Culture Shock:
noun; a state of bewilderment and distress experienced by an individual who is suddenly exposed to a new, strange, or foreign social and cultural environment.
This feeling of bewilderment has haunted me a bit this year. What catches me more off guard is this particular feeling of bewilderment in what is supposed to be my home country. There are many studies on culture shock and the adjustments one will experience in a new place. Just type it in google and you will find websites, articles and blogs written upon the subject. What you dont see as much is articles on reverse culture shock.
I am now entering the longest period I have been back in the States for one length of time since taking that fateful(fateful because I didnt realize how long I would be in Japan) flight on May 18 to Japan in 2011. Granted the circumstances for this time back in the States are a bit different then the usual person's experience considering I came out hospitals and a pretty crazy time with health issues. However, the adjustment to being back in the States has been a more interesting experience then I anticipated.
Growing up in the south you typically chat with your neighbor, the grocery check out person, your waiter/waitress, the list goes on. So one would think that way of life would be ingrained in me. However, adjusting to another culture and the language apparently ingrained another way of life. For an example, the first time I walked into Trader Joe's by myself and was checking out with a couple of grocery items. The cashier just starting chatting away about his day to me and asking me about what I was up too. I was so astonished that he was sharing so much about his personal life with me a complete stranger I just stood there staring at him blankly. When he stopped talking and looked at me expectedly for an answer I fumbled for an answer. Somewhere in the back of my mind I realized "this is supposed to be normal Virginia! come on! just answer the poor guy and stop staring at him like he has grown two heads!" I somehow managed to mumble back a simple answer and inquire how much longer he had on his shift, wished him a good day, paid and got out the door.
As I drove away, this feeling of absolute bewilderment came over me. How come I didnt know how to respond right away? How come that didn't it seem like a normal day to day experience like it seemed it should be? Why did it jolt me so much? Am I not American?? This is just one of many experiences that have happen in the last couple of months that has left me feeling socially out of touch. Through it I am learning to have lower expectations of myself in regards to knowing how life should automatically work here.
Ultimately, I have realized is that it comes down to expectations... In Japan, my expectation going into the country is "I dont know the culture and land so sit back observe be a learner." In America, it is easier to assume I already know how it is supposed to go or how it should go instead of learning to sit back, watch and learn from those around me. This lesson is the neat thing that is coming from the experience of living in a different country. The uncomfortableness is continually teaching me that even if I seemingly "know" a place, culture or person there is still so much more to learn and I need to sit back and learn. As my grandfather Simons often stated " a key to life is to be willing to continue to learn each and every day."(paraphrased a bit)
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Friday, August 8, 2014
basketball camp
This past week, Ishinomaki Christian Center (ICC) supported the New Life Center in hosting a basketball camp "Shoot the Rock" (this is a pun off Ishinomaki, which means rolling rock) for elementary age children at a local school. As basketball is my favorite sport, I ended up being the main staff member from ICC that was at the camp the most. There also became apparent a need for a girl staff as there were a good number of girls there and the rest of the staff were all guys.
Throughout the whole experience, I was not too sure of my role, but I learned to let go and pray that I would be open to seeing where I was needed. There were 40 kids that attended the camp over a period of 3 days. I wrote some experiences from each day below. It was joy to work with the long term staff at the New Life Center and get to know them better throughout the course of the camp.
 |
| First day meeting coaches |
Day 1
Today was an interesting time as I ended up being the only girl staff for the basketball portion of the camp. As I introduced myself, they all gathered around and exclaimed excitedly over me and the basketball that was happening. But then as they started to ask me questions, I stumbled to reply in broken Japanese. They giggled to themselves and ran off leaving me wondering how the rest of the day would proceed. It was a struggle from there on, especially as the American staff kept asking me to translate and my brain would/could not function and explain how to do anything beyond single words here and there. Despite this regression in communication, one girl came up to me during our first break and ask me how teach her how to dribble better. From that point on, she was my constant companion and talked to me constantly.
 The kids running drills |
Day 2
This day went much better with the other girls that I worked with. Their respect for me went up when they realized that I was there again and was pushing them to be better players. It was fun to see how the those who had practiced were progressing in their skill level. The initial shyness had worn off as well and the kids made the day their own. This was the last day for my particular friend A-chan as she wasn't going to come the last day. So she spent as much time with me as she could. It was enjoyable to listen to her chatter and when I didn't understand, I would ask and she did her best to figure out how to explain it. It was humbling and amazing to be able to get to know her and see her desire to communicate with me.
 A-chan and I
Day 3
This day was great camp wise. The girls had been scrimmaging every day before camp started and today they immediately included me on a team. So we had a good 20 min scrimmage game before the camp started. It was a great closing game.
When A-chan's sister arrived, she ran straight to me and handed me a note from A-chan. She had drawn various scenes from the last two days and written that she hoped to see me sometime somewhere and thanked me for helping her to learn more a sport that so many in her family loved. She was excited that would be able to play better with her siblings in particular.
