Nine more souls slipped into eternity in the immediate results of the recent earthquake in Japan. In a country where less than one percent claim Christianity, we can't help but wonder if those nine are forever without Christ. It gives us greater longing to know that those we met while in Japan would come to know the Savior while they still have the opportunity.
Pray particularly for the more than 13,000 who are now homeless. Pray that through this crisis in their lives they will come to know the Almighty God who loves them and mercifully spared their lives.
Everyone from the 2007 Team is safely home, and to the best of our knowledge, all those we served while in Japan are also safe. May God give opportunities to share the Gospel with those around them.
-for the Team,
Sharon
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Dear Blog...
It has been a while since we talked. I'm loving being here with the youth. They are very mature and passionate about living for God and are intentional about having positive attitudes. It is a joy to be around them! 
This weekend has been a emotional rollercoaster, but God gives me the strength for each day. I will be home soon. Pray for our safe travels and God's blessing on our last few days here.
The retreat this weekend was blessed by the Lord. About a dozen people came out. On Friday night we played round-robin and 4 corners and then a Japanese game that involved alot of running and freezing in place. It was fun!!
On Saturday we had a pancake breakfast... Mmmm! Then we met in the chapel to sing worship songs, hear testimonies from the teens and see them perform their mime. I can't even describe how powerful the mime is. It portrays the fall of man and the death and resurrection of Jesus and then a restored relationship with God. I was powerfully moved as were others. The teens who performed had obviously put hours and hours and hours into it. Afterward there was an explanation given in Japanese of what the mime meant and then they performed it again. And.... a woman got saved!!! She was very clear in her profession... she understood that she was separated from God by what she had done wrong. She said that she had felt the emptiness protrayed and that she knew this was the truth she had been looking for! Praise the Lord! She had never heard the gospel before and yet she was ready to accept to right then. Wow!
As a team we have done alot of work projects around the camp. A mountain of brush was moved out from the woods to be burned. Futons were aired out and the cabins cleaned, in preparation for the camping season. The teens have also visited English classes in small groups.
Last night (Sunday night) Haley and I stayed in the home of a student from one of the English classes, like when we stayed with Mickey. She is an older woman and her English is very good. Her husband is in a wheelchair. She is interested in foreign relationships and does some volunteer translation work for an international charity. This morning she took us to a shrine where she sometimes goes to pray. She wanted us to meet the shrine-master who went to Indiana State University and speaks excellent English. He showed us around the shrine. He explained how to wash with "holy water" and showed us a sacred room where they believe that the god lives. I had just read Isaiah 45 this morning. "If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble... I am God and there is no other..." My heart was broken for his darkness. His little daughter followed him around closely. My heart was broken for the fact that she will grow up never knowing anything but this hopelessness. As I left my emotions were a mixture of sadness and helplessness, but I have to remember that God is all powerful and He is always working to draw people to Himself. Salvation is His work. I believe He wanted me to see this my last week so that I will always remember to pray for the people of Japan.
This weekend has been a emotional rollercoaster, but God gives me the strength for each day. I will be home soon. Pray for our safe travels and God's blessing on our last few days here.
-Elsbeth
Friday, July 6, 2007
The Mistaks in Miyakonojo
We've been keeping busy here in Miyakonojo since the last time I wrote!
Furlough DVD Complete:
I helped Chris Sadowitz prepare for his furlough by making his furlough video. We compiled four years worth of videos and pictures together with narration and music. It took us five days of hard work and I think I have carpel tunnels syndrome but we got it done. The video is about 30 minutes long. My favorite part is the end where we included a lot of bloopers and outtakes. This is not your conventional furlough video!! I was glad to be able to help in this way. I never thought my computer skills would come in handy here but they have. I also was able to fix a missionary's computer just by plugging it in an touching it. I felt like Joe Stolz because that kind of thing happens to him all the time.
