Each January, the Nishi Okamoto Church has a memorial service to remember the Kobe Earthquake of 1995. Over 6,000 people died, seven from our small church, including the pastor, Rev. Hata. Last year we had a special concert with a well-known Christian artist, Miss Yuri Mori. She had a moving testimony about her brother who died in the earthquake. He was going to college here in Kobe, and actually lived right here in our neighborhood. For the people of our church and neighborhood, her songs and testimony were especially moving. As a result of the concert, Mrs. Katsura put her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized last Easter.

This year, we didn't plan a special concert, but Tomoko and I sent a card to Miss Mori thanking her for last years concert, and inviting her to join us for worship if she was free on January 13th. She called a few days before telling us she had a concert in Kobe on the afternoon of the 13th, but couldn't miss worship, so she would join us. Tomoko and I didn't tell anyone, so it was a surprise when she came Sunday morning for worship. She took time to talk with Mrs. Katsura before worship. And during the service, when we read the names of the church family who died in the earthquake, we added another name, Wataru Mori, Miss Mori's brother.

People still feel pain from the losses they suffered. But as time has passed, we have seen healing, and we also see how the Living God is working in the lives of people in our neighborhood.