Impressions of Iwate - Day 4

Today was hot. 35 degrees hot! And our task for today (well, some of us anyway) - to pack some packets of special noodles along with the accompanying sauce into bags then head off to Taro, a badly affected area, to deliver these round the neighbourhoods there. This time we worked with a group from another church around a two hour drive away. People were so grateful to receive even the little we were giving them. Their words were kind. Their smiles were sweet. Some even bowed down in the entrance way on their hands and knees. As we delivered, there were several opportunities to linger and chat - in the shade thankfully. People were open to speaking about the dreadful events of 11th March. Our task - just to listen to their stories and say very little. It was evident today that for some the time has come for them to speak out their pain and tell their stories. Who will be there to listen over the coming weeks and months? This morning Daniel and Matthew had a different task as they headed off to a local primary school to play games and sports with some children there. The children were so happy and seemed to chat all the time. We were not long back from Taro when we were packing up the vehicles again with vegetables, clothing (some people can't readily buy or even have the rescources to buy things they need). This time we went to another temporary housing area in a remote part of Miyako. Soon people were gathering round, selecting what they wanted to have, chatting and thanking us for coming. Again some people were opening up, one man even describing the day of the tsunami when he had to cling on to a tree as the water rose and threatened to sweep him away. He survived as did his wife. Just one story out of thousands. As we chatted as a team tonight we wondered about the idea of a 'kikiya' (literally a room where you can go to have your story listened to). This is a time for those who love Jesus to be available to listen, to sit alongside, to be there as people release some of what has been in their hearts for these past months. That is a big challenge for all of us in the churches in Japan.