Evan, Elsbeth and Mariah
It sure was good to see some familiar faces from home! I only wish they could have stayed longer. Evan and I helped packed up some household goods for some missionaries who have left the field, while he was here. I'm glad Elsbeth was able to see everything here first hand since she might be coming back in the near future. Everyone here had been practicing saying her name and had finally gotten it down by the time she showed up. I think I experienced what Elsbeth must go through every time she introduces herself to someone. "Elisabeth?" "No, LLLLLzzzzBeth!!!" People need to here this several times I've found before they get it.
Mini-Volleyball
My Japanese friend Mitsuyoshi was in a mini volleyball tournament with his work. So I decided to go watch. I pictured maybe a few courts of people playing. Boy was I wrong! There were close to a thousand people there. I thought I would never find my friend, and even if I did, I thought there is no way I'm going to catch his game. As it turns out, we showed up just in time for his game and we happened to sit right next to the court he was playing on. Furthermore, Mitsuyoshi's boss is Chris Sadowitz neighbor and friend of many years! Mitsuyoshi and Ikuko are having us over for dinner on Sunday night. We are really looking forward to this.Mini Volleyball as a sport is something that I wish I could bring back to Hamilton Hills. I think JOLT would love it. The net is a little bit shorter and the ball is the perfect mix between being extremely soft and yet playable. Have you ever played with a ball that is so soft that it almost floats? This is just a little bit heavier than that so that it plays well. Yet, it is impossible to hurt your hand with it. The net is lower than in regular volleyball which makes it fun to spike. After watching Mitsuyoshi play, I had the opportunity to play with a friend of the Sadowtiz's who is a barber. Every monday a group of 50+ barbers and hair stylists get together to play. Some of these Gramas were pretty athletic. It keeps them young.
Hiroshima Golf Tournament
Two days ago, Chris and I went to watch Christian Pena play in a golf tournament up in Hiroshima. We got to live the life of priveldge of a pro golfer for a few hours as we followed Christian around. Christian had made Chris a badge that said Manager and I had a badge that said family. So, if anyone tired to tell us we couldn't do something we would just flash our badges! It was pretty funny.
We followed Christian around the course while he played his round. Whenever, he made a great putt we would hoop and holler like the colts had just won the Super Bowl. Very counter cultural...but hey...we had badges. Christian ended up shooting two over par for the day. He was even until the second to the last hole where he shot a double bogie. Not a bad first day I think!Chrisitain really has a heart for sharing the gospel with his fellow golfers. I think the Lord has gifted him for this and I was challenged by his heart to share with those around him.
Christian took us to this great resturaunt in Hiroshima where we ate Whale. Let me say that again in case you missed it. We ate Whale! Can you believe it. Never in my life would it have occured to me to eat a whale. And it was actually quite tastey. Especially when it was deep fried with a batter and a special sauce for dipping.
Future Plans
Today we are going to Miyazaki to activate our rail passes for the journey home.
Tuesday we are going to take a train to Hiroshima. There we will see the Peace Park and maybe some other sites if we have time.
Wednesday we will finish our journey up to Tokyo by train.
Thursday we fly home!
Our time here is growing very short. Please pray for us as we travel and reflect upon what we have learned here.
A few more things that make you say hmmm....
1. If you get in trouble here you don't dial 911 you dial 119. (No, I don't know this by experience....thank the Lord)
2. Tags are on the front of your slacks instead of on the back. I think this is actually quite handy. No more trying to twist around in the store to remember what your pants size is!
3. Japanese people are very "by the book". I watch people here do menial jobs with such ritual and precision and pride. The up side to this is that they do their job well. The down side to this is that....they do their job very well. Situations needing grace or special circumstances that aren't in the book can cause a halt in progress.
See you soon! Hopefully we can update again from Tokyo.
