Thursday, August 23, 2012
Leaving Sendai
Well friends and family, the time has come for us to leave Sendai. It's been an amazing mission trip, praise God for Roy and Nancy hosting us, and caring so well for our team. We are headed to the bullet train shortly as we begin what feels like a 48 hour journey home. Thankfully we will be afforded the opportunity to spend a bit of time in Tokyo shopping and to eat lunch. Then it's off to the airport for a red eye back to LA. We are tired but still very high on the move of the Spirit while we have been here. Pray for us, maybe for a bump up to business class for the entire group. Hey don't be a doubter. We love you all, see you soon. Aaron H
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Landscape of the Heart
From Melissa:
Good morning! Well, its Thursday here and I just can't believe that we are already leaving tomorrow. There have been some really long and hard days but God is so good and He has been just pouring out grace and mercy upon us.
Everyone has expectations, its practically unavoidable. So I admit that I came here to Japan with some as well. We go on a missions trip or to serve those in need or to fulfill whatever He has called us to do and we expect God to work in certain ways or less people with certain things. One of the things that I absolutely love about God is that He never meets our expectations but He always exceeds them in ways and using things that we could never imagine.... All that to say that God has completely blessed and worked in ways that I never would have thought.
I would like to share one of those expectation bulldozers with you. I have wanted to come to Japan for many many years. I wanted to see and experience so many things when I got here. Whenever I had seen pictures or movies about Japan I was always amazed at how beautifully different it seemed.
In that way I was right, though almost everything that we have in the USA can be easily found in Japan, the look or the process of using everything is different. Also, the landscape is as beautiful and lush as the picture books and movies make them out to be. What God surprised me with is that even though I have enjoyed the new sights and the Japanese scenery, the thing that I have found most interesting and enjoyed the most about this mission trip has been the people.
I guess it comes as such a shock to me because like I said earlier, I have always wanted to go to Japan... almost as if it was the place or the location that was so special. God has allowed me to see and realize that it is not the place, the country, or the external things that make something special but it is the people, the souls and the eternal.
Coming half way around the world in search of something special I have realized that some of the greatest things and biggest blessings have come from the people that came with me. The people who I walked passed on Sundays, who I had seen sometimes in the pews around me and maybe even directed a "Good morning." towards once or twice. All of them incredible people of God that I have been so blessed by getting to know them. It makes we wonder what other blessings and opportunities have I might've missed because they were right in front of me?
Good morning! Well, its Thursday here and I just can't believe that we are already leaving tomorrow. There have been some really long and hard days but God is so good and He has been just pouring out grace and mercy upon us.
Everyone has expectations, its practically unavoidable. So I admit that I came here to Japan with some as well. We go on a missions trip or to serve those in need or to fulfill whatever He has called us to do and we expect God to work in certain ways or less people with certain things. One of the things that I absolutely love about God is that He never meets our expectations but He always exceeds them in ways and using things that we could never imagine.... All that to say that God has completely blessed and worked in ways that I never would have thought.
I would like to share one of those expectation bulldozers with you. I have wanted to come to Japan for many many years. I wanted to see and experience so many things when I got here. Whenever I had seen pictures or movies about Japan I was always amazed at how beautifully different it seemed.
In that way I was right, though almost everything that we have in the USA can be easily found in Japan, the look or the process of using everything is different. Also, the landscape is as beautiful and lush as the picture books and movies make them out to be. What God surprised me with is that even though I have enjoyed the new sights and the Japanese scenery, the thing that I have found most interesting and enjoyed the most about this mission trip has been the people.
I guess it comes as such a shock to me because like I said earlier, I have always wanted to go to Japan... almost as if it was the place or the location that was so special. God has allowed me to see and realize that it is not the place, the country, or the external things that make something special but it is the people, the souls and the eternal.
