More Work and Play

Today we got a good taste of what life is like for our family here....crazy!  They seem to constantly have volunteers in and out, various ministry projects to oversee and coordinate, school functions to attend, etc., etc., etc.  I am amazed all over again at the many things that they juggle, the way they are intertwined with the lives of so many here, and the selfless energy they expend because of their love for others.  It's a powerful testimony, something that must be so difficult to do day after day after day.  We met several people today whose lives have been touched here by God's love in a powerful way.  It's a beautiful thing in the midst of such a physically devastated looking area.  There are still SO many buildings and homes that are waiting to be torn down, abandoned places that have yet to see any life, vehicles piled high at dump sites, water lines on buildings that withstood the earthquake and tsunami.  It's so overwhelming just to drive through areas, even two years after that terrible day. 

Today Ami and I got to go with Jennifer, Katia and Gideon to meet up with Katia's classmates.  They are on spring break right now but had scheduled a play date.  We spent about three hours with them and the mothers.  There are only 7 students in Katia's class, only a third of what would have been the norm before the disaster.  Each of the families in this group had lost their home.  Everyone has suffered.  Yet what I saw and was greeted with was great comradery, life being shared, children laughing and playing, warmness and kindness.  Hope is returning, although I can only imagine the scars and sadness that will forever remain.

Below is an elementary school where the water came up to the second floor.  It is not being used for classes and is slated to be torn down.  But, they are temporarily being allowed to use the space on the second floor for meetings and such....this is where we joined the play date.

Chris worked with Chad and some other volunteers to dig out an area under a pavilion, preparing it for tiling and a picnic table.  They live near a public housing area with several apartment buildings that had two nice park areas before the disaster.  They have been working little by little over the last two years to clean up, then recreate a beautiful space where children can play and just be kids again.  They are just about done!

Below is the end of one of the park areas where the guys were digging.

Below is the first park area that has been completed, and if weren't a rain day, there would be plenty of kids running around.  

Chris got the boys to help with some digging, too.

 

Chad and Jennifer treated us to an Indian restaurant for dinner and it was delicious!

Again, so tired tonight and my thoughts are scattered....not going to take the time to proof this post.  Thankful for the time with dear family here, and so admiring of their amazing dedication to helping the people of this area.  A variety of emotions today....meeting folks, putting faces with names I have heard, hearing more stories of hardship and overcoming.  So much to process.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.