There’s lots of things being said by people far more articulate than me, as well as people who have done far more than I’ve done as part of what we called JapanRebuild.  Still, I thought that I had to mark this anniversary.

I do distinctly remember getting the text alert about a 9.0 earthquake in Japan which had apparently resulted in surprisingly little damage or casualties.  Then, of course, came the tsunami, that I watched live on NHK Online. Watching the beautiful coastline of Japan being not destroyed, but annihilated, it was as if someone had punched me in the gut.

I remembered praying about going to Japan, and that any fears I had about going there — aftershocks, radiation, disease — would be left in God’s hands.  To quote the old cliche, “be careful what you pray for!”  Never did I expect to actually go to Japan to serve, let alone work with some of the finest people that I could ever hope to meet at CRASH Japan (www.crashjapan.com — yes, I had to add the plug).  I also didn’t expect an answer to my sometimes angry question “why God?”  Nor did I expect to learn one of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned, thanks to Dr. Gary Fujino.  

Here’s what Gary taught me: What were doing in Japan — serving meals, cleaning up debris, offering support to those in evacuation centers — was important, but what was most important was that we were there.

That lesson has stayed with me.  And right now I wish I was back in the Tohoku area or at the CRASH Japan headquarters in Higashi-Kurume — I wish I was there with my family, knowing that being there meant more than I’d ever thought before.  

By the way, we’re now praying as a family about going together to Japan this time, to work with CRASH Japan, and we’re thinking about leading a team of other volunteers.  Stay tuned as we see what happens over the ensuing days and weeks to come.

Back to the people I served with.  Rev. Jonathan Wilson, his gifted wife Rie, and their children Keita and Gracie, have given up a lot of themselves to lead CRASH Japan.  Levi and Diane Velasco, such an amazingly duo, who are so incredibly dedicated in their service.  Shannon Ikuta, the “face” of CRASH Japan on their webcast updates…your talent will take you far, your calling will guarantee your success.  Jonie Seo, though we met only briefly, I keep hearing about the amazing person you are and the amazing work that you do…I hope to meet up with you again, sooner than later.  Dr. Fujino, there are few men I’ve met who are smarter, I hope you and your family are as blessed as much as you’ve blessed so many with your work.  Many great people I met through CRASH Japan, of course I’m forgetting many, please accept my apologies.

So many people supported our work, so many people have sent prayers and encouraging words — all I can offer is a very humble “thank you,” not just on my behalf, but on behalf of all of the people who’ve been somehow touched by your generosity.  Speaking of “thank you,” I posted this video on my Facebook account, I defer to the people of Tohoku who do a better job of offering the necessary appreciation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-sWdAQsYg

The job is far from over, and I hope that in some small way that I can join others in continuing the journey of healing and hope for the hinansaretahito (people affected by the disaster).  As I said, stay tuned…I think there’s a lot more ahead!

We just welcomed back our third team from Japan, which completes this year’s edition of JapanRebuild’s Summer Project 2011.  I had the privilege of working with the staff of Cru (that’s the new name for the U.S. arm of Campus Crusade for Christ) training, briefing, and debriefing each of our three teams this past summer.  Some of the observations:

• Though our teams were largely comprised of students, we also had individuals who are “post-collegiates” (hey, it beats being called “older”) who also participated on all three teams.  Of what I could tell, it looked as if age appeared to be a non-issue, just like it was at the CRASH Japan office — people of different ages, of different denominations, from different parts of the world working together and working together well.  That was very cool to observe.

• After five months, it’s amazing how much devastation there still is to clean up.  In some respect, calling our project JapanRebuild isn’t completely accurate, as many areas in Tohoku are still devastated and “rebuild” is still not happening.  One of our students posted a video on YouTube, detailing the destruction that’s still there.  Julian’s video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBJemBZguo8. 

