Ichinoseki base camp started only this month. Camp leader and three staff are quite new to the camp. Crash Japan is trying to partner churches in Kesennuma and Rikuzentakata (most severely affected and nearly nothing left, 70,000 trees wipe out except lone pine tree).

To help in the relief work, Crash Japan has to go through the volunteer centre in these two towns. Other than our off days, every morning we leave before 8.00 am for the volunteer centre in this two towns.

We came expecting to help victims, console them and ultimately planting the seeds. Turns out, God plan was more than that. We met only a few of them, as many moved to temporary shelters, relief centres and relative houses. However, we found a pool of volunteers mostly youth and university students that God has directed us to minister. We learn to be pro active, and started sharing things with them to open up their heart. We took every opportunity to invite them to pray with us.

Before leaving for Japan, we were warned to expect some negative response and not appreciation all the time due to frustration with the authorities and inability to accept loses. Yet, we received mostly wonderful hospitality. Ryoku San (Mrs Saito) made onigiri, gave us mountains of tidbits and drinks from vending machine despite the little she has. Honda San makes spaghetti for Alan team and giving one of them a hat to shield against the sun. The old lady who gave us iced cold energy drinks and home grown peaches. Cold bottled drinks for the tens of us in the farm land owned by Onetera San. The weeping ramen restaurant lady in one local town knowing we were leaving Japan.

Volunteers, staff, passersby and strangers that came up to us, thanking us for coming and helping Japan.