Greetings from Japan

Carrying your things

2010-06-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

A wonderful age old way to carry your things is seen here. Teaching this approach to your children ensures that this tradition will continue.

main building

2010-06-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

Kevin Roulhac and I visit with the teacher of the catering department. In the background is the main building of the school.

Greg Ebersole

2010-06-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

Greg traveled with me again to Uganda. A professional photographer, he took the pictures you are seeing and will see from our Uganda visit. A college classmate and a dear friend, Greg now lives in Cali Colombia South America.
Here he is standing with his new found friends in Pader, Uganda

Having Fun

2010-06-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here the young students play soccer outside of their class room.

School Girl

2010-06-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Jen is studying catering at the ABCS. Like all of the other students she is an orphan. She is also a single mother. There is not currently a day care program for the mothers who are students. This is something we talked about and will hopefully find a way to provide for the mothers at the school.

Uganda Ceremony

2010-06-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

I saluted the people for their dedication to excellence and for their ability to survive the many atrocities inflicted on them by the Lord's Resistance Army. I spoke of the three hundred year period of institutional slavery in the united States. I framed it in the context of suffering and overcoming and linked the suffering of the African American to the suffering of the Acholi people of Northern Uganda. Here we made a profound link. I find this link every where I travel together with the common link of music to aid in binding us together

Uganda ceremony

2010-06-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of watching many dances at the ceremony\celebration for the items be brought to them. The photo of the children dancing was a real highlight for me. Fortunately I also have it on video and will eventually be able to show it to you in video form.
Here you see the colorful costumes and the dance steps of the children. It was simply amazing.

Uganda ceremony

2010-06-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of the ceremony was when a public official spoke. He referred to me as "one who has come home." He suggested that "I left as slave but returned as master." What was clear is that the people of the small town of Pader have claimed me as their own. It was a wonderful feeling to be in that moment with this African community and to feel the connection and appreciation.
The Anthony Brown Comprehensive School has many needs. There is need for desk top computers and a connection to the internet. They need more class rooms and expertise in developing an academic track to their curriculum to compliment their vocational programs.
These formerlly abducted child soldiers are eager to learn. I was impressed with their focus and discipline. They work hard but without the neccessary resources to advance their education, it will be difficult for them to compete. Friends of Orphans has created a place for them to learn. Now I must work together with others to help them advance in their lives. What an exciting challenge!

Uganda ceremony

2010-06-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

On June 16th the officials of Friends of Orphans had a huge ceremony to celebrate the supplies we brought to the Anthony Brown Comprehensive School. There was much singing and dancing, speeches from various officials and a speech from me. The Hesston Mennonite Church sent with us a prayer shawl and a cup. Both items were made by members of the church and represent our connection and interest to commune with the people at the school. The photo shows me presenting the items toRicky Richard at this outdoor event.
Aftterwards we presented the supplies to them on behalf of Hesston Mennonite Church and committed to remember them in our prayers. We then enjoyed eating goat meat and rice This food is eaten and served when an honored guest arrives.

Journey to Uganda

2010-06-15T21:10:00.000-07:00

On June 10th I embarked on a jounney to Uganda with Greg Ebersole and Kevin Roulac. Kevin is a student at Emporia State University from Hesston Kansas and Greg is a professional photographer from Longview Washington. With the fundraising assistance of the Hesston Mennonite Church, we were able to buy supplies and equipment for the Anthony Brown Comprehensive School in Pader Uganda. The school educates formerlly abducted child soldiers and vulnerable children. I laid the cornerstone for the school in 2006 when I visited Uganda at the request of Friends of Orphans, and organization which works specifically with child soldiers.
Our tme here to date has been spent assisting in buying the needed supplies and equipment for the school. We have also spent considerable time on the campus talking with students faculty and admnsitration. We have learned a great deal and will be reporting about it.
The ABCS is a skill based institution focusing on vocational skills with the view of preparing student for work. The programs include: wood working, welding, computer training, bricking laying, auto mechanics, tailoring and catering.
Today we will officially hand over the things we provided for them in a formal ceremony. I will report on that later today.

