An American girl felt God calling her to Asia. Japan opened its doors, and she followed God there. A life changing, unregrettable move, and a future which only God knows and has control over!
Friday, April 22, 2011
First Miyagi Work Trip
Last night there was a 5.-somthing earthquake in Chiba. It really shook us, and then there were at least two after shocks. I suppose they're all after shocks from the first. All I know is, the shaking continues, but thanks be to God that life also continues!
Last week I headed north to Miyagi prefecture to do some volunteer clean-up work. Sendai is located in Miyagi prefecture. We had to drive through the now famous FUKUSHIMA to get to Miyagi. No my hair didn't stand on end, and hopefully I didn't fry too many brain cells. Actually, I thank and praise God for the lessons I learned on this trip. I will cherish them, as well as the people God brought into my life that week.
We got to work with Samaritan's Purse organization. That was a priviledge. They are a well established organization, with teams all over the world doing relief work. Needless to say I felt motivated to help, yet a bit insignificant in their presence. Everyone there was on a specific mission, and it seemed they knew exactly what to do to accomplish it. Well oiled machinery right there. I was amazed at the connections they'd already established. We showed up at their base camp (an closed down supermarket where they are housing relief supplies) and they had a job lined up for us and sent us out to do it.
Our team of 7 people from Singapore, 2 people from our Tokyo Sunshine church, and myself, were assigned to work on houses. Yup. That's basically what must be done up there. Clean up the houses so people can return to their lives. Sadly, thousands will not return to their former homes since the damage is too severe, or the home has been lost all together. But hope was building as we worked together as a team alongside the local people. Its amazing what two hands, a rag, and a bucket of water can accomplish. It truly is grunt work; its not too difficult, just takes time and effort. We washed walls and doors, and the men had to removed the wooden floor boards and dig out the contaminated mud that had washed in under the house. (Japanese houses don't have basements- there aren't tornados here)
I hope to go up north again, many times. I encourage anyone who is able to do the same. If you are in a country far away from Japan and fell compelled to come and help but can't, my personal advice is this: Consider the money you would spend on a plane ticket, on meals, on transportation. Then write a check for that amount, and donate it to Samaritan's purse, or maybe a local church in your area doing fundraising. There are LOTS of people helping from within Japan. Let's all use our resources wisely.
Some are goers, others are senders. Which are you?
Last week I headed north to Miyagi prefecture to do some volunteer clean-up work. Sendai is located in Miyagi prefecture. We had to drive through the now famous FUKUSHIMA to get to Miyagi. No my hair didn't stand on end, and hopefully I didn't fry too many brain cells. Actually, I thank and praise God for the lessons I learned on this trip. I will cherish them, as well as the people God brought into my life that week.
We got to work with Samaritan's Purse organization. That was a priviledge. They are a well established organization, with teams all over the world doing relief work. Needless to say I felt motivated to help, yet a bit insignificant in their presence. Everyone there was on a specific mission, and it seemed they knew exactly what to do to accomplish it. Well oiled machinery right there. I was amazed at the connections they'd already established. We showed up at their base camp (an closed down supermarket where they are housing relief supplies) and they had a job lined up for us and sent us out to do it.
Our team of 7 people from Singapore, 2 people from our Tokyo Sunshine church, and myself, were assigned to work on houses. Yup. That's basically what must be done up there. Clean up the houses so people can return to their lives. Sadly, thousands will not return to their former homes since the damage is too severe, or the home has been lost all together. But hope was building as we worked together as a team alongside the local people. Its amazing what two hands, a rag, and a bucket of water can accomplish. It truly is grunt work; its not too difficult, just takes time and effort. We washed walls and doors, and the men had to removed the wooden floor boards and dig out the contaminated mud that had washed in under the house. (Japanese houses don't have basements- there aren't tornados here)
I hope to go up north again, many times. I encourage anyone who is able to do the same. If you are in a country far away from Japan and fell compelled to come and help but can't, my personal advice is this: Consider the money you would spend on a plane ticket, on meals, on transportation. Then write a check for that amount, and donate it to Samaritan's purse, or maybe a local church in your area doing fundraising. There are LOTS of people helping from within Japan. Let's all use our resources wisely.