• The teams survived living in close quarters, doing physical labor — cleaning mud, debris, and trash, digging up possibly contaminated soil and produce, helping put a restaurant back together for business, traveling for hours to get to the affected areas, sharing meals, etc. etc.  Every time you send out a team, you worry about how they’ll get along.  Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like there were any real problems.  I think they made an effort to get along and work together well, and that they did admirably.

• What is it about the onsen?  During the debriefing times, every team had some story related to their visits to the onsen (hot springs).  The stories from today’s group was especially funny — the 3-year-old boy in the women’s bathing facility, finding out how many people can fit into the cold pool at one time, the onsen that was so small that the male and female bathhouses were too close for comfort, and other tales.  Still, it was agreed that nothing beats the hot springs after a long day of work.

• The teams remarked on the appreciation they received from the people they met in Japan.  This is a proud country that has made itself into a world leaders after recovering from so many traumas and tragedies.  This time, the people of Tohoku and the rest of Japan have experienced a disaster that I hope no man or woman will ever have to witness again.  I sense a willingness to accept help from us coming from outside Japan, the opportunity continues.

I hit the ground running (to use the overused cliche) when I returned in June, my feeble excuse for not updating the blog in awhile.  I thought that as we finish the summer project, it’d be a good time to get back to sharing some thoughts and observations.  For me, the school year begins in about two (2) weeks, and it promises to be busy and productive, but it’s hard not to think about going back to Japan much sooner than later.  What we’re going to do with JapanRebuild, what I’m planning on doing…more on that in a future posting.

The question I’ve been asked many times since I’ve been back from Japan has been “so how was the trip?”  And my standard answer has been “overwhelming.”  That pretty much sums it up, though of course I provide details.  I also hear people ask: “What’s going on there?  There’s nothing on the news.”

Well, here’s what I saw, just a couple of weeks ago…

1,200 people still evacuated, living in a convention center near Fukushima…

…places that are still being cleaned up (recovery is still sometime in the future, at best)…

…places that may never, ever be the same again…

…sad reminders of who was lost, and what was lost…

…and reminders that there are people who are still in need of assistance.

Yet I’m also reminded of kiboo (hope)…

…meeting people who continue to bring a Gospel of healing…

…young adults serving alongside slightly less young adults…

…people from all walks of life reaching out to give the message “you are not alone…fear not!”…

…and reminders that I have the privilege of working with people who can and will bring the love of Jesus to Japan.

I learned something during a quiet moment I had in Japan. Cynicism is something that can be a lot of fun, but the roots of cynicism are generally born of frustration, anger, and / or hopelessness.  Cynicism can also be derived from a critical spirit.  Cynicism has the power to disrupt and even destroy.

One exercise I do with student groups is to give them a pack of cards and give them ten (10) minutes to build anything they want.  Some of the efforts are pretty spectacular.  I then ask one group if they’re willing to destroy their effort.  It takes all of 10 seconds at most to completely trash the structure.  Then I ask the students, what takes more time?  To build something, or to destroy it?  It’s far easier  to destroy someone’s work, or destroy someone.  For that matter, it’s surprisingly easy to destroy ourselves.  It’s easier to criticize than it is to affirm (or to be overly self-critical than experiencing grace).  It’s not easy to fulfill the Scriptural mandate to be “slow to anger,” and it’s said that anger is often borne out of frustration.  It’s far easier to be cynical than to be hopeful.

So what’s my point?  The gambatte (do your best, never give up) spirit has sustained many in Japan during this horrific time.  Yet even during my brief visit, cynicism — or at least the attitude of shoganai (it can’t be helped) — was creeping into the mindset of some that we met.  The kiboo that CRASH and other relief efforts are bringing can be eclipsed by a cynical heart that says there’s too much to do, that it’s pretty hopeless to try to help.  

What I realized is if I’m going to continue to participate in the rebuilding of the kokoro (hearts) of the Japanese, I’m going to have to continue to confront the cynicism in my own heart and re-realize my hope, our hope, is in God.  I’ve the thought that I’m not the only one who’s had to confront this.  The Wonderful Counselor done a lot for me over the years, yet I’ve much to still learn. Hope is exactly what we can bring for the long journey ahead.

