Rising From What?

"Wisconsin ELCA Congregation Rising from Painful Post-Assembly Conflict‏" is the title of the latest apology for the heresy of the decision to live outside of the norm of Scripture; the result of the CWA decisions last summer. The article put out by the news service of the ELCA attempts to be a story of conflict turned to renewal and renewal turned to a vision of an even stronger future. After reading the article one has to wonder who would be so naive as to find it encouraging; rather than tragic. All the conflict of the story arose when faithful disciples reacted as they will do when the truth of God is abdicated for the false views of the world. Granted the false view was endorsed by the ELCA at the CWA in words that from "Human Sexuality Gift and Trust"; but that does not change the error. It only brings into the question the continuing legitimacy of the ELCA as a valid expresssion of the Church catholic. Further granted that after some time some people who left the parish returned out of their love for community; but at the price of orthodoxy inflicted upon them by leaders who now stand in the judgement of Mark 9:42. Finally and left unsaid is, "What about those whose discipleship has been diminished or faith impaired who are now wandering without a shepherd because of this imposed heresy by the ELCA?" "What of the members who have been driven out permanently?" For now they have left a former expression of the Church and I pray they have again found a place; an expression of the Church where they may be fed in Word and Sacrament.

Until we reform the ELCA, so that this organization again is faithful to the "canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life" it remains only that; a diminished religious organization.
By God's grace may the ELCA beginning with each congregation and then each synod reform and return to Scripture. Only then will Pastor Sowell's words ring true, ""I am sure St. John is not only going to survive, it's going to thrive." Only then will any congregation, synod or the wider church thrive as God intends; as a community that is the body of Christ; an expression of the Church.

Peace

Pb

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 31

Bob and Chris are not in Japan. They are on the way back to Aiken, South Carolina. They are on the way home to the place where they love to live and to the people Pastor Bob loves to serve at St. Paul Lutheran church. They were humbled and blessed to be missionaries to the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church for this unique assignment from the South Carolina Synod. They are thankful for the guidance and support of so many people. They will always remember the loving guidance of Rev. Jerry and Janice Livingston. They treasured the loving cards and remembrances of those praying for them at St. John’s Charleston. They are thankful for the faithful service of Pastor Mark Cerniglia to St. Paul in Pastor Bob’s absence . Now with a deep love and respect for so many Japanese brothers and sisters they are no longer in Japan but in the air and on the way back to Aiken. While they are flying home I thought you might like some information about me; the one called Zen Ben. I am called Zen Ben because that was the name given to me by a wonderful little girl at St. Paul Aiken. But I have another name according to the historic legends of the Church. You may have noticed that even though I look like a Buddhist monk I don’t look very Japanese. I am pictured as a monk sitting in the beauty of nature; but I look more like someone from the Middle East than from Japan. The husband of one of the women Pastor Bob and Chris got to know in Shimizu, Japan knew my other identity and told his wife who then shared the information. He is a Buddhist who knows of my identity from his studies. There is a tradition based in history and perhaps legend that says I am one of those who followed Jesus and even saw him as the risen Christ. That is why I am not Japanese in appearance. I am one of the disciples who people believe took the Gospel to India and beyond after the resurrection of our Lord. I am the image of Thomas. I am the one you know from Scripture as the disciple who wanted proof, who got his proof from our Lord and took the Truth and shared the Good News of Jesus the Christ. So now you know my historic name, Thomas along with my reporting name, Zen Ben. If you want to see me again you may find me on the bottom of the Japanese scroll that Pastor Bob bought from a print shop in Kyoto in 1970. The scroll hangs in his office in Aiken, South Carolina. That is where you may find him very soon. He will be back in the office on April 6th and in worship on Easter serving a congregation that lives the truth written by one of South Carolina’s first missionaries to Japan. “Show me a congregation which is active in its work for mission, and I will show you a congregation which is blessed in its work at home.”Rev. R. B. Peery AM PhD. Pastor Bob will be back home serving and Chris will be worshipping with brothers and sisters active in their work for mission and blessed at home at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken, South Carolina.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben or Thomas ?

