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. Read the rest of this entry »

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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Dear Journal friends,

My apologies to you for letting a few days pass without posting a letter. As much as I want to keep Japan in front of you particularly now, time to do so has slipped past. What have I been doing instead of sitting in front of my computer/TV? With the help of Tomoko Armagost, I continue posting a translation of new news from the Japanese version of our partner organization, the Japan Baptist Union. If you want to see Roberta’s blood-sweat-and TEARS check out: Crisis Tohoku 2011 . Be assured that I’m not doing this in order to practice my language skills. I hope some of you, at least are reading it sometimes! Here you can find the most up-to-date prayer request tucked in this report. I’ve also been working on solutions for my hip/back problem. Daily going for treatment and exercise club takes time. I’m seeing some results so I was able to drive one hour to church on Sunday! The fellowship was scrumptious! I’ve attended meetings lasting half a day or more at Kanto Gakuin (KG) last week as well.
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