There still is a struggle in wondering how effective I really was in either helping the girls improve their skills or communicating various aspects of the game. But I know at least for A-chan it was an encouraging time and she enjoyed it.
|
Monday, December 2, 2013
"You, do YOU"
Cultures pervade our thought system so much. The more I am in another culture and meet folks from a wide spectrum of cultures the more I see how it shapes our thinking and actions. Being back in the States for the past 4 months has been more of a shock to me then I was expecting. What has been the hardest to come back in see is on particular pervading thought for my generation. It is summed up in a popular phrase "you, do you". Meaning don't let others tell you what to do and dictate your actions; you do what you want to do and are feeling. This is always said in the context of the search for contentment, joy and love; an affirmation in going after what you want to do more then anything.
At first I was like "ok. sure.. yeah seems alright" without much thought to it. But after a recent conversation with a new friend of mine I couldn't shake this phrase and how much it was starting to bother me.
Learning to live and work in another country can be life changing in itself; to do this in a disaster zone I am realizing is another story altogether. The experiences that I have lived through the past 2 and half years have reshaped my understanding of the world, God and changed my philosophy of life. It has made me realize how much a lie really the phrase "you, do you" is in our culture today.
Living in a pup tent for 5 months, clearing away debris, mudding out houses, figuring out meals for hundreds of people day after day, learning to shop and cook with the local items, make schedules for groups week after week, working on finances late into the night trying to figure out the kanji on receipts and what happen to the missing 20,000 yen($200 worth approx), learning to live with others and having different house mates in and out almost weekly, working with co-workers whose main language is not your own, leading teams from cultures from all over the world, learning to share love across language boundaries, planning events, learning to live in a cold place, emailing, skyping with potential volunteers, teams and interns, taking the drivers' license test over and over again, learning to forgive daily and to love unconditionally.
These are few things that have taken that philosophy "you, do you" eaten it right up and spat it out. If I had done "me" I would have never stepped on that plane for Japan on May 18, 2011. If I had done "me" I would have never again gone up to Ishinomaki after my first trip up there a week after arriving in Japan. If I had done "me" I would have packed up and left after that initial first 2 weeks in Tokyo/Ishinomaki. The list goes on.
The ironic thing is that the more I learn to follow God and "do" His way the more contentment and deep joy I find. There is nothing special about what I did per say what is special about the whole thing is that My awesome God chose to have me experience those things so I could slowly start to see how much I need Him each and every moment. What is special is that He drew me into this incredible work that is happening and in this place that is called Ishinomaki, Japan. This work continues to humble me and show me how much really "you, do you" is a philosophy that will not satisfy my deepest longings.
Here are some verses that are shaping my life view. Jesus loved His father enough to die for us. That is a radical life changing philisophy:
Philippians 2:5-11
At first I was like "ok. sure.. yeah seems alright" without much thought to it. But after a recent conversation with a new friend of mine I couldn't shake this phrase and how much it was starting to bother me.
Learning to live and work in another country can be life changing in itself; to do this in a disaster zone I am realizing is another story altogether. The experiences that I have lived through the past 2 and half years have reshaped my understanding of the world, God and changed my philosophy of life. It has made me realize how much a lie really the phrase "you, do you" is in our culture today.
Living in a pup tent for 5 months, clearing away debris, mudding out houses, figuring out meals for hundreds of people day after day, learning to shop and cook with the local items, make schedules for groups week after week, working on finances late into the night trying to figure out the kanji on receipts and what happen to the missing 20,000 yen($200 worth approx), learning to live with others and having different house mates in and out almost weekly, working with co-workers whose main language is not your own, leading teams from cultures from all over the world, learning to share love across language boundaries, planning events, learning to live in a cold place, emailing, skyping with potential volunteers, teams and interns, taking the drivers' license test over and over again, learning to forgive daily and to love unconditionally.
These are few things that have taken that philosophy "you, do you" eaten it right up and spat it out. If I had done "me" I would have never stepped on that plane for Japan on May 18, 2011. If I had done "me" I would have never again gone up to Ishinomaki after my first trip up there a week after arriving in Japan. If I had done "me" I would have packed up and left after that initial first 2 weeks in Tokyo/Ishinomaki. The list goes on.
The ironic thing is that the more I learn to follow God and "do" His way the more contentment and deep joy I find. There is nothing special about what I did per say what is special about the whole thing is that My awesome God chose to have me experience those things so I could slowly start to see how much I need Him each and every moment. What is special is that He drew me into this incredible work that is happening and in this place that is called Ishinomaki, Japan. This work continues to humble me and show me how much really "you, do you" is a philosophy that will not satisfy my deepest longings.
Here are some verses that are shaping my life view. Jesus loved His father enough to die for us. That is a radical life changing philisophy:
Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Some Hard facts about Japan's 3.11 disaster
So as I am going about America sharing about the work in the disaster zone of Japan's 3.11 disaster I have to realize people have forgotten the massiveness of this disaster. So as a baseline I am going to use America's biggest disaster to date; Katrina. By using Katrina as a baseline one can read the hard facts about 3.11 and understand why I am still there and working to help with recovery and development.
