Updates 9 & 10 - Nagasaki back to Tokyo (Kinshicho) to Sendai back to Kinshicho

 Entered on May 1, 932am.  Leaving Japan tonight

Day 9 Thursday, April 27

Got up ready for the next God-venture. Catched train from Omura Station to Uramaki station near tourist attractions.  Got 2 free bentos from hotel (not sure they were for us..but all G...lol!)

Good morning Nagasaki

View from Omura Station Nagasaki hotel

Free but not free breakfast bento..oops..lol

Uramaki Station - near museum and 1 legged tori

Nagasaki - the 2nd location of the 1945 atomic bomb tragedy.  Wars are so tragic, yes this act of war ended the war of the current time, but the enemies war(satan), not of flesh and blood, on humanity has continued on for the last 78 years since the end of World war 2.   Oppression, depression, suicide, homicide, genocide, identification issues, addiction, deceit and ultimate desctruction of the human race continues to occur daily and its not just because of an atomic bomb.

Hitomi and I visited Hiromishima in 2019 and now 4 years later we are here at Nagasaki.  The city has rebuilt itself and as most Japanese people (of origin to Japan or of ancestoral decent in Hawaii and across the world) are very reselient and rebuilt their lives here.  We were going to meet our Ekklesia ohana after they got off the ship and figured how to get to where we were at, so Hitomi and I walked to the Sanno 1 legged tori.  At this shrine was 2 tori's (gate entrances) at the time of the bombing.  The 1st tori was blown away but the 2nd tori, only one of its legs broke and the other didn't...and the tori actully shifted off of its base but remainded standing.  It actually looks like a cross now..hmm.  

In doing some research of Nagasaki, Christian missionaires from Portgual and Finland were allowed to enter Japan thru Nagasaki port back in the 1600's.  There was a heavy Christrian presecene here in Nagasaki via the Catholic church, so much so that the governing body in Nagasaki back then were concerned and had made Christianity illegal and even killed 26 martyrs to put the public ministry on notice that Christianity and the study, believing and following of Christ or the Catholic protocols were not allowed in Japan..thousands of Christians were getting persecuted and forced to renounce their faith and ended up going underground...a lot of the symbolism and statues and even the logo and flag of Nagasaki to this day represent Christian values (like the many Catholic churches still standing, or the star of David being used as the cities seal or even the statues of the virigin Mother Mary looking Japanese).  Christ was here 400+ years ago and probably even before the missionaires came and is still here today.

Sanno 1 legged tori 

Hitomi and I then walked to the Atomic bomb museum and observation deck to wait for team.  Pretty cool area. From the observation deck you can see where the bomb dropped, the blast zone and saw a picture of the area from October 1945 of the destruction it caused.  It was breathaking and sad all in one.  While I was focused on the observatory deck, Hitomi was drawn to an area that was dedicated to the next generation of children who needed hope in that time of darkeness.  She read a story of a mom who grived the loss of her 2 daughters and the making of Japanese cranes (tsuru) and that in making the cranes as she grieved she was hoping for hope for the future.  Her daughters died at like 10 & 12 years old and she lived to be a 109...it moved Hitomi...the moms' hope (prayer) through her grieving was for the next generation of children....in war, I think we only look at if the battle was won or lost. but we forget the collateral damage that occurs to our youth..the hope and the future of our legacy..this town along with Hiroshima lost so much hope and future due to the many children who were killed or still yet even lived and was affected by the bombing and consequences out of that.  

During that time of sitting with Hitomi in that children area, I felt the Lord say,  yes, we have to acknowledge the past of the bombing and know that it is real and it occured, but we cannot live in that horrific moment and regret all things that came out of it.  We need to look at the future generations, not our current time, but the youth, the keiki of today and how do we help them to have hope, dreams, passions a future...how do we make now a better place for them later...yes we need to look back at all of the junk and good that has occured, but we need to move forward in making this world, ourselves and others around us better people..people who when they know their identity in Christ can love God and love all people...this was a very profound day so far and yet, it was only just about to begin.

