Celebration of Hope

As I talked about in my previous post, Samaritan's Purse has been helping the areas that have been ravaged by the tsunami for the past year. Over this past weekend, they help sponsor a 3 day concert series called "Celebration of Hope" to commemorate what has taken place since the devastation and the hope that Japan continues to feel each day for wounds to heal and people to reach salvation. 

 

Less than 1% of Japan claim Christian beliefs. That's several millions of people that miss that hope for whats to come. I've seen some of these people first hand the weekend after the earthquake. We were driving around and saw hundreds of people lining up at schools to get fresh water or stores to take what was available. The looks of pure hopelessness still are etched in my mind. Clearly, it was a devastating time but to have no real hope for tomorrow besides to exist breaks my heart for them. 

Over the past year, through volunteer efforts, people from Samaritan's Purse and like organizations have been slowly restoring hope. Many families couldn't believe the selfless acts that these people committed to over this past year to restore Japan. Last weekend was an opportunity for many to find their place among those who helped them. 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Rifu, (just outside of Sendai) thousands of Japanese people came to what was the biggest Christian Concert the region has seen. 

To be completely, honest I'm not that Christian music literate. I know the chorus to a few popular songs but that's about it. I was thoroughly impressed with the talent. It was a pretty eclectic group of musicians that played for the 3 hour concert. It started with some tradition Japanese music and went into to some tribal drums and on into some mainstream Christian singers. One of my favorites of the night was Kirk Franklin. He gave so much energy to the crowd during his set. Even the older ladies next to me were jumping around to his "Revolution" song. But the most amazing performance of the night for me went to Tsutomu Aragaki. I'm sure most of you have never heard of him being that he is Japanese.  I hate comparing him to Susan Boyle but hes got this very unassuming look to him and hes blind not that it has anything to do with his voice. When the guy sings, you stop whatever you are doing and listen thats for sure. Heres a sample.

Also throughout the night, there were "hope stories" of Japanese people that had issues and came to find hope in everything. One that sticks out to me was the  guy who was an alcoholic and was nearly swept away in the tsunami with others. He was saved and went to volunteer with his son. Through volunteering he got to know Jesus and quit drinking and found hope. You could really see that light that turned on in his eyes. 

At the end of the night Franklin Graham came out to speak to everyone. Sadly, a few people got up and walked out throughout his speech. Though his message was uplifting; his tone and pointing to the camera may have turned off the few sensitive Japanese viewers even though it was translated. However, at the end he invited people up to accept salvation and hundreds of people came up to be saved. It was amazing to see all these people that never had any interest who decided to take that walk. They were old, young, men, women, it didn't matter. It was a beautiful feeling to see that light of hope in their eyes. 

...The other day I was just talking with a friend about how remarkable it is that when you are in a place that is not so religion and church saturated that its easier to hear Him talking more vividly. You'd think it'd be the opposite.

Rebuilding in Japan a Year Later

Its hard to believe its nearly been a year just the catastrophic earthquake that shook Japan. It's devastation  left so many people with so little. There was a great need for hope for these people. By the grace of God, a group called Samaritan's Purse answered this call. For the past year, they have been tirelessly rebuilding not only people's homes but their sense of hope across the coast areas of Japan. I've had the pleasure of meeting a few of them throughout the year as they've partnered with GrapeSeed. They truly are amazing people that seem to have a compassion for others that's only outweighed by their passion for God and to spread His message of hope.

Since coming back to Japan, I've been hoping for a chance to be able to help the Tsunami victims in any way that I can. I've had a few opportunities but something comes up. Its can be difficult to volunteer while working 6 days a week.  But to be completely honest, I was waiting for an opportunity to fall in my lap rather than constantly seeking it out. A year later that opportunity came today. I got the chance to help essentially gut a house that was hit by the tsunami.

So this morning, I was up and at'em at 7AM (thats early for me) to head to Shiogama. As we drove there, I couldn't help notice all the children that were leaving for school. So many of these children a year ago, felt the brunt of mother nature yet here they are resilient. Looking at their faces really shows why groups like Samaritan's Purse exists.

The home we are rebuilding

The empty lot next door.

Driving down there, one could already see the drastic changes they town has made from a year ago. Shops are rebuilt roads are repaved. Yet there are areas of damage around every corner. Finally, we got to the home we were going to help rebuild. The home was about a mile from the ocean and had significant water damage. Many of the homes nearby were either completely gutted or non existent. It was crazy to see the difference from the home we worked on to the empty lot right next door where a home once stood. Looking at the damages its truly amazing to see some of the homes still standing.

You can see the lines where the water was up to the ceiling. 

Going into the house, you could see the water damage all the way up to the ceiling of the first floor. the entire floor outside of the kitchen and bathrooms was completely gone minus the beams. Our job for the day was tear out the drywall. Basically, I got to swing a hammer at walls for several hours. What a great way to relieve that end of school year tension! By the end of the day, I was covered in dry wall cement with every pocket holding rocks...And I was EXHAUSTED.

 It really makes me admire those that have been and continue to do this nearly everyday. Not only do these people do this everyday, they do it with a great passion. Constantly, doing the tedious work with a smile on their face the whole time. These people essentially dropped what they were doing a year ago and answered a call to help after the Tsunami. I don't know how many of us could say that given that call, we would pick up the phone.  Samartan's Purse is a truly inspiring group.

I got a glimpse of why many do it in the end. The homeowner came to thank us just as we finished. This lady who may have never had any interest in the Bible a year ago was standing there praying with everyone. Now I don't know whether she reads the Bible everyday or if she's even completely sure what to believe. But I do know looking into her eyes she has something unmistakable...Hope.

Owarimashita and covered in dust.

The house when we were finished.