We set off again this morning as usual at 9am. After a quick stop at the cafe in Yamada, we were on our way to another temporary housing area. Same set up. Same ideas as yesterday. Same team. Yet, today was different. Where were the people? No one seemed to be in. One lady appeared and told us that today an announcement had come over the town loudspeakers that this would be one of the days when the conditions are right for going to gather sea urchins. It seems many had gone there! We wandered around to see if anyone was there. We prayed for people to come. It seemed deserted. But it turned out to be a time of great blessing. Gradually some people gathered and had time to chat and make the craft. An older man came in with his wife but didn't care for the craft so was about to leave when we called him over to the barbecue. An 81 year old man who loved sports - good conversation starter. Then as we casually chat, he says he lost his eldest son in the tsunami. And his home, his shop, his taxis (his former job now taken over by his third son who lives in another temporary housing area). There is no hope, he says. We continue listening and chatting. He tells of his love of singing, and how he had bought himself a karaoke machine to use inside his temporary house (and this after being in hospital for a major operation last year). It made our day just to chat with and listen to this man. Meanwhile inside, the craft has finished and we join the ladies (and this man) in singing a couple of songs together, including one about the Lord being our shepherd and guide. We ended as we did yesterday by singing God Bless You, which brought tears to a number of eyes. After that we invited the elderly man to sing us a song - he started but then forgot the words! But then all joined in with a moving rendition of a traditional Japanese song. As this was going on, a 14 year old boy who had decided to have a day off school appeared. It was good to engage with him for a while - the thought lingered though that this is a boy who is struggling in many ways, maybe even bullied at school. People were so appreciative - yet we had done so little. One lady came up at the end with small gifts for some of the team. And she also explained how some had felt apprehensive about coming, wondering if we were just the same as the Jehovah's Witnesses who seem to be very active in the area. Challenges from all directions! We packed up and headed back to the cafe in Yamada. We heard that a lady had come there today for the first time and she happens to live in the temporary housing area we will be visiting tomorrow morning! There were more adventures in the afternoon, including a visit inside a temporary house (first time for David) to meet with a couple. They had told the story before of how they had scrambled up the hillside and watched the awesome waves come in and sweep away their house below. Tomorrow the plan is that one member of our team join with an American carpenter to build something at the temporary housing area where they are living. Back to the cafe where some of the team dug a trench (unearthing all sorts of objects as well as rocks and concrete - there was a shoe, a child's toy, an item of clothing). These had all belonged to local people - what were their stories? Are they even still alive? Why a trench - to plant some sunflowers round the car park area at the Ippo Ippo cafe. The place looks really good. There is a sense that this town is working hard to get back on its feet. There is a positive spirit among the people we meet. May Ippo Ippo be used more and more to reach many people in this community. And may each of the team here be used over the remaining days here to share something of the fragrance of Jesus among those we meet.
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