Hope for Japan

This afternoon around 3pm, we experienced the biggest earthquake of our lives. Luckily, we were all home together. They are quite common here, but typically mild. Just the other day, Grant felt one at school, but the class kept going without even an acknowledgement of what was happening. Today though, the light fixture and tv was swaying. Things fell off the shelves. Our gas shut off, as it is earthquake-proof, due to fires that happened in the past in these situations. We were quite shaken by the whole event. Miho is still deeply affected by everything that happened today.

We are still without phone or cell phone access. Many places nearby don’t even have electricity or gas (such as around the train station and Miho’s parents). Though it happened at 3pm, we had to go out to file our taxes (as this was the only time we had the time). The office had no power, but surprisingly was still open. At the train station, there were incredibly long lines waiting to use the pay phones, get a taxi, or wait for a bus as the trains were not running. The lines were still long at 6pm, since many people are far from home and have no way to get back easily. All the stores were closed, as the power was out.

This event reminded us of how dependent we are on God. Nothing is in our control during this tragedy. We just pray and wait for it to end. Afterwards, we were blessed to have a church member come over to check on us. This was a complete surprise, but something that made us feel grateful for our church. This little act of care made us feel very loved.

As many homes and offices were damaged in this earthquake and tsunami, please keep Japan in your prayers. Though nothing was destroyed in our apartment, we were shaken by the event. We imagine that many other people have been frightened by this experience. Perhaps this sad event might open their hearts to God, as they seek comfort and hope.

Pastor Sekino praying over Allie

Yesterday, we dedicated Allie at our church here. A lady from the church is a wedding dress designer and created an incredible dress with matching cape and hood for Allie on this special occasion. Though Allie is typically fussy being held by other people, she was surprisingly calm as Pastor Sekino held her and prayed over her. Our next door neighbor (who has been coming to our Language Cafe) also came to the service! We wrote a special letter to Allie that we gave out to everyone who came to the service. Below is the letter (though part of it is in Japanese)…..

“Dearest Allie Mika,

Allie, even after only eight months, you have already begun to live up to your name. You truly are a beautiful

Baby Dedication for Allie

aroma to this world. With the exception of diaper changing times, your presence makes each room lovely and sweet. You are such a joy.

This dedication is as much about us as you. We are dedicated to becoming the best examples and guides as you grow in life and faith. Our desire is that our family and church community will help shape you into who God wants you to become, a woman who knows the truth and spreads the good news wherever she goes. May you learn from our mistakes, while also experiencing the need for grace and forgiveness. We love you and care so much about you. We trust that God will protect you and guide you as you grow from a baby into a young woman.

Who is like the Lord to grant us this child?

She will know the truth, walk in the truth, and spread the beautiful aroma of Christ.

この子を私達に与えてくださった主のような方が他にあろうか？

この子は真理を知り、真理に歩み、キリストの美しい香りを放つようになる。

アリーちゃん、献児式おめでとう。もうすぐアリーちゃんが生まれてから八ヶ月が経ちますね。アリーちゃんの小さな命は、神様からのかけがえのない贈り物。溢れんばかりの喜びと限りなく広がる夢をパパとママに与えてくれる大切な存在です。神様の守りの中で、生まれてからの八ヶ月間、目に見張るような成長を遂げましたね。にっこりと満面の笑みで笑いかけてくれると、ママの心は幸せでいっぱいになります。抱き上げると嬉しそうに足をピョコンピョコンと跳ねる姿も愛くるしくてたまりません。知らない人を見ると目に涙をいっぱい浮かべて泣くのも、パパとママの存在をちゃんと知っているからなのですね。ちいちゃなかわいい歯が二本顔を出して、上手に食べ物をもぐもぐごっくんできるようになりましたね。お口を開けてご飯がもらえるのを待つ仕草も、これからの成長を暗示しているようです。今年に入ってからは、一人でお座りができるようになり、最近では寝返りまで打てるようになって、数えきれないほどの成長を遂げたアリーちゃん。これからもどんどん大きくなって、色々な事を知り、色々な事ができるようになって、大人への道を歩んで行くのですね。

パパとママの初めての子として、アリーちゃんには深い思い入れがあります。でも、何よりも神様と人に愛される子に育っていってほしいと願います。神様から授かったこの命、パパとママは不完全な親だけれども、精一杯、真心を込めて育てていきたいと思います。神様が私達に必要なすべての知恵と忍耐と愛を与えてくださり、神様の家族である兄弟姉妹からの助けを借りて、アリーちゃんが「神様の子ども」としてすくすくと成長していけますように. ”

Last Saturday, we hosted our first event as the Youth Committee of the Japanese Covenant. We planned a Valentine’s Event in downtown Tokyo for college and young adults.

Speaking with the help of Aki (Grant's interpreter)

As our first event, we were not sure who or how many people  would come. Yet, we prayed that God would bring people  from all over to enjoy a fun and relaxing evening together,  hearing about love and relationships through a Gospel-  perspective. We were selected as the speakers for the event.  Preparing a message together is always a challenge, as we  have different rhythms and styles of crafting a message. It  also didn’t help that Miho would be speaking in Japanese  and I would speak in English.

Crowd at the Event

This event was a tremendous success. It has been one of the  main highlights of our ministry (so far) in Japan. More than  50 young adults came out, despite the snowy, wet weather.  Around 30 of these guests were non-Christians that had  been invited by their friends. This might have been the first  time they heard about God’s love. We were interviewed first,  sharing about how we met, how we handled conflicts in our  relationship, and how we knew we wanted to marry each  other.

Fantastic Buffet

Throughout the night, we enjoyed a wonderful buffet that included a chocolate  fountain with strawberries, marshmallows, and pineapple. A team from another church created great ambiance in the rented venue. We played People  Bingo, so people could get to know each other a little bit (which Miho won). A  music team from another church sang a few songs, even one that a girl wrote.  One guy provided some comic relief through a song.

All in all, everybody seemed to have a wonderful time. We loved having the  opportunity to speak to such a group of young people. We really hope to reach  such young people every week in our church. Our prayer is that our story of our  relationship and the message of God’s sacrificial love would truly speak to  them.

While a romantic dinner or beautifully wrapped gift is sweet, I am sure nothing could make my dad happier this Valentine’s Day that what will be happening. After nearly four months, my mom was told that her burns have healed properly and she is now ready to have the surgery on her neck for her clogged artery (nearly 80-90% closed). We just found out that it will be happening on Valentine’s Day! For my dad, this gift should bring back his healthy and functional wife. The hope is that this surgery will not only remedy the cause of her stroke, but also allow the blood to properly flow from her brain to her left side of the body. She has been steadily improving in her movement, but still is not near a normal state.

Please continue praying for her, this surgery, and the full recovery. This should be a routine procedure. She should only be in the hospital for a day afterwards. Please pray that all goes well and my mom will continue to recover.

UPDATE: The surgery was successful. She is now back home recovering. She will need to continue with therapy in order for her left side to be restored to normal.