Nature heals cancer 56

2008-09-11T16:41:00.002-07:00

Erica's mother determined that she did not want to take Chemotherapy. Due to Erica's connections her mother's treatment began being supervised in early July by a natural medicine doctor who had practiced it for over forty years.
He checked the condition of her blood and her vital organs. They gave advice about the food she should eat and how to eat it. The food consisted of brown rice, natural salt, miso, soy sauce,vegetables and fermented food. She was instructed not to eat meat, oils, fish, sugar, eggs, or animal protein. The food she was instructed to eat was organic with no chemical additives . She was told to chew each bite of food at least two hundred times before swallowing. They also instructed her to continue with the various compress treatments.
After she saw the doctor she became enthused and hopeful about her condition. In two weeks she became increasingly independent taking more care of herself without Erica's assistance in administering the various compress treatments.
She takes sauna three times per week. She walks regularly and her condition is improving. In her last check up with the doctor, she was told that her condition is improving steadily. You can see this improvement in her energy level, the almost complete removal of pain related to rheumatism (she no longer takes medication for rheumatism) and in the complete disappearance of her cough. The doctor reports that her vital organs are strengthening. She will continue on with these treatments. We are please for the natural way she is being healed. We applaud her for her courageous choice not to have chemotherapy. She reports that this is the happiest time of her life. She is thankful for the cancer because it has changed her lifestyle and her world view. According to the western doctor's predictions she should now be preparing to die. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Nature heals cancer 55

2008-09-11T16:17:00.000-07:00

In April of 2008 Erica's mother, Akie Shinya was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. She was told by doctors trained in western medicine, that if she did not take chemotherapy treatment she would only live for six months. If she took the chemotherapy therapy she had a fifty percent chance of living for another five years. The lymphoma had spread to her lungs and esophagus resulting in a nagging cough. She had also taken rheumatism medication for five years to reduce its pain.
On the 23rd of May Erica traveled from the states to Hiroshima where her mother lives and began to do natural therapy with her mother. It included natural or healthy eating and several specific natural treatments to strengthen her mother's vital organs. This included yam and ginger compresses, Japanese medlar or loquat and heat compress. At the same time she began to gradually reduce her rheumatism medication so as to be free of chemicals in her body.
Three weeks later her coughing began to change and increasingly became less frequent. Still she had severe pain in her body brought on by the reduction of rheumatism medication. Here you see Erica(right) her sister(left) with her mother in the center in early June of 2008 .

Aikido 54

2008-09-08T02:48:00.000-07:00

What was amazing was the gentle approach of the the restraint. With just a flick of the wrist a young child could throw an adult! Below, Miwako is thrown to the floor in effortless fashion.
In so many ways the Japanese are concerned with the method or the "right way" to do things. I was impressed with their ability to find "the right way" to subdue. As Morihei Ueshiba, a master of Aikido stated, "to control aggression without causing any injury is the art of peace." This is the art of Aikido

Aikido 53

2008-09-08T02:16:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of meeting my friends Hero and Miwako with their daughter Naomi. They took me to their Aikido class. There I was able to watch and learn about this Japanese martial art form.
Aikido is a martial art that does not damage or kill. It is not violent. It simply restrains and focuses on peace and harmony. Here the teacher is about to demonstrate a technique.

Masanobu Kimura 52

2008-09-06T18:10:00.000-07:00

One of the great joys of my time here in Sapporo was meeting Japanese composer, Masanobu Kimura. He lives here in Sapporo and is a university professor who teaches composing. He is a very active composer and I now have several of his CDs. He has already collaborated with Erica and has turned one of her poems into a beautiful song.
He has also arranged three concerts for me and has assisted me in connecting to concert venues in other parts of Japan. His calm gentle manner is refreshing. His wisdom and musical expertise is impressive and his kindness to people, animals and the earth is instructive.

After concert fun 51

2008-09-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

After the concert we were served various fruits and beverages and had informal conversations with each other. Music brought us together and deepened our connections with each other. Here you see the ones who stayed to the very end of the evening. I am looking forward to my next concert at Mahoroba scheduled for Saturday September 13, 2008

Concert at Mahoroba 50

2008-09-05T05:23:00.001-07:00

We sang to a sold out crowd. As a result I have been invited to return to sing another concert on September 13.
It was a very moving event. I have never sung a concert where there were so many tears. The music connected across culture and language and touched our hearts. It once again confirmed my inner sense about the power of music.
We need more places like Mahoroba where people come together to learn how to live more meaningfully, spiritually and responsibly.

Making contact 49

2008-09-05T05:12:00.000-07:00

Erica( on the right) assisted greatly by translating for me. I spoke and sang at this event. Here in these pictures I am singing a call and response song that involves the audience.
They were engaged and enthusiastic singers.

Akiko Watanabe 48

2008-09-05T05:01:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of meeting pianist Akiko Watanabe when I heard her play in downtown Sapporo. I was so impressed that I asked her to accompany me on the concert at Mahoroba. She plays the piano with great care and sensitivity. I was fortunate to have found her.