10 facts on Katrina:
1. The storm surge from Katrina was 20 ft (6 meters) high.
2. In New Orleans, the levees were designed for Category 3, but Katrina peaked at a Category 5 hurricane, with winds up to 175 miles per hour(282 kilometers per hour).
3. Katrina had 90,000 square miles (233,000 sq. kilometers) land damage.
4. 300,00 homes were destroyed or made unlivable.
5. Total cost of property damage $81 billion with the impact of economic lost around $150 billion.
6.. The final estimate death toll along with missing people was 1,833
7. Oil spills caused by Katrina 142 resulting in 8 million gallons of oil spilled (30.3 million liters).
These last three facts do not correlate well with the 3.11 disaster but however are important to know.
8. An estimated 80 % of New Orleans was under water, up 20 ft (6 m) deep in places.
9. However, 4 years and 9 months after Hurricane Katrina 20,000 people were still living in temporary dwellings.
10. Hurricane Katrina was the largest and third strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the U.S.
10 facts on 3.11 tsunami and earthquake
1.The waves from the tsunami of 3.11 went as high as 128 ft (39 meters).
2. The tsunami raced outward from the epicenter at speeds that approached about 500 miles per hour(800 kilometers per hour).
3. The impact of the tsunami was approximately 217 square miles (561 square kilometers) in Japan.
4. 1,098,628 homes were destroyed or made unlivable.
5. Total cost of the disaster was $309 billion dollars making it the worlds most expensive natural disaster.
6. The final estimate death toll along with missing people was 20,000.
7. 3 nuclear power plants had to shut down due to nuclear radiation causing a 12.5 mile (20 kilometers) radius evacuation of cities.
These last three facts do not correlate well with the Katrina disaster but however are important to know.
8. About 250 miles (400 km) of Japan's northern Honshu coastline dropped by 2 ft(0.6 meters).
9. 300,000 people are still currently in temporary housing. The government is saying it will take another 5 to 10 years before everyone is out of temporary housing.
10. The 3.11 disaster was a 3 way disaster with an 9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown all attributing to the overall destruction.
Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1761942/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011
http://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquake-tsunami-facts.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/japan-tsunami-anniversary_n_2850983.html
http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-hurricane-katrina
http://www.livescience.com/11235-hurricane-katrina-history-numbers.html
http://media.wix.com/ugd/c2b835_41cb3ff700e987ed7aebe299f19e54cd.pdf
10 facts on Katrina:
1. The storm surge from Katrina was 20 ft (6 meters) high.
2. In New Orleans, the levees were designed for Category 3, but Katrina peaked at a Category 5 hurricane, with winds up to 175 miles per hour(282 kilometers per hour).
3. Katrina had 90,000 square miles (233,000 sq. kilometers) land damage.
4. 300,00 homes were destroyed or made unlivable.
5. Total cost of property damage $81 billion with the impact of economic lost around $150 billion.
6.. The final estimate death toll along with missing people was 1,833
7. Oil spills caused by Katrina 142 resulting in 8 million gallons of oil spilled (30.3 million liters).
These last three facts do not correlate well with the 3.11 disaster but however are important to know.
8. An estimated 80 % of New Orleans was under water, up 20 ft (6 m) deep in places.
9. However, 4 years and 9 months after Hurricane Katrina 20,000 people were still living in temporary dwellings.
10. Hurricane Katrina was the largest and third strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the U.S.
10 facts on 3.11 tsunami and earthquake
1.The waves from the tsunami of 3.11 went as high as 128 ft (39 meters).
2. The tsunami raced outward from the epicenter at speeds that approached about 500 miles per hour(800 kilometers per hour).
3. The impact of the tsunami was approximately 217 square miles (561 square kilometers) in Japan.
4. 1,098,628 homes were destroyed or made unlivable.
5. Total cost of the disaster was $309 billion dollars making it the worlds most expensive natural disaster.
6. The final estimate death toll along with missing people was 20,000.
7. 3 nuclear power plants had to shut down due to nuclear radiation causing a 12.5 mile (20 kilometers) radius evacuation of cities.
These last three facts do not correlate well with the Katrina disaster but however are important to know.
8. About 250 miles (400 km) of Japan's northern Honshu coastline dropped by 2 ft(0.6 meters).
9. 300,000 people are still currently in temporary housing. The government is saying it will take another 5 to 10 years before everyone is out of temporary housing.
10. The 3.11 disaster was a 3 way disaster with an 9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown all attributing to the overall destruction.
Sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1761942/Japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-of-2011
http://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquake-tsunami-facts.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/japan-tsunami-anniversary_n_2850983.html
http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-hurricane-katrina
http://www.livescience.com/11235-hurricane-katrina-history-numbers.html
http://media.wix.com/ugd/c2b835_41cb3ff700e987ed7aebe299f19e54cd.pdf
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Little pieces of grace sprinkled throughout the day
So officially the summer "rush" has started for us here in Ishinomaki. Interns have flooded in and teams are coming(and have already came). As much as I have tried to work at preparing for the summer and everyone coming it doesnt ever seem like I am prepared enough. Yesterday, I was fighting all day the weariness that I quickly had discovered last summer that comes with the awesome craziness. It was amazing though how much God showed His grace throughout the day. Two particular stories I would like to share:
1) If anyone knows me semi-well you will find out quickly I am very adamant about not shoving the story about Gods grace into peoples faces. Yes I believe in Jesus and the Bible but I also believe God works through relationships and through the Holy Spirit. It is not up to me to make sure I have shared about this awesome story to every person I meet without first having some basis to our relationship.
While this is the case I do long to share with people I come in contact my reason for being and living.
God gave me this opportunity on Saturday at our weekly community cook-out event. One lady K-san who attends my weekly afternoon English class came up to me and wanted to practice our weekly memory verse. In attempt to try and connect better with her I had been learning the verse in Japanese. Well we proceeded to practice for each other the verse in both English & Japanese:
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
愛は何によって測ることができるでしょう。 友のためにいのちを投げ出すこと、これ
より大きな愛はありません。
1) If anyone knows me semi-well you will find out quickly I am very adamant about not shoving the story about Gods grace into peoples faces. Yes I believe in Jesus and the Bible but I also believe God works through relationships and through the Holy Spirit. It is not up to me to make sure I have shared about this awesome story to every person I meet without first having some basis to our relationship.
While this is the case I do long to share with people I come in contact my reason for being and living.
God gave me this opportunity on Saturday at our weekly community cook-out event. One lady K-san who attends my weekly afternoon English class came up to me and wanted to practice our weekly memory verse. In attempt to try and connect better with her I had been learning the verse in Japanese. Well we proceeded to practice for each other the verse in both English & Japanese:
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
愛は何によって測ることができるでしょう。 友のためにいのちを投げ出すこと、これ
より大きな愛はありません。
There was a pause and K-san looks at me and asked me why did you choose this verse?(Amazing!! I understood her question!!) So in broken Japanese I explained how I read the bible every day and through that my relationship in Christ grows. That gives me peace to face each day. Her face just lit up with understanding and she was excited to hear that. We then got interrupted by her grand daughter so the conversation ended. But the whole experience was amazing. We grew closer together through it and I believe she grew in her understanding of God.
2) The second experience of Grace amongst a wearying day was going on a spur of the moment hike with our summer interns and some co-workers here. It was a gorgeous day and we had a couple of spare hours at the end of the afternoon so we met up and explored the mountain overlooking Ishinomaki. The mountain is covered with shrines to various gods. This saddens me every time I go up there. Why worship some statue that we make instead of worshiping the Creator of the mountain??
Anyways one of my co-workers suggested we stop and have a small study of a bible verse, then we sang and prayed. It was amazing! At one point I was looking around at all who were there and I saw how amazing God's grace was at that moment. That He would take us all from where we lived around the world and brought us together at this time to sing to Him praises on a mountain covered with false idols.
Pretty amazing dont you think? :)
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
First week of Liberty Music Project
Below are summaries of our first week of Liberty Music Project. Please be praying with us as we seek to meet the different needs at each school. All Glory for this project goes to God! A huge shout out to Ryo and Mami who work tirelessly on this project. It is such a honor to work with such gifted co-workers.
April 25, 2013 Thursday Excursion classes:
Minato Middle School:
Peformers: Jonathan Straker, Ken Matsuda & John Lucas
MCs: Ryo Amano & Virginia Lavallee
300+ students and teachers
The class went really well. John Lucas shared about what Gospel music is about and taught, “Praise the Lord” to all students. Teachers and students alike loved the class.
All praise to God for how this continues to reach people we dont expect and touch hearts through music.
April 25, 2013 Thursday Excursion classes:
 |
| John Lucas teaching "Praise the Lord" (website) |
Peformers: Jonathan Straker, Ken Matsuda & John Lucas
MCs: Ryo Amano & Virginia Lavallee
300+ students and teachers
The class went really well. John Lucas shared about what Gospel music is about and taught, “Praise the Lord” to all students. Teachers and students alike loved the class.
 |
| Ryo and I teaching a little fun English |
 |
| Singing "Praise the Lord" for the kids @ Minato. This group was an "instant choir". (we sang together for the first time that day.) |
Watanoha Middle School
Peformers: Jonathan Straker & Ken Matsuda
MCs: Ryo Amano & Virginia Lavallee
40+ students and teachers
Was a big hit with the students. Jonathan Straker shared about Gospel music and taught, “Praise the Lord” to the students. All enjoyed the class.
