The disaster in Japan was 3/11/11, so I'm heading over tomorrow 3/9 for a 10 day visit. Among other things, I get to help lead a memorial service, to connect with our Ishinomaki partners, the Gilbert's and their team, to visit a couple disaster cities I've not seen yet, and to strategize on plans for future teams and outreach. Sylvia will be on this trip too - yea! She'll have the chance to zip up to Sapporo and check in with our partners there, and then come down to Sendai on 3/14. She'll be joined there on 3/12 by Ralph Rowland, the Missions & Outreach Pastor from Westminster Chapel, who is currently in the Philippines. Ralph will also come down to Sendai on 3/14 to meet the Gilberts and get a first-hand look at the disaster area, meet survivors, and help envision plans for ongoing Partnership connections.
Our team this time is intentionally a bit smaller, and our agility will help us scope out the progress and upcoming milestones. Should be a great trip (though I'm not looking forward to all the jet-lag again... ).