Mahoroba 47

2008-09-05T04:40:00.000-07:00

On August 23rd. I had the pleasure of singing a concert at Mahoroba in Sapporo. Mahoroba means a land filled with peace and bliss. Mahoroba is a comprehensive organic store that serves as a community center. They offer classes, workshops lectures and concerts to the public. I was honored to be invited there by Shuhei Miyashita who is the chief executive officer. Here you see Shuhei at his desk along with a picture of Mahoroba.

Remembering the Ancestors 46

2008-08-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

It was a very educational evening for me and I am thankful to Erica for helping me understand the deeper meaning of the things I encountered.
While there I paused to remember my ancestors as well. The events of the evening were a reminder that our lives come from them through the miracle of birth. For that we are truly thankful.

Remembering the Ancestors 45

2008-08-18T00:36:00.000-07:00

While watching the dancing I was approached by people who gave me food, soft drinks and their warm smiles. Here I am with a group of boys who wanted to try out their English. They make the peace sign and encourage me to do the same. It was a wonderful way to be led by the children.

Remembering the Ancestors 44

2008-08-18T00:33:00.000-07:00

Erica makes two new friends.

Remembering the Ancestors 43

2008-08-18T00:31:00.001-07:00

Children are also invited to participate.

Remembering the Ancestors 42

2008-08-18T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here Erica joins in the dancing!

Remembering the Ancestors 41

2008-08-18T00:24:00.000-07:00

The bon-odori dance is an important part of these festivities where the spirits dance with the living. A circle is formed and the dancers walk and dance in line with the others.

Remember the Ancestors 40

2008-08-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

Every year Japan celebrates the Festival of Obon. It is a tradition whose roots lie in Buddhist thought which emphasizes the importance of honoring the ancestors. It has grown into a family reunion where people return to their ancestral roots to be with their families and to honor the dead. This often involves cleaning the grave sites of their loved ones . It is a time when the spirits of the ancestors are called back home. It is a time for prayer of the souls of the ancestors. This holiday usually starts on the 13th and ends on the 16th of August. On the 16th the spirits are returned to their graves.

39 Deepak and Fujiko

2008-08-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

Two of my dear college friends live in Sopporo. We were students together at Goshen College. I remember well when Deepak and Fujiko began dating. Deepak is from India and Fujiko is from here in Sopporo. They are married and are university English professors.
Here we are after attending the Sunday morning service at one of the Mennonite Fellowships in the city.
I am fortunate to have them here in Sopporo! It is a special gift to connect deeply with good friends from from the past.

Kimiko Moriyama, sings for her deceased students 38

2008-08-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

Nagasaki observed the 63rd anniversary of its atomic bomb on Saturday August 9th. 90 year old Kimiko Moriyama is an atomic bomb survivor and former music teacher.
When she saw and heard the B-29 bomber in the sky she ran for shelter to a soy sauce shop. She was however struck and impacted by the explosion.
She later learned that 1,400 teachers and students in her school died as a result of the bomb. 15 days after she was exposed to the radiation her hair began to fall out. She had a high fever and lost consciousness. Her doctor counseled her mother to make arrangements for her funeral. However, she did revive after New :Years Day in 1946
In 1948 she was able to return to her teaching. In 1992 she had a stroke which left her almost unable to speak. She then entered a Catholic nursing home and was baptized into the Catholic Church.
Even though she could barely talk she practiced singing every day for 15 minutes singing hymns. In time she was able to sing and speak. Nevertheless, the left side of her body remains paralyzed.
She signed up to sing in a peace choir for the 63rd anniversary ceremonies along with other survivors. She says she wanted to "tell my deceased students that I'm living not only my life but theirs too." She sang in the choir for herself and her students. She reports, "our songs surely reached heaven."
It is hard to comprehend why a second atomic bomb was dropped three days after devastating Hiroshima.
We are thankful for the life of Kimiko Moriyama and her continuing commitment to her students and to peace.

Lunch 37

2008-08-10T23:17:00.000-07:00

Sopporo has many organic restaurants. Eating Organic food is natural and healthy. It too is a great way to make a statement about our earth. Polluting the earth with harmful chemicals which then saturate our food and our bodies is a form of violence. In America we say "you are what you eat."
I am discovering that there is an organic food movement here in Sopporo and I am beginning to meet many of its members. Many of them are committed to"being peace" on a variety of levels. What we eat is connected to our care for ourselves and our earth.
Here you see my organic meal of salad, squash, brown rice and fish . The Japanese are a people who care deeply about quality. The meal was both healthy and delicious!!