Coming half way around the world in search of something special I have realized that some of the greatest things and biggest blessings have come from the people that came with me. The people who I walked passed on Sundays, who I had seen sometimes in the pews around me and maybe even directed a "Good morning." towards once or twice. All of them incredible people of God that I have been so blessed by getting to know them. It makes we wonder what other blessings and opportunities have I might've missed because they were right in front of me?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Day 4
Hi all, this is Lucy. We had such a blessed day! It started off with splitting us into two teams with one team of five sent to help with VBS and the other team stayed back to take the opportunity to refresh themselves at home to read the Word, worship, do laundry, and help prep for the Wednesday BBQ. I was with the group at home and trust me it was so refreshing to be able to slow down a little, spend some time with the Lord, and fellowship with part of the team. At around noon, we met the other half of the group at the mall for lunch. Yes...the mall! The food court in Japan is nothing like what we're used to in the States. The choices of the eateries are amazing and you almost can't go wrong with anything you pick. The chose the Korean Bibimbap dish for the second day in a row.
We later headed off to the cafe in Ishinomaki to hand out flyers for tonight's live music and Peggy and I were paired up to hit the train station. Tim taught all of us some mad Japanese skills yesterday and by God's grace we actually retained them and headed out to the streets. One of the phrases we learned was 'A Toe De Ne', which means 'See you later'. It's funny, however, what the heat and hunger can do to you in about an hour or so outside. I was flyering with Peggy at the convenient store and after a while I noticed that her 'A Toe De Ne' eventually became 'A Ter Dinner'! It was definitely time to call it in :)
The live music outreach was amazing! We wanted to create a causal atmosphere where people could come and hang out, listen to the music, and absorb the lyrics of the music and the company of Christians. We had a mixture of regulars and new folks who came. We even met a couple who happened to have stumbled in as they were passing us by. They saw us through the windows and walked in to see what was going on. We also had middle school students to older men and women. The whole night I chatted with my broken Japanese and my Japanese Translator app from my smartphone :) They were all so gracious to our limited speech and hand gestures and they seemed to really enjoy themselves in our company. As for the live music, we had Pastor Aaron/Lily and headlining was Tim. He performed some Japanese Christian rap from his album which blew us all away! Did I mention he was a Caucasian guy originally from So-Cal? But even more neat is that the Gospel and the goodness of the Lord was being preached through the music.
We later headed off to the cafe in Ishinomaki to hand out flyers for tonight's live music and Peggy and I were paired up to hit the train station. Tim taught all of us some mad Japanese skills yesterday and by God's grace we actually retained them and headed out to the streets. One of the phrases we learned was 'A Toe De Ne', which means 'See you later'. It's funny, however, what the heat and hunger can do to you in about an hour or so outside. I was flyering with Peggy at the convenient store and after a while I noticed that her 'A Toe De Ne' eventually became 'A Ter Dinner'! It was definitely time to call it in :)
The live music outreach was amazing! We wanted to create a causal atmosphere where people could come and hang out, listen to the music, and absorb the lyrics of the music and the company of Christians. We had a mixture of regulars and new folks who came. We even met a couple who happened to have stumbled in as they were passing us by. They saw us through the windows and walked in to see what was going on. We also had middle school students to older men and women. The whole night I chatted with my broken Japanese and my Japanese Translator app from my smartphone :) They were all so gracious to our limited speech and hand gestures and they seemed to really enjoy themselves in our company. As for the live music, we had Pastor Aaron/Lily and headlining was Tim. He performed some Japanese Christian rap from his album which blew us all away! Did I mention he was a Caucasian guy originally from So-Cal? But even more neat is that the Gospel and the goodness of the Lord was being preached through the music.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Jam Session
With some free time and Pastor Aaron and Tim snuck in a morning jam session (sorry for the poor quality video). Enjoy!
Thoughts From Ishinomaki
From The Cammacks:
Walking along the sea wall in Ishinomaki, enjoying the ocean breeze, is surreal. The memories come rushing back. However, this is not last year. We cannot expect it to be like last year.
It was only 17 months ago that destruction hit this land – tearing apart families, obliterating property, and spreading despair and hopelessness. It was a land torn apart by the power of the sea. Nothing was where it should have been. Many places simply did not exist any longer.
Now we see houses are being repaired and rebuilt, and there is a semblance of normalcy returning to this community.
Things are far from normal. As you look to the ocean, the seawall is still filled with debris and wreckage. Near the seawall, the roads are still broken and there are piles of broken boats and debris. A lot of the land here is still empty – either abandoned or ownerless. All the empty lots have been cleared, but they are now overgrown with grass – growing long and uncontrolled. There is almost a beauty in the how green and lush it is; yet heartbreaking reality strikes with the memory of how this came to be.
This is a land and people still in deparate need of healing.
We cannot believe that the Lord has brought us back to Ishinomaki – to this land and to these people – so soon. There is something we need to learn here, a lesson that needs to be taught. We wait eagerly to hear from the Lord.
Walking along the sea wall in Ishinomaki, enjoying the ocean breeze, is surreal. The memories come rushing back. However, this is not last year. We cannot expect it to be like last year.
It was only 17 months ago that destruction hit this land – tearing apart families, obliterating property, and spreading despair and hopelessness. It was a land torn apart by the power of the sea. Nothing was where it should have been. Many places simply did not exist any longer.
Now we see houses are being repaired and rebuilt, and there is a semblance of normalcy returning to this community.
Things are far from normal. As you look to the ocean, the seawall is still filled with debris and wreckage. Near the seawall, the roads are still broken and there are piles of broken boats and debris. A lot of the land here is still empty – either abandoned or ownerless. All the empty lots have been cleared, but they are now overgrown with grass – growing long and uncontrolled. There is almost a beauty in the how green and lush it is; yet heartbreaking reality strikes with the memory of how this came to be.
This is a land and people still in deparate need of healing.
We cannot believe that the Lord has brought us back to Ishinomaki – to this land and to these people – so soon. There is something we need to learn here, a lesson that needs to be taught. We wait eagerly to hear from the Lord.
Day 2 Ishinomaki
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Greetings from Japan!!
After a hearty breakfast, we traveled to Ishinomaki, about an hour outside of Sendai, for Sunday morning service. Also attending the service were a few members from the community and a missionary team of teenagers from Calvary Chapel Carlsbad. Pastor Aaron shared a wonderful sermon, translated by Pastor Tim. It was absolutely amazing to hear the Word of God both in English and in Japanese! We ate lunch and engaged in fellowship while listening to Pastor Tim's testimony. Originally from California, he has been called to serve in Japan and currently lives with his wife and children in Okinawa!
After fellowship, we took a tour of Ishinomaki, located along the coast and one of areas most affected by the earthquake and tsunami. While there is still rubble, there has been tremendous progress in the past year and a half! Homes and local shops are being rebuilt. There are also several plants and flowers that have been planted throughout the community, which provide color and are symbolic of life and growths. It was truly a blessing to visually see the work that the people of Japan have done along with several missionary teams!
Blessings,
Maria and Pauline
Greetings from Japan!!
After a hearty breakfast, we traveled to Ishinomaki, about an hour outside of Sendai, for Sunday morning service. Also attending the service were a few members from the community and a missionary team of teenagers from Calvary Chapel Carlsbad. Pastor Aaron shared a wonderful sermon, translated by Pastor Tim. It was absolutely amazing to hear the Word of God both in English and in Japanese! We ate lunch and engaged in fellowship while listening to Pastor Tim's testimony. Originally from California, he has been called to serve in Japan and currently lives with his wife and children in Okinawa!
After fellowship, we took a tour of Ishinomaki, located along the coast and one of areas most affected by the earthquake and tsunami. While there is still rubble, there has been tremendous progress in the past year and a half! Homes and local shops are being rebuilt. There are also several plants and flowers that have been planted throughout the community, which provide color and are symbolic of life and growths. It was truly a blessing to visually see the work that the people of Japan have done along with several missionary teams!
