: 2nd Harvest Tokyo Japan

Saturday November 1st was a special day to work among those Christ calls Christians to serve; the "least of these". Bob & Chris were invited by Pastor Phil Hausknecht, St. Paul International Lutheran Church to volunteer with 2nd Harvest Tokyo Japan. 2nd Harvest prepares and distributes meals each Saturday in Ueno Park. St. Paul International Lutheran Ch . participates on the 1st Saturday of the each month. When Bob & Chris were invited they were reminded of the participation of their own church, St. Paul in Aiken, South Carolina in the food distributed to the elderly and needed of Aiken on the 1st Saturday of each month. They were excited to be asked to volunteer. 2nd Harvest is located about one hour total travel from the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mitaka. Up and ready at 9:15 they left with directions from Pastor Phil to 2nd Harvest in Akihabara where food would be prepared for distribution. Bob was assigned with another volunteer to first drain Japanese pickles from their brine and then to inspect and wash produce. Chris was assigned to cook potatoes to be made into a salad. They enjoyed the fellowship shared with other volunteers in the preparation of food. Bob was particularly impressed by the large group of employees from Ciscio Systems Inc. One of them explained that their working at 2nd Harvest on Saturday was strictly optional as employess; but they also knew that Cisco as a company had a commitment to social consciousness.

After all the food was prepared it was loaded into a 2nd Harvest van for the trip to Ueno Park. The volunteers who had worked the preparation session and were also working in distribution, Bob & Chris included, made their way to Ueno Park on the train. Once at Ueno Park the van and volunteers and leaders gathered at the distribution area. The equipment and tables were set up, assignments were given out and the distribution process began. Bob was assigned to placing a piece of chicken in the rice on each plate. Chris was assigned to hand the completed meals to the recipients. It was good to do work as they remembered the words of Jesus, "As you have done unto the least of these by brothers, you have done it unto me."

The distribution fed 485 persons on this Saturday. About 585 meals in total were handed out. Produce and other food items were also distributed. Nothing was left over or left to waste. It was good to feed so many people and it was sad to see so many people who needed to be fed. It was a blessed time of stewardship for all who participated. Bob and Chris were thankful for the opportunity. Google "2nd Harvest Tokyo, Japan to find out more about this ministry.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben