Seminar update

So I apologize for going off the grid for a few days. We went to the Asian Rural Institute about 3 hrs outside of Tokyo so we didn't have Internet. I don't have much time to update, but I'll give a quick overview of what I've been up to.

At the Asian Rural Institute we learned about organic farming. ARI is a place that is actually supported by the United Methodist Church through The Advance. At this learning center people from all over the world come to learn about effective organic farming so they can bring that knowledge back to their own communities. While we were there we got to help sort soy beans, replant onions, feed and clean the pigs, collect chicken eggs, and other farm work that they call "food life work" (representing the interconnectedness of food and life).

When we came back from ARI we met with different people who shared stories of the disaster at Fukushima in 2011 (an earthquake that led to tsunamis and the nuclear power plant accident). It was really powerful to hear the personal stories and to hear about how the Japanese government is still keeping quiet about the horrible effects of radiation on communities.

We also learned about alternative sources of energy and discussed ways our own communities could adapt safer and greener energy. Today we will be learning about different cultural practices and creating action plans for when we get home.

I have been so blessed to meet the people I have met and hear their stories. It was wonderful to get dirty at the farm and use my hands to serve a community. I hope to learn even more in our final day of the seminar. Thank you for all of your prayers and support!