Blessings,
Maria and Pauline
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Day 1 What a full day it was!
From Melissa:
Good morning! I would have posted sooner but by the time we were able to sit still long enough to post something it was time for bed... and no one made it longer than 10 min once we had gotten into the room.
The plane finally touched down in Tokyo around 4:30am and I think that coasting to our gate terminal took longer than the actual flight haha Haneda airport was massive and completely pristine. There was no litter or discarded trash anywhere. Our first stop was the bathroom. That was when I fully realized that I was in a different country.
Our first meal was in the an airport cafe. Ordering went really smooth since the young man taking our orders seemed to know all the English names for our meals. I had minestrone soup, which was amazing! After the meal we bought water and used the restroom one more time before heading to the monorail. I remember thinking it was hot and muggy in the airport until we were standing by the airport doors when they opened and I was blasted by the outside air. This was going to be interesting.
All I can say is, "Thank you Lord for Steve and Marina!" I cannot imagine how anyone could navigate the rail system in Tokyo without getting completely and hopelessly lost. They got us to the bullet train with no problems and I am just so thankful.
The bullet train was fun and those who could slept. "I fell asleep right away sitting between two (Japanese) dudes who were also sleeping.... Guys are the same everywhere."
I sat in the middle of the three seats as well. The older woman on my right was on her way to a mountain temple to pray. She was very friendly and we had a very animated "conversation" which resembled charades more than anything else. The man on my left didn't say a word for the whole trip and didn't seem to register my presence. The older woman was nice enough to teach me a couple words in Japanese. "Otoko" which means man and "Ohna" which means woman. Then she told me a story of a handsome one-eyed man who used to live on a hill in Sendai. I found out later that his name was Date Masamune and he was credited with establishing the Sendai region.
At the Sendai station we met with Roy, Nancy, their son Joseph and a pastor from Okinawa named Tim. Tim took us to have lunch at an Udon restaurant. I wasn't sure how I was going to like cold noodle soup but it was really delicious. Tim even gave us a tip about how slurping while eating noodle dishes is proper etiquette in Japan. I tried it but I found that I was so concentrated on making the slurping sound that I wasn't actually eating the noodles.
We finally got to the Toma's house , unpacked, went over house rules and had our first devotion in Japan. We focused on worship and ministering to the Lord. What an amazing way to begin our time of service in Japan. After washing we were all so tired that we fell asleep within 10 min of going in the room.
I cannot wait to see how the Lord works through us. He told us to go and we have stepped out in faith to follow Him. May He grow us and use us as He wills.
Planting seeds in Japan :D
PS. The airplane food was as they said it would be.
Good morning! I would have posted sooner but by the time we were able to sit still long enough to post something it was time for bed... and no one made it longer than 10 min once we had gotten into the room.
The plane finally touched down in Tokyo around 4:30am and I think that coasting to our gate terminal took longer than the actual flight haha Haneda airport was massive and completely pristine. There was no litter or discarded trash anywhere. Our first stop was the bathroom. That was when I fully realized that I was in a different country.
Our first meal was in the an airport cafe. Ordering went really smooth since the young man taking our orders seemed to know all the English names for our meals. I had minestrone soup, which was amazing! After the meal we bought water and used the restroom one more time before heading to the monorail. I remember thinking it was hot and muggy in the airport until we were standing by the airport doors when they opened and I was blasted by the outside air. This was going to be interesting.
All I can say is, "Thank you Lord for Steve and Marina!" I cannot imagine how anyone could navigate the rail system in Tokyo without getting completely and hopelessly lost. They got us to the bullet train with no problems and I am just so thankful.
The bullet train was fun and those who could slept. "I fell asleep right away sitting between two (Japanese) dudes who were also sleeping.... Guys are the same everywhere."