Furlough DVD Complete:
I helped Chris Sadowitz prepare for his furlough by making his furlough video. We compiled four years worth of videos and pictures together with narration and music. It took us five days of hard work and I think I have carpel tunnels syndrome but we got it done. The video is about 30 minutes long. My favorite part is the end where we included a lot of bloopers and outtakes. This is not your conventional furlough video!! I was glad to be able to help in this way. I never thought my computer skills would come in handy here but they have. I also was able to fix a missionary's computer just by plugging it in an touching it. I felt like Joe Stolz because that kind of thing happens to him all the time.
Evan, Elsbeth and Mariah
It sure was good to see some familiar faces from home! I only wish they could have stayed longer. Evan and I helped packed up some household goods for some missionaries who have left the field, while he was here. I'm glad Elsbeth was able to see everything here first hand since she might be coming back in the near future. Everyone here had been practicing saying her name and had finally gotten it down by the time she showed up. I think I experienced what Elsbeth must go through every time she introduces herself to someone. "Elisabeth?" "No, LLLLLzzzzBeth!!!" People need to here this several times I've found before they get it.
Mini-Volleyball
My Japanese friend Mitsuyoshi was in a mini volleyball tournament with his work. So I decided to go watch. I pictured maybe a few courts of people playing. Boy was I wrong! There were close to a thousand people there. I thought I would never find my friend, and even if I did, I thought there is no way I'm going to catch his game. As it turns out, we showed up just in time for his game and we happened to sit right next to the court he was playing on. Furthermore, Mitsuyoshi's boss is Chris Sadowitz neighbor and friend of many years! Mitsuyoshi and Ikuko are having us over for dinner on Sunday night. We are really looking forward to this.Mini Volleyball as a sport is something that I wish I could bring back to Hamilton Hills. I think JOLT would love it. The net is a little bit shorter and the ball is the perfect mix between being extremely soft and yet playable. Have you ever played with a ball that is so soft that it almost floats? This is just a little bit heavier than that so that it plays well. Yet, it is impossible to hurt your hand with it. The net is lower than in regular volleyball which makes it fun to spike. After watching Mitsuyoshi play, I had the opportunity to play with a friend of the Sadowtiz's who is a barber. Every monday a group of 50+ barbers and hair stylists get together to play. Some of these Gramas were pretty athletic. It keeps them young.
Hiroshima Golf Tournament
Two days ago, Chris and I went to watch Christian Pena play in a golf tournament up in Hiroshima. We got to live the life of priveldge of a pro golfer for a few hours as we followed Christian around. Christian had made Chris a badge that said Manager and I had a badge that said family. So, if anyone tired to tell us we couldn't do something we would just flash our badges! It was pretty funny.
We followed Christian around the course while he played his round. Whenever, he made a great putt we would hoop and holler like the colts had just won the Super Bowl. Very counter cultural...but hey...we had badges. Christian ended up shooting two over par for the day. He was even until the second to the last hole where he shot a double bogie. Not a bad first day I think!Chrisitain really has a heart for sharing the gospel with his fellow golfers. I think the Lord has gifted him for this and I was challenged by his heart to share with those around him.
Christian took us to this great resturaunt in Hiroshima where we ate Whale. Let me say that again in case you missed it. We ate Whale! Can you believe it. Never in my life would it have occured to me to eat a whale. And it was actually quite tastey. Especially when it was deep fried with a batter and a special sauce for dipping.
Future Plans
Today we are going to Miyazaki to activate our rail passes for the journey home.
Tuesday we are going to take a train to Hiroshima. There we will see the Peace Park and maybe some other sites if we have time.
Wednesday we will finish our journey up to Tokyo by train.
Thursday we fly home!
Our time here is growing very short. Please pray for us as we travel and reflect upon what we have learned here.
A few more things that make you say hmmm....
1. If you get in trouble here you don't dial 911 you dial 119. (No, I don't know this by experience....thank the Lord)
2. Tags are on the front of your slacks instead of on the back. I think this is actually quite handy. No more trying to twist around in the store to remember what your pants size is!