Japanese traditronal dancers 36

2008-08-10T23:08:00.000-07:00

While walking a bit further I found these ladies in their traditional clothing who were about to dance. Unfortunately I was not able to stay to see them dance but they did invite me to have my picture taken with them. You never know just what you might find in Sopporo on a warm summer day.

The beat of the traditional drum 35

2008-08-10T22:46:00.000-07:00

While walking downtown I was surprised when I heard drumming in the distance. I walked over to have a look and found several drummers playing. The taiko drum is a percussion stick instrument often used at traditional Japanese festivals. The drum for me represents the beat of the heart of the earth and the movement of time. It is a vital primal instrument representing life itself. I find drums every where I go. I was delighted to hear them in Japan!

Downtown Sopporo shopping area 34

2008-08-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

The colorful banners in this shopping area are related to the traditional festivals in the city during the summer.

Hiroshima Remembers 33

2008-08-07T00:17:00.000-07:00

11 year old Honoka Imai and 12 year old Soto Hondo, both six graders, read a peace pledge before those gathered.
"We will start with learning, knowing and thinking about what happened in Hiroshima. Then we will tell other people about it. "
It was a moving moment for me. This is not just a pledge for the children of Hiroshima. It is a pledge for us all.

Hiroshima remembers 32

2008-08-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

I watched the ceremony marking the 63rd anniversary of Hiroshima's atomic bombing. About 45,000 people were present along with representatives from 55 countries. China for the first time sent a representative. That is indeed good news.

Singing at the summit 31

2008-08-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

I was honored to sing at the summit. They responded well to my music. When I told them that my great grand father was a Cherokee Indian they applauded. There were Cherokee peoples there from the States and we connected afterward. I had a wonderful time at this event. I know something about discrimination as a result of the African experience in America. These people too have their own stories of injustice. I emphasized the need for connection and the sharing of our stories with each other. I will long remember this evening and the new friends I made. Experiences like this are life giving.

The Ainu traditional home 30

2008-08-06T01:40:00.000-07:00

Here you see a traditional house of the Ainu.

I'm dressed in traditional Ainu clothing 29

2008-08-06T01:32:00.000-07:00

After posing for the first photo with the Ainu elder, he took off his coat and hat and motioned to me to wear it. It was a symbol of the solidarity we felt and of the inclusive nature of these people.

The Indigenous Peoples Summit 28

2008-08-06T01:26:00.000-07:00

The Ainu people are the indigenous people of Hokkaido. They were driven off of their land by the Japanese in the 19th century. Today they number about 150,000. Here I pose with a traditionally dressed Ainu elder.

Indigenous Peoples Summitt 27

2008-08-06T01:10:00.000-07:00

They came from such places as New Zealand, Australia, The United States, Canada, Japan, Central and South America and Norway.

2008 Indigenous Peoples Summit 26

2008-08-06T00:58:00.000-07:00

On July the 3rd I had the honor of singing at the International Indigenous Peoples Summit held just outside of Sopporo. There I met many indigenous peoples from all over the world. It was exciting to meet them and to hear them talk about their common concerns. Here representatives from the various countries share the stage and comment on their solidarity as indigenous people.

Parking Lot for Bikes 25

2008-08-06T00:45:00.000-07:00

I am not the only one riding a bike. Here you see a parking lot for bikes. Riding a bike is a way of life here.

A great place to bike! 24

2008-08-05T00:52:00.000-07:00

Sopporo is very eco friendly with many bike paths. I bike each weekday to Hokusei University where I am a visiting researcher. It takes me 25 minutes each way. Biking has become my main means of transportation. I will show you the bike paths on a later blog. It is a great way to stay in good physical shape and to have a slower, closer look at the various forms of life along the way. I have become increasingly aware of our great mother earth as I ride my bike. She needs our care and attention more now than ever before.

Sapporo at Night 23

2008-08-05T00:33:00.000-07:00

sapporo 22

2008-08-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

On June 20, I arrived in Sopporo. It is the largest city in the North most part of Japan and is the 5th largest with a population of 1.6 million. It is the major city on the northern island of Hokkaido. The island was annexed by the Japanese in 1855 and official government offices were completed in 1871. In Japanese terms it is a new city. It is the most western in architecture of the major Japanese cities. This is the city where I will stay until early December when I will return to the States.

