Report from Faith United Methodist Church mission trip team
It has been my 6thyear visiting Ishinomaki with the Faith UMC Mission Team and each year I look forward to seeing the ICC Ministry Leaders and the Ishinomaki residence. The clean-up process in the area since the first time I was there till now has been amazingly quick with the help of the various volunteer groups. This year especially I felt the presence of God and His spirit moving amongst the many activities we participated in this mission trip this time. Just by seeing the faces of the ESL Group and their joyfulness seemed so evident.
They had fun making and eating quesadillas for the first time! The ICC Bazaar was a great event, bringing the local community together. It was nice to see new and familiar faces interacting with each other. The children even enjoyed making crafts as well. It was a nice fellowship between families and friends over a yummy taco rice and spam musubi lunch!
It was nice to return to Onagawa and to see the residence there in their new living spaces. They too look forward to us coming and introduce new craft projects to work on with them. They seem comfortable talking with us and I enjoy them opening up to us as well, letting us know of their personal struggles so that we can pray for them.
I enjoy the Sunday service at Chuo Church each time I attend. It is such a joyful place to worship and praise God. The atmosphere at Chuo Church led by Koya is always so welcoming and I enjoy seeing the families there, they are so happy and they are so comfortable talking and playing in such a loving place.
I pray that God will continue to shower the community with His unconditional love and protection. I pray for the leaders of the community and that ICC will continue to be led by God and be guided and supported through His grace.
I thank God for the opportunity that I can be a part of the healing efforts for Ishinomaki and its community. And through God’s grace, I pray that each person will be touched by His presence with hope and love. Amen.