Japan Day 4

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Today we went to the city of Hiroshima. We went to “ground zero” so-to-speak of the first Atomic Bomb that the U.S. dropped on August 6, 1945. It was very odd being on the other side of history books. In my own mind Hiroshima was a place that could have been on Mars where aliens lived. But now, the realization that their where people there had become a unsettling reality.

We took a bus to what is now know as the Peace Park. The first thing we visited as a the remainder of a building that had been destroyed by the bomb. A structure had once been a civic building for the city to enjoy. Now it stands as a reminder to what happened and what could happen in this nuclear age.

As we walked toward the building an elder woman approached us. She looked like a needy person asking us for money. See held a sign that had many different languages written on it. The line in English read, “Can I pray for you to be blessed with peace.” Brock and Angie did not read the sign and said no thank you not knowing what she wanted. I on the other hand knew what she wanted but said no thank you anyway. I knew she wouldn’t be praying in the name of our Lord so I wanted nothing to do with her pray. It wasn’t very long till I realized that I had made foolish mistake. I should have let her prayed for me. She wanted me to have peace which is beautiful thought. In turn, I should have prayed for her that she continued to bless people with peace and that she would come to know the One that gave true peace. But my discomfort overpowered the prompting of the Spirit and an opportunity to minister to each other was waisted. I wonder how often that woman stands in the park trying to pray for peace. Maybe she had loved ones that died from the effects of the atomic blast. Maybe her motive was to bless as many people with peace so that something like this would have never happened again. Later on in the day I prayed for her and her effort.

We spent a few yen to enter into the museum. It was very chilling. I was as a proud American standing along side proud people of Japan. People had tears in their eyes. I likely had a look of confusion on mine. There were many artifices that gave witness to what took place. We touched pieces of clay that had been hit by the bomb. Watches where on display that had stopped at the exact moment of the attach. Important U.S. documents that gave insights to the reasoning to use the bomb were there for all to read. The most gruesome portion where the pictures of the victims (men, woman, and children) and the effects of the nuclear fall out. Did President Truman make the right and just decision? Did Pearl Harbor justify the use the boom? From what little I have read from Truman’s journals I believe he had our best interest at heart. But the debate of right and wrong no longer matters. It happened. And there I was, standing in a room of former enemies but now allies, with the common desire for true peace. Not once did I feel the local people pass judgement on me. These are a beautiful people.

Angie apologized for taking us to a place that was so gloomy but I thanked her for bringing me. It was important for me to be there. Talks of nuclear war, world peace, and history will have a whole new meaning.