J Carp Testimony Marina Yamamoto
I had booked my flights to Japan before knowing I would end up participating in the JCARP programme. I intended to spend 5 weeks in Koriyama, Fukushima, at my grandparent’s house and got a job in a local English school helping in the classes. But due to my grandparent’s situation being very difficult after the 2011 earthquake, which forced them to lose everything and become evacuees, it came to light this would actually be very burdening for them and the current situation did not allow my original plan to be followed through. My father suggested the JCARP programme and at first, I did not feel too keen. Even though I did not want to really go, I went ahead anyway, with the attitude that I am half Japanese, so if nothing else, I can understand who I am and where I come from, as well as appreciate my father for being a young university student who joined the church, and who also experienced Japanese ‘CARP-life.’
I was in Shibuya centre for 2 weeks with Haesul. She helped me settle in a lot and I am grateful I could have spent this time with her. The schedule in the CARP centres was tough, but the members were so lovely and the atmosphere in the centre was so vibrant that it helped everyone to keep going. Every person I met in Japan was so kind, and they could never do enough to serve you and show you more love. It was so incredible and moving to see this sort of expression of heart. People, who didn’t even know you, would treat you as if you were someone so special and someone so important, but really I always felt ‘I am just me’ and felt unworthy. The CARP members especially, every time without an exception, they would try to help you in some way, giving massages, or buying you some present or sweets. After a long day, Haesul and I were sitting in the sisters’ room in the centre writing reflections and my diary entry, two Japanese sisters came in and gave us takoyaki that they had bought for us on their way home from university. They wanted us to try a Japanese dish and offered it to us with such excitement. This moved me a lot and I will always remember the fact that they thought of us on their journey home, and even though they had their own bags, school work and umbrella, they also carried home take away takoyaki. I realised my mindset is not the mindset of a kind, giving person and it made me question if they would have been in my heart and in my thoughts, if the situation was reserved. The Japanese people are so kind; they put others feelings before their own and always do so much for you, expecting no type of return. They also work so hard. I admire this greatly. I never once heard a CARP member complain about anything. I could see they were tired, hungry or hot, but they would always say, I’m okay! It’s okay! They would never complain about the heat, or about themselves, like I did. They are so dedicated and so driven. The Japanese really are amazing people. I felt proud to have come from this amazing, kind, dedicated country. I felt very proud of my ancestors.
The last 10 days of the J CARP experience, was spent in Miyakojima, a small island south of Japan. I felt so lucky to have the chance to go to this island. The Miyake family were so welcoming and so warm to us, treating us like her own family. There were many times when I tried to help her wash up or clear the table, or hang up the laundry or do something to help her, and she would shoo me strongly down the stairs and tell me to the sisters room and relax, insisting she serves us. On this beautiful island, I experienced many incredible things here that I’m sure I will not experience again. I feel so grateful for everything and everyone who made this trip so incredible, especially to Jun, Godfried and Haesul. All three are such incredible people with wonderful hearts and thanks to them, I have such fond memories of my time in Japan.
I had booked my flights to Japan before knowing I would end up participating in the JCARP programme. I intended to spend 5 weeks in Koriyama, Fukushima, at my grandparent’s house and got a job in a local English school helping in the classes. But due to my grandparent’s situation being very difficult after the 2011 earthquake, which forced them to lose everything and become evacuees, it came to light this would actually be very burdening for them and the current situation did not allow my original plan to be followed through. My father suggested the JCARP programme and at first, I did not feel too keen. Even though I did not want to really go, I went ahead anyway, with the attitude that I am half Japanese, so if nothing else, I can understand who I am and where I come from, as well as appreciate my father for being a young university student who joined the church, and who also experienced Japanese ‘CARP-life.’
I was in Shibuya centre for 2 weeks with Haesul. She helped me settle in a lot and I am grateful I could have spent this time with her. The schedule in the CARP centres was tough, but the members were so lovely and the atmosphere in the centre was so vibrant that it helped everyone to keep going. Every person I met in Japan was so kind, and they could never do enough to serve you and show you more love. It was so incredible and moving to see this sort of expression of heart. People, who didn’t even know you, would treat you as if you were someone so special and someone so important, but really I always felt ‘I am just me’ and felt unworthy. The CARP members especially, every time without an exception, they would try to help you in some way, giving massages, or buying you some present or sweets. After a long day, Haesul and I were sitting in the sisters’ room in the centre writing reflections and my diary entry, two Japanese sisters came in and gave us takoyaki that they had bought for us on their way home from university. They wanted us to try a Japanese dish and offered it to us with such excitement. This moved me a lot and I will always remember the fact that they thought of us on their journey home, and even though they had their own bags, school work and umbrella, they also carried home take away takoyaki. I realised my mindset is not the mindset of a kind, giving person and it made me question if they would have been in my heart and in my thoughts, if the situation was reserved. The Japanese people are so kind; they put others feelings before their own and always do so much for you, expecting no type of return. They also work so hard. I admire this greatly. I never once heard a CARP member complain about anything. I could see they were tired, hungry or hot, but they would always say, I’m okay! It’s okay! They would never complain about the heat, or about themselves, like I did. They are so dedicated and so driven. The Japanese really are amazing people. I felt proud to have come from this amazing, kind, dedicated country. I felt very proud of my ancestors.
The last 10 days of the J CARP experience, was spent in Miyakojima, a small island south of Japan. I felt so lucky to have the chance to go to this island. The Miyake family were so welcoming and so warm to us, treating us like her own family. There were many times when I tried to help her wash up or clear the table, or hang up the laundry or do something to help her, and she would shoo me strongly down the stairs and tell me to the sisters room and relax, insisting she serves us. On this beautiful island, I experienced many incredible things here that I’m sure I will not experience again. I feel so grateful for everything and everyone who made this trip so incredible, especially to Jun, Godfried and Haesul. All three are such incredible people with wonderful hearts and thanks to them, I have such fond memories of my time in Japan.