Does this make sense?  Stay tuned for a few more thoughts…I’m still some more things to sort out and share.

Another shameless plug — if you want to help:

www.crashjapan.com

www.japanrebuild.org

See you next time!

Hi everyone — I’m still playing catch-up and have a couple of more entries ahead.  A couple of you have given me ideas about whether to continue the blog and what I should include.  One thing that I’m considering — I want to make sure that people know about the work of CRASH and if I can use this blog to highlight what they’re doing and let people know about their needs, that’s something worth contemplating.

Some of you may remember that my wife Donna encouraged me to go to Japan even though she was recovering from Achilles surgery.  Your prayers will be gratefully appreciated as she reinjured her Achilles over the weekend, we’re waiting to see the doctor and get another MRI this week.  Thanks.

(I’m still catching up with my notes from Japan.  I’ll be posting some comments that are Stateside based within the next post or two.  Thanks for your patience.) 

The term “human dynamo” is a cliche, yet the term best describes Rie-San, our training leader for Operation SAFE (and also the wife of CRASH Japan President Jonathan Wilson).  I watched her lead a group of volunteers who will work with children at the different CRASH base camps, kids who have seen things that children really shouldn’t have to see.  Her energy and enthusiasm was amazing…I was having trouble keeping up with Rie-San, and I was simply sitting there as an observer.

Operation SAFE is based on the template of the Vacation Bible Schools that many of us attended as we were growing up.  The distinction here is that the curriculum is targeting children who’ve witnessed and / or experienced trauma.  The story of P-Chan (Pete the Penguin, detailed in an earlier entry) is just one of the ways in which the theme of the week is emphasized — “Boku (or Watashi) wa hitorijyanai!” (I am not alone!), to which the kids reply “Fear not!” and offer a hug to an adjacent child.

The reality is that many of these children attending Operation SAFE will have, at best, have witnessed tragedies that would haunt an adult.  Worse, some have lost family members and homes.  It was a privilege to have observed the training session and learn about this program.  Pastor Jonathan wants to be able to take this program and offer it anywhere a disaster happens to aid children and help the beginning of God’s healing and encouragement.

College students and recent grads (as well as anyone else interested) — Operation SAFE will be offered at all five of the base stations located in the affected areas in Northern Japan during the month of August.  CRASH Japan can use volunteers from the U.S. — contact me at ayoda77@gmail.com if you want more information.  

One interesting sidebar — I found that one of those volunteers attended a sister church of my current home institution.  Yuri returned to Japan after ten (10) years in the States.  We had many friends in common and I’d realized that I met her somewhere, somehow.  Forget Kevin Bacon — we have the Body of Believers bringing us together.

To paraphrase Monty Python, “and now for something completely irrelevant.”  I’ve two decent-sized tanks, 40 gallon (151 liters) and 100 gallon (378 liter) sized.  I’ve been keeping tanks since I was eight years old.  I found the paradise for a fish geek — Aqua Forest is in Shinjuku, an absolutely fabulous store.  Too bad I couldn’t buy anything there to take home, but it gives me more ideas for my comparatively sad looking tanks when I get home.  (And let me now apologize to my wife Donna as she again watches me obsess over my hobby.)

Speaking of home, the phrase “the end of the beginning” is something I stole from my niece, Kristin.  She used it to describe her graduation photos (Uncle Alan is VERY proud of you Kristin!!) as she becomes an alumni of South High School and prepares to become a freshman at the University of California, Irvine this fall.  As I start to think about going home, I also realize now that my real job will begin when I get back to the U.S.  Japan will need people to come share love and hope for at least the next few years.  I hope that somehow that my small efforts can somehow help bring that needed love and hope that the Gospel asks us to share.

I also have to decide what to do with this blog once I get home.  I have some ideas, but I’d welcome any ideas you may have.  Suggestions?  Talk to you soon.  Your prayers continue to be acknowledged and appreciated.