Peformers: Jonathan Straker & Ken Matsuda
MCs: Ryo Amano & Virginia Lavallee
40+ students and teachers
Was a big hit with the students. Jonathan Straker shared about Gospel music and taught, “Praise the Lord” to the students. All enjoyed the class.
 |
| Singing "Praise the Lord" to the kids @ Watanoha |
 |
| Teaching the kids "Praise the Lord"'s motions! |
Friday 26, 2013 Friday
Held first weekly class at Minato Middle school. We had 5 students and 1 teacher. It went
really well. We hope to continue to build these relationships and develop individual interests in various musical instruments. We had a great conversation with the teacher who shared his story about the tsunami. He lost both his mother and daughter to the tsunami. He also shared about the months after 3.11 how hard they were and the relief and recovery work went for him and his wife. It was a good time of listening and sharing. We will be going out with the principal and this teacher this week after class for dinner. Please in in prayer for this time with them.
Saturday 27, 2013 Saturday
Morning: Held first weekly class at Kamizoku Base for Watanoha Middle school. Despite having 1 registration forms and several saying they would come after Thursdays class we had only 1 student show up. Went through class session with student. We will be doing two outreaches this week with students from Watanoha. Please be in prayer as we seek to see how we can best meet these needs.
Afternoon: Held first weekly class at Amazing Grace Center for Yamoto Middle school. No students showed up. Held a praise and prayer session with Amazing Grace Center staff instead. Yamoto middle school, the music teacher there is very overwhelmed so it looks’ like that beyond helping us advertise she can’t help with this program. The principal is new and not interested in promoting this program. We will be talking with Amazing Grace Center staff to see about opening this class to elementary students as there had been interest from that age group for this class. Please be praying as this school is the hardest for us to reach.
Held first weekly class at Minato Middle school. We had 5 students and 1 teacher. It went
really well. We hope to continue to build these relationships and develop individual interests in various musical instruments. We had a great conversation with the teacher who shared his story about the tsunami. He lost both his mother and daughter to the tsunami. He also shared about the months after 3.11 how hard they were and the relief and recovery work went for him and his wife. It was a good time of listening and sharing. We will be going out with the principal and this teacher this week after class for dinner. Please in in prayer for this time with them.
Saturday 27, 2013 Saturday
Morning: Held first weekly class at Kamizoku Base for Watanoha Middle school. Despite having 1 registration forms and several saying they would come after Thursdays class we had only 1 student show up. Went through class session with student. We will be doing two outreaches this week with students from Watanoha. Please be in prayer as we seek to see how we can best meet these needs.
Afternoon: Held first weekly class at Amazing Grace Center for Yamoto Middle school. No students showed up. Held a praise and prayer session with Amazing Grace Center staff instead. Yamoto middle school, the music teacher there is very overwhelmed so it looks’ like that beyond helping us advertise she can’t help with this program. The principal is new and not interested in promoting this program. We will be talking with Amazing Grace Center staff to see about opening this class to elementary students as there had been interest from that age group for this class. Please be praying as this school is the hardest for us to reach.
All praise to God for how this continues to reach people we dont expect and touch hearts through music.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Concerts & Easter
We have had a great artist Tomoko Murabayashi( Fourleafministry ) up from Osaka with us for the past 3 weeks. She is a christian artist living in Osaka teaching students voice and recording music.
She has been working with us in the continuing of building relationships in Temporary housing, other christian groups and planning for the Liberty Music Project. It was refreshing for both the Liberty Music Team and Tomoko to work together and encourage each other in our respective ministries. Please pray for this amazing Japanese Christian woman who is reaching young people through her amazing talent!
Thank you Tomoko for all the awesome opportunities you provided for us through your amazing singing and playing piano!
Easter was a great time of sharing with local people. Many folks who have been attending the Saturday cookout came to Watanoha Christ Church service for the first time for Easter! It was great to be there apart of that sharing of Christs hope with these folks that we have been building relationships with over the past 2 years!
She has been working with us in the continuing of building relationships in Temporary housing, other christian groups and planning for the Liberty Music Project. It was refreshing for both the Liberty Music Team and Tomoko to work together and encourage each other in our respective ministries. Please pray for this amazing Japanese Christian woman who is reaching young people through her amazing talent!
Thank you Tomoko for all the awesome opportunities you provided for us through your amazing singing and playing piano!
 |
| Tomoko leading worship. |
 |
| Playing with Tomoko |
Easter was a great time of sharing with local people. Many folks who have been attending the Saturday cookout came to Watanoha Christ Church service for the first time for Easter! It was great to be there apart of that sharing of Christs hope with these folks that we have been building relationships with over the past 2 years!
 |
| Suzuki Sensai preaching |
.JPG)
Rimpei and Akemi leading a song during worship
 |
| Saturday Event Folks! |
 |
| Tomoki and I enjoying Easter! |
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Liberty Music Project Video
In January 2012 a video team came in from MTW(Mission to the World) and put together a video for kids in America on the vision of the Liberty Music Project.
