As some of you may or may not know Japan just passed the one year
anniversary of the huge tsunami that hit last year on March 11th, 2011
devastating thousands and thousands of people. Most of those affected
lost everything. Cars, homes, offices, schools, even family. Included in the
things lost were years and years of family heirlooms specifically all
their family photos from previous generations. Kristin and I were approached by some of our friends from The Butterfly Project to come out and use the creative arts to help serve the people of Japan and provide some emotional relief. I remember watching the devastation occurring through the news and trying to fathom what they were going through. As heart broken as I was for the Japanese people then- it would be nothing compared to being there in person and hearing the accounts of the victims first hand.
They have done and achieved so much in the past year. Cleaning and rebuilding in major areas has been phenomenal, truly, and it's safe to say that Japan is probably one of, if not the most self efficient, self disciplined societies on the planet. But unfortunately there is still a long way to go. The Tsunami of 3.11 generated over a 100 years worth of trash, in one day, ONE DAY! Cars, buses, boats, homes all turned into piles and piles of trash to sift through and separate. They have spent the last year trying to clean up and rebuild but living in those effected areas is still a constant reminder of what happened and what was lost. Since most people lost their homes they are living in temporary housing provided by the government. These homes are not much by any stretch of the imagination and are located about 20 miles outside of the disaster areas. In fact for most people the thought of revisiting their home town is too painful and many haven't been back since the tsunami.
We were given the opportunity to follow some small business around in the disaster areas to document how they are trying to rebuild those communities. We wanted to capture the work being done so it would encourage people to move out of the temporary housing and get back to enjoying their daily life.
We partnered up with CRASH Japan to work with some local churches and see who could benefit from this type of ministry. The images you see below are only a handful of the portraits taken. There were thousands and thousands of photos we took for one reason or another. As random as they may appear they were taken with a specific purpose. Either to remember something lost, to capture a moment in time, document the rebuilding of a community or even as simple as providing a fun escape from the pain they are still battling. Thus the real need and reason for our going was not only replace those precious family memories in the form of photographs but ultimately to restore hope in the daily lives of those affected. Specifically by sharing with them the everlasting hope found only in Jesus Christ. We hope that you enjoy these photos! I will explain the background stories behind some of the images but for others due to privacy and respect to the individuals I will only be sharing the image itself.
What used to be a High School
The bottom left photos shows how quickly the Tsunami came since the kids shoes were still in the cubby.
If you know Japan or ever been there before, you know how denselt populated every square inch of the country is. This is one of hundreds of areas that used to be completely filled with houses, restaurants and businesses.
This man lost his brother in the Tsunami along with his house. He has taken over his brothers book store along with staying in his brothers house. I couldn't imagine living with the constant reminder of loosing my brother like that.
Best Udon chef in town
Below is probably one of the most powerful photos I have ever taken. The couple standing on the foundation of where their house once stood.
The two girls below met and became friends living in the temporary housing shown above. I can't imagine the pain these girls have gone through. When we met one of the girls, she was completely closed off emotionally and who could blame her. Her grandfather wanted some portraits of the two of them together but Miss L, refused. We eventually got a couple of the two of them together but encouraged Miss L to grab her friend for some additional pictures. It was great to see this incredibly hard shelled little girl transform into the joy filled little teenaged firecracker that she should be!
I was honored to photograph the Kessenuma High School mens baseball team. The school itself was situated high enough to not really be directly affected by the tsunami (only the first floor was flooded) but a majority of the students watched their homes and other loved ones get washed away from the schools rooftop. The schoool opened up its facilities with neighboring schools and many students lived here while temporary housing units were built.
Probably my favorite memory from our trip was celebrating the anniversary of the Tsunami with all of the remaining survivors of the Kesennuma First Bible Congregation. The church was washed away in the disaster along with many of its members. The church body still stands although the church structure does not. During the anniversary of 3.11 Japan as a nation had a moment of silence for remembrance of loved ones lost in the disaster. During this time they sounded the Tsunami sirens at the exact time of the earthquake along with a second siren of when the Tsunami hit. It was such an incredibly powerful feeling standing on the foundation of where buildings once stood, holding hands with some of the remaining survivors and imagining the fear that must have overwhelmed them when they saw the huge wall of water heading their way.
Once the sounds of sirens stopped there was nothing but silence accompanied by the sight and sound of tears and sniffles. A few moments passed then one of the members of the congregation picked up his guitar and starting singing "How Great is Our God". Even in the midst of pain, sorrow and complete brokenness they lifted their hands up high and started singing to and praising our Savior King.
A picture of the remaining survivors and the new prayer center planted behind them.
They have done and achieved so much in the past year. Cleaning and rebuilding in major areas has been phenomenal, truly, and it's safe to say that Japan is probably one of, if not the most self efficient, self disciplined societies on the planet. But unfortunately there is still a long way to go. The Tsunami of 3.11 generated over a 100 years worth of trash, in one day, ONE DAY! Cars, buses, boats, homes all turned into piles and piles of trash to sift through and separate. They have spent the last year trying to clean up and rebuild but living in those effected areas is still a constant reminder of what happened and what was lost. Since most people lost their homes they are living in temporary housing provided by the government. These homes are not much by any stretch of the imagination and are located about 20 miles outside of the disaster areas. In fact for most people the thought of revisiting their home town is too painful and many haven't been back since the tsunami.
We were given the opportunity to follow some small business around in the disaster areas to document how they are trying to rebuild those communities. We wanted to capture the work being done so it would encourage people to move out of the temporary housing and get back to enjoying their daily life.
