Miyako Mission Trip 2012 - Day 1

This August, we took another mission trip down the coast to serve the people who are still dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. It's been well over a year but there are still thouands of people stuck in temporary housing, struggling with loss and hopelessness. It was great talking to our Japanese contacts again, and driving along the same streets - seeing how much rebuilding they've done. The people in Louisiana could take some notes from the Japanese...

Sorting debris for recycling or burning.

Lots of empty foundations

We spent three days in the area - sleeping in the same flat. This time, we had an opportunity to expand our ministry to different groups of people. The first day was very similar to our mission trip last year. After a four hour road trip, we visited a couple of elementary schools to minister to children.

At the first school we put on a short program inspired by this summer's Vacation Bible School. The teens taught the Japanese students the meaning and motions of a song called "You Can Trust God". I enjoyed watching all of them dancing around together. Then the Japanese class swapped out and performed a traditional dance for us. After that, we did some craft projects and rough housed a bit. They were so cute!

Our full team with the school. We gave them all VBS tee shirts.

After that, we moved on to another school that we visited last year and put on a BBQ and played with the children. It was great recognizing students and teachers from last year and seeing how they've grown. They had the big mural we created last year hanging on the wall with photos of us. One of the older teachers was so great. She had a sharp sense of humor but also a strong love for God. She asked all of the students pray before the meal and thank God for sending us to them. Once again, they seemed humbled that we would praise and thank God for an opportunity to serve them. He is doing great things in this community.

Me in front of the mural we painted last year

Some of our girls showing off the cute thank you card the kids made for us

After a long day of traveling and playing in the extreme heat it was a relief to return to our room sit down and rest - even if it was stifling and cramped with 16 bodies crammed into an unairconditioned space. We cooked for ourselves, had a nice group devotion, and then played many, many card games till it was time to sleep.

The girl's sleeping area. They were packed in there like sardines but didn't seem to mind.

We had fewer boys so they got the separate, smaller room with bunks.

Playing card games. They didn't like it when Ms. Kim beat them... ;^P