(I’m actually back in the States and am posting some backlogged offerings.  We’re back safely, two words now dominate my vocabulary — “jet lag.”  Please be patient as I catch up.)

The CRASH Japan offices are housed at a former Family Mart in Higashi-Kurume, located in Western Tokyo.  Our effort, JapanRebuild is sending our volunteers directly to CRASH Japan to serve the country’s recovery efforts.  In addition, there are five base stations currently serving evacuees and assisting in the clean-up effort throughout the northern part of the country, hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami.

No one has a private office anywhere within the CRASH headquarters.  It’s sometimes a challenge to find an open seat, let alone booking the meeting rooms for more than an hour.

I need to correct an earlier misstatement.  Though most of the people in the CRASH Japan office are volunteers, some do get a stipend if they commit to a certain length of service.  No one’s getting rich with the stipend.  Of course, the money’s not why they’re working there.

I study human development.  I’ve learned that each season of life has different interests and needs.  I’ve worked mostly with college and young adults within the church, but have also been part of children’s ministries and try to be helpful with senior adult groups.  I respect (albeit I don’t always understand) differences between doctrines and denominations.  I remain a strong supporter of ministries that respect the diversity of God’s people.

Yet I’ve noticed something about the volunteers and staff of CRASH.  Denominations, doctrines, and demographics don’t seem to make that much difference here.  They come from all over the world, from different denominations, and represent a wide range of ages.  Some are college aged, others are retirees.  Some represent missions organizations, others are volunteers from secular vocations.  The diversity comes together for a common cause.

To reiterate — albeit a paraphrase — what Pastor Akira Mori, who we met in Iwaki Prefecture, and whose church continues to aid the evacuees from the Fukushima area — when God’s people are working together in unity, there is joy.  Remember I wondered if God would redefine what joy means to me on this trip?  Maybe I’m beginning to get my answer.

As is often the case, I conclude with something that I find to be vitally important (once again, sarcasm alert…sarcasm alert…).  When I was at the train station in Ikebukuro, there was a doughnut shop so popular that people were lined up about 50 feet away behind a barrier before being escorted in small groups to pick up the deep fried delectables.  I think the name of the stand was “Spin Spin Spin.”  My profound revelation — the doughnuts from the aforementioned vendor aren’t nearly as good as my favored chain, Japan’s “Mister Donut.”  I don’t usually eat a lot of doughnuts, but there’s something about “Mister Donut” that I find quite satisfying to my palate.  Give me one of their chocolate old-fashioned selections anytime.  And please don’t tell anyone at my spinning (indoor cycling) class at the Culver-Palms YMCA.

It’s the last couple of days here in Nihon — let’s see what’s next.  Once again, thanks for the prayers, kind thoughts, and good wishes.

This time, I hooked up with my Mom’s side of the family.  I haven’t seen Aunt Emiko and my cousin Akihiro in over a decade.  She’s a remarkable woman — my uncle passed away when my cousins were not even teens, she worked to support them as well as providing for their care.  We met in Ikebukuro, then took the train to Shinjuku.

This is anago (sea eel).  Normally it’s covered with a teriyaki-like sauce.  There’s no sauce necessary here — it’s already seasoned lightly, allowing the flavor of the eel come through.  Wow — this was another culinary delight!

From the “Something Got Lost in the Translation” department. 

Tommy, Casper, and me met up in Shinjuku.  Tommy said to make sure I take this photo.  I’m not sure if this one’s about a translation issue…it’s just bizarre.  Tommy has already happily posted this on his Facebook as his profile photo.

We found this small, downstairs okonomiyaki restaurant — it’s sort of a pancake, sort of a pizza, sort of an omelette, but quite unique in Japanese cuisine.  The venue sits about 10 people, a steel teppan grill right in front of you where the chef creates the meal fresh, right before you.  Really good, really filling, and I was thankful that Casper (our resident philosopher) came along to help us finish our leftovers.