Some are goers, others are senders. Which are you?
Examining the ruins near a port, which obviously caused ships to come inland, some on top of houses!
At least 100 people at a rest stop, all on their way to volunteer somewhere! Awesome!
Our team from Singapore with the couple we helped in the front, middle.
Scrubbing the floors with bleach.
Samaritan's Purse headquarters in the supermartket-turned-warehouse. These people are on a mission!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Shaken earth, Unshaken hearts
I'm safe and sound here in Yamanashi Ken. Thank the Good Lord for His mercy and grace to us here!!
Its been a strange, surreal weekend, knowing that other parts of the country are devastated and destroyed, but here we are going about our daily routines, for the most part. Life is precious gift. Because I have been given life and health and strength, I've been given responsibility. All we who are able ought to be good stewards of the life we've been given. What is a good steward? Its a person who uses what he has to the best of his ability, not neglecting his talents, gifts, or even simple abilities that may bring help to others, and certainly bring glory to God. God is the giver of all good things. If He has given me life and breath, I can give glory back to him by using my life and breath to spread His love and do His good work here on earth.
Speaking of doing good work, Japan will need lots of help in the future; rebuilding roads, homes, businesses; caring for medical needs; putting people's livelihoods back together. Money and helping hands will do a lot of that, but honestly- Japan needs the hope of Jesus as their Savior more than anything else. In times such as this, to whom can they pray? What future hope do they have, if they do not have the hope of joining Jesus in Heaven one day? Without the Lord God, life is hopeless.
If nothing else, I ask you to please pray! Prayers are more powerful than money, more powerful than man-power. Prayers reach the Almighty God in heaven, and He is ultimately in control (as we can really see that we humans are so NOT in control!) Even as I type, my building is rocking slightly; the floor is quivering and my stomach is rolling. As we continue to encounter after shocks, and face the reality of the hard road ahead, my eyes and my heart turn toward Psalm 73:23-26:
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Amen.
Its been a strange, surreal weekend, knowing that other parts of the country are devastated and destroyed, but here we are going about our daily routines, for the most part. Life is precious gift. Because I have been given life and health and strength, I've been given responsibility. All we who are able ought to be good stewards of the life we've been given. What is a good steward? Its a person who uses what he has to the best of his ability, not neglecting his talents, gifts, or even simple abilities that may bring help to others, and certainly bring glory to God. God is the giver of all good things. If He has given me life and breath, I can give glory back to him by using my life and breath to spread His love and do His good work here on earth.
Speaking of doing good work, Japan will need lots of help in the future; rebuilding roads, homes, businesses; caring for medical needs; putting people's livelihoods back together. Money and helping hands will do a lot of that, but honestly- Japan needs the hope of Jesus as their Savior more than anything else. In times such as this, to whom can they pray? What future hope do they have, if they do not have the hope of joining Jesus in Heaven one day? Without the Lord God, life is hopeless.
If nothing else, I ask you to please pray! Prayers are more powerful than money, more powerful than man-power. Prayers reach the Almighty God in heaven, and He is ultimately in control (as we can really see that we humans are so NOT in control!) Even as I type, my building is rocking slightly; the floor is quivering and my stomach is rolling. As we continue to encounter after shocks, and face the reality of the hard road ahead, my eyes and my heart turn toward Psalm 73:23-26:
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Chinese New Year, IN CHINA
Have you ever eaten a chicken foot?
Have you ever lived in a house with no heat?
Have you ever seen fireworks 360 degrees around you, near and far?
Have you ever met your inlaws, but couldn't speak their language?
Have you ever been to China?
Nearly everything I experienced in China was unexpected.
I didn't expect to see so many gigantic houses. Even by American standards, these were 4 and 5 story masions! I didn't expect to eat so much delicious food! I didn't expect to hear so many fire crackers, night and day. I didn't expect to attend a church, and find the teaching to be Biblical! I didn't expect to be so cold! I didn't expect to see so many people be living what looked like "middle class" lives. I never imagined that such development in buildings and economy would be established, and yet so much of Old China remains strong.
