Hello Everyone!

Thanks to all your prayers and support I’ve been here in Japan for 2 weeks!  I’m writing to you to update you on the work I’ve been doing here with IMB.

I’m staying in the IMB building in Shibuya Tokyo, and it is like living in the eye of the storm.  If you haven’t heard of it, you’ve probably seen videos or pictures of the huge scramble crossing in Hachiko square.  Every day thousands of people pass through that crosswalk shopping, going to work, going to school.  The feeling as you walk through this crosswalk is one I didn’t experience last summer, never having been to Shibuya.  The feeling is like being on a battlefield as others are pushing through trying to force their way through the crowded walk, all going in different directions.  And while you navigate the rush of human traffic, huge screens and projections high up on the buildings around you run advertisements for snacks, ice cream, cell phones and new music releases.  On the street beside you walk the most fashionable girls and the most wealthy businessmen in Japan.  In Shibuya more than any other part of Tokyo you feel like a number, you’re bombarded my images that tell you what you should look light, what you should buy, and what you should eat.  And around you everyone seems to be fighting for their value afraid of being drowned in the waves of countless faces rushing towards something that they must consider very important based on their tense movement and set expression.

Most of the Japanese I talk to say they don’t like Shibuya.  “Too many people” they say.  But there’s more to that statement.  There’s something about that place that challenges your value, and your sense of individuality.  This is where the IMB building is based, not 10 minutes walk from Hachiko Square.  Here you can feel the palpable need of the Japanese to find what it is that they can put their faith in, find their value in.  And it’s mostly here that Keri, my partner, and I will work to share God’s love with the Japanese.

We’ve been working to meet and cultivate friendships with Japanese in the area through various activities, such as free English practice and playing in Yoyogi park, where most people spend their Saturdays off.  We’ve made several friends that we are meeting with to talk to and spend time with in the hopes that we can share God’s love with them.

We are also going to Yoyogi park every week to help feed the homeless living there.  It’s remarkable that a mere 20 minutes walk from one of the wealthiest living areas on Japan is a park full of people living under bridges and on benches with nothing but tarps to protect them and their few possessions from the elements.  Every Saturday morning we wake up early with hundreds of rolls, muffins and other kind of bread to pack up and hand out to the homeless gathered there.  There are many new homeless now, as the economy continues to worsen and businesses go down.  The Tsunami and earthquake is also having a ripple effect that is only just now working it’s way through the Japanese society.  Alongside those who’ve lived in these conditions for years there are formerly successful businessmen forced by hardship to live a life they’ve never known.  Some are staying in capsule hotels for around 20 dollars a night finding a new kind of community with the other homeless forced to live in unusual conditions.  But even last weekend we saw how God can change people’s circumstances.

A couple who were formerly homeless decided to believe in Christ during one of the homeless ministry services in the park.  They later were able to find work and are now able to volunteer with the ministry that once fed them.  They now feed their friends still living in Yoyogi park.

In addition to the homeless ministry I’m also actually volunteering to help some business students in Yokohama National University practice English.  Keri and I meet with them twice a week.  The remarkable thing is that many of them are actually not Japanese but Chinese.  So in the course of our conversations together they have shown a remarkable interest to talk about spiritual things, because they were prohibited from those subjects while living in China.  As we discuss all kinds of subjects from television, to international student experiences to Religion and faith in America the group is beginning to get closer and become a sort of international family.  Please pray that the students will become more and more open and that we can share Christ’s love with these students.

This week we will also have a special opportunity to minister to those in the Tokyo area who are suffering from the earthquakes.  In Chiba the earthquake was particularly bad as there was much reclaimed ground in the area that sank several feet.  The sewage and water systems were severely damaged and many people in these areas are living in near third world conditions.  Only recently have they even been able to flush the toilet.  But as the adults are working on rebuilding and cleaning up, the children are suffering.  They’re simple heart needs are often overlooked as all the energy is focused on the reconstruction.  So we’re going to be doing some children’s programs this weekend.  There will be music and games and fun.  But most of all we’ll be focusing on the children and making ourselves available to them.  We call it “Kokoro no CARE” or “Heart Care.”   Please pray for these children who’ve been traumatized by the earthquake, and pray that we can bring some light and joy to them as we love on them, this weekend.

In fact Kokoro no Care is the best way to explain much of what we’re doing here.  Japan is in a transitional state.  Things have only just gotten back to a state of normalcy here in Shibuya, but the effect of the disaster can still be seen inside people.  I’m praying that God will show me how best to serve the people God is putting in my life here from the homeless to the college students.  I’m praying that the bruised hearts of the Japanese here will be open to God’s healing and that this tragedy will make room for God to come into the lives of the Japanese and show them that even when all else is washed away, God will always be there, and his strength is more powerful than any tsunami or earthquake.

Thank you again for being a part of this ministry, there have been a few bumps along the way.  Keri, my partner didn’t get here for several days due to weather conditions in America.  One day that our apartment was open while they were doing work on our air conditioning, 30000 yen went missing from my things.  That’s over 350 dollars.  But I don’t want you to worry, God is providing for my needs amply.  At this point I don’t feel any financial strain in spite of the loss.  Rather God showed me that I was leaning to much on my financial security here.  Please continue to pray for the work we’re doing here.  I’m praying that I can simply be open and of use in whatever way is necessary while here.  I know this is a VERY long update.  If you managed to get this far kudos.  ^_^  In any event  I’ll try to keep you posted.  Thank you for your support!

Hannah Weakly