Buddhist temple 21

2008-08-04T01:19:00.001-07:00

A wonderful setting for a temple in old Kyoto. Many of these temples are used for funerals and are often visited on religious holidays. Many are still used as monasteries.
Most Japanese municipalities have at least one temple. Kyoto however has thousands of them due to the fact that it was the old capital and Emperors encouraged the spread of Buddhism and Shintoism.

Sacred nature 20

2008-08-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Sacred nature 19

2008-08-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

The ropes which drape this tree indicate the tree is a god.

Inside the alter of a Buddhist temple 18

2008-08-03T23:16:00.001-07:00

The coming together of Shintoism and Buddhism 17

2008-08-03T23:12:00.001-07:00

A picture frame view into the Japanese garden.

The coming together of Shintoism and Buddhism 16

2008-08-03T23:09:00.000-07:00

Stopping to reflect.

The coming together of Shintoism and Buddhism 15

2008-08-03T23:02:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken inside the Hosen-in Buddhist temple. Here one can experience the beauty of nature while being in the temple.

Kyoto 14

2008-08-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

On the 18th and 19th of June I spent time in Kyoto. My goal was to visit the ancient sites of the region. Kyoto is often referred to as the "old Japan." This ancient capital has a population of 1.5 million and has over 1000 historic Zen Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Temples and shrines were often together emphasizing the sacredness of nature and being. Japanese people are more likely to be Buddhist and Shintoist,bringing together these two religions without conflict or controversy.
While I did not visit modern Kyoto, it is the major industry for manufacturing kimonos and is the headquarters for Nintendo and Kyocera. It was refreshing to be in the non western parts of Kyoto to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Informative link about the Shinto shrine 13

2008-08-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html

Itsukushima 12

2008-08-03T20:36:00.001-07:00

Here is the outside view of the Shinto shrine. I was not able to take any photos in the inside.
The following is a very informative link regarding Shinto shrines.
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.photo.gif

Stopped by a deer 11

2008-08-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

On our way into the shrine we were met by many lovely deer who were hoping to get a bite to eat from those passing by. Erica and her sister Kaori meet this young deer and stop for this picture.

Miyajima 10

2008-08-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

Miyajima is the island off of the city of Hiroshima that has a famous and ancient shrine called Itsukushima. I went to this shrine and also hiked in the mountains that surround it. Miyajima is considered to be a holy place in Japan and one of the top three views in the country. Here you will see the gate leading to the shrine.

Hiroshima 9

2008-08-03T04:23:00.001-07:00

Here I am with my new Japanese friend.

Hiroshima 8

2008-08-03T04:20:00.001-07:00

I watched her carefully to see how she served me the tea. After she served me, I served her.

Hiroshima 7

2008-08-03T04:12:00.000-07:00

My time here thus far has been wonderful. The Japanese people have been gracious and kind to me. One morning a young girl who I had met earlier in the week, came to my apartment with her tea supplies to introduce me to the Japanese traditional tea ceremony. She was kind and I was moved by her generosity. I now want to read more about this ceremony so I can understand the meaning of it more fully.

Hiroshoma 6

2008-08-03T01:18:00.000-07:00

Erica Shinya with her mother and I in traditional Japanese Kimonos at annual festival

Hiroshoma 5

2008-08-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

View of the only remaining building from 1945 from the Peace Park.

Hiroshoma 4

2008-08-03T00:04:00.000-07:00

High School students sing peace songs at the Peace Museum.

Hiroshima 3

2008-08-02T23:48:00.000-07:00

Here I am with a tour guide standing in front of the only building that remains. His father was a victim of the bomb. The guide had such compassion for me as an American and encouraged me to tell the story of Hiroshima to others.

Hiroshima 2

2008-08-02T23:24:00.000-07:00

Inside the museum I saw this huge black and white picture of the devastation caused by the atomic bomb.

Greetings from Japan/ Hiroshima 01

2008-08-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Japan on the 4th of June. This will be a six month stay with two weeks in China to sing and speak for peace. My first stop was Hiroshima where I spent two weeks. I have always wanted to visit this city. It is the place where the atomic bomb was dropped on the people of that city on August 6, 1945. I was amazed by the fact that the people of this city have a huge passion for peace. They want the story about the dropping of the bomb to be told as a way to insure that something like this never happens again. The city has become a peace center for the world and on August 6th people from around the word will gather there to remember those who died.
You will find below pictures from my visit to the Hiroshima Peace Museum. It was a powerful and personally moving experience. Here, documented are effects of the bomb on the region.
I saw survivors returning to this place to remember and to pray.