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 23,24,25

“Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. Bob and Chris were in Hirosaki, Japan on March 23-25 and were reminded of these words from Jesus in what they experienced in a brief return to the place where Bob came to know, respect and love Japan, its culture and its people. In 1970 as a student from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio Bob lived for a summer in Hirosaki, Japan in a home stay with the Miyakawa family. He was in Japan as part of the East Asia Studies program as it existed at the time at Wittenberg. Now almost 39 years later Bob was returning with Chris for a day and a half to see the Miyakawa family. In 1970 he came to know love and respect a family that was one of the leading families of Hirosaki, Japan. For three generations they owned the department store of Hirosaki. The building was three floors and sprawled over enough of an area to make it one of the largest buildings in the city. Near the department store was the Miyakawa home. It was a beautiful traditional Japanese home of corridors and richly painted panels surrounded by Japanese gardens. It was a beautiful home where one could simply ponder the beauty and the mystery of Japan while walking along the ponds and gardens. In the home lived three generations of Miyakawa. The first was Chuzo and his wife. Chuzo was the second generation to run the family business. He saw the store inherited from his father through some of its toughest times in the occupation after World War II. At one point the store was taken over by the Allied Occupation and made the headquarters for the US Army in this part of Japan. In 1970 Chuzo had turned over a thriving business to his oldest son and his wife Kikuyo. Kikuyo was an educated woman, a talented fashion designer. She was a tremendous asset to the family business. She was also the person given primary responsibility for hosting a college student from the United States; Bob. Kikuyo and her husband had two children. Shigeki was the oldest and was ten. He would one day take over the business from his father. Momoko was their daughter born on March 3rd the festival after which she was named “peach blossom”. Momoko was five in 1970. Bob & Chris came to Hirosaki this year and found a much different Miyakawa family. In 2009 only Momoko and her perfume shop remain as the legacy of Miyakawa in Hirosaki. Many things had passed away. In 1978 the family had a series of setbacks. The final result was the loss of the business and the tearing down of the historic department store. Today in its place is a parking lot. The building only remains as part of a display of models in a local museum of historic buildings of Hirosaki. The Miyakawa home was also lost in the financial aftermath of events. Today it is a fifteen story condominium. In 1985 ground was broken in the parking lot of the old department store for another condominium building. The lot had been retained and the condominium constructed by the Miyakawa family. Two apartments in that building comprised the homes of Kikuyo and her daughter Momoko. By the completion of the condominium in 1986 they were all that remained of the family in Hirosaki. Kikuyo’s husband died of cancer before the building was completed. Chuzo and his wife had died in the late 1970’s. Momoko’s brother Shigeki and her uncle had moved to Tokyo. The once proud and prosperous family business by 1986 was reduced to a perfume and small dress shop. Kikuyo was still known in the Aomori area and beyond as a fine fashion designer; but in 1996 Kikuyo began having health problems. She spent the next 10 years in and out of the hospital for weeks at a time. Momoko who had taught school after graduating from a local women’s college was now helping run the perfume and dress shop. Then in 2006 her uncle died of cancer and her mother Kikuyo entered the hospital for the last time. As Momoko cared for her dying mother and tried to run the shop she received the unexpected news that her brother had an asthma attack and had died in Tokyo. Leaving her mother’s bedside she returned to Tokyo to take charge of matters and then returned to Hirosaki where her mother, Kikuyo died about one month later. Bob & Chris visited a much different Miyakawa family in 2009 from the one Bob remembered. Today Momoko Miyakawa, a lovely lady; but a lady alone with some of her friends and those who remember her mother, is the Miyakawa family. Today there is no department store, or even fashion design business; but simply a pleasant little perfume store on the first floor of a condominium. It was a stark reminder to Bob and Chris; of the fragile nature of all things in this world. It was a reminder to them of one way to hear Jesus, “Heaven and Earth will pass away; but my words will not pass away.” Matt. 24:35. All things as we know them are temporary except the Word and the words he gave us as the living truth of God’s love. That is in a sense the very reason that Bob and Chris came to Japan for their short six month stay. It was to share the one Truth that does not go away and to see how that Truth is share by faithful servants in the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. In a bitter sweet way Bob and Chris had a good visit with the Miyakawa family in Hirosaki; they spent a few days with Momoko Miyakawa and visited the grave site of those Bob remembered who with the family business have long since passed away. Close to the end of their time in Japan they were reminded of the reason they came in the first place; to share the one who said “My words will not pass away.”

