Regular Relief Work in Ishinomaki City

Our involvement with Grace City Church Tokyo these past 3 months has also included supporting the on-going earthquake and tsunami relief work up north. "Grace City Relief" in partnership with "Help Tohoku" (formed by sister churches in Chiba city area) organize a volunteer trip to the Watanoha area of Ishinomaki city (click for MAP) every weekend.

I have been helping lead trips of volunteers from Tokyo once or twice a month.  We usually pull a 24-hour turnaround to enable busy Tokyo people to squeeze in a volunteer opportunity to Ishinomaki.  Departing at 11pm on a Friday and driving all night, arriving early Saturday morning.  We then work until early/mid afternoon and drive home by 11pm that night.  Tiring, but worth it!

These are some of the guys I traveled up with on one of my first trips from Tokyo.

Some relief staff and volunteers that stay longer than a day camp on the grounds of nearby Senshu University.

Here with new friend Ohta-san overlooking the washed away coastal area of Ishinomaki city.

These trips always include cooking food, distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as often including kids programs and other special activities. We have committed to one specific area so that week by week, we can get to know the people by face and by name. 

On this trip we brought up over 60 bicycles that we gave to people who had specifically requested and "reserved" one.

Being Japan, everyone dutifully signed up, lined up, and waited to receive their critical post-tsunami mode of transportation.

As we meet specific physical and emotional needs of tsunami victims - we are also building personal relationships to be able to speak to their ultimate spiritual need as well. 

I brought up several bags of Sarah's maternity clothes and found two pregnant ladies who were overjoyed!

Organizing fresh fruits and vegetables into separate bags for each person (~250 bags).

In addition to this, we are building great relationship with volunteers who come from all backgrounds here in Tokyo. A 24-hour turnaround volunteer trip always forges new friendships and deepens existing ones.  7.5 hours in the car (mostly sleeping) to bond initially, 9 hours together in Ishinomaki, and another 7.5 hours in the car driving home lead to great conversations!

This guy (also to the left of me in photo above) is a new friend I met here in Toyosu who joined a volunteer trip.

Transitioning out of the summer season and into the fall brings new opportunities and challenges as well. Pray for God's wisdom and grace as we continue to minister the gospel in word and deed through authentic relationships both in Tokyo and in Ishinomaki ... and sometimes in both at the same time!