Okinawa Vacation & A Reflection of the Past
*Please know that this blog isn't meant to offend anyone, take sides, or accuse of right or wrong. It is simply my heart and a good way to express what I'm feeling these days and hopefully give you a little insight into our life.
This past week was fall break for our school and seemed like a fitting time to take a vacation. We'd heard Okinawa had beautiful beaches and since I have aspiring plans to become a beach bum, that is all it took for me to want to visit. Previously, when I had talked to my dad about our vacation plans, he casually mentioned that my grandfather, or "Pop" as we called him had been near Okinawa during WWII aboard the USS Hughes. I knew that Pop had served with the Navy but was surprised to find out a bit more information concerning his time of service. Just before moving to Japan, I had learned he had visited Tokyo following the surrender of Japan during WWII and now I was learning of Okinawa too. I felt a connection knowing that my grandfather had visited the land in which I now live.
Let's rewind...before our trip, I began to budget for vacation and after a bit of research, some friends turned us on to a local church with a guest apartment making our lodging free and the possibility of an Okinawan vacation realistic. The Ryukyu Islands as they are known consist of over 150 islands but most of us are only familiar with the main island of Okinawa due to history and US military presence. I ignorantly assumed their location in the East China Sea would be close to us and easy in which to travel. Hah! I have so much to learn...a 3.5 hour flight and over 1,000 miles away.
When we arrived in Naha, the capital city, I was in awe of how much more laid back the city was compared to mainland Japan. There didn't seem to be the level of stress, need for uniforms and suits and the buildings were much less modern. Even the need for order and everything having to be so structured was lacking. It was a breath of fresh air! The first few days we had a wonderful time visiting some gorgeous beaches as well as capes and famous landmarks. Okinawa is known as the "Hawaii of Japan" and we could clearly see why.
Although Bryan isn't as much of a beach lover as I, he puts up with my dreams and plans on vacation as a trade off for a little history and true touristy shopping. Before arriving in Okinawa I had little knowledge of the history of the Ryukyu Islands but was eager to learn. I researched as much as I could about museums and local landmarks and started to dive into the history. As with history and any time of war, I began to learn of a darker past. One place I knew would be a good location to visit was Peace Memorial Museum, a park and museum dedicated to those who lost their lives and fought in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Located on the far southern tip of the island it seemed like a perfect location for a day drive. An island full of military bases and American influence I was interested to see the Okinawan side of the story.
Bryan and I took the opportunity to walk around the grounds before touring the museum. Even with such American influence, the islands still had altars and idol worship everywhere we turned. Two small dog-lion like statues called "shisa" seemed to exist in front of every house, business and even on the beaches. Even the Starbucks coffee cup and tourist t-shirts for sale proudly displayed the shisa as the protector and guardian of Okinawa.
Along the grounds of Peace Memorial Park were various altars set up for the different towns and communities who's people had been impacted by the battle of Okinawa. On top a large ridge we could see in front of us the East China Sea and behind us wall-like monuments engraved with the names of those 200,000 military and civilians who had lost their lives. We would later learn that the cliffs became the location of mass suicides of the Ryukyu peoples who had either been coerced into suicide or led to believe the Americans were so barbaric that to end ones life was the better option.
Afterward, I walked through the museum and learned that many civilians had been recruited to serve during the Battle of Okinawa. Even high school girls had been drafted to serve as nurses and surgical assistants. The pictures were graphic and the stories incredibly tragic. I remember thinking how times have changed and that during this dark time in history, there was little forethought of protecting civilians, the enemy was the enemy simply due to their nationality or location.
As we went back outside, both of us silent and lost in our own thoughts, I shared with Bryan the story of my grandfather. His ship, the USS Hughes, once was attacked by kamikaze pilots but he had managed to run to the other end of the ship to escape death. A young man, not yet a believer in Jesus Christ, a ship attacked by the enemy, a loss of life so great and yet, he lived. He lived and went on to return to his wife, have four children, the third of which they would name Steve...my dad. And here I stood, the dark water behind me, the photos of war in my mind and the names of those Japanese in front of me. The impact held only one word, ETERNITY. Bryan and I discussed and wondered if even one of those who had been killed had faith in Jesus Christ. We hoped. But the moment was just so incredibly surreal. Pop came to fight for our country, our protection...I came to fight for their souls, their eternity. Almost 75 years apart the moment was humbling, full of reflection and sadness.
