

We now have an SLC with HPAC, which is to say a "Seamless Link Covenant" with "Heritage Park Alliance Church" of Windsor.

This formalizes a relationship we've had with the church we worked at prior to heading to Japan, so the connection goes back 33 years. 

We'll be back in Windsor in three weeks' time to sign another Seamless Link Covenant with Windsor Chinese Alliance Church. In the future we anticipate continued contact and short term missions teams from these churches helping us with our work in Japan. 

Another Successful Harumi BBQ!

 At the west end of the island of Harumi is the barbecue park, where outdoor grilling is allowed. We've been doing a barbecue there every November since 2008 or so.

The men from the Saturday English/Bible first helped out a couple of years ago during the Loves' home assignment, and they were on duty this year once again.

The menu is hamburgers and hot dogs, a very unJapanese BBQ, but people enjoy the Western experience. 

Often this park is filled with other groups barbecuing, but the cool cloudy weather kept people away. 

Satoru is a realtor we`ll no doubt be consulting with upon our return to Japan as we search for accomodations. Keiko and Momo are on the right. 

Some of the boys from Boys`Club came and no doubt ate their share, and then some.

And, the marshmallow roast is something the younger children enjoy every year. 

Laura has just returned to Japan from a visit with us, and with Heather in Calgary, and since she was staying with the Loves prior to returning to Yamanakako, near Mt. Fuji, she came along to see everyone.

Why Japan?

Take a moment to read an excellent description of why we work in Japan from a colleague in another organization.

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/josephkimx/2013/08/12/why-japan/

And, Back in Oakville...

Megan's part of the oldest concert band in Canada. Every summer since 1874, the OWO has been performing outdoor concerts in the area. 

 The bandshell at Coronation Park is an imposing structure! It's right on Lake Ontario. The program tonight featured adaptations of works by the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Pixar films and Michael Jackson, as well as traditional tunes of the American West. 
Tonight Megan was first clarinet! Great concerts, if you're free on Tuesday nights.

Meanwhile, At Mount Fuji...

In a large wooden chalet at Lake Yamanaka is Torchbearers Japan, one of the Capernwray Bible Schools found all around the globe for young people to gain a practical grounding in scripture.

Laura's a grad of Capernwray's Taurenhof school in Austria, and has volunteered for the summer to run the kitchen at Torchbearers Yamanakako. This involves driving to various stores to make purchases, arranging the menu and supervising the staff. She's just decided to continue in this voluntary position until next summer.

Another Short Term Team Arrives

You might see a familiar face among the members of this short term ministry team from Calgary Chinese Alliance Church. Heather's serving as their guide and translator, since she attends CCAC, as it's called. 

They're doing a week in Tokyo, and a week in Ishinomaki, in the disaster area. On Sunday they were with Praise Time in Harumi, but Heather said it was strange to be there without us. We're looking forward to hearing how their street evangelism went. 

Megan's Home from Greece!

This promotional video will give you an idea of what Megan's been up to the past month.

Harumi Reunion in Singapore

Home assignment isn't home assignment anymore. We've been to Penang Malaysia in January, and to Bandung Indonesia in April for meetings with our regional leadership team for Asia Spice. Since flying on a low cost carrier meant a layover in Singapore, we were glad to reconnect with some Harumi and Toyosu "alumni" who have relocated to Singapore and are enjoying life there. We're thankful for one woman who is continuing to study the Word in a local Japanese church there. 

Are You Surprised?

CRASH Japan is the relief organization Carol and I volunteered with as it was gearing up immediately following the tsunami, and we've been to the disaster area several times with CRASH.

When you consider how many tsunami survivors are elderly, and how many still have mortgages on homes that were destroyed, it's no surprise the number of people living in temporary housing has not declined. Many Christian organizations are intentionally connecting with these people to build relationships. If you're having trouble reading the numbers on the left, it's still around the 300,000 range.

Getting Creative

With congregations gathering in rented meeting rooms, baptismal services are a challenge. Tokyo Bay is too cold this time of year! 

A deluxe hotel room with ensuite jacuzzi (and spectacular view) is a creative alternative

Mrs. Kojima recently decided to be baptized...

...and her husband also very recently made a profession of faith and was baptized at the same time!

Here are the Kojima men together. 

On the Road Again

We're coming to a location near you! Carol and I enjoy speaking on Sundays together, but we're also enjoying our times with small groups, seniors groups, youth groups, men's breakfasts, women's lunches and anything else that comes our way.

We look forward to putting one of these prayer cards in your hand when we see you somewhere in Ontario.

When It Snows in Tokyo...

...everyone, sumo wrestlers included,  is enlisted to help out. If you are traveling any distance in Japan in the winter, you need to have tire chains. The highways won't let you proceed without putting them on when there's snow on the road.

There's definitely snow on the road in Tokyo, because it doesn't get plowed. Why bother when it usually melts quickly, and everyone has tire chains?

I'm still thinking of a good caption for this picture.