Tonight’s subway ride home
… Fortunately it wasn’t that way the whole trip.
Mr. Donut gets festive
Dinner!
After our young adults prayer meeting Saturday night, we had a spaghetti dinner together. I’d made my special sauce for the occasion and of course it was amazing. (I’m allowed to brag because it’s like the ONE thing I’m good at cooking.)
I was in the middle of posting this before I realized this makes two food-related pics in a row… No, this is not a food blog.
Lunch Time!
Teens serving udon at church this past Sunday.
English Cafe (Photo)
Me and most of the guests of Friday night’s English Cafe at Nagoya Church.
December Prayer Letter
Thank you for your prayers over the past month.
In November I took a trip to Northeast Japan, where I worked for a few days with a group doing relief and rebuilding work for those affected by the March 11 disasters. While it was heartbreaking to see so much devastation, and that there is still so much work to do, I was encouraged by the full-timers I met there, and the good work they are doing. For more on my trip, please see the the previous post on this blog.
With Christmas time fast approching, there is a lot going on in December. Please be praying with me for the following:
1. Leading worship at prayer meeting — Dec. 14
2. Speaking at Youth Christmas event at Nagoya-Higashi Church — Dec. 17
3. Our annual Christmas celebration / outreach event at Nagoya Church — Dec. 18
4. Traveling to Canada for Christmas! (Dec. 23-Jan. 4)
Thank you for your partnership with me, building spiritual bridges in Japan! I hope you have a great December and a marry Christmas!
– Robin
What I Saw in Northeast Japan (video)
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/32665016 w=480&h=270]
This is what I saw during my relief work trip to Tohoku (Northeastern Japan) this past week.
While I stayed in Sendai, the work we did was in the city of Ishinomaki, which, as you can see from the video, suffered a lot of damage during the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. And, over 9 months later, there is still a lot of work to be done in rebuilding the area and restoring people’s normal lives and livelihoods. I worked with an organization called JIFH (Japanese International Food for the Hungry). In addition to bringing supplies and encouragement to people living in the temporary housing units, JIFH is helping to clean up and re-build damaged homes and places of business. We worked in damaged houses tearing down walls and pulling out flooring and plumbing fixtures so that carpenters could go in and replace the damaged ones. I felt like my part was a very small one, but it was a privilege to be there to help in any way I could. There aren’t enough resources or people to get the work done quickly, but things are going more quickly where there are volunteers, churches and relief organizations lending a hand. Thank you for praying for Japan. Note: The song I used in this video is called “Blackwater” by Fatblueman, and can be purchased via iTunes, with proceeds going towards Japan earthquake relief work: http://itunes.apple.com/album/black-water-in-support-japan/id453606035Photo: Remains of a School
Probably the saddest thing I saw in Ishinomaki today. When the tsunami hit on March 11, many people fled to this school to escape the flood… only to have the school catch fire.
Love East Japan (photo)
At JIFH HQ in Sendai. Had a surprisingly quiet first day here, as the long-term volunteers and staff we’re off today, giving us short-termers a day off by default.
Praise and Prayer
I have a couple of things to share today. First a praise report and then a prayer request.
1. Our anniversary event on Sunday was a huge success! It was basically an open house, come-and-go event, so we don’t have an exact attendance number, but based on the amount of cookies and coffee given away, it looks like we had about 100 guests stop by throughout the afternoon! Praise God that we were able to connect with so many people in our community! Let’s keep praying for these relationships to deepen and for God to use them to connect people with Jesus!
2. As I mentioned in my previous email, I’m heading to Sendai next week to do some relief work. I’ve connected with an organization called JIFH (Japan International Food for the Hungry). As you might guess by the name, their usual ministry is to those in poorer countries. But since March, they’ve been helping provide aid and hope to those in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. I’m looking forward to partnering with them next week, from November 20-25, and would appreciate your prayers for safe travel and that God will use me.
As always, thanks for your prayers and support!