I sat in the middle of the three seats as well. The older woman on my right was on her way to a mountain temple to pray. She was very friendly and we had a very animated "conversation" which resembled charades more than anything else. The man on my left didn't say a word for the whole trip and didn't seem to register my presence. The older woman was nice enough to teach me a couple words in Japanese. "Otoko" which means man and "Ohna" which means woman. Then she told me a story of a handsome one-eyed man who used to live on a hill in Sendai. I found out later that his name was Date Masamune and he was credited with establishing the Sendai region.
At the Sendai station we met with Roy, Nancy, their son Joseph and a pastor from Okinawa named Tim. Tim took us to have lunch at an Udon restaurant. I wasn't sure how I was going to like cold noodle soup but it was really delicious. Tim even gave us a tip about how slurping while eating noodle dishes is proper etiquette in Japan. I tried it but I found that I was so concentrated on making the slurping sound that I wasn't actually eating the noodles.
We finally got to the Toma's house , unpacked, went over house rules and had our first devotion in Japan. We focused on worship and ministering to the Lord. What an amazing way to begin our time of service in Japan. After washing we were all so tired that we fell asleep within 10 min of going in the room.
I cannot wait to see how the Lord works through us. He told us to go and we have stepped out in faith to follow Him. May He grow us and use us as He wills.
Planting seeds in Japan :D
PS. The airplane food was as they said it would be.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Arrived in Sendai
From Lily: It's Saturday the 18th of August...We got here in Sendai, Japan around noon. I just want to praise the Lord for the safe travel we had which was around 15 hours in total. We rode the bullet train from Tokyo station to Sendai and it was a very nice experience. Roy, Nancy, their son Joseph as well as Tim from the Committed Relief brought 2 vans and a car at the train station to pick us up. But before we headed to our destination, We had a sumptuous lunch ... Udon and tempura (soooo good!) We are all tired right now because of the jet lag, to some due to lack of sleep and to most of us because of the numerous transfers at the train station...but it's the joy
of the Lord that gives us strength and we're all looking forward to taste and see more the goodness of the Lord.
From Lucy:
Settling down at their house and being able to wash my face from today's hustle and bustle feels glorious. The weather is humid but suprising much more tolerable than expected. And praise God....we now have air conditioning! Looking forward to see what God will unfold this week!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
LAX
Hi all! This is Melissa, one of the Mission Japan 2012 team members :) We have safely landed at LAX and been shuttled to a nearby Marriott for our last non-airport/plane meal before the 12 hour flight to Tokyo. Honestly, I have only been on 2 planes in my life and both were whopping 1.5 hour flights. The more experienced travelers in our group say the airplane food is not the best, but I am actually looking forward to trying it. Everyone should be able to claim that they have eaten airplane food at least once... yes?
God really blessed me by seating me next to one of our other team members, Lucy. I don't think she shares my joy though because we were still coasting down the runway before leaving Sacramento when she said "I am never sitting next to you on a flight again!" She was joking of course... I think.
Next stop, Tokyo!
God really blessed me by seating me next to one of our other team members, Lucy. I don't think she shares my joy though because we were still coasting down the runway before leaving Sacramento when she said "I am never sitting next to you on a flight again!" She was joking of course... I think.
Next stop, Tokyo!
On our way
The full team is assembled and in LAX for a layover.
We escaped the airport and are waiting for dinner to be delivered.
The excitement level is high and we are ready to be in Japan serving the Lord.
Here is our landing at LAX:
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Church Introduction
If you did not make it to church last Sunday, or just need a second helping, please take a couple minutes to watch this awesome video!
This is a great introduction of the team!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Ready To Serve
It is Sunday and the 2012 Mission Japan Team is leaving on Thursday! We are all very excited about the trip and are making ready with final travel preparations.
We are eagerly anticipating the exciting service opportunities that await us. Please pray that we decrease so that the Lord can increase - that when people look at us and watch us that they see Jesus through us.
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