Saturday, August 17, 2019

Family Found!


( Our Dad)

In January 2019 we sent our Japanese flag,
a momento that our father had from World War II,
to the Obon society, to be returned to Japan..

Click here for the original story!

Once they received it,
we heard right back from them...

They informed us that it may take up to 2 years
to find the soldiers family
and that there was a chance that
they may be unsuccessful.

(our Mom)

To be honest, my heart sank.
Two years and maybe no living relatives...

Did we wait too long to send it back home to Japan?

But then, I prayed over it and felt better.
I knew that God's plan was happening
and that this was his timing.


Six months later,
we heard that the flag's family 
has been located!

Praise HIM!

We revised the letter and personalized it to the family!
After translation it will be on its way to the nephew
of the Japanese soldier that carried it in WWII.

Soldier’s name: Mr. Sakae Hisajima
Location of death: Mariana island
Date of death: July 18th 1944
Name of found relative: Mr. Teruo Hisajima
Relationship to soldier: Nephew
Resident of: Fukui Prefecture

The Japanese family is eager to receive these remains.
We are preparing your flag now to send to Japan.


We are so thankful that this is finally happening!

Almost exactly 75 years later,
it's really going HOME!

UPDATE:
The flag has been sent to the family and received by them!

They were very thankful and grateful 
to have their Uncle home!

We have not heard anything else
and most likely there will not 
be any other communication.

We all have a wonderful sense of peace!

Boating and Big Island!



It was such a treat going boating and
spending the day with the
Big Island Boat Club!

Special Thank you to Captain Bob, Marcus and Lori!


The kids were so excited!
They fished off of the dock!


Enjoyed arts and crafts!


Ate at the picnic shelter!


There were many boats to take all of the Hope Kids to the Island!


We were amazed by their efforts and kindness!


There was a fire boat that the kids took a ride on
and tried out the hose- on the far left!


I walked around the island and thanked God,
while checking on all of our children!


Sweet Mary caught a fish!


And Emma got to go fishing, too!


As did many of the other kiddos!


The picnic lunch was great!


Emma was so happy she caught a fish,
she just had to show it to us!
Emma finds such joy in the sweet and simple things in life!

Hubby and I thought we could not adopt
a child with a cognitive disability.
But God...
He knew better!
And we have been so blessed since
she came home!


Back to fishing after lunch!


Face painting
was a huge hit!


with BOTH of our younger girls!


Treasure hunt time!


Lots of prizes and treats!


Another group of kiddos rode on "The Doctors boat"!
It had an upstairs and a downstairs!


Madeline and Melissa are chillin'!

This was such a special day!
A blessing in every way!

THANK YOU
HopeKids!