We were chatting with the chef and mentioned we were from Los Angeles.  He asked us what brought us to Japan.  We told him we were working with CRASH.  He immediately knew about CRASH and thanked us for coming to serve.  I mentioned this to Pastor Jonathan Wilson, the director of CRASH Japan.  He was rather amazed…Shinjuku is hundreds of kilometers from the Tohoku area.

In statistics, we talk about using “multi-trait, multi-method” techniques…grossly oversimplified, it means you should approach something from as many angles and perspectives as possible.  Watching the people that I’ve had the privilege to meet, they’re willing to do anything to bring the love of God to people in a country in need of healing.  My humble opinion is that reaching Japan for the faith has been a challenge, which requires believers to find a variety of ways to engage with the Japanese.  I’m observing how the CRASH staff and volunteers demonstrate how they’re connecting with the Japanese people through their work of helping churches clean up, provide meals and other needs, and start rebuilding the areas hit hardest by the saigai (disaster).  More importantly, the people of CRASH are finding ways to connect Jesus with the Japanese.  Even at an okonomiyaki restaurant in Shinjuku.

Over in Kamaishii, where most of the seaside buildings have been destroyed, this stain glass window emerged largely unscathed.  I’m not profound enough to pontificate as to why this is significant, I just know there’s a message here.

Pastor Jonathan is sending me to his church in Ome to observe the training for Operation Safe, their five-day VBS-style program used with children who’ve been through trauma and loss.  I’m going to help evaluate and assess the program so it can be shared with children wherever there’s a need.  I’ll use that for the next offering here.  Our last week here, please keep us in your prayers — it really does make a difference!

I no longer write down phone numbers, I punch the number into my cell.  Of course, the problem is that I don’t have a cell in Japan.  Nancy and Grace (they’re both alums of Asian American Christian Fellowship) are now living in Japan.  We’d arranged to meet at 10:45.  We finally found each other around 12:30 (we were all at the train station in Ikebukuro, we just couldn’t find each other.  My fault.  Completely).  Sigh.  Didn’t have Nancy’s number with me, didn’t have the slip of paper with the number.  Somehow we did find each other, eventually. The time with Grace was short, but wonderful.  Nancy, on the other hand, spent the afternoon helping me purchase omiyage (gifts) for back home, and joined us at the Gospel concert that night.  Great time with “Nan-shee” indeed!

The concert itself was a charity event with all of the proceeds going to CRASH Japan.  The featured artists were Bola Taylor, Ray Sidney, John Lucas, Gregory Hooper, and Ruth Hooper.

It was a full-blown presentation of both the Gospel and Gospel music.  Five gospel singers were backed by a choir from all over Japan.  There was also a kids-only choir and solo performances.  And then there was something I’d never seen before…

…yup, that’s a taiko group performing with the Gospel choir!  It was at first startling, but it was very, very cool.  Great response from the audience.  And that is one big choir!

I’ve didn’t meet this gentleman personally, but his story is worth telling.  I do know for certain that he lives in the Tohoku area, and I think he’s a resident of Fukushima.  He’s living the trauma that I was merely introduced to on our voyage north.  He was in a lineup of choir members who reside in the Iwaki, Iwate, Sendai, and Fukushima prefectures, areas impacted by devastation, radiation, and loss.  There was an extended prayer time on behalf of those lined up in front, representing those so deeply affected by March 11.

Yet there he is, singing at the top of his lungs, and jumping around during several of the numbers performed.  Now that’s a man of faith.  Faith that I don’t pretend to understand, but faith that leaves me in awe.

I’d mentioned more than once that I was thinking God wanted to reboot my definition of joy on this trip.  This gentleman from Fukushima taught me something about joy that will stay with me for awhile.

As for family, I had the opportunity to spend the day with my Aunt and my cousin, along with other family.  More on that in the next edition.  And Happy Father’s Day to all of my fellow dads!

Tommy’s not the only one meeting family here in Japan.  I called my Aunt Miyoko just to say hello.  I hadn’t seen her since Donna and I went to their house more than a decade ago.  Within a few minutes, she convinced me to visit her and have dinner in Sengawa.