Nagasaki Musuem area - Children Hope area

Our ohana showed up, all 9 of them and we toured the museum then went upstairs to the deck.  I will not share to much of the details at this time but just know, there was much repentance, much prayer, much forgiveness, much healing going on in the spirit world in the supernatural and God was shifting the atmosphere thru it all...the work done in Japan by those who came before us and are still here working the fields, it will not go unnoticed..God is doing a new thing in Nagasaki and in the entire Japan area through his many thousands of faithful servants here...so blessed by being able to be a part of this and partnering with like minded people who love God and love each other.  After this act of aloha on the bomb site and speaking blessings over the land (with our puu), we went to the childrens area and celebrated in dance for the Lord..it was amazing...it was truly a God moment for us all.  Mahalo Ke Akua and mahalo Ekklesia for this day.  Like the other days so far, so much aloha, so much joy!

Nagasaki Observation deck area - ministry time

Time got a little tight and our ship ohana had to get back to boat before it left them.  We sent them of and looked forward to seeing them on Saturday upon their return to Yokohama.  Always sad when we have to say a hui hou for a bit..we love these people so much and they are such a blessing to Hitomi and I.  

Our Ekkelisa ohana!!

We started walking back to the train station even though our flight was like 6 hours from that time.  lol.  We found a great bakery place (seems like Japan has so many great eateries) and picked up some food for plane ride as we would not be getting back to Tokyo till about midnight.  It was mid afternoon and we were a bit hungry and found this mom and pop sit at a counter restaurant in the middle of an alley.  Oyako donburi, 2 pieces of shrimp tempura and udon with abugare for both of us - 1200 yen...less than $12...I spend more at Lawson for a 2 musubi, sandwich and a drink...the cost of food is so inexpensive but the quality is so unreal in Japan.  Headed to the train station and caught a train to Shin Omura Station so we could catch a cab to airport.  We got to airport like 3 hours before our flight.  Spent some down time in a massage pod, making a funny celebatory video for our ship crew (this will never be posted..lol) and jumped on our plane for our return flight. 

Oisshi tottemo lunchu

Nagasaki airport massage pods - sugoi!

We didn't land in Tokyo till like 11pm and had to the "Amazing Race" train run. Trains stop around midnight and we had to catch 2 trains to get to our hotel in Kinshicho, where Chad lives.  Our bags were there (we only packed a backpack each to make this trek to Nagasaki and kuroneko'd our bags from Ueno) and we knew we wouldn't check in till like midnight.  So we land a little early like 1045pm, but because there was no gate to dock at, we had to jump on a tram bus to take us terminal, then we had to walk/run to train station in Terminal 2 but we were dropped of in Terminal and we got to our 1st train in time.  This train went to Shinagawa and the last train to Kinshicho was at 1153pm...whew..we made it and got to Kinshicho station like at midnight.  Now as always, our google maps at train station always goes weird...it took us thru some dark alley up stairs and close to our hotel but we could not see it..it actually took us to the 3rd floor entrance but since it was past midnight it was locked.  We re-adjusted and went down some stairs and found hotel..thank you Lord..Chad was waiting for us with our omiyage bag and we had to buzz at the front door to get in...super nice hotel and our room was on the 22nd floor with a view of the Tokyo Sky Tree...we would be here the next 4 days till I leave..thank you Jesus...9 days of moving rooms was nuts.  Had a long day Friday so unpacked showered and went to sleep.  This day will never be forgotten for me...God was so present in it all and looking forward to His conitinued grace and love over Japan.