The Chen Family, from left: Adeng's older brother, older sister, father, mother, brother in-law, me, & Adeng
I can't explain so many of my experiences with mere words. Pictures and videos will help you to see what I saw, and possibly dispell (or confirm) any concepts of China that you may be holding.
Have you ever lived in a house with no heat?
Have you ever seen fireworks 360 degrees around you, near and far?
Have you ever met your inlaws, but couldn't speak their language?
Have you ever been to China?
My first trip to China was only a few weeks ago. Adeng, my husband, took me to visit his family and celebrate the Chinese New Year with them. What an unforgettable trip. I did eat a chicken foot, I did live in a house with no heat (in February), I did see fireworks near and far, all around.
But that isn't even the tip of the iceberg (oh sometimes it did feel like an iceberg!)
Adeng's parents warmly welcomed me into their home, knowing that we couldn't communicate at all. They literally fed and clothed me, and treated me like family.
Nearly everything I experienced in China was unexpected.
I didn't expect to see so many gigantic houses. Even by American standards, these were 4 and 5 story masions! I didn't expect to eat so much delicious food! I didn't expect to hear so many fire crackers, night and day. I didn't expect to attend a church, and find the teaching to be Biblical! I didn't expect to be so cold! I didn't expect to see so many people be living what looked like "middle class" lives. I never imagined that such development in buildings and economy would be established, and yet so much of Old China remains strong.
The Chen Family, from left: Adeng's older brother, older sister, father, mother, brother in-law, me, & Adeng
Mom's gettin' ready to cook the goat, I'm staring at...well... it.
Family dinner! Sometimes we all sat down at the same time. Usually dad was still cooking the next dish while we started in on the first. This eating style is typical, traditional Chinese; put all the food on the center turn-thing, and then twirl the thing back and forth while grabbing what you want with your chopsticks. A challenge for sure!
Making Chinese dumplings, a tradition at Chinese celebrations.
A taxi, but not officially- its much cheaper and much more fun because there's more rist involved!
(L) Ruins of a long-abandoned, but surely not forgotten home.
(R) Live crabs in the "Walmart-like" supercenter, called "Trust-Mart."
Fireworks seen from the rooftop of our home.
Preparing the traditional Chinese snack table for New Year's Day. On this day people walk or drive around and visit friends and family, sharing snack and tea, and giving money.
A car ride to remember!
I can't explain so many of my experiences with mere words. Pictures and videos will help you to see what I saw, and possibly dispell (or confirm) any concepts of China that you may be holding.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
New Year, New Life!
On January 1, 2011, at 1:11pm, I married the love of my life, Adeng Chen.
Adeng and I met in Japan, at New Life International church, where we both attended. When we met, Adeng was planning to enroll in seminary in Tokyo. We talked about our hearts' callings to do God's work in Asia, and our relationship soon blossomed. We worried a little bit about our future, even from the beginning, because Adeng was soon to move 3 hours away, to Chiba for Seminary. But early on we learned not worry, but to trust God! Even though we only saw each other a few times a month, our faith and God's grace kept us going.
Adeng and I went to America to be married, where my family graciously hosted us and took care of all our needs. It was the first time Adeng had ever been to America. I enjoyed showing him around Omaha, and even my alma mater, Morningside College, in Sioux City, Iowa. We didn't get enough snow to go sledding, but it was cold enough that we thoroughly enjoyed the fireplace and the comfort of home and family.
Now we are back in Japan, living apart until I finish my teaching contract in Yamanashi, where I began my life in Japan. Then I'll move to Chiba and Adeng and I will live in student housing on campus. I'm so excited to go to school again and study many things; God's Word, Japanese, Chinese, and music!
Our foundation as a couple and as people is God's Word. Our common ground is our desire to serve God is Asia, and tell people everywhere of God's Love and wonderful gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We are very excited for the future plans God has for us! Thank you for your prayers and support!
Jeremiah 29:11- 13
~"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
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