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 21 & 22

Bob and Chris were at their first youth meeting in Japan on March 21 and a children’s worship service on March 22nd. The first event was for all youth in the Sapporo area and met at Shin Sapporo Lutheran Church. The fun time included extended food preparation for a meal of Okonomiyaki and a desert of crepes and whipped cream as well as a devotion. The group meets once each month with the area Lutheran Pastors. The children’s worship service was the beginning of Sunday activities at Sapporo Lutheran Church. It was bright and early at 9:00 am. Worship was conducted by two members of the congregation and used a power point for the songs. Pastor Bob was asked to give a sermon to the children based upon the days Gospel of John 3:14-21. He did and as with many of his sermons to children he finished the main message by talking about candy and God. He of course had some candy to give out as a tangible illustration. He even gave instructions on how the eat the candy and dispose of the wrapper. When he asked the children what one should do with a wrapper from candy a little child maybe four years of age said they should take it home to put in the waste can. Pastor Bob was impressed that such a young child had been taught to be a good steward of God’s earth. He agreed and reminded the children to never put wrappers on God’s earth; but always in a waste can. Worship and preaching at Sapporo Lutheran Church for the regular service and a time of fellowship afterwards were fine events that completed the formal schedule for this Sunday.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 17

Bob and Chris were back in kindergarten for graduation on March 17. It was St. Patrick’s Day for the Irish; but it was a bigger day for the 22 children who would sing “goodbye dear kindergarten” at the end of their graduation. The class of 5 year olds graduated today form Mebae Kindergarten. This is a ministry of Sapporo Lutheran Church, Sapporo Japan. The children as well as those who will continue in the school the next semester now have a vacation of about three weeks. Then they will be back in school to start the new school year in April. The children who graduated will be moving up to grammar school. Bob and Chris were honored to be asked to attend this special ceremony for the children and the parents; especially those of the graduates. The ceremony included a worship service at the very beginning. Pastor Okada opened the worship service after the procession of graduates with prayer. A verse was read, hymns were sung, and a message was delivered by the principal. The students are mostly non Christian. A kindergarten associated with one of the JELC Lutheran Churches is a service to the entire community and an evangelical outreach at the same time. Though most of those in attendance were not believers they were part of this worship time in the graduation ceremony. In this way the church and the kindergarten are instruments of the Holy Spirit in sharing the Grace of God in Jesus Christ. Learning the stories of Good News and worship are a daily part of the educational process at the kindergarten. It was a special moment to hear the children sing “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” and to ponder if one day they would be baptized?

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris ? March 12

Bob and Chris are now in Hokkaido the northern most island of Japan and in the city of Sapporo; host of the 1972 Winter Olympic Games. Hokkaido is the island of the Ainu; the native people who traded with Japanese and Russians and lived as an independent indigenous people until the Meji restoration that began in 1868. The island is today part of Japan; but remains distinctly different from the rest of the country. The land is open and expansive. It reminds one of the Midwest of the United States. The main crops are dairy products; potatoes and lamb. Horse breeding is done here. The people are independent free spirits who enjoy the beauty of the land and the independence it brings. Hokkaido is also the name of this district for the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. This is the last stop on the exchange pastor program for Bob and Chris. In the Hokkaido District they will participate and serve in the ministry of the smallest district of the JELC consisting of eight chapels and four churches. Bob and Chris arrived in Sapporo on March 9th. They were met at the airport by the President of the District and the only female president in the JELC, Okada sensei. They will live at the parsonage of Shinn Sapporo Lutheran Church while in Sapporo. On March 12th Bob and Chris participated in the program of the Mebae Kindergarten at Sapporo Lutheran Church. Sapporo Lutheran Church as well as the kindergarten that is part of it was started by the work of Finnish Missionaries in 1934. The year after the church was established the kindergarten began in 1935. It was built with funds raised by the children of the Finland Lutheran Church. Today the kindergarten has an enrollment of about 45 students. The facilities are immaculate and seem to work extremely well in the program for the children. Bob and Chris participated in the morning worship program on March 12th by teaching the children in both English and Japanese. They began with introductions and lessons about South Carolina. They then taught a lesson on body parts as the beginning of a fun rendition of the Hokey Pokey. Their lesson finished when Bob gave a children’s sermon about God and candy. Before and after the program Bob and Chris enjoyed just being with the children and the teachers and participating in other activities such as clay play and finger crocheting. Bob even participated in skipping robe with the children. Fortunately there are no pictures of this activity. This was not the only day for Bob and Chris to be at Mebae Kindergarten. They have been invited back for graduation on March 17th. They are looking forward to this proud day for the children moving on the grammar school.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 8

