BB writes that God answered their team’s prayer at morning devotions for “Divine Appointments” at two different temporary housing areas. As the team finished passing out gifts and heating apple juice for the residents to drink and to have a time of fellowship, a young single mom approached and began to share how she had survived the tsunami, even though she was working as a nurse at a local hospital in Otsuchi at that time. The small team prayed for her, Yu, and her nine year old son, Nu, and she invited the team into her small quarters in the temporary housing area. The team shared and prayed with her and the door is open to go back anytime.
In the second temporary housing area, a grandmother approached the van and kept saying, “Ningyo,” (doll). In talking with her, the team the team discovered that she had lost her daughter-in-law in the tsunami, after which her son and six year old granddaughter had come to live with her. The grandmother had been wanting a doll for her granddaughter because the child had been crying for one. BB and her team told her that God provided in a marvelous way! A group of young GA’s in the States had made homemade dolls and had made a group picture to go with each doll being held by the child who had made it. As the doll for six-year old, Yua, was given to the grandmother, she hugged the doll—as if it were for her—and began crying! BB embraced her for several minutes. Words were not necessary!
While at the same temporary housing area, the team had a third encounter with Yu, a Japanese wife who had expressed a strong interest in the Bible, although not a Christian. Since her Bible had been washed away in the tsunami, BB had promised and delivered a full Bible to her because she kept saying how much she had enjoyed reading the Book of Genesis. On the day of delivery of the Bible, Yu greeted the team and broke into a full smile when she saw it. Although the conversation had always been in Japanese, she joyfully shouted in English, “Genesis” and “Hungry for God”! After sharing and praying for her needs, the team left with a promise to return.
At the third encounter with Yu she and her mother had baked a cake for the volunteers and BB and brought it to the table outside where all were enjoying playing “Bingo” with the temporary housing residents. You could sense a feeling of joy and community there! Before leaving, Yu agreed to meet for Bible Study at her small temporary house during the first week of December to learn more about Christianity and the Bible. Thank you, Lord! What a day!
Written by Brenda Burch
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