To understand a little bit of the thought process and beginnings of this project please watch it!(keep in mind it is geared for kids to watch)
Please continue to pray for this project as the staff continues to meet with school officials, work with the artists that will come, ministries and many details.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Musings?- A non related work post
Several disclaimers:
I don't normally write a blog on my thoughts. For several reasons that I am not going to spend the time and write about. I apologize in advance for a badly English written blog. This does and does not at the same time have anything to do with the work going on here in Japan. I am tempted to not post this but I want to share how faithful God is despite my brokenness and doubts.
In the last month and half my world has changed a lot.
The man(my dad) who has always been a driving force in my whole life had a serious stroke. While he will Lord willing continue to improve and heal he wont ever be the same. His love for Gods word and following Him always has had a huge impact on all of us kids. I could always count on him to be there to argue strongly against my ideas or support me in what I did.
Secondly, this past weekend my brother-in-laws sister suddenly passed away. While I was never close to her since we lived in different places the time I did spend with her put her as a lady I highly respected and desired to imitate. Her love for Christ, life and adventure inspired me. I hope to be able to explore the world some day like she has done.
I thought through the work(working in a natural disaster zone) I have been doing for the past two years I would be used to "bad things" happening. I should have gotten used to dealing with pain and sorrow. Used to hearing about death and sickness. I have seen destruction that I will never forget my entire life. Heard stories and experience peoples pain as they related those stories time and time again.
So why does everything within me scream out this is not fair? Why God would you allow this to happen??
While I believe it is ok to ask why and to struggle with that. In the last several weeks I have seen God reach out to me in ways I couldn't imagine showing how much He really does love and care. He has used people(most havent even realized) in my life, nature around me, kids, and His written Word.
A psalm that has really been close to me in the last week is Psalm 63. The whole psalm is amazing. But I will leave you with these verses in particular:
I don't normally write a blog on my thoughts. For several reasons that I am not going to spend the time and write about. I apologize in advance for a badly English written blog. This does and does not at the same time have anything to do with the work going on here in Japan. I am tempted to not post this but I want to share how faithful God is despite my brokenness and doubts.
In the last month and half my world has changed a lot.
The man(my dad) who has always been a driving force in my whole life had a serious stroke. While he will Lord willing continue to improve and heal he wont ever be the same. His love for Gods word and following Him always has had a huge impact on all of us kids. I could always count on him to be there to argue strongly against my ideas or support me in what I did.
Secondly, this past weekend my brother-in-laws sister suddenly passed away. While I was never close to her since we lived in different places the time I did spend with her put her as a lady I highly respected and desired to imitate. Her love for Christ, life and adventure inspired me. I hope to be able to explore the world some day like she has done.
I thought through the work(working in a natural disaster zone) I have been doing for the past two years I would be used to "bad things" happening. I should have gotten used to dealing with pain and sorrow. Used to hearing about death and sickness. I have seen destruction that I will never forget my entire life. Heard stories and experience peoples pain as they related those stories time and time again.
So why does everything within me scream out this is not fair? Why God would you allow this to happen??
While I believe it is ok to ask why and to struggle with that. In the last several weeks I have seen God reach out to me in ways I couldn't imagine showing how much He really does love and care. He has used people(most havent even realized) in my life, nature around me, kids, and His written Word.
A psalm that has really been close to me in the last week is Psalm 63. The whole psalm is amazing. But I will leave you with these verses in particular:
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Childrens Music Project
So here is a brief glimpse of one of the new projects I am working on! Below is the brief summary of the kids music project that I am currently involved with. Please dont hesitate to contact me if you would like to be involved in any way!
December 2012 Hope through the Arts
Just like a birthday will not be completed without the song, sometimes music is crucially needed
for different occasions and disaster relief is no exception. Can 復興 (Revival) come to Ishinomaki
without music and singing praises that revive our soul and lift our spirit? As the Great Eastern
Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster relief moves from the physical to the emotional care we
seek to fully complete the restoration of community. The opportunity for music to be a key part of the restoration is now.
We are planning to have a Celebrating the Arts Music Festival on July 6th, 2013. The purpose is to continue and advance with the "Hope" that we have been proclaiming through past relief work and to have a time to believe and rejoice over the future of Ishinomaki.
The very thing that make this music festival unique is that it ties into a 12 week children's music
program held at various schools and locations throughout Ishinomaki. Each performing artist that
participates in the Festival on July 6, 2013 will choose one to three songs to sing/play with the
children at the festival. Musically trained Children Music staff and volunteers will then rehearse the songs that artist chose with the children for 12 weeks prior to the festival. The performing artist will either check how the rehearsal is going by either coming in and direct a rehearsal or by listening to recording of the rehearsal. By having involvement from the performer throughout the rehearsal process will give the music a high quality not other-wised easily acheived.
This music festival will be held in Ishinomaki but will be advertised from Minami Sanriku to Sendai
and surrounding areas. We will be working with not only professional musicians but also the local
community to bring together this opportunity.
