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.