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:
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.
