It’s a Dirty Job

July 16, 2011

It’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it.  That was exactly the approach that had been taken when cleaning up after the tsunami.  Many of the standing houses will be torn down due to structural damage.  However, there are some that can be saved.  Before anyone ever thinks of living in one of these homes, a lot of changes have to occur.  First the rubble has to be removed.  Then the houses are stripped down to the wood and/or metal frame.  And after power washing and bleaching, the rebuilding begins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture shows Michael at one of the houses being reconstructed by Samaritan’s Purse.  It is one of 500 homes scheduled to be rebuilt.  It’s a pain staking job.  It’s a really dirty job.  But through everyone’s generous efforts and donations, someone will have their house restored.  After the walls, ceiling, and floors are gutted, the task of removing all the mud begins which is concentrated under the floor boards on the concrete slab.  It’s hard to say what all is in the mud except that it has fuels and fish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s the dirty part.  The great news about all this is that through the efforts of Samaritan’s Purse, many Japanese families are helped and at no cost to the owner.  It’s hard to imagine having a 30 year mortgage on a tsunami hit house that was not covered by insurance.  We are praying that many will come to know Jesus in a truly meaningful way through this.  But, as people continue to volunteer with the help more and more people have a chance to see the goodness of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another team arrived today.  We can only expect good things in the days ahead.  We look forward to possibly seeing some of our readers here to help.  Wouldn’t that be something?  Cleaning houses and praising God.  Sounds like a winner.

Categories: Aid for Japan.

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#1 Role Model

July 16, 2011

Back in October I started a post on role models.  The World Series had just begun.  Josh Hamilton was all the buzz along with the rest of his team.  There was a lot of talk about role models and about Hamilton in particular.  Growing up, kids don’t really think about who their role model is or isn’t.  For me, it was just about who I liked as a player.

With the fast and upcoming parenthood around the corner, I began to think about what a role model ought to be.   Nine months later I’m still wrestling with it.  It’s not because I don’t know in theory what a role model should be.  It’s that I don’t think that sports players should be what kids try to emulate.  At least not to the extent that is often the case.

What children need so desperately more than ever are parents.  As a kid, I had a lot of friends from good homes, bad homes, broken homes, to mended homes.  In all of them, it was essentially the same.  Parenting, parenting, parenting.  Parents ought to be the number one role model in a home.  That’s not to say sports teams or players don’t count.  They just don’t make first string.

As a parent, I’ve learned a lot of things:

1. Children need parents not managers.  It doesn’t matter how many times I tell my son something I still have to be evolved by partaking in the process. (I know, I know, he’s only 6 months old but he’s still pretty sharp in my estimation.)

2. Children see children do.  Even a six month old wants computer and phone time.  Any time Luke sees either he makes a mad dash to take control.  Anything unhealthy around the house will just make taint Luke’s upbringing.

3. Children don’t just need to be told they are loved.  They need to be shown they are loved.  Of course, can’t help but want to hold my child and tell him I love him.  Sing to him, read to him, or just have a good laugh.  That kind of quality time isn’t the same as watching television.

This may not be much to more experienced parents but these three observations sure have gone a long way.  And while our son may grow up to idolize some great athlete, musician, or even politician, he has two parents that are working hard to be the best parents and role models we can be.

Thank you for taking time to read this post.  We would love to hear from you whether you agree or disagree.  God bless and take care!  Until, next time….

 

 

 

 

Categories: Family.

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Volunteers from Brownsville, Texas

July 14, 2011

We had a wonderful time with the volunteers from First Baptist Church of Brownsville, Texas.  Their church has helped with disaster relief efforts in many countries.  Before they came, the only thing we knew was that there would be a team coming from Texas.  We were excited to meet them but what amazed us was that a couple that came was the parents of Yu’s friend, Justin Smith, from DBU.  They were also the uncle and aunt of Yu’s good friend, Christy Gandy.  Yu had such a great time getting to know them!  All the volunteers were wonderful and we thank God for sending them to Japan!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study and prayer time with the team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving for prayer walking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke loved being held by everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a great team!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They stayed at the community center in the tsunami-hit town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working very hard!

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praying with the family that lost almost everything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singing “Amazing Grace” in front of the temporary housing in Sendai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith sang a song in the worship service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yuta and Eriya sang as well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hosted a farewell dinner for the team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael praying for the seeds they had planted…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was such a blessing to serve with them!  We know they have touched many lives.  We are so thankful for all they have done in Japan.

We look forward to hosting more teams!!!

Categories: Aid for Japan.

Tags: , ,