Even a Cup of Water…

Yes, it has been over a year since the triple disaster laid hold of Northern Japan.  Some people minimally affected have resumed normal life activities, seemingly untouched.  Others have moved to totally new areas and started afresh, hoping to blot out a bad memory.  Still others are seeking to find their way to healing and wholeness by remaining and rebuilding a close proximity of their former life.  All too many are bewildered, unsure, depressed and without an anchor or a hope.  Many feel forgotten and alone.  It is not time to forget!  It is time to remember, to pray, to help. 

In mid May a seven member team from Hawaii came to assist the Keisen Church effort of help in Yamamoto Cho, Miyagi, Japan.  They came to assist in healing hearts by listening, and helping, and working in the name of Jesus.  This team was headed by our family friend Dr. George Rhoades.  My dad, mom and I also joined the team making us a work force of nine and a half.  I was the half.  Up until now I have been a prayer warrior for teams, but this time I went.  I thought maybe I would just be praying on the scene, rather than from afar, and I did that the whole time.  But then, I found I could help other ways, too.  One day we went to temporary housing compounds.  We met people who had lost everything.  The team taught them some Gospel Hula and how to make a simple lei.  Most valuable of all, they listened.  They laughed and cried, and cared for them.  I participated as best I could.  Afterward we shared our feelings and thoughts on the day.  I was filled with joy to see the team and Volunteer Center leaders reaching out with the love of Jesus.  The days were packed with activities.  Our bodies were weary, but each day God supplied strength in accordance to our need.  One day we went to help strawberry farmers reclaim their work. As I watched the tedious, backbreaking work of cleaning starter plant trays, I realized I could do this, too, so I did.  It was not fun work.  It was hard. It was a bit boring.  It seemed endless, but we all did this work for God and His glory.  The farmers told us without volunteer help they could not hope to plant berries.  Without their berries, they had no income, so no future.  We came along side them and were planting seeds for eternity, but they do not know that, yet.  That long week was an exhauting week.  It was an exciting, fun, glorious week.  It was our divine appointment, and we kept it.  We all came back knowing not only is God at work in Yamamoto Cho, He is at work in each of our hearts as well.