Japanese Tsunami Survivor Welcoming Display of God's Word in Her Home

Rebuilt House Includes Wall Designed to Display Scripture on Plywood

December 13, 2011 - With one of our first visits as new chaplains to the teams working in the Tome Base area, we were present when the crew began insulating the walls and hanging sheet rock in several of the homes damaged by the tsunami.

By Desi and Carolin Perez

As we watched the team work and prayed protection over them, the Lord brought to mind the Bible verse in Deuteronomy 6:9 in which Moses was telling the Israelites what God had said about "writing His commandments, statutes, and judgements on the posts of their homes."

We immediately introduced the idea to the construction team and they enthusiastically began writing scripture on the plywood prior to the sheet rock being installed over it.

In one particular home that afternoon, the homeowner had seen the scripture written on the plywood earlier in the day and upon her return in the afternoon, expressed her displeasure that the scripture had been covered up by sheet rock.

Recognizing the magnitude of the opportunity, one of the finish carpenters came up with a solution. He suggested cutting the piece of sheetrock so that the scripture was visible once again and then framing it with wood trim so that it would appear as a framed, finish image on the wall.

In a country where most of the homes being re-built following the tsunami include a Buddhist altar, the opportunity to have the Word of God permanently on display in one of them was a gift from God and a blessing to us all.

Praise God for this window of ministry opportunities He is providing in Japan.