If you've known anything about our journey here in Japan, you've probably picked up on the struggles we've experienced; at times even the doubt in our calling here. Sometimes it is a daily battle in my mind and my heart. I do not often love the culture and people in the way I should. But in that quiet, somber moment the Holy Spirit whispered, go back to Takasaki...go home, for now, and fight for these people. I cannot fully express my emotions and thoughts as my worlds, past and present, my life and purpose all collided.
I hope and pray that all around the world Believers will fight for the people around you...whether we "feel" it or not, fight for eternity. We cannot change the past, but we can fight for the future and the hope of the Gospel.
Beautiful Feet - Whitney
Although Bryan isn't as much of a beach lover as I, he puts up with my dreams and plans on vacation as a trade off for a little history and true touristy shopping. Before arriving in Okinawa I had little knowledge of the history of the Ryukyu Islands but was eager to learn. I researched as much as I could about museums and local landmarks and started to dive into the history. As with history and any time of war, I began to learn of a darker past. One place I knew would be a good location to visit was Peace Memorial Museum, a park and museum dedicated to those who lost their lives and fought in the Battle of Okinawa during WWII, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Located on the far southern tip of the island it seemed like a perfect location for a day drive. An island full of military bases and American influence I was interested to see the Okinawan side of the story.
Bryan and I took the opportunity to walk around the grounds before touring the museum. Even with such American influence, the islands still had altars and idol worship everywhere we turned. Two small dog-lion like statues called "shisa" seemed to exist in front of every house, business and even on the beaches. Even the Starbucks coffee cup and tourist t-shirts for sale proudly displayed the shisa as the protector and guardian of Okinawa.
Along the grounds of Peace Memorial Park were various altars set up for the different towns and communities who's people had been impacted by the battle of Okinawa. On top a large ridge we could see in front of us the East China Sea and behind us wall-like monuments engraved with the names of those 200,000 military and civilians who had lost their lives. We would later learn that the cliffs became the location of mass suicides of the Ryukyu peoples who had either been coerced into suicide or led to believe the Americans were so barbaric that to end ones life was the better option.
Afterward, I walked through the museum and learned that many civilians had been recruited to serve during the Battle of Okinawa. Even high school girls had been drafted to serve as nurses and surgical assistants. The pictures were graphic and the stories incredibly tragic. I remember thinking how times have changed and that during this dark time in history, there was little forethought of protecting civilians, the enemy was the enemy simply due to their nationality or location.
As we went back outside, both of us silent and lost in our own thoughts, I shared with Bryan the story of my grandfather. His ship, the USS Hughes, once was attacked by kamikaze pilots but he had managed to run to the other end of the ship to escape death. A young man, not yet a believer in Jesus Christ, a ship attacked by the enemy, a loss of life so great and yet, he lived. He lived and went on to return to his wife, have four children, the third of which they would name Steve...my dad. And here I stood, the dark water behind me, the photos of war in my mind and the names of those Japanese in front of me. The impact held only one word, ETERNITY. Bryan and I discussed and wondered if even one of those who had been killed had faith in Jesus Christ. We hoped. But the moment was just so incredibly surreal. Pop came to fight for our country, our protection...I came to fight for their souls, their eternity. Almost 75 years apart the moment was humbling, full of reflection and sadness.
If you've known anything about our journey here in Japan, you've probably picked up on the struggles we've experienced; at times even the doubt in our calling here. Sometimes it is a daily battle in my mind and my heart. I do not often love the culture and people in the way I should. But in that quiet, somber moment the Holy Spirit whispered, go back to Takasaki...go home, for now, and fight for these people. I cannot fully express my emotions and thoughts as my worlds, past and present, my life and purpose all collided.
I hope and pray that all around the world Believers will fight for the people around you...whether we "feel" it or not, fight for eternity. We cannot change the past, but we can fight for the future and the hope of the Gospel.
Beautiful Feet - Whitney
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