Grains of Hope

Grains of Hope, is a Japanese Language class for non-Japanese residents in Sendai. This class started in back in October so that the students could study for the National Japanese Proficiency Language test in December. After the test was over they wanted to continue to study Japanese, especially kanji (the Chinese characters used in written Japanese). When we started the class again in January, we added several new members. 

They have been studying kanji now for four months. On May 18^th there will be a graduation ceremony. During the ceremony we are having a speech competition and cultural presentation. In preparation for the competition we had a mini-tournament. Everyone had to write a speech about what the phrase “let us walk together” means to them. They have done a wonderful job with the speeches. It is further proof that they have come a long way in only a short amount of time.

Events throughout April

Kyushu Church Members visit

Three parishioners from Kyushu diocese came to visit the Tohoku region for the third time. They stayed for 5 days. During their visit they went to Shinchi base to listen to hear beautiful voices sing children's songs. They also helped with the daily cleaning of radiation at St. Paul's Kindergarten.

Shinchi monthly Pilgrimage

On the 11^th of every month the Shinchi base puts on a pilgrimage to various devastated sites in the area. At each site they have a small prayer service. This past month we had a first time participant. It was nice to have new faces joining in on the pilgrimage. 

Home Care Giver Training

This past month we started another training home helpers course for foreigners living in Kesenuma and Ishinomiyaki. Among the students there are Filipinos, Chinese and Indonesians. They twice a week to study the technical medical Japanese terms and learning how to take care of elderly or those who are bedridden.  Right now the classes are taking place in hospitals or nursing homes, where they are able to practice a little of what they have learned. Soon they will be receiving their certificates.

Haircut Service

Ms. Kawai from Nagoya came to the Hirohata temporary housing to give some of the residence haircuts. We are so thankful for her work. 

St. Paul's Kindergarten Birthday Service
At St. Paul’s kindergarten there was a first of the year Birthday prayer service. In the picture below, the kids were getting ready to pray for God's blessing for their next year of life.

 

Hirohata Tea Time

The women’s club of Sendai Christ Church had a tea party with the residents of Hirohata temporary housing. Despite the strange weather, everyone was able to enjoy the cakes and songs that were sung. 

Deacon Ordination Ceremony

It has been 13 years since the last ordination of a deacon in Tohoku Diocese. Many of the staffer members went to the ceremony to support Mr. Koichiro Sasaki’s ordination to the diaconate. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate this together.

Events through the Month of March

March 11 was the second anniversary of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. There were several services on that day to remember the disaster and to recognize how far we have come. Below are just a couple of those services.

On March 11, a group of foreigners gathered for a memorial service in Sendai. They came together to pray for the souls of friends, family members, and those they did not know who lost their lives in the disaster. A priest from Hokkaido presided over the service. Those who attended the ceremony that day were Catholic or married into a Buddhist family or had no religious beliefs at all but they gathered none the less. One of the attendees said “it is not important what religion we are but that they pray from their hearts for those that were very important to them.” That is exactly what they did. They lifted up the souls of the ones they loved with tears and love in their hearts. It was a beautiful service. 

The 2nd Anniversary Holy Communion and prayer service for those killed by the Great East Japan Earthquake was held in Koriyama at St. Peter & St. Paul Church. The service began at 1:00 pm, about 80 people gathered from all over the country, and prayed together. The sermon was given by Fr. Francis Hasegawa while Bishop John Kato of Tohoku Diocese presided over the service. After the service, at 2: 46pm (the time of the great earthquake two years ago) we observed a moment of silence for all the lives lost on March 11^th.

Japan & Taiwan

Thirteen people from the Episcopal Church of Taiwan came to visit the devastated area in Tohoku. They spent five days seeing Ishinomaki, Kesennuma, Rikuzentakata, Natori, and Shinchi. They were touched by the stories of the victims they met in those areas. Bishop Lai Ronchin said “I’m sorry that it took us two years to visit these wonderful people.” But he was encouraged by the strong spirit of the victims and the good things that have come to them over the past two years.

Shall we Dance?

A lay minister from the Diocese of Osaka frequently volunteers at Shinchi base. It just so happens that he is a dance teacher. On his last visit he taught come of the residents of that area to dance. Needless to say there was lots of music and laughing on that day.

Hot Corner

Every month at the Shinchi base they have a “Hot Corner.” It is a time for the people of St. Francis church and Sendai Christ church to enjoy tea, treats and one another's presence. On the 22^nd of March one of the staff of the Sendai Office joined in on the festivities. She said that she had a great time singing and dancing with the 30 people that were there. 

I am so sorry to be late on updating you all. Thank you for your patience!

Activities from February 23 to March 8

Here are some of the things that happened within the Project during February 23 to March 8.

 “Nattori Shopping Bus Tour”

Every Thursday one of our staff members and a couple volunteers, take some of the residents of the Nattori’s temporary housing grocery shopping. This past week there was a television crew at the shopping center. They interviewed us about the Nattori Bus Tour and the Let Us Walk Together Project.We were very excited to share the work of the project with all of Japan.

Online Session

The Let Us Walk Together Project has trained many foreigners to be English teachers. But most of these women do not have an opportunity outside of classes to practice their English. Therefore one of the staffers helps these teachers with their English while using Skype. They have one on one sessions, once every two weeks. Since it is online we are able to do the English lessons anywhere! Technology is quite a wonderful thing.

Understanding Papers

Written Japanese is very difficult to learn and takes a lot of time. Therefore many foreigners living in Japan have a hard time reading it. This becomes a problem especially when you have to fill out legal paperwork or when you are given important papers from your child’s school. Frequently one of our staffers visits those foreigners that don't understand documents or has even gone with them to City Hall to receive further clarification. This week we visited someone who needed an explanation on her taxes.