Bob and Chris were in both the Tokai and East Districts of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church on March 8. They day began early as they left the hotel in the morning to attend worship at Nagoya Megumi Lutheran Church. This was the last preaching assignment for Bob in the Tokai District. The service was preceded by Christian Education for young children in the nave. Bob was invited to greet the children and share St. Paul Lutheran Ch in Aiken South Carolina with them. He first showed them Nagoya, Tokyo, Atlanta, and finally Aiken on a map. Then he spoke about St. Paul, Aiken South Carolina and the families of the church he serves. The 10:30 worship service was well attended with about fifty worshippers. There was representation from all age groups. After worship a luncheon followed in which Bob made another presentation and was invited to answer questions from those in attendance. It was a good time to share our common interests and challenges as Lutheran Christians. Soon however Pastor Bob, Chris and Pastor Tanaka (Pastor of Nagoya Megumi Lutheran Church and Tokai District President) had to head to the subway with luggage trailing behind them. Bob and Chris were towing carryon luggage, computer bags as well as bags for Bob’s vestments and items either bought or received while in Tokai. They looked pretty funny stumbling down the steps of the subway and onto the platform. It was time to catch the subway and then the Shinkansen for Tokyo Station. After arrival in Tokyo Station, two other train transfers and a cab they arrived safely at Tokyo Lutheran Church. Tonight was the very special Service of Ordination in Tokyo for the four new pastors of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church (JELC). Bob was humbled and honored to have been asked to participate in the service. He joined the other participating pastors of the JELC in the laying on of hands. He also was given the honor of helping one of the new pastors in the distribution of Holy Communion. As he was putting on vestments before worship he kept repeating in his head, “Christo no chi desu”, “The Blood of Christ”. He remembered how special it was the very first time he was asked to assist a Pastor with Holy Communion. That feeling of awe and humility does not change when one participates in serving Holy Communion to a sister or brother. During worship Pastor Bob also was struck that even though he did not understand the language of what was happening he experienced a very special feeling in some understanding of the meaning of what God was doing this night in the lives of three men and one woman as they became servant leaders to share the Gospel. After worship another grand celebration was held at Tokyo Lutheran Church. Those in attendance offered prayers congratulations and gifts to the new pastors. They will be heading out to their new Calls the end of March. It was late in the evening when Pastor Asano and his wife accompanied Pastor Bob & Chris to their hotel in Shinjuku via one more cab. Thankfully some of the packages that Bob & Chris were trailing as they struggled on the subway back in Nagoya were taken by Pastor Asano to be placed at JELC headquarters for safe keeping. Tomorrow a plane heads north to Sapporo. Pastor Bob and Chris are scheduled to be on that plane as they begin the final ministry assignment in the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church; the Hokkaido District and Sapporo.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris? March 5

Bob and Chris have left Ogaki and moved on to Nagoya, Japan until Sunday when they will participate in the ordination of new pastors in the JELC at Tokyo Lutheran Church. Today they attended the World Day of Prayer 2009. The event was at 10:00 am at Hope Lutheran Church in Nagoya. The liturgy, bible studies and background information for the service was prepared by the WDP Committee of Papua New Guinea. In addition to a wonderful liturgy the worship folder for the day had many very interesting antidotes about Papua New Guinea. This included general information about this fascinating country. Papua New Guinea has an immense variety of landscape. It is comprised of more than 600 islands and covers a total area of 474,000 square kilometers. It is the second largest country in the South Pacific. The population of 5.8 million includes 50 % under 18 years of age. There are 800 different languages spoken in the country. In the introduction to the worship folder it stated , “The theme chosen for the World Day of Prayer 2009, ‘In Christ There are Many Members Yet One Body,’ is very appropriate for Papua New Guinea as our country has many languages, cultures, traditions and beliefs. Though we are different in many ways Papua New Guinea continues to experience the spirit of unity in diversity. We would like to acknowledge the work of the churches as we partner with each other. By God’s grace we are able to be united as the body of Christ to fulfill His mission on earth…” The Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea is the companion church to the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Bob and Chris enjoyed being in worship and in prayer with over 200 people at Hope Lutheran Church in Nagoya and in spirit with Christians around the world. At Hope Lutheran Church the congregation included members from the Korean Church of Japan, the Roman Catholic Church, the Salvation Army, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Anglican Church. Two social services agencies were also represented. These were Life Line, a crisis counseling service and Kyofuikia, a nondenominational women’s’ group that deals with domestic violence. The offering of 15,000 Y from the service was given to the Nippon Christian Council. This day in Nagoya Bob and Chris truly felt as it says in the hymn, “We are one in the Spirit we are one in the Lord.”

