One of the things that has been so life-giving has been the many people from all around who have been a part of relief efforts up in Tohoku — even those who have not been able to come themselves to Japan.  It continues to touch us to see how people have found ways of joining in.  We’re thankful for those who have prayed regularly; who have sent financial gifts to tsunami relief, helped to send teams, and those who have shown tangible ways to support our family these last five months.  THANK YOU!

When the team from Hawaii came, they brought some gifts that touched me so much:  75 hand-made baby dresses (we gave them away at barbeques in Tohoku); some amazing homemade Hawaiian jams, and several ziplocs full of energy bars.  These were a huge hit among the volunteers up in Ishinomaki!  And a personal favorite of mine.  They were made by a friend of the team, named Jan T.  She had made a double-batch, cut them into squares, and wrapped each in a piece of wax paper.  And lots of love.  It is a great recipe, that reminds me of how God is using so many to do His work in so many ways up in Tohoku.

ENERGY BARS

2 cups oats

1 cup peanuts

1 cup pumpkin seeds

1 cup dried apricots (diced)

1 cup cranberries and raisins

Sesame seeds

5 cups rice krispies

Melt the following on the stove in a large pot.

2 (10 oz.) miniature marshmallows

1 cup peanut butter

1 block butter or margarine

Add dry ingredients to marshmallow mixture and put in a 9X13″ pan.

ENJOY!!

If God has given you a heart to be part of what God is doing in Tohoku, don’t let it go!  Dr. Sharon from the Hawaii team just sent out this update to her support team:

 I’ve helped in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, in Thailand after the terrible 2004 tsunami, in Indonesia after seasonal flooding, but I’ve never known the kind of intensive and extensive devastation that I witnessed with the GoHawaii team in Japan last month.  The need for volunteers and donations will no doubt outlast the media’s focus and popular interest.  But God’s stubborn love will continue to draw us to help and draw them to Him.