3. Japanese people are very "by the book". I watch people here do menial jobs with such ritual and precision and pride. The up side to this is that they do their job well. The down side to this is that....they do their job very well. Situations needing grace or special circumstances that aren't in the book can cause a halt in progress.
See you soon! Hopefully we can update again from Tokyo.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The Lone Blogger
I’m back at the camp now! Romi and I spent yesterday with the teens climbing Mount Fuji! A few people, including myself, only climbed part way. The majority of the group climbed from the fifth station to the eighth station, which is a grueling 5 hour hike. (The fifth station is the last level that can be driven to and is a good starting point for people who don’t want to hike the whole mountain.) Those of us who stayed behind had a neat opportunity to talk to some Japanese junior high students. The whole school was there and they were going to hike to the top in two days. They were very excited to talk to us even in broken English. Some girls asked Leah, Hillary, Katie and I if we had boyfriends and were excited to share that they did! I also learned that they like Spider Man and Pirates of the Caribbean a lot!
Here are some pictures:
Here are some pictures:
Setting out from the fifth station
The trail's beginning
Keeping up a good pace
The mountain side
Pastor Doug runs up Mount Fujii
Great beauty
Making new friends
Waiting for the rest of the team
Praise God for a safe and fun day!
-Elsbeth
Last Events
The past few days we have managed to cram a whole lot in before we had to say goodbye to everyone here in Japan. We met some delightful Korean and Japanese students in Kariuzawa who are learning English and being discipled and spent a few days up at the camp in Koriyama where the Takahashi’s are serving. Some of our friends had a marshmallow roast and firework send-off for us one night, complete with heart-felt expressions of their appreciation for our time in Japan. It was a bit emotional, even through the interpreter, to hear how much our visit has meant to them as believers.
We had opportunity to be fitted in a Kimono; welcomed Doug to Japan as he prepares for the teens arrival and ministry this month; worshiped with Pastor Tajima and his flock; and had to say goodbye to our dear friends Romi, the Ojhi’s; and so many others.
It was hard to choose which pictures to share, but hope these few will give you a sense of how much we appreciated your prayers and support of us while in Japan. (There is one more photo on our personal blog site you will want to view.) We have made it safely home and are hoping for a little sleep the next few days. Pray for the people of Japan, and the many university students there who have no hope.
Airport goodbyes with Romi
Singing around the fire at the camp in Koriyama
A few smores for our dear friends
Mana roasts three marshmallows all at once!
Mariah writes her name in the sky with a flare!
Doug tries song leading with fireworks.
Mrs. Takahashi
Our expert cricket smasher and extracter - Mariah Rose 
Romi's Cactus
Expert kitchen servants
A view at camp
We had opportunity to be fitted in a Kimono; welcomed Doug to Japan as he prepares for the teens arrival and ministry this month; worshiped with Pastor Tajima and his flock; and had to say goodbye to our dear friends Romi, the Ojhi’s; and so many others.
It was hard to choose which pictures to share, but hope these few will give you a sense of how much we appreciated your prayers and support of us while in Japan. (There is one more photo on our personal blog site you will want to view.) We have made it safely home and are hoping for a little sleep the next few days. Pray for the people of Japan, and the many university students there who have no hope.
Airport goodbyes with Romi
Singing around the fire at the camp in Koriyama
A few smores for our dear friends
Mana roasts three marshmallows all at once!
Mariah writes her name in the sky with a flare!
Doug tries song leading with fireworks.
Mrs. Takahashi
Our expert cricket smasher and extracter - Mariah Rose 
Romi's Cactus
Expert kitchen servants
A view at camp
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Posting in Haste!
I’m not sure how much time I’m going to have after today (Monday) to blog, so here is a quickie post.
Our team debriefing on Saturday was very good. We were given a couple hours for each person to sit on their own and think about what we have learned about Japan, about missions, and our own spiritual growth during this trip. Then we came together to discuss our experience and prepare our hearts for “reentry” to normal life.
