Marshalls Abroad

Japan Life

Hi from Mainland Japan… again!

{flying over Okinawa}
{snow-capped Mount Fuji above the clouds}
where to even begin?
this week up on mainland working with CRASH again has been totally different from when I was up in Sendai with them in September. 
This time, instead of doing cleanup along the coast from the massive damage caused by the tsunami, we have been in the Fukushima area visiting survivors in temporary housing units provided by the Japanese government. 
CRASH is partnered with local Japanese churches and together we’re providing blankets and supplies, clean drinking water and other essentials to these beautiful people who cannot return to their homes ~ either because their home was washed away or because the radiation levels from the nearby Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant has made it too dangerous to return.

Can you even imagine living through that?!

{a temporary housing unit in Fukushima… with sweet little Yu showing me that she’s three years old!}
The entire drive behind CRASH is to be the hands and feet of Christ, utterly devoted to these survivors who lost everything in the tsunami.
Traditionally in the Japanese culture there is little to no concept of redemption, and because of this, suicides are considered honorable. 
The post-tsunami suicide rate is the highest in Fukushima.
We have the amazing opportunity to bring the hope and joy of Christ to many of these lovely people. We set up something called a mobile cafe where we bring food, tea, coffee & they can gather together and feel somewhat normal for a few hours. We also give hand massages which they LOVE. It’s a way to help them relax, and every woman (and one sweet sweet 80 year old man!) that I’ve given them to this week have all opened up and told their devastating stories of what happened to them. 
Today I had the most precious 85 year old woman tell me through one of our translators that she lost her husband and her home and cries every single night all alone. We spent hours together; she was laughing and gifted me with Japanese apples and we hugged tightly twice before she left. She had joy in her eyes when she did.. and choking back tears, asked us to please come back again. 
Do you know what is so amazing??
I’m only in the process of learning Japanese but by God’s grace He’s crossing the language barrier, for His grace is sufficient in my weaknesses. The Lord is using all of us and proclaiming to these incredible people that they are not forgotten and that there is hope! The greatest hope.
We’re visiting more survivors tomorrow and then putting on a camp for their children.
I don’t know a better time to bring the love and joy and hope of Christ than this Christmas season!
Love to you all from Fukushima,
Mands


Comments

  1. Stephanie Shepherd says

    Hi Amanda! I learned about your blog through Across The Pond. What a journey you and your husband are on! Your travels all over the world are so fun (and pretty!) to read about. Anyways, wanted to say hello; i'm following!

    Stephanie

  2. Michelle (michabella) says

    I was wondering where you have been! You have such a good heart and I know God is using you in so many ways. Love you! Great pictures! <3

    ps- LOVING the new blog look!!! Did you do this?!

  3. Candice says

    Wow what stories they must have..so glad you're experiencing all of this and that God is using you in a powerful way! You are such a blessing!

  4. Jewels says

    Oh I just love the way you described that it makes me want to pack my bags up and head to Japan to start sharing Christ with then and helping. I just started reading your blog yesterday! You are doing such a wonderful things. Blessing to you and your husband.

  7. Allie says

    This is beautiful. You are truly being the hands and feet of Christ. And those photos… my goodness they are breathtaking!

  8. So Truly Lovely says

    This is the verse "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." I LOVE this. You are such a delight and as soon as this baby comes you make me want to jump right up and go serve for Him.
    xoxo, Anna

  10. K says

    that is an incredible blessing to be able to serve in such a way! I have a friend who has been volunteering in Haiti and I always admire those who can share Christ's love through service. Best of luck to you! Can't wait to hear more about your work!

  11. Erin says

    Wow. The power of God. Thank you for being such an amazing example…on the love and kindness that God wants us to show to all people. 🙂 You are truly a beautiful soul!

  12. Taylor says

    just found this lovely blog via across the pond and it is amazing! hello from your newest follower. your photos are breathtaking one – i just pinned the mt. fuji/clouds photo to pinterest! stunning.

  13. MeganGrant says

    I just found your blog the other day, and am so uplifted any time I read your posts. These are beautiful stories! It is so nice to hear that there are people who are still going to visit these people in such a hard time in their lives. Thank you for sharing your love of God and Jesus!

