Work in Earnest

Wow. Today I felt like we finally begun what we came to do. The women from the Tokyo church hosted the "café" today and we had the opportunity to give away two dozen quilts and meet nearly as many people, ranging in age from 10 months to elderly, each affected by the tsunami in different ways. It was so touching to see their faces as they realized the generosity the American churches showed to them by making these quilts to give away (for FREE!!!) and the graciousness of the Japanese Christian women welcoming them and serving them tea, coffee, and homemade Christmas cookies.

 

 

The 44 quilts that had already arrived up here were out on display (including one Christmas one they hung on the wall for decoration!) for the visitors to look through and choose.

Takahashi-san played Christmas hymns and the ladies sang along with a few for our guests while they enjoyed their treats. A small music book with the hymns were sent with each visitor today. We also had gifts from the Sunday School classes at the church in Tokyo for the kids.

Even Kai and Niko got in on the friend-making! Hiro-kun was 10 months old and Ririka-chan is about 1 month younger than Kai. She was super shy, but Kai finally broke the ice and they played with his ball for a long time. They also enjoyed paper airplanes and coloring. She and her mother are planning to return to the center tomorrow for some more play time and conversation! :o)

Each person to walk through the door had a story about how March 11 had changed their lives. Takahashi-san was able to translate a few of them for me so I could share them here.

The first woman to come in this morning stopped by while on a trip to the doctor (she was a little sick). Basically everything she and her husband owned had washed away in the tsunami, so she lives with her husband, daughter, and grandchildren all in the same residence. However, her husband is refusing to buy a new car... he doesn't want to start over and feels they don't need it. So all their transportation is done by foot, train, bus, and taxi. That may not seem too far fetched for Japan, but this is not a big city at all and is quite spread out. Her trip to the doctor is now an all-day affair. She was so astounded that she could take a quilt for herself and for her daughter for nothing in return.

Another woman stopped by a few minutes later. Her story was a bit different. Her family's place of business and home was spared, but they had recently taken out a loan to buy a warehouse for the extra nori (edible seaweed) that they sell. The entire building and its contents were destroyed... and it wasn't insured. They now owe the bank ¥22,000,000 ($282,770) for a non-existent building and very little to sell to pay back the money.

The last couple to come in today was living in one of the temporary housing units located behind city hall. Like all the residents at the housing unit, their house had been totally destroyed and they had very little of their personal belongings any more. They picked out a beautiful quilt (the very first one I looked at while sorting the other day, actually!) and had some coffee. As we spoke with the husband and wife we learned they had no winter clothes. It has been quite cold here - down in to the 20s F and damp and windy, with intermittent snow. The Tokyo ladies became determined to collect or buy them some clothes to send up with Pastor Wordell next week... and then we found out that pretty much all 99 people living in the temporary housing are in the same predicament.

It's a big prayer, but I'm lifting this problem up to God to help us provide for this community in additional ways. The quilts are SUCH a blessing, but it seems there are so MANY different needs here, including basic needs like coats, gloves, hats, and scarves. Perhaps a clothing/coat drive back at home would help fill the need? I know Sierra Trading Post (Dan's employer) is going to be giving the mission here a significant discount...perhaps we could see if they'd extend that to people at home wishing to donate new clothes. Hmmm. A definite discussion to be had with STP, I think. Dan and I are going to brainstorm tonight and tomorrow on how others might further help the people of Kessenuma. More to come soon, I hope.

One of the coolest moments of the day, however came when the woman with the huge debt was leaving. She said she had never experienced a true Christmas experience before today. It was humbling to see the pure joy on her face as she hugged the quilt to her chest and said thank you as she left. I'm so honored to be a part of this project.