Day 10 Friday, April 28 

Today, we take Shinkansen #8 back to Sendai (about 1.5 hours). We wanted to make sure we connect with our very good friend and pastor of Sendai Zion, Steve Niksarian.  Picked up some ono bakery items from Tokyo station and caught our 900am shinkansen after gettting up at 7am from a late night last night.  Got into Sendai and was excited to see Steve. Hitomi and I both have a strong connection and peace of being in Sendai, like it feels like we belong here sometime in the future.  You never know what God will do and is doing.  Gave Steve a big hug when we saw him and headed up to Aoba Castle.  The ruling party of Sendai had built this castle that was protected by the mountains on one side a river on the other side and was fortified.  The view overlooks Hirose river and the entire town of Sendai.  During the earthquake of 2011 it was not affected by the Tsunami and damage to buildings was minor but the surrounding towns and area located near the ocean were all busted up.  Sendai, during World War 2 was bombed heavily by the American forces, a lot of structures were destroyed and much life was lost.  The Hirose river we could see was used to drown Christians during the persecution time in the 1600's like in Nagasaki. There is much death and heaviness in this town. As the three of us were talking and starting to pray, Hitomi introduced hereself to a young adult lady who looked like she was praying and looked downtrodden and sad.  Hitomi spoke to her and blessed her with a plumeria ear piece (each family was giving 9 plumeria's to pass out as a blessing when the Lord prompoted us to).  Htiomi asked her whey she looked so sad.  She shared that she works with a lot of local young adults entering college and most of them feel like they have no hope, or dreams or a future and in feeling hopelessness, thoughts of suicide and depression set in.  She looked real sad but was blessed by the plumeria. She received it and said thank you and walked away.  So we went back to praying again and within 5 minutes, the the girl comes back, Ayama,  thanks us again and asks Hitomi to take a picture with her, now all smiles and blessed by the short time of encouragement that Hitomi shared.  Us 3 asked if we could pray for her and she accepted that.  Earlier, Steve had been sharing with us that even in his church, the youth have all grown up and have moved away from Sendai and even their faith.  Hopelessness but striving to perform for success.  This was a blessing and a confirmation reminder of why we needed to come back to Sendai.  To bring God's peace and aloha not only to those serving the Lord, but to the land and it's people. We prayed for the city and as we were praying a hawk flew over us, not flapping it's wings but relying on the wind to fly...just like the Holy Spirit, when we trust in it, He will move us to where we need to be.  What a powerful time.  Mahalo Ke Akua for this reminder.  We also got to pray for Steve and encourage him in his new role as Japan Foursquare District supervisor and the shift he is causing by focusing on relationships within the pastoral leaders and not just growing each pastor's church.  So encouraged by Steve and what God is doing in him and in Sendai.  Headed back down to the train station to grab lunch before we jump back on the shinkansen back to Tokyo.  At the station there were many firetrucks and emergency vehicles. We found out later that someone had taken their life on the train tracks...hopelessness, no future, depression..it is real here in Sendai, throughtout Japan and the world..even in Hawaii.  

Had a great lunch and time of fellowship talking about the people of Sendai Zion and also found out that Steve would be at Foursquare Convention at end of May and we would get to see him in the states.  What a great time with this awesome guy.  He walked us to the station and that's when we found out what happed at the station.  On the information boards at station and in train, it gives updates to incidents or time delays of train...like door issue, inspection of platform or personal injury on tracks (i.e. suicide)..really sad.  Due to incident our shinkansen would be a little late but that's a minor inconveience to what occured here today.  Prayers for Sendai!

We got back to Kinshicho and had dinner reservations with Chad and Haruka to celebrate their early birthdays (Haruka in May and Chad in June).  Went to a sushi restaurant in Ginza, a little higher end than Genki (actually much higher lol) and food was ono.  Got to spend more quality time wtih these 2 who are living out their adult married life in Japan.  It was a blessed time.

Headed back to hotel (about 20 min train ride), walked Chad and Haruka home to their apartment as we were having a home cooked dinner on Saturday with them.  Hotel to thier place is like a 10 mintue walk and they live closer to the Tokyo Sky Tree.  Nice area and very close proximity to station and other places. In Tokyo and surrounding perfectures its such a commuter lifestyle. 

Said our goodnight and headed back to hote for our 3rd to last night here in Japan (well for me, Hitomi staying a few more days).

Mahalo Ke Akua for this time and mahalo to you all who have been following along.  Such a blessing to be traveling with my amazing race wife. 

Love you all