In forty minutes Romi and I will be catching a train to the airport in Tokyo, there to say good-bye to the Kellers, Mariah and Evan. Then we will welcome the teen team from HHBC. We will proceed from there to a hotel near Mount Fujii, which we will attempt to climb on Tuesday. I’m packing my snow parka and taking my oxygen tank, as I understand that the summit is in the upper stratosphere and covered with snow. I fully expect to see a yak or two and maybe some snow bunnies bounding across the snow. I will carefully log all the wildlife I observe for blogification later. On Wednesday the teens will tour Tokyo while Romi and I return by train to the camp in order to buy enough food to feed an army for 10 days and fireworks for 4th of July fun! Hopefully we will also have time to help Mrs. Takahashi clean and set up the camp facilities as well. Then we will welcome the teens to this beautiful setting and put them to work the next day. There is a lot to be done around the camp and also in helping out some nearby churches.
I’m sad to see my team leave, but my heart is here! I’m so excited to be able to help with the Nippon Initiative’s high school trip! I’ve had a wonderful experience in Japan for the last month and I’m can’t wait to see what God has in store for me here in the future.
-Elsbeth
Our team debriefing on Saturday was very good. We were given a couple hours for each person to sit on their own and think about what we have learned about Japan, about missions, and our own spiritual growth during this trip. Then we came together to discuss our experience and prepare our hearts for “reentry” to normal life.
In forty minutes Romi and I will be catching a train to the airport in Tokyo, there to say good-bye to the Kellers, Mariah and Evan. Then we will welcome the teen team from HHBC. We will proceed from there to a hotel near Mount Fujii, which we will attempt to climb on Tuesday. I’m packing my snow parka and taking my oxygen tank, as I understand that the summit is in the upper stratosphere and covered with snow. I fully expect to see a yak or two and maybe some snow bunnies bounding across the snow. I will carefully log all the wildlife I observe for blogification later. On Wednesday the teens will tour Tokyo while Romi and I return by train to the camp in order to buy enough food to feed an army for 10 days and fireworks for 4th of July fun! Hopefully we will also have time to help Mrs. Takahashi clean and set up the camp facilities as well. Then we will welcome the teens to this beautiful setting and put them to work the next day. There is a lot to be done around the camp and also in helping out some nearby churches.
I’m sad to see my team leave, but my heart is here! I’m so excited to be able to help with the Nippon Initiative’s high school trip! I’ve had a wonderful experience in Japan for the last month and I’m can’t wait to see what God has in store for me here in the future.
-Elsbeth
Friday, June 29, 2007
Dodgin' the Bullet
6/29/07
This week the girls and I have done more traveling than a middle-aged carpetbagger with itchy feet. We took a few days off to see what Stan and Michelle have been up to down in Kyushu. We did most of our traveling via bullet train or “shinkansen,” if you want to get technical. I don’t know how many of you have ever been on a train that reaches speeds over 285 km/h, but it is not fun especially when the jerk in front of you refuses to close his window. I endured three hours of blowing and blasting winds which sent me flailing all over the compartment. I tried to stay in my seat for as long as possible but when we got up to speed the level of lactic acid in my forearms was so great that I lost my death grip and just couldn’t hang on. Most of my hair was blown straight off of my head into the lady’s clam chowder behind me and my cheeks were flapping so hard that they knocked a molar loose and I think I swallowed it. I kindly asked the gentleman in front of me several times to shut his window to which he arrogantly replied, “I have poor temperature regulation and the breeze feels nice, so you can just shut up.” Breeze? I just about lost it when he said that and all of the sudden I had a deep sinful desire to flick the back of his ear very hard and I would have had it not been for a particularly potent gust of wind that knocked me out of my seat and onto a plate of pastries that I had just recently purchased for half-price at the last train portal. That really got my goat but unfortunately the wind was so powerful that I had no choice but to lie pinned to the ground for the remainder of the trip. Needless to say when it was all over, my pastries were in no condition to be consumed but I ate them anyway and I now wish I hadn’t.