Keep praying.

Zen Ben

Where are Bob & Chris in Japan? March 3

Bob and Chris were at House of the Way; a facility begun in the ministry of the late Rev. John Bowman and his wife Verneda Bowman. This is a ministry that brings care to mentally disabled adults. It is a great service of the Church to Japan. While at House of the Way Bob & Chris saw a mosaic and heard its story. In a real sense they met Rev. John Bowman in the process. I would like you to know the story. “This is a picture of the marble mosaic on the wall of the dining room at the House of the Way. It is eight feet tall and thirty feet wide and there are about 50,000 pieces of marble to this work. This is a piece of work that normally would not be in an institution for people who need special care. The cost of such a work would usually be out of reason and would be impossible to have in an institution. Why do we have it at the House of the Way? During the oil shock a young artist, Mr. Yabe was without work. He had been working for a marble company, but when money is scarce building are built without expensive mosaic pictures. Mr. Yabe had made the mosaic picture at the Bullet Train Station in Hiroshima. The Chairman of our Board of Directors, himself an artist, was a friend of Mr. Yabe. He knew that Mr. Yabe needed work and that we at the Institution needed workers. He started working for us and is still working for us. Some years later when we made plans to build The House of the Way, No. 2, he asked if he could have space to make a mosaic picture. We chose a full wall in the dining room to be used for his picture. The marble company he had worked for donated the marble needed and the work of breaking the marble into small pieces began. I suggested that Mr. Yabe be freed from his other duties so he could spend more time on the mosaic. He refused saying that his first work would be the clients and after work and on holidays he would work on the mosaic. Often late at night he could be found working on the picture. Our chairman of the Board was a Christian and he explained the story of the lost sheep to Mr. Yabe. They both drew pictures and Mr. Yabe’s was chosen. Shortly after the work was finished, I asked Mr. Yabe why the shepherd was not in the picture. His reply was that the workers at The House of the Way were the shepherds. We are to go out into society and find the hidden handicapped people and bring them out so they can become a part of society. I thought this was a wonderful answer. Over the years we have been able to bring many hidden people out of their homes. Jesus living in also searches for the lost souls to bring them into God’s Kingdom. The way to the house of God is to be found in His Word, the Bible. Matt. 7:7 says,’ Ask and it will be given you, seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened.’” Rev. John Bowman.

Through his words you have met Rev. Bowman. His ministry continues today through his wife Verneda, the members of Ogaki Lutheran Church and the incredible care givers of House of the Way.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where are Bob & Chris in Japan? February 22

Bob and Chris were in Shizuoka City on February 22nd, to share Transfiguration Sunday and preach in the life of Shimzu and Oshika Lutheran Churches. These are the two congregations under the diligent pastoral care and guidance of Akehi sensei, a faithful pastor of many years with more energy than people half his age. Worship begins bright and early every Sunday at Shimizu Lutheran Church with Matins at 7:00 am. The faithful come to be fed in the Word of God. Singing is led acapella by Akehi sensei as is the liturgy. Today his sermon for Matins was from Genesis. Akehi sensei is animated and engaging as he preaches. Worship ended before the beginning of the second Lutheran English Hour of the day at 8:00 am. The first was at 6:00 am. Bob & Chris were excited to again be part of the Lutheran English Hour led by Kusaka san former General Secretary of The Gideon’s International in Japan. The class was enthusiastic in there acquisition of English through the stories of the Bible. The day moved quickly on at 9:00 am. The service of Word and Sacrament was led by Pastor Akehi and preached by Pastor Bob. Pastor Akehi translated the sermon from the text of Mark 9:2-9. A quick ride after worship from Shimizu Lutheran Church to Oshika Lutheran Church followed the 9:00 am worship service so that both pastors could take a deep breath and lead the 11:00 am Service of the Word At this service Pastor Bob preached and Akehi sensei lead the liturgy and translated again. Worship ended in time for the 12:30 pm Bible study led by Pastor Akehi on a chapter in Leviticus. It was about 1:30pm when Pastor Akehi, Bob, Chris and a few members of Oshika Lutheran Church loaded themselves into Pastor Akehi’s van and shared lunch together. Later in the afternoon two tired folks returned to the parsonage; Bob and Chris. They were tired but thankful for a wonderful Sabbath of worship that would now be a time of rest. This was not the case of Pastor Akehi. The day would not end for this faithful servant of the Gospel until the 7:00 pm a Vespers service back at Oshika Lutheran Church was completed. This Sunday February 22, 2009 Bob & Chris celebrated the Transfiguration perhaps as never before thanks to the wonderful people of Shimizu and Oshika Lutheran Churches and the energetic and dynamic leadership of Pastor Akehi.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where are Bob & Chris in Japan? February 21

