The bulletin starts with “Thank you for Bulletin No.38” by Madre Martha G.Hernández Martin del Campo. Words of appreciation are sent to Emiko Ikegami, Seiko Shimada, and people contributing to the garage sale, to Kaori Murakami, to support funds for lunch, and the selling session of Sr. Shirahata’s embroidery etc.
On
pages 2-3, Sr. Shirahata reports the recent activities from December 2022 to
January 2023 in “All the supporters” (2/7/2023). The Japanese ambassador coming
to take part in the awards ceremony for Foreign
Minister Commendation on December 20th in Freetown, Christmas
preparation at church and schools from 24th to 26th, window
theft (about 1,000 window glasses) in mid-December at the Maria Ines Middle
School, Misa on the 1st of January, the many gifts received from Mrs.Hashimoto
and a French friend visiting, etc.
Sr.
Shirataha wraps up her report with a favorite poem by an African missionary.
“What
we take for granted”
It is normal
to eat every day
It is normal
to study in school
It is normal
to have a family
It is normal
to have a house
It is normal
to get appropriate treatment in time of sickness
There is
nothing that is normal in Africa
Everything
that happens is a miracle
Miracles
happen when hearts and hands support people
In
celebration of the 10th anniversary of Walking Together, “10 years
of Walking Together – reflecting back on the past bulletins” is on pages 3-7,
recapping articles from the past bulletins. The details can be found on the
Walking Together website.
Pages
7-8, are voices from supporters.
Voices
include : Hoping for calm for the children of Sierra Leone, appreciation to the
children, feeling of content holding the embroidered bag, how influential Sr.
Shirahata’s words are, looking forward to the bulletin, etc.
Information
from headquarters is on page 8.
-
Support fund delivery situation for the first
half of the year
-
Flyer on Sr. Shirahata’s embroidery products
-
Shipping for support goods
-
Sr. Shirahata and the Foreign Minister
Commendation
〈Photo
explanations〉
P1
: (top right) Madre
Martha G.Hernández Martin del Campo
(bottom 2) The celebration of the
birthday of Virgin Mary of Guadalupe on December 11th : OLG students parade
through town with drums playing, they later will take home lunch with meat
P2
: (top right) Sr. Shirahata with her
award certificate
(left) Sr. Shirahata’s
embroidery products
P3
: (top left) Sr. Shirahata making
dolls to give as a present
(bottom left) Sr. Shirahata with a
mother and child
P8
: (middle left) Sr. Shirahata’s tote
bag
(bottom right) Children giving their
prayers to the Lord
Article :
Hiroko Goto, Hiroko Maruyama
Translation
: Ayako Nokuo