What do people do all day?

読んでいます! (translation: I am reading!) Ok, so I don't really read all day, but the Richard Scarry reference popped into my head and I couldn't resist. I am very much enjoying one freedom of being done with school: I get to read whatever I want! Below is a sampling of what I've been digging into so far...

I'm reading "Silence" right now, and next on my list are "A Life of Jesus", also by Shasuko Endo, "The 4 Loves" by C.S. Lewis, and maybe even finish up Scott Westerfield's Uglies Trilogy. What else should I add to my list?

In summary...

What's going on in Japan? Below is a news brief from MTW's latest newsletter. Enjoy!

"The stricken area, the Tohoku east coast, is an area of small, coastal fishing villages and small cities. Churches from the Tokyo and Nagoya areas have sent over 100 individual truckloads of relief supplies and volunteer teams, helping stabilize the area. Though government relief efforts have been relatively swift and effective, there are still many people who are homeless or living in temporary shelters. And, as a result of the deaths of approximately 25,000 people, there are now many shattered families and orphaned children.

However, there seems to be a new spiritual openness among the Japanese, particularly those directly affected by the tsunami. This openness presents an unprecedented opportunity for MTW missionaries and partners to work in cities virtually untouched by the gospel. Relief efforts have noticeably changed from carrying supplies to carrying love—serving hot meals, performing concerts, playing with children, and simply listening. And as Japanese Church members and missionaries listen, they are making friends and opening doors for long-term relationships.

“We have been warmly welcomed by the residents of the region and anticipate an ongoing and lengthy effort to help,” said Bob Drews, assistant team leader of the Chiba team.

Only about 0.22 percent of Japanese are evangelical Christians. Most Japanese do not know a Christian and have no knowledge of the Bible, much less of a sovereign and loving God. Moreover, Tohoku is the least-churched area in all of Japan.

Currently, there are no Presbyterian Church in Japan (PCJ) works in Tohoku, though MTW is actively working with evangelical churches in the area. The ministry dreams of renting a facility, or purchasing land or a building, establishing a permanent facility for church-planting teams. The facility will provide opportunities to work with children, elderly, and families. The ministry also hopes to jump-start future business ventures.

“Having a physical footprint in a community is vital to a long-term relationship that can bring the gospel transformation to individuals and communities,” said Drews.

July Newsletter

Newsletter, July 2011

What's going on with this nuclear plant that was in the news a few month ago?

While the headlines have forgotten Japan for weeks, and my focus has been on any articles I can dig up about the emotional/mental toll it has been taking, especially among the thousands living in shelters, one of the top questions I'm asked is about the nuclear/radiation situation. And I realize more and more how little I actually know, and how hard it is to find, understand, and summarize anything nuclear related.

I mean, even Lady Gaga is all about helping Japan. Somehow praying for Japan has become the cool thing to do... but I digress. So in answer to all questions about the nuclear plant, this article is the latest info I can find. Check out the little animated slideshow at the bottom of the article for a play by play of what happened.

In summary, they have started a system of pumping in loads of water that "will solve the problem of contaminated water, which gave all sorts of worries to the world. Second, it will enable stable cooling of reactors," and keep them on the path to their goal of a cold shutdown of the plant by January.

"We don't want to be forgotten. We want to go home."

Check out this article for an update on shelter life in Japan, particularly the mental/psychological toll on those who have lost everything.

Pray that they would not be crushed during this hard time, but that God would be the strength in their weakness, hope in their despair, peace in their anxiety. And that same prayer not just for those in the shelters, but the believers (Japanese, American, whoever) who go to help and encourage.

When I run out of words, which happens pretty often, I find myself praying songs, like this one:

Update

Just Another Day - Japan Disaster Relief from Shane Burgett on Vimeo.

Just wanted to share that video update from the team in Japan. See more at their vimeo page

More to come, but for now...my heart is full, my body is tired, and sleep beckons. Pray for Japan!

Random Reflection

Normal. Simple. Mundane. We (or at least I) tend to think of those words as negative. Boring. Pointless. But I've been thinking lately about the all-the-time, every-day things, the wonderful things that are (or should be) normal.

Simple reminders to take joy in the small things. Like realizing while practicing that I am childishly thrilled by the reflections in the piano. Or more importantly, the reflection of God in me. Praying without ceasing, having a posture of repentance, living in grace, walking with God. When lived out like they should be, all these wonderful things become...normal. So normal and everyday, and like a child, these "normal" things never stop thrilling us with joy. Isn't that beautiful?

...let your light shine. Not necessarily fireworks or laser light displays or blazing majesty. Just...shine.