I woke at 1:50AM, 10 minutes before my alarm went off. Tired but refreshed, I began final packing. Amazingly, the rest of the family woke and were all packed and ready to leave by 3:00AM. Matthew, still fighting off his cold, was chatting away in his seat. My cold was subsiding, but I had that nagging cough still. A short prayer later, we were on our way, back to Tohoku for our second Christmas.

Seven hours later, we arrived on time to greet the Fujiokas (pastor and wife), meet the concert players, and leave for the kasetsu j?taku (temporary housing). Mr. Kondo is an amazing clarinetist and shared his music and testimony with the survivors. He is a member of Itako Baptist Church and gave free concerts with his accompanist, Mrs. Shirasawa. Now retired, he still has beautiful form as they played classical, jazz, and Christmas selections for us. The ~30 residents showed their appreciation and were given gifts of Christmas Stollen, (delicious German fruit cake with marzipan baked in Tokyo), candies and treats, and a manga tract about Jesus. The stollen was a special treat Mr. Kondo had brought to share.

We packed up and headed back for the church. The 30 minute ride was snowy but uneventful as we reflected on the Minamisanriku survivors and area. Some of the same residents were recognizable from last year’s visits. The area still has not recovered much, but we saw a few homes rebuilt and a temporary shopping center newly constructed. Possibly, the local government is still having difficulty deciding where or if to let the residents rebuild. Perhaps these survivors are still stuck not knowing what to do next. We noticed most were elderly and only a few young families with kids were at the concert.

After a quick lunch, Mrs. Fujioka helped prepare while were gone, we set up for the afternoon concert. The snow had stopped and people began arriving at 2PM. Without much advertising, we had low expectations for attendance. God surprised us with 50 people! The concert was uplifting and after one encore, the audience met with the performers. After giving out more stollen and saying goodbyes, we prepped dinner, and then began preparing for Christmas Sunday service.

We enjoyed a restful sleep in the business hotel nearby and returned early enough to help clear some snow and rehearse some Christmas music for service. Pastor Fujioka and Gordon on guitar and accordion accompanied the singing during service. Over 25 people attended and they served us a delicious chirashizushi lunch afterward. Later, we treated ourselves to a visit at an onsen and buffet dinner. The Fujiokas invited us to stay the night at the church. After dinner, we needed to go shopping (in a near-blizzard) and Mrs. Fujioka slipped while returning to the car. She landed hard on her shoulder but was OK the next day (after some fervent prayers). 

Matthew and I woke up early the next morning, Christmas Eve, to find a “winter wonderland” surrounding the church. Great for playing in, but moms and kids were coming for the Christmas potluck in just a few hours. We put on our snow gear and started plowing away with a snow shovel, broom and rake. The going was easy since it was dry snow, but at the end of the shoveling, Dad had a problem with too much oomph and broke the blade on the snow shovel! Pastor had offered to take the neighbor go to the hospital and get their son. So, he returned in time to spread some salt and call us for breakfast. The sun was shining so our prayers for “clear paths” were being answered.

The moms and kids from the Nishikiori kindergarten and pre-school started arriving around 10:30. The potluck lunch was delicious and we had a short program of singing Christmas carols accompanied by guitar and accordion. The moms and staff started a chorus line during “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”! What I would have given for a video of their joyful time. The kindergarten staff asked us to return next year but we could not commit. This is the Fujiokas last Christmas in Nishikiori Church and they will be moving to Kobe in the spring. So, we don’t know if we will be able to return next year.

It was hard to say our goodbyes, but we began our journey home around 3P. After a few stops and detours, we arrived safely at 11PM in Yokohama. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to serve the Japanese people. Serving the Savior by serving His people is an honor. He gave us the strength again to serve.

“If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

May the Lord continue to richly bless you and may He give you the strength to serve in 2013!

 

 Gordon (and Lee Ann) Hwang

P.S. Here is a link to a slideshow of our trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl7qzk7_HuE