team3 testimony 1

“Love In Action” Team 3 Testimony
(John Clendinnen)

It’s hard to put into words all that I experienced and GOD taught me during the past week up in Sendai! There are SO MANY things that I will NEVER, ever forget…scenes of endless devastation made personal…the words, smiles and tears of disaster victims…weeping turned to rejoicing and hope…the power of worship, prayer, and blessing unbelievers…joy and thanksgiving in hard labor so that even ONE family may live again…the Body of Christ working together to display GOD’s agape love through compassionate action…great darkness, but even BRIGHTER LIGHT because of JESUS!

Many thanks also to Sung-Chol san and Brian Tekawa for sharing the right words from GOD’s heart each day during morning devotion time (Acts 16:25-34; I Thess. 5:16-18; Num. 6:22-27; James 1:2-8; and Neh. 1:2-2:20)! GOD has spoken “LIFE lessons” to my heart about worship, prayer, faith, joy in trials and walking with Him, through His Word and your encouraging testimonies!

Now, more specifically, what images remain permanent impressions on my mind and heart?

…Mrs. Yokoyama inviting us into Higashi Fujita neighborhood to serve and shine forth the love and light of JESUS…singing “Light and Darkness”, a song which she herself wrote…Mr. Yokoyama, not yet a Christian, fighting to hold back his tears during every worship and prayer time…knowing confidently, during the last day’s celebration party, that this ONE home at least will be a shining beacon of light, hope and GOD’s love in the midst of incredible devastation!

…86-year-old Mrs. Yamaji, from a genuinely thankful heart, repeating the words, “This is SO helpful!” over and over and over again!

…the Chiba family, with cheerful faces of hope and gratitude, inviting us in for tea and snacks in their new tatami room, after our first day of cleanup…their son-in-law laughing and smiling as he shoveled together with us…their daughter Hiromi weeping tears of joy and sincere thankfulness as we said goodbye!

…Mrs. Matsuda, and her 9-year-old daughter Niko-chan’s sadness turned to smiles, joy and child-like playfulness!

…the insurance agent deeply moved to tears because Christian volunteers (including students) from other countries would risk their own personal safety to enter the tsunami disaster area in order to help and serve others!

…the neighborhood association’s president visiting the Yokoyama’s home and sharing with us all how happy he was for our sacrificial service…his last words before saying goodbye were, “I will NEVER, ever forget this!”

As a “program” and “event”-oriented person, GOD has really challenged my heart about joyfully loving and serving PEOPLE as I simply walk with Him!