Day 21: Visit to see Mission Partner Sheila Norris in Nagasaki on Kyushu Island travelling again by Japan's incredible Shinkansen Bullet train, fast, efficient and reliable. Sheila & her colleague Barbara were waiting to greet me. Straight to Kwassui Gakuin Women's University together with a Junior & Senior High School on different sites across the city. Hills and steep ones at that are a feature of Nagasaki city and test the endurance of any visitor. Arrived by taxi and straight into a meeting with Head Chaplain Revd Kiyoyuki Nihei and assistant Chaplain Korean Presbyterian Minister Revd. Byung-il Cho. The chief issue which came out was the possibilities which may be around Peace Study Partnerships. I mentioned connections perhaps Kassui (which means living water) and Corrymeeela Community, Cross of Nails Reconciliation Centre of Coventry Cathedral Sabeel and also St George's College in Jerusalem as well as our newly opened Holy Land Office in Tantaur Bethlehem. A sharing time followed with two graduates. Journey back down the hill to check into my hotel and then out for dinner.
Day 22: Sight seeing day with Sheila we were on a street car by nine am and first visited the Peace Park where a ceremony for recently died atomic bomb survivors was being held. A short walk to the area which marks the epicentre of the explosion and then into the Atomic museum. As usual many school parties were visiting, hundreds of thousands of handmade origami paper cranes symbolising peace are left in this area each year. After lunch to the site of the execution of Japan's 26 Christian martyrs from the 17th century and the Museum and Roman Catholic shrine next door. A moving and emotional day stressing for me that we must keep strong in the faith and striving for the kingdom via the King of Peace.
Day 23: Traveled back to Okayama for the rest of the weekend and to prepare for Day 27 when I return to the UK, leaving behind my family and also all the new relationships that have been formed by this extended visit.
Alan Ashton -13th November 2012.
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