RobertasTidbits

Dear Friends,

While much of the world is now looking elsewhere for news, Japan continues to try to cope with the present realities while planning for a new start heading in a different direction. Japan has become a country of great contrasts as there is a great dichotomy between the “haves” and the “have-nots,” between those who are already on the road to recovery and those who are stuck at a dead-end. Although Japan continues to help itself and heal itself, volunteers and donations from abroad continue to surprise local churches and citizens. For example, last week a professor from Kanto Gakuin in Yokohama was visiting the office of the Akha Churches of (northern) Thailand when he was given a very heavy bagful of coins equaling $375. “This is our donation from our mountain villages to the people in the disaster area of Japan,” the church official said. And, there are other stories like this.
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Dear Journal Friends,

The Lord continues to guide and direct me through the tasks he has given me to do. However, it seems like waiting patiently is a big part of it all. You all are probably saying the same thing in waiting for communication from me! “If I could just get an answer about this or complete this task, then I could make a report to my friends abroad.” This is how my thinking seems to run. Then, I wait! Once I get it all together, then my computer or internet is down. How we handle these tensions day in and day out reflects our Christian character. God continues to mold me and remold me as I deal with daily trials frustrations and joys. (more…)

A narrow porthole

Dear Friends,

Sometimes our perspective is too narrow We make judgments, or base our feelings on the little porthole we’re looking through. But there is a wider picture we should be looking at. Even the wider perspective can be scary. This is an observation I made after seeing the devastation first hand in NE Japan. The porthole shows a container that escaped from the port in the tsunami. It’s full of goods which keeps it dragging on the ocean floor. Other debris floats nearby; two houses stuck together, tangled fish and seaweed nets. But when we broaden that picture, the negative or marooned container almost becomes invisible.

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General Secretary Rev Tanno delivering supplies to Michie (center)

Dear friends,

Two weeks ago, if I had gotten a phone call from Michie, something might have gone awry. But God’s timing is perfect. When we pay attention to all the hints we are given we’re able to see God’s hand.

As you know, I’ve been doing what I can to mend a back problem. Finally with help from doctors, I’ve been able to overcome the problem. It’s been through exercise and strengthening certain muscles that I’ve been able to get better. During this time of recuperation and reflection the temptation has been great to run off to NE Japan to be of assistance and encouragement to those I know and love. I only had July or August to look forward perhaps, if I got well.

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