This program is being set up as a pilot program with hopes it will spread to other cities affected
by the disaster in the future. Furthermore, the program will set up where the children will have
more teacher/helper per students. This will gives us an opportunity to have more time to build
relationships, not just musically, but through casual or serious areas dealing with their lives.
We are in desperate need for your support. To fully accomplish this mission we need Christ's body working together, everybody as one body, it's the body that the gate of hell cannot prevail. Whether support be prayer, offering of time/resource, volunteering it is for one cause to bringing His will and His heaven on earth.
An example schedule of a week (subject to change):
4-5 pm 6-7 pm 7-8 pm
classical workshop gospel choir workshop classical choir workshop
Monday-
Higamatsushima ministry afterschool program -Ikera Tateishi pastor
Tuesday-
Ishinomaki: Kamizoku base(children from Be-One & GMT connections),
Wednesday-
Watanoha middle school
Thursday-
Minato middle school
Friday-
Ogatsu middle school
Ways to Help:
We need volunteer support;
-Music Teachers
-set up of the festival and during the festival
-assisting with following up with students and their families
We need financial support for the following:
-transportation/board for teachers during the 12 week work shops and for students on the day of the
festival
-music- printing for the 12 week after school program
-rental space-San Juan Park in Ishinomaki
-Stage
-Sound System
Approximate Budget for the actual festival(does not include 12 week program involving the
workshops) :¥300,000
Current Partnering Organizations: Mission to the World, Grace Mission Tohoku, Ishinomaki
Christian Center, Tsukuda Loves Tohoku, Brave Action, Japan Presbyterian Mission, Samaritan’s
Purse Japan.
Contact information:
Artistic Director: Ryo Amano 090-6117-8304 ryo@communityarts.jp
Field Director: Virginia Lavallee 080-4440-5007 virginia@communityarts.jp
Please use the following bank account for financial support.
For giving from a bank atm:
コミュニティーアーツ東京
ゆうちょ銀行店名 〇五八
店号 ０５８
口座番号 ００６０７７８
For giving from a post office atm:
コミュニティーアーツ東京
ゆうちょ銀行
記号 １０５６０
番号 ６０７７８１
For American tax deduction please go to the following linkhttps://
donations.mtw.org/donate/
type in-
“Japan Children’s Project #96018
Merry Christmas!!
Christmas has been a fun season here in Ishinomaki! I have been able to participate in many different Christmas events with various organizations here. It has been an awesome opportunity to share about the birth of Christ. Some local people that I have developed close relationships with over the last year say its the first time they have understood the story of the birth of Christ.
Thanks for praying over the past year for the work here in Northeast Japan.
Please pray with me as I continue to work on developing this coming summers schedule and the childrens music project with various organizations.
 |
| December 15- The telling of the Christmas Story through the Advent candles. This was done during the time of our regular saturday event. It was a great time of fellowship and sharing! |
 |
| Ladies Christmas Tea- This event was held at a cafe that was as former house that Samaritans Purse and GMT helped fix up. Homeowners came and several shared testimonies. I was able to play some christmas songs on my violin. |
 |
| December 23- Christmas Service with other Christian groups. I got the opportunity to be on the Worship team and assist with other logistics. It is always a fun and challenging experience to sing in another language. |
 |
| It was great to see many different people come and be apart of the service and fellowship! |
 |
| Christmas Eve caroling at temporary housing! Many of us who were in town got together and went Christmas caroling around the Ishinomaki By-Pass Temporary housing! It was great fun and the folks at the temporary housing enjoyed it too. |
Thanks for praying over the past year for the work here in Northeast Japan.
Please pray with me as I continue to work on developing this coming summers schedule and the childrens music project with various organizations.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Summer Update
Wow! Life for the past 6 months has been a whirlwind.
Here is a tiny snap shot of those months(more updates to come!):
May through September we had almost 600 people, around 50 teams come through the organization that I am currently working with Grace Mission Tohoku. My job was to coordinate the teams, their schedules, and their work during their stay here in Ishinomaki Japan.
It was a huge blessing to the recovery work here in Ishinomaki and surrounding towns! We helped fix up over 30 homes, facilitated events at 6 different temporary housing, participated in 3 summer festivals, kids basketball camp, flower projects, cook-outs, concerts, cafes. The list is endless.
Here is a tiny snap shot of those months(more updates to come!):
May through September we had almost 600 people, around 50 teams come through the organization that I am currently working with Grace Mission Tohoku. My job was to coordinate the teams, their schedules, and their work during their stay here in Ishinomaki Japan.