No, this is not going to turn into a food blog, but this was really good — I even got to have uni, something I don’t get to have very often.

My uncle passed away last August.  She usually has dinner alone so she welcomed company.  Just like our last visit in 2001, she overindulged me.  In addition to the sushi, she served fresh kiwi fruit and oranges as well as preparing matcha green tea in the traditional manner.  I didn’t leave there until well after 11:30 p.m.  I told her to stay healthy so we can visit again.

Yes I do want to come back, though I’m not exactly sure when, and I want to bring people to Japan with me.  We have some assessment work to do of the CRASH programs, but more importantly, we need people to be here and offer their presence.

Throughout Japan, you see banners, bumper stickers, posters, and signs as well as the message of different media outlets.  ”Never give up!”  ”Hang in there!”  ”Be strong!”  These are translations of the term gambatte.  Such spirit has sustained Japan throughout the past few months.  Eventually the banners will tear and fade.  Unlike the banners, the spirit can be sustained or at least be kept safe when others continue to come offer their assistance, encouragement, help, and support.  We can share hope by sharing the Gospel’s lessons about serving others.

Tommy and the Campus Crusade students (thanks Ariel and Michael for letting us stay at your place) will be back from Nikko tomorrow.  The apartment is beginning to feel just like home…which means I have laundry and cleaning up to do.  Thanks for the prayers, see you all again soon!

Yes that’s a play on words, based on an old Wilson Pickett song entitled Land of a Thousand Dances.  For many readers, this song was popular before you were…conceived.  ¥1000 will generally get you a decent meal, purchase an item or two, or in my case, get a haircut.  I think the place was called QB Haircut — no frills, just a 10-minute cut.  I’ll leave it to others to judge if I got my money’s worth.

Sometimes, I’m reminded of my Japanese heritage.  For example, I take pictures.  Lots of ‘em.  Occasionally I get a picture of something odd (who decided on the name “Wonder Goo?”), though I’m sure Americans get mocked when they try to use a kanji (Chinese character) or Japanese phrase in some bizarre manner.   Digital photography has allowed me to indulge even further (anyone remember picking up their photos from Costco?).  I’ve taken lots of photos and will continue to post throughout this trip and probably beyond.  

Is there anything I haven’t photographed?  Yes.  When we were at the site where the Seaside Bible Chapel once stood in Sendai, we walked around the area.  It seemed as if I was walking through a landscape created for a disaster movie, yet it was all too real.  Having not visited Sendai before, I had trouble trying to imagine what was once there.

What I couldn’t bring myself to photograph were some toys that I found — a baby walker, a toy saw, a school backpack.  I really, really hoped that the kids that once played with those toys were able to escape to safety, but I’ve no idea. 

I’ve worked with children all of my life, as I’ve studied child development for 30+ years.  I’ve been blessed with two (mostly) good little guys, Peter (9) and Drew (7).  Kids like my boys are now gone.  And those kids that did survive may have lost their house, their school, their family members — some may now be orphans.  

Now you see why there’s some photos I just couldn’t shoot.

I’ve been privileged to have spent time talking with Pastor Jonathan Wilson, director of CRASH Japan.  He showed me some incredible materials he’s developed, including the story of “Pete the Penguin.”  The storyline is about a young penguin separated from his family and landing in an unfamiliar land.  Pete’s story of loss, anger, and hurt to finding a new life is a tool to help children express their own feelings of trauma and loss.  The series of five (5) stories are used with CRASH Japan’s Operation SAFE, week-long camps for children that will be held this summer.  The call is for collegiates and recent grads to come help staff an amazing work…please pray about coming to Japan.  The opportunity is here!  Are you being called?

Shameless plug time:

www.crashjapan.com

www.japanrebuild.org

OK, so Tommy may claim to be a man of few words (unless it has something to do with the Second Amendment).  I’m not apologizing.  I’ll check in again soon.  Maybe by then I’ll know what I can get for ¥1000 at Wonder Goo.