Bob and Chris were at Shimizu Lutheran Church on February 21st doing something that they could never have imagined before coming to Japan last October. They were attending a concert that included fine musical renditions of popular music played on a saw, a trio of Omni Chords and a Mandolin Septet. The concert was performed by members of Shimizu Lutheran Church including Akehi sensei and the Mandolin Club of Shizuoka University. They enjoyed the concert with fine music from instruments they had either never experienced before or certainly did not expect to hear in Japan. The saw and mandolins are often part of “mountain” music back in the United States. Mandolins especially have significant roles in Bluegrass Music. Bob and Chris however are originally from the state of Ohio where such musical forms are not popular. They have not heard either instrument very often. The Omni Chords were something they had never seen before coming to Shimizu Lutheran Church. The best part was the concert did more than convey music; it conveyed the Gospel. The concert was free like God’s grace. And more; through the stewardship of a member of Shimizu Lutheran Church, Kusaka sensei New Testaments were offered free of any charge to each person in attendance at the concert. They are distributed in Japan through the good work of The Gideon’s International in Japan. Kusaka sensei is the National Secretary Emeritus of this fine organization. The New Testaments that were given out are a side by side translation from Greek into both English in the New King James Translation and into Japanese. They are an excellent resource for Japanese; especially youth to learn English and the Gospel. So on a Saturday afternoon Bob and Chris heard new music that was performed at a very high level and saw evangelism in a creative and effective way at the same time. At the end of the concert Bob was asked to bring greetings and did so from the people of the South Carolina Synod of the ELCA. It was a wonderful afternoon for all.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where are Bob & Chris in Japan? February 17

Bob and Chris were in Fukuroi on February 17 where they relearned an old and hard lesson for all of us. They learned that sometimes God has a better idea. In God’s time God’s idea is what may bear fruit in ministry even when in our fallen nature we think we have the best ideas. What am I talking about? I am talking about the visit of Bob & Chris with Akehi sensei to the Diakonia Institute in Fukuroi, Japan. The Diakonia Institute at Fukuroi, Japan was begun as a project or mission of the Southeast Scandinavian Missionary Society in 1964. This group came to the area and bought a large tract of land; a beautiful valley area between two ridges in the mountains. They did not start a church. They had an interesting idea. They tried to begin by starting a dairy farm; a way of living familiar in Scandinavia. The idea was to introduce this way of living and nutrition and the faith that they have at the same time. So the idea was through living out the life style they would convey the faith. After a few years they then built a church. Interestingly it was the first Lutheran church Bob and Chris have seen built in Japanese style architecture; looking not very different from a small temple. The concept of course is to be inviting by sharing the Gospel in the context of the people to whom it is shared. Though it all sounds like a good idea by the 1980’s the experiment in mission was failing such that the group turned it all over to an inter religious group called Dokai in 1983. The Scandinavian Missionaries left. Apparently and now in retrospect God had a better idea. It has come to bear fruit in God’s time. The land was given to the Dokai; headed up by but not limited to Christians. On this basis the project became a social ministry project. It’s focus was to meet the needs of people in the area. Sometime later the project which had been restarted by helping and having a working farm for children became part of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. The JELC provides leadership and pastors. It has again taken on a Christian dominance; but the title to the property etc is not with JELC. It remains legally separate. It sounds something like the Lutheran Homes of South Carolina with which Bob is familiar; but not quite. There is more to God’s better idea. In 2003 a new Senior Citizens Center was built. It provides services at all care levels for 80 residents. The project was funded 50 % from direct Government grants, 30 % Government loans and 20% from JELC fundraising. The residents monthly expenses are supported by government funding. They are routinely evaluated by a government official who gives a standard test to determine the level of care required. This test also determines the level of government funding for each resident. The Senior Citizens center is open to all regardless of religion. God has a better idea. God’s love extends to all God’s children. Today the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church provides the chaplain who is also the pastor for the Shinraizon Lutheran Church on the grounds. In addition to the Senior Citizen Center the pastor provides chaplain support for the Children’s home; an orphanage for babies through age 18. The home may house a total of 30 at capacity. There is also a home for youth and adults with psychological problems that may have up to about 12. Finally a prominent psychiatrist in the area has established a clinic in on the grounds. The clinic is open to the public and supports the needs of the other parts of the Diakonia Institute. What began as ministry through a dairy farm that failed in the 60’s is flourishing as the Diakonia Institute of today. This ministry has changed a great deal according to God’s idea. And in God’s time fruit has been and will continue to be born. Those in need from infancy to senior citizens today receive the living Gospel in Social Ministry. God had a better idea!

