Japan Team Return...and Update.

We're back! We traveled close to 14,000 miles in 12 days and, surprisingly, we're all functioning quite normally. The trip, to say the least, was life-changing. The impact the entire event had on us personally and corporately cannot yet be gauged but I know it has left each of us different, more aware of suffering, and slightly more ready to serve those in need (worldwide). 

Toxic Mud. Masks were necessary.

Our trip up North to Sendai will linger in our hearts and minds for months. Seeing the devastation first-hand was powerful. The fact that water can turn cars into twisted piles of metal, uproot houses from foundations, and wash oil tankers 5 miles ashore is astounding. The smells from the town in which we worked hung heavy in the air, which was not something i had anticipated. Months-old seawater has turned putrid and toxic, leaving a stench that lingers throughout the day. We had the awesome task of removing toxic mud from gutters that lined the housing tract in a particular neighborhood, and this was truly heavy and messy work. Lifting huge concrete slabs, digging out mud, putting that mud into bags, and hauling bags away to for disposal...this work was difficult but necessary.

4 miles from shore...this washed up.

Before I stepped out of the van to begin work that morning I wondered, "are we really supposed to be here? Are we making any kind of difference?" That question was answered the moment we had Japanese locals come alongside of us, work with us, and tell us "thank you for coming." It was at this very humbling moment that I realized God brought us here to change us, personally and corporately, and to give us a chance to see real needs met on a worldwide level. 

Gutters everywhere. 

We had the privilege of working alongside Korean, Japanese, and Chinese teams, all of whom traveled long distances to do exactly what we were doing: clean gutters. Seeing our efforts help those in need multiplied by a multi-national community of helpers was truly one of those moments that will sit with me for the rest of my life. Despite the short amount of days we actually had to contribute to the work, we were blessed to have the chance to participate and we were all changed. I would tell anyone now that they should "go" and help. Go beyond sending money and prayers...go and see it for yourself. Get out and see the world and see the need with your own eyes and be changed. 

Mountains of Bags of Debris.

Our team would like to thank everyone that supported us throughout this entire endeavor. As far back as last September we felt the call and had myriad family and friends support us, stand by us, and pray with us. Thank you. We could not have done this without you. We'll be sharing our story July 31 at Calvary Baptist Church in Bishop during the morning service. Please come talk with us, listen to our story, and be challenged and encouraged!