  14. laurenjeanallece says

    This is incredible (and definitely made me cry)! It truly is amazing how God works to bridge the boundaries we only think exist… In reality, there is far less standing between us and the people around us than we think! The essential human instincts – to love, protect and be together – cross all lines of society and culture. And it never ceases to amaze me what is possible in Him!

    (p.s. that photo of Mount Fuji leaves me speechless!)

  15. Jeanine (Wayfaring Girl) says

    Just found your blog through Across the Pond, and wanted to say hi. Your journey, and the life you are living sounds amazing. And what amazing opportunities to share the love and longing that God has for these people.

    Beautiful photos!

    Jeanine

  16. Ana says

    That's so nice, Amanda! It's great what you guys are doing! And you're absolutely right… when we want to do something good for others, language doesn't matter! it all comes from the heart.

    Happy weekend! 🙂

  20. Janna Renee says

    That pics of Mount Fuji is INCREDIBLE. Not too mention the story of the old woman. It is so awesome that you are able to bring joy to those peoples lives. So beautiful.

  21. Mohamed Ali says

    شركه تنظيف منازل بالمدينه المنوره
    لديه القدرة على العمل فى جميع شتى مجالات التنظيف بالمدينة المنورة لذلك ننل ثقة عملاؤنا بكل مصداقية عاليه حتى نكسب احسن شركة تنظيف بالمدينة المنورة
    تنظيف شقق بالمدينة المنورة تنظيف فلل بالمدينة المنورة تنظيف خزانات بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة تنظيف بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة كشف تسربات المياه بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة تنظيف كنب بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة غسيل وتنظيف خزانات بالمدينة المنورة
    شركة نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة

  22. Mohamed Ali says

    شركة مكافحة حشرات بالدمام والقطيف وراس التنورة وبقيق انوار يطبية لتنظيف المنازل
    وتنظيف الخزانات بالقطيف وتنظيف الشقق والبويت وتنظيف العمائر والفلل بالدمام والقطيف وراس التنورة وبقيق ومكافحة البق والنمل الابيض بالقطيف والدمام
    شركة مكافحة الحشرات بالخبر
    شركة مكافحة الحشرات بالقطيف
    شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة البق بالدمام
    شركة نظافة بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة الصراصير والبق بالدمام
    شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالقطيف
    شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بقيق
    شركة تنظيف خزانات بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف ارضيات بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف ارضيات بالقطيف
    شركة تنظيف منازل بالقطيف
    خدمات مكافحة حشرات بالمنطقة الشرقية
    خدمات التنظيف بالمنطقة الشرقية

  23. Mohamed Ali says

    فرسان النيل هى الاولى فى نقل العفش بالدمام هي شركة نقل عفش بالخبر وشركة نقل عفش بالجبيل والدمام وشركة نقل عفش بالقطيف والدمام وشركة نقل عفش بالاحساء وشركة نقل عفش بقيق وراس التنورة
    شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
    شركة نقل اثاث بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف بالجبيل
    شركة نقل عفش بالجبيل
    شركة نقل عفش بالقطيف

  24. Mohamed Ali says

    الشرق الاوسط شركة نقل العفش بالدمام متخصصه فى نقل اثاث وعفش بالدمام والخبر والجبيل والقطيف والاحساء
    شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
    شركة نقل اثاث بالخبر
    شركة نقل اثاث بالجبيل
    شركة نقل عفش الجبيل
    شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
    شركة نقل عفش بالقطيف
    شركة نقل اثاث بالاحساء
    شركة نقل عفش بالدمام
    شركة نقل عفش بالخبر
    شركة نقل اثاث بالجبيل
    شركة نقل عفش بالخبر

    كما ان الشرق الاوسط متخصصه فى النظافة وتنظيف المنازل ونظافة بالدمام والشقق والبيوت والفلل والكنب بالدمام
    شركة غسيل كنب بالدمام
    شركة تنظيف كنب بالدمام

You Might Also Like