Japan has been GREAT so far!! Something that I've noticed, especially in the area we're staying in, is that it is very green. Seeing all of this reminds me of home, which is probably why it still hasn't hit me that I am halfway across the world. I have to look at a map, and even then I can't quite comprehend it. In the house that I've been working in, I've mostly been taking out dry wall or pulling out nails from boards. By the time we're done here, I should be an expert nail-puller! Yesterday (Friday) another group from California came to help for for a day, and one the girls in the group helped me pull out nails. It was nice to have help because pulling out nails can be a lot of work sometimes!
On Thurday, a few people from our team, including me, went to a house dedication. At the house dedication, we sang a few songs, in Japanese, heard a short message from someone, then listened to people share some stories they had from working in that house. Before it was finished, a few people who have been working there presented the home owners with a large board with a cross on it that some people signed with a verse, and a Bible. It was really cool to see the house after it had been torn up, cleaned out, and rebuilt, and also to see how the home owners were just so happy and how the work by the volunteers has really moved them and that they can someday live in their own house again.
On another note, Robby, one of the Avoacados on our team, continually insists that I have an accent, and keeps telling me to say something so he can tease me for it! So I'm having fun, even when I'm not pulling out nails.
Friday, July 20, 2012
End of Week 1
Dear Friends and Family,
We have completed our first week in Ishinomaki. Friday we were blessed by the addition of a team of ten from California (not our Avocado Team, but Avocados none the less). We got so much done! The walls are nearly complete and most of the flooring is ripped out. Next week we will be mudding out the gunk that was under the house. I'm not looking forward to that job because it will mean a lot of stooping over and that will be hard on the back.
Today (Saturday) we will be heading back to Ishinomaki to set up for a Christian Concert for the neighborhood this morning. The concert starts at 1:30 PM and will be followed by social time with flavored shaved ice. After all is done, our team will also do the clean up. We are really trying to build good relationships and share Christ with hurting people.
Tomorrow (Sunday), we will go to church and then have a tour of the disaster area in several other towns along the coast. I think everyone is ready for a bit of rest.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Love you all.
Pastor Gary
We have completed our first week in Ishinomaki. Friday we were blessed by the addition of a team of ten from California (not our Avocado Team, but Avocados none the less). We got so much done! The walls are nearly complete and most of the flooring is ripped out. Next week we will be mudding out the gunk that was under the house. I'm not looking forward to that job because it will mean a lot of stooping over and that will be hard on the back.
Today (Saturday) we will be heading back to Ishinomaki to set up for a Christian Concert for the neighborhood this morning. The concert starts at 1:30 PM and will be followed by social time with flavored shaved ice. After all is done, our team will also do the clean up. We are really trying to build good relationships and share Christ with hurting people.
Tomorrow (Sunday), we will go to church and then have a tour of the disaster area in several other towns along the coast. I think everyone is ready for a bit of rest.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Love you all.
Pastor Gary
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