Photos From Ishinomaki

Our friends Dean and Linda, who were on the receiving end of our box of cookies last week, have sent photos from Ishinomaki. I'm including their comments on each photo.

Gift bags (cookies, a Christmas CD, tea) and misc items ready to go to Ishinomaki. 

 Others have donated different things, all meant to share the love of Christ with these people who have gone through so much. Along with our home made cookies were baskets of other items, including home made neck warmers, scarves and mittens. Things by themselves may seem insignificant, but look at what they do when included with a warm visit by Linda and Dean, who have poured their lives into this community:

Mrs. T choosing something out of the basket of knitted goods.
 There are neck warmers, scarves, socks and mittens - all very warm and BEAUTIFULLY made.

Gramma was excited to get a neck warmer, as they are really in style here this year.
As you can see in the background, her house is still in the midst of construction.
Today she told us she can't sleep at nite because she's having flashbacks
 of hearing people scream for help when the tsunami came.

 Its been 9 months since the tsunami came pouring through this neighborhood. Please pray for these people who are haunted by the memories of those events. Thank God for those who are able to be there to encourage them.

Gramma will enjoy the cookies a lot :)

I love her smile--and I love Linda's apron!

Dean found Mr. S just as he was leaving his house.
He and his family will enjoy the homemade cookies made by our friends at ICCS
 Church in Saitama.

Today's Christmas celebration was held at a community center type building
 in the Watanoha neighborhood of Ishinomaki. As you can see,
the place was packed out...Including volunteers and sponsors, there are around 200 people.

I wonder how many were at a Christmas celebration for the first time in their lives!

Dean and Mrs. S - Dean did the house dedication service for her last weekend.
 Samaritan's Purse does this for all the people in their house rebuilding program. In Japan
 it's customary to hold a Shinto ceremony when building a new home.
 Now, it's really cool to be able to do a Christian style ceremony
and ask God to bless the family as they begin again.

I LOVE this photo...of Pastor S talking with a gramma who came to the Christmas service.
 Here they sit having a heart to heart discussion, hole in the wall behind them,
 gramma decorated with Christmas tree garland...!!! :) These are amazing days!!

These truly ARE amazing days.  We pray that the Spirit of the living God will be poured out in this city and this region.

Asian Access is preparing to send a team of missionaries to live in this area and work with visionary pastors and missionaries in early 2012. You can pray for all the preparations required over the next few months.

And we will continue to do what we can do from ICCS.