Barring the above turbulent tribulation, the trip to see the Mistaks was a success. We were able to hang out at the coffee shop for a while and Stan even whipped up some of his prefecture famous Café Ole. I have to say I’ve never had a drink so uplifting and refreshing. Upon downing the last drop, I couldn’t help but softly sing a song to myself while I reveled in the drink’s invigorating aftertaste. During our time at the coffee shop we were able to talk to some of the customers with whom the Mistaks have developed relationships. Stan and Michelle both have been doing a great job getting to know the people they meet. Most, if not all, of the people they’ve encountered have returned several times over the past month. Along with getting a taste of the coffee shop, no pun intended, we were able to meet the Carr and Sadowitz families who generously had us all over for dinner. Both families told me how they’ve fallen in love with Stan and Michelle and how much of a blessing it’s been to have them in Miyakonojo.
On Monday, the Kellers, Mariah, and I will leave for the U.S. I’m looking forward to returning home but at the same time it will be difficult to leave the friends I’ve made. God has taught me several valuable lessons here in Japan and I can’t wait to share them with the church. Thanks again for all the prayers and Lord willing I’ll see you soon; until then try to keep it real.
This week the girls and I have done more traveling than a middle-aged carpetbagger with itchy feet. We took a few days off to see what Stan and Michelle have been up to down in Kyushu. We did most of our traveling via bullet train or “shinkansen,” if you want to get technical. I don’t know how many of you have ever been on a train that reaches speeds over 285 km/h, but it is not fun especially when the jerk in front of you refuses to close his window. I endured three hours of blowing and blasting winds which sent me flailing all over the compartment. I tried to stay in my seat for as long as possible but when we got up to speed the level of lactic acid in my forearms was so great that I lost my death grip and just couldn’t hang on. Most of my hair was blown straight off of my head into the lady’s clam chowder behind me and my cheeks were flapping so hard that they knocked a molar loose and I think I swallowed it. I kindly asked the gentleman in front of me several times to shut his window to which he arrogantly replied, “I have poor temperature regulation and the breeze feels nice, so you can just shut up.” Breeze? I just about lost it when he said that and all of the sudden I had a deep sinful desire to flick the back of his ear very hard and I would have had it not been for a particularly potent gust of wind that knocked me out of my seat and onto a plate of pastries that I had just recently purchased for half-price at the last train portal. That really got my goat but unfortunately the wind was so powerful that I had no choice but to lie pinned to the ground for the remainder of the trip. Needless to say when it was all over, my pastries were in no condition to be consumed but I ate them anyway and I now wish I hadn’t.
Barring the above turbulent tribulation, the trip to see the Mistaks was a success. We were able to hang out at the coffee shop for a while and Stan even whipped up some of his prefecture famous Café Ole. I have to say I’ve never had a drink so uplifting and refreshing. Upon downing the last drop, I couldn’t help but softly sing a song to myself while I reveled in the drink’s invigorating aftertaste. During our time at the coffee shop we were able to talk to some of the customers with whom the Mistaks have developed relationships. Stan and Michelle both have been doing a great job getting to know the people they meet. Most, if not all, of the people they’ve encountered have returned several times over the past month. Along with getting a taste of the coffee shop, no pun intended, we were able to meet the Carr and Sadowitz families who generously had us all over for dinner. Both families told me how they’ve fallen in love with Stan and Michelle and how much of a blessing it’s been to have them in Miyakonojo.
On Monday, the Kellers, Mariah, and I will leave for the U.S. I’m looking forward to returning home but at the same time it will be difficult to leave the friends I’ve made. God has taught me several valuable lessons here in Japan and I can’t wait to share them with the church. Thanks again for all the prayers and Lord willing I’ll see you soon; until then try to keep it real.
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