Amy Doll

Tagajo Japan~

Today we prayed and asked the Lord where to lead us to minister to His people.  We found ourselves in Tagajo, minutes from the coastline.  Through impressions, words of knowledge, and guidance of the Holy Spirit we discovered the images seen beforehand.  Uniforms that led to faces that led to conversations that led to transformation of lives unto Kingdom.  

The photographs attached are soley from our experiences today- and assuredly prove a visual contrast.  From the ruins where volunteers and employees of local businesses labor together to clear the debris, the preparations for rebuilding and restoring are at hand.  After viewing blueprints, blossoms, and physical smiles of vitality to the spirit and heart, it is truly apparent new life is materializing. 

~Amy

Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Aliens shall stand [ready] and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.  But you shall be called the priests of the Lord; people will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You shall eat the wealth of the nations, and the glory [once that of your captors] shall be yours.  Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong with violence or a burnt offering. And I will faithfully give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant or league with them.  And their offspring shall be known among the nations and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them [in their prosperity] will recognize and acknowledge that they are the people whom the Lord has blessed.  I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling power of His word].

The culture here loves cartoons, and mascots, and anything cute :)  So I was honored to commission Bunny in Japan first in church {you know I love bunnies}, and Yonnie and I shared Bunny Joy in the shopping area.  I had so much fun bringing laughs and smiles to children and adults alike, and gave free hugs as much as I could.  Such a great day :0) 

The  destruction we viewed today in Minamisannriku was nothing less than overwhelming.  However, we once again were favored by the Lord and ministered life and joy in yet another shelter.  At this point those we are able to touch in the shelters are those who have literally no where else to go. Many people have left the shelters and moved to other areas or have gone to live with other family members, six weeks post tsunami those left in the shelter are especially desperate.  Today we were told that the children were most responsive to our Iris Relief team more than any other volunteer group.  We are humbled, yet elated to serve and love the Japanese people in such a time as this. Our entrance into the town was somber, but knowing that four people came to Christ today, and others prayed for and healed- we continue to say with all our hearts, ‘here we are Lord, lead us, send us’. 

“The people ransomed by the LORD will return. They will come to Zion singing with joy. Everlasting happiness will be on their heads [as a crown]. They will be glad and joyful. They will have no sorrow or grief.”

Isaiah 35:10

~Amy