Reasons for Hope

In our morning devotions we talked about finding hope, even when thinks look bleak and reflected on the source of our hope, the resurrection! As people of a resurrection faith, we choose to view lots of difficult situations from a resurrection perspective. And honestly, if it wasn’t for that perspective I would find the town of Taro overwhelmingly and unbearably depressing. And yet today I spent quite a bit of time talking with two residents of Taro. One still has his home. The other lost his home and his business. And yet they were both so full of energy, and so eager to share their enthusiasm. One even came to help us with our mobile cafe. We set up at the north end of town in an area where there are about 50 homes still standing. We’ve been there numerous times passing out food and supplies and now, six months later, when we set up the mobile cafe and then go door to door inviting people, they come with little or no hesitation; not to receive more food or supplies, but just to visit and spend time with each other and with us.

The empty lot where we set up the cafe is along the bank of a small river. When we first visited this neighborhood last April the river was completely clogged with debris. Crushed timber from homes, washed up boats, cars, contents of peoples homes, fishing nets and lots and lots of mud. The road that runs along the river was also piled high with more of the same stuff. To be honest, it was a scene that wreaked of death. The local residents were still in shock; many of them hungry and cold and yet they were so confused and traumatized that when we asked them what they needed some couldn’t think of anything… (they always seemed to remember after we left).

 

What I saw today is nothing short of resurrection. Perhaps I should say “resurrection in progress” because there is still much to be done. But the people are so much more settled than they were six months and when I turned toward the river bed I saw this.

Those photos probably just look like some heavy machinery in a little river bed, but believe me, the transformation is absolutely incredible. And then when I looked down at my feet I saw the true sign that sting of death is being replaced with the essence of new life. Wild flowers everywhere; growing out of soil that was buried under mountains of debris and trapped in the stench of death six short months ago.

Please join us in praying for the people of Taro and all the other devastated towns, villages and cities along the Pacific Coast of Tohoku. Please pray that they will experience resurrection in ways that are obvious and immediate as well as some ways that are less visible but go far deeper!

 

At noon I had to say my goodbyes and head home. It was a long drive but I wanted to get back for Kendra’s volleyball game if at all possible. I drove hard and fast without a single break for seven and a half hours and got back just in time to see the last 10 minutes of her game. Fortunately her team played well and won easily! It’s good to be back home!