Keep praying,

Zen Ben

Where in Japan are Bob & Chris February 16

Bob and Chris were in Shizuoka City remembering their trip from the Kyushu District to the West District of the JELC. Before arriving in the West District and locating in Kamagasaki and the ministry of Kibo-no-Ie they made a stop on January 12th in Hiroshima, Japan. They were blessed to be met at the train station and spend an afternoon in the company of Hitoshi and Mioko Miyazaki. The Miyazakis are survivors from the dropping of the atomic bomb on the morning of August 6, 1945. They were junior high school students at the time. Part of the afternoon was spent at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and walking among the monuments of the Peace Memorial Park. At the museum Bob and Chris saw historic and graphic displays of the history and horror of the nuclear bomb. They also saw a display that told the story of 1000 cranes. According to the story Sadako Saski was a little girl two years old the day the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Living one mile from ground zero saved her life the day of the bombing but did not save her from developing leukemia in 1955 as a result of the exposure to radiation and other effects. In August of 1955 a friend, Chizuko Hamamoto visited her in the hospital and while there cut out and folded a crane from a piece of gold paper. When Chizuko told her friend Sadako that she was doing this because of the Japanese saying that anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes is granted a wish, Sadako was inspired to begin folding the paper cranes. Her goal was to fold 1000 and make her wish for recovery. She did complete her 1000 cranes before she became another victim of the atomic bomb when leukemia claimed her life. Her friends finished the 1000 cranes and placed them with her body in death. Her death and the story of the cranes started a movement that built a monument to all the children who were victims of the bomb at the Peace Memorial Park. About 10 million folded cranes are received and hung as part of the monument each year. The cranes have become the symbol of a world that prays for peace. Bob and Chris were moved by the day spent in this place with victims and survivors of the atomic bomb. A few days after they were moved again when word came from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aiken South Carolina where they are members and Bob is Pastor. The word that came was that the youth and members of St. Paul had folded 1000 cranes and wished to send them to Hiroshima along with their prayers for peace. Since Bob and Chris were now in Kamagasaki, Osaka, Japan they would not be able to take the cranes to the monument. God had a better idea. Bob contacted Mioko Miyazaki and asked if the cranes could be sent to Hiroshima and for the youth of her church to take them to the Children’s monument at the Peace Memorial Park. The youth and members of Hiroshima Lutheran Church embraced the idea. The cranes were sent to Hiroshima Lutheran Church. On February 15th they were dedicated during Sunday worship with prayers as they were placed before the altar in Hiroshima. They will remain in the church until February 22nd. They will then are taken to the Children’s monument at the Peace Memorial Park, registered at the same monument and take their place as a symbol of our continuing petitions before God for peace in this world. Both the youth and members of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aiken South Carolina, and Hiroshima Lutheran Church, Hiroshima Japan will be in prayer together on that day. Because of the Holy Spirit working in and through members of both churches a special relationship of praying for peace has begun. Only God knows where it might lead in the future.

Keep praying,

Zen Ben