It was a huge blessing to the recovery work here in Ishinomaki and surrounding towns! We helped fix up over 30 homes, facilitated events at 6 different temporary housing, participated in 3 summer festivals, kids basketball camp, flower projects, cook-outs, concerts, cafes. The list is endless.
 |
| Morning Devotion- Sa chan translating for me |
 |
| Basketball camp- over 60 kids attended! |
 |
| Japanese university students came to volunteer! |
 |
| Working together with Samaritan's Purse carpenters, Be-One(another Christian group near by) and Tokyo Japanese College students. |
 |
| L.A. and Detroit Teams! These teams are a small picture of everyone that came this summer! |
 |
| Full-time and temporary Summer staff picture We couldn't have done it without the summer staff! |
Monday, March 26, 2012
New Nick-name, Grandfather's passing away and other events
My new nickname: So in the Japanese language there is no "v" sound. Nor is "r" really used and actually the "r" and "l" sound alike in Japanese. My name now sounds like this: "Ba-ji-ni-a" and looks like this: バージニア. Well like with the English language names are shorten. Well it just happens that the name for grandmother in Japanese is Oba chan which gets shorten to "Ba-chan"... guess what my new nickname is... Hehehehe..
My grandfather(Lolo): Dr. William Simons was an amazing man and definitely someone who I aspire to be like some day. He passed away on March 12 at age 92. He was the only grandparent I ever knew(all my other grandparents passed away when I was younger). I was his second to youngest grandchild. In fact he retired for the 2nd time from the mission field the year I was born. He was a missionary for over 40 years to China and the Philippians. He was amazing in how he always was encouraging those around him and constantly wanted to learn. He leave an awesome legacy over half of his 14 grandkids are in ministry in some form or fashion and overseas.
Other events: We had many community events going on the past 3 weeks. With over 150 volunteers coming through we were busy getting them to serve this area. There was one particular event that we did over 6 different days in a 2 week span. We along with Samaritan's Purse hosted several different lunches in order for us to get to know more of the house owners. Two different teams(one from Hong Kong and other other Nagoya) hosted these lunches. It was a great time of fellowship, laughter, and fun.
 |
| Yep.. definitely getting to that grandmother stage.. me with one of the university students came and volunteered with us during his spring break! |
My grandfather(Lolo): Dr. William Simons was an amazing man and definitely someone who I aspire to be like some day. He passed away on March 12 at age 92. He was the only grandparent I ever knew(all my other grandparents passed away when I was younger). I was his second to youngest grandchild. In fact he retired for the 2nd time from the mission field the year I was born. He was a missionary for over 40 years to China and the Philippians. He was amazing in how he always was encouraging those around him and constantly wanted to learn. He leave an awesome legacy over half of his 14 grandkids are in ministry in some form or fashion and overseas.
 |
| All the grandkids with Lolo. In 2008 our last family reunion everyone was able to make it. |
Other events: We had many community events going on the past 3 weeks. With over 150 volunteers coming through we were busy getting them to serve this area. There was one particular event that we did over 6 different days in a 2 week span. We along with Samaritan's Purse hosted several different lunches in order for us to get to know more of the house owners. Two different teams(one from Hong Kong and other other Nagoya) hosted these lunches. It was a great time of fellowship, laughter, and fun.
 |
| Samurai lady! she is awesome! Another neighbor who I remember distinctly from my first visit to Ishinomaki. So glad we have become good friends. |
 |
| The food was very good. Many of the nieghbors ended up coming by and joining in. :) |
 |
| Lots of fun and laughter!! :) |
3.11 Memorial service
It has now been over a year since the earthquake and tsunami. Ishinomaki and all of northern Japan has face many difficulties in the long road of recovery. We at Grace Mission Tohoku along with Be-One, Watanoha Christ Church, Calvery Chapel, E-Free and Samaritan's Purse along with the community came together to remember those whose lives were taken and reflect over the past year. It was a good time of sharing of testimonies, singing, crying, and fellowship. Over a 150 people community people came to the event. God really blessed the time and gave us the opportunity to share compassion and love. Below are some pictures from the event.
 |
| Some very dear neighbors and friends. They have been through a lot. |
 |
| Satoshi with some more great neighbors! |
 |
| Lorna with a lady that I remember from the first time I went to Ishinomaki. She has become a great friend! |
 |
| Lots of people! :) |
 |
| The scarf behind me was made by people from all over the world. When they added to the scarf they prayed for Japan and the rebuilding of Japan. |
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Saturday Event-Takidashi
 |
| The amazing tent that we use for our Saturday events and other special events. Thanks to Samaritan's Purse for providing it! |
The reason why we have continued it even though the need for food is over the need for community and hope is still so very real! We have had many stories from people who come regularly that this event brings them hope and gives them courage to face another week. So many of the people who come have had loved ones die, lost jobs, lost homes, and endured unbelievable stories because of the tsunami.
Based off the constant testimonies of those who come every bit of weariness and frustration on the volunteer's and my part in order to make this event happen weekly has been completely worth it!
Below are pictures from this past saturday.
 |
| We set up small tents outside the big tent to cook under. |
 |
| Inside the big tent people have coffee and enjoy being out of the cold. |
 |
| It was snowing really hard this past saturday. |
 |
| One of the local community members brought oysters in which many of the community helped cook. |
 |
| Everyone loved the oysters young and old a like. :) |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)