Relief Work in Tohoku for the Weekend

I'm heading up to Tohoku (more specifically, Ishinomaki) for the weekend to help with some relief work.  In addition to trying to clean up and clean out some houses, we'll be handing out goods and having BBQs in the community.  For this trip, we had a full-size van fully-loaded with goods go up on Wednesday, and we're bringing up a completely packed mini-van tomorrow.  And when I say "fully-loaded" and "completely packed," I really it...you can totally do the "Italian Job" tire measuring thing to see which one's riding low (although you could prob just look in the window to tell as well, as all you'll see is "stuff").

I'm really not sure what to expect.  I've heard plenty of stories and sharing, but really just have no idea how I'm going to react to it all.  It's encouraging to hear that things are "better," but what is "better" when it's relative to complete and total destruction?  Anyways, I'm concentrating on what He's doing up there and how we can be a part of that.  I'm don't what all He has in mind for this weekend, but in addition to being there to help, I'm hoping to get some sort of feel that will help in preparing for the summer teams coming in and the 6 weeks we will be spending up there.

Please pray that God opens my eyes to what I need to see, that He continues to do amazing God-sized things, that He strengthens and energizes us to get through the difficulties there, and that I can process all that I'm exposed to there.

Kyoto Adventure

Some pics from hanging out in Kyoto for a day.....

Museum garden thing we walked by

 Hawk!!!

Garden in Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion)

 @ Ginkaku-ji

Someone's backyard....we think...

Torture chamber........

(For those interested and curious in trying out butt-washing toilets....don't!!!  They're awkward, uncomfortable, really weird, quite violating, and def don't make you feel clean...)

Kyoto Tower at night

Cultural Plunge #1

Another day this week I was given a grocery list and walking directions, with the opportunity to go out in the community and accomplish some tasks.  I was successful in bringing back some groceries for dinner that night, and I was able to order some lunch to feed myself...woohoo!!!  I was able to use enough Japanese to ask and get what I needed...eventually, but also used it improperly enough to get some blanks stares, some "are you kidding me?!?!" looks, and some "why are you not understanding what I'm telling you?!?!?" looks.

Accomplishing the goals set out for me.......success!!!!
Spreading cheer to those around me............success!!!!

 Walking to the grocery store

 

The grocery store

  

Lunch!!!!

Paperwork & Logistics

It's been just about a week since I arrived here in Japan, and things are going really well so far.  It's definitely been a solid chunk of "stuff" to do, but things are getting done, and things are definitely getting wet as I start jumping in...

The first day I was able to take care of logistical stuff...Alien Registration, National Health Insurance, Post Office/Bank Account.  In the evening I even got to experience the relaxing and soothing goodness, that is the onsen.  I'll leave it at that...you can look it up if you wanna ;)

Completed paperwork and a gift from the post office!!!

No picture of onsen cuz it's an onsen!!!

Safe Arrival in Sanda!!!!

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to drop a quick line saying that I've arrived safely in the city of Sanda in the Hyogo Prefecture.  The flights were fine and "comfortable" enough, I made the connections with the perfect amount of time to spare, they let me in the country, my bags made it in one piece and not as a pile of stuff in a plastic bag, and I survived the nearly 20 hr hop across the bigger pond.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and everything!!!!

PS...for those who tend to freak out just a "little" in airports while traveling, those who like to take their time, who move at a slower pace, and who usually bring up the rear...I would not recommend 1.5 layovers for international flights (you'll make the connection, just not as comfortably as you'd like).  Also, if rolling luggage carts are available for moving about the airport....use them!!!  You are not as strong as you think you are after an 11 hr flight ;)

Adventures in Packing

To get this post started off right, we have to get into the right frame of mind.  This is what I think of packing in general, like for a vacation or something.....

So you can only guess how I feel when it comes to packing for a 2-3 year move to a place that could either be quite tropical or quite cold.  To spare all of you, we won't get into the details of that........

Now to the fun(ner) stuff.  Here's the process of getting my bags together and saddling up in a "neat and orderly fashion"....

 Step 1:  The big backpacking backpack (checked bag #1)

 Step 2:  The smaller backpacking backpack (carry-on #1)

 Step 3:  The messenger bag (carry-on #2)

Step 4:  The big suitcase (checked bag #2)

Step 5:  I've fallen.....

Step 6:  ....and I can't get up

After this somewhat exhausting process, engineering hats were put on in order to make this less exhausting and more "pleasant" for me.   Dad decided to be the smart one and suggest a rolling duffel that the big backpacking pack could fit in, so I wouldn't look like such a target for muggings...ergo...

Step 7:  We're "good" to go........

The "Plan"

Up to this point in time, I've been hesitant to share "plans" of my ministry in Japan.  And even now, as I write this, there is a significant amount of hesitancy and uncertainty in these "plans" (...and yes, "hesitancy" is a real word...I looked it up).

So, here are the "plans" for the next couple months (and beyond)...most likely...I think...maybe.......



Upon arriving on May 10^th, I'll be living with a missionary family in Sanda (between Osaka and Kyoto).  During the month of May, I'll do what I can to "acclimate" to Japan, including trying to figure out why their "normal" speaking speed is so fast and why they drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

At the end of May, I'll make my way up north to spend 6 weeks helping to organize and support summer teams helping with relief work.  We'll be based in Sendai, but aren't sure exactly where yet.  The focus of the relief efforts will be visiting shelters, distributing goods, and helping with some clean up.

After the 6 weeks in Sendai with the summer teams, I'll be traveling back to Sanda.  At this point in time, the missionary family is due back in the US for their home assignment, so details are being arranged for me to live in their home until my church assignment in September.  While in Sanda, I'll be focusing on language learning, while also trying to help teach an English class.

When mid-September rolls around, it will be about time to report for ministry at the church I get placed in.  At this point in time, that church is most likely going to be in Okinawa, but it's definitely not set in stone.

It doesn't seem like much of a "plan" at this point in time, but it's His plan and His timing, so I guess it's just going to have to be good enough for this particular point in time :P

*disclaimer:  words used above indicating finality, certainty, definiteness, etc... can (and probably should) be replaced with words that suggest a level of uncertainty, hesitation, doubt, etc...