Ever since we visited Oshika Peninsula for the first time in May of 2011, it has become a special place. It’s the area where so many people lost their lives, family members, houses, and everything they owned (You can watch the youtube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT6TP1uck_4). As we met people who were living in the temporary shelter at that time and built relationships over the past year and half, God placed these people in our heart and we have been visiting them regularly.
So we were so glad that we could take the FBCA team to this special place to meet the people we love.
At first, we visited our dear friend, Miyuki. Her husband owns a fishing company and they lost most of their ships. But they have continued their fishing business and trying to rebuild their home. She has been open to listen to the Gospel and she has put the poster with the scriptures that we had given her on their entrance wall. She cried as we prayed with her and we pray God will continue to work in her heart.
With Miyuki.
Then we went to Oshika Preschool. It was our first time to visit them in the new building. Their school was destroyed by the tsunami so they were meeting in the community center for a year and half. When we visited them, they were having a special festival.
It was great to see these happy kids!
We made the puppets with them!
After visiting the preschool, we went to our friend, Emi’s house. She recently built a new house. You may remember reading about her before, but she is the one who lost her husband and her father-in-law in the tsunami. And this year, she has lost three of her family members including her father. Needless to say, she has been going through a difficult time. But she always welcomes us with a big smile and keeps thanking us for coming. This time, she invited all of us to her new beautiful house and served delicious fruit and sweets. It was great to hear about her plans to make her house a bed and breakfast place where people can come and stay. We look forward to staying with her someday. We prayed with her before we left and we could tell she was crying. We know she is still hurting. Please keep her and her little daughter in your prayers.
With Emi.
We stopped at Mrs. Hiratsuka’s (from the temporary housing we had visited the day before) brother’s temporary housing to deliver fruit and vegetables. This time, we visited each door (20 units) and handed them in person. People were so appreciative. The FBCA team members mastered how to say “hello”, “here they are”, “thank you”, and “see you” in Japanese!
With Mrs. Hiratsuka’s brother.
On our way home, we went to Matsushima that is one of the most famous places in Japan. The team got to see one of the national treasures.
Can’t you tell they were super excited?
It was a very memorable day. We pray and hope we will be able to take more friends to Oshika Peninsula in the future!
