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.
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