We partnered up with CRASH Japan to work with some local churches and see who could benefit from this type of ministry. The images you see below are only a handful of the portraits taken. There were thousands and thousands of photos we took for one reason or another. As random as they may appear they were taken with a specific purpose. Either to remember something lost, to capture a moment in time, document the rebuilding of a community or even as simple as providing a fun escape from the pain they are still battling. Thus the real need and reason for our going was not only replace those precious family memories in the form of photographs but ultimately to restore hope in the daily lives of those affected. Specifically by sharing with them the everlasting hope found only in Jesus Christ. We hope that you enjoy these photos! I will explain the background stories behind some of the images but for others due to privacy and respect to the individuals I will only be sharing the image itself.
What used to be a High School
The bottom left photos shows how quickly the Tsunami came since the kids shoes were still in the cubby. 
If you know Japan or ever been there before, you know how denselt populated every square inch of the country is. This is one of hundreds of areas that used to be completely filled with houses, restaurants and businesses. 
This man lost his brother in the Tsunami along with his house. He has taken over his brothers book store along with staying in his brothers house. I couldn't imagine living with the constant reminder of loosing my brother like that. 
Best Udon chef in town
Below is probably one of the most powerful photos I have ever taken. The couple standing on the foundation of where their house once stood. 
The two girls below met and became friends living in the temporary housing shown above. I can't imagine the pain these girls have gone through. When we met one of the girls, she was completely closed off emotionally and who could blame her. Her grandfather wanted some portraits of the two of them together but Miss L, refused. We eventually got a couple of the two of them together but encouraged Miss L to grab her friend for some additional pictures. It was great to see this incredibly hard shelled little girl transform into the joy filled little teenaged firecracker that she should be! 
I was honored to photograph the Kessenuma High School mens baseball team. The school itself was situated high enough to not really be directly affected by the tsunami (only the first floor was flooded) but a majority of the students watched their homes and other loved ones get washed away from the schools rooftop. The schoool opened up its facilities with neighboring schools and many students lived here while temporary housing units were built. 
Probably my favorite memory from our trip was celebrating the anniversary of the Tsunami with all of the remaining survivors of the Kesennuma First Bible Congregation. The church was washed away in the disaster along with many of its members. The church body still stands although the church structure does not. During the anniversary of 3.11 Japan as a nation had a moment of silence for remembrance of loved ones lost in the disaster. During this time they sounded the Tsunami sirens at the exact time of the earthquake along with a second siren of when the Tsunami hit. It was such an incredibly powerful feeling standing on the foundation of where buildings once stood, holding hands with some of the remaining survivors and imagining the fear that must have overwhelmed them when they saw the huge wall of water heading their way. Once the sounds of sirens stopped there was nothing but silence accompanied by the sight and sound of tears and sniffles. A few moments passed then one of the members of the congregation picked up his guitar and starting singing "How Great is Our God". Even in the midst of pain, sorrow and complete brokenness they lifted their hands up high and started singing to and praising our Savior King.
A picture of the remaining survivors and the new prayer center planted behind them. 
Our goal was to document hope. I don't think there is any better picture of this then the two images above. Kristin and I felt so blessed to be apart of this incredible ministry and hope to return again soon. We will continue to pray for Japan and all the people dealing and struggling with loss in one way or another.
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Japan - One Year Later
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Hey Guys! Kristin and I will be in Japan for the next two weeks working with The Butterfly Project and CRASH Japan. We will have limited access to internet and phone service during this time so we appreciate your patience! We will be sure to post a ton of photos of our trip when we return so stay tuned!! Here is a shot I took the last time I was in Japan. I CAN NOT wait to go back!! See you all soon!!
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Melissa says:
Fly safe. Can't wait to hear ALL about your AMAZING trip. We will miss you guys!
(03.05.12 @ 01:48 PM)
Jean and Flossy says:
Beautiful Photo... but of course.... You are both an amazing couple.
Just peeking for the photos that you did for Flossy is curious of course too!
Have a great trip... Now you are the two lucky dogs..
Jessica says:
Didn't realize you guys had just come back from an awesome trip! It was so nice to meet you guys on Saturday. Your photos are amaaaaaaaaziiiiiing!!!!!!! :) :) :)
(03.27.12 @ 03:43 PM)
Yeni says:
I can´t wait to see pictures of your trip! =)
(04.10.12 @ 01:33 PM)
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Off to Japan
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I was approached last week by Living Water Int'l to write a little something about my previous trip to Honduras for their newsletter. In addition to this they wanted to feature some of our photos from the trip as well. You can check out the article on Living Water's site HERE!
Here is my reflection of my first experience in Honduras:
Honduras - My heart is glad, filled, over flowing even. My thoughts and feelings consume every ounce of my being. They penetrate me to my core. Emotions rushing around so vividly through my mind I could hardly contain it. The culmination of such feelings, a single teardrop falling down my cheek. A symbol of God's grace and redeeming power. How mightily God can move in a weeks time. Breathe taking. I am amazed, speechless. I am left pondering this in my seat as the plane made its way back to the States...
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea lies a majestically tropic country named Honduras. A country whose beauty shines as hot as its sun and whose inhabitant's hearts are as infectious as their smiles. Warm, rich and authentic are the Honduran people...
Our goal was a water well. Free, clean, healthy drinking water for the village of La Halaria. Situated between a school yard servicing several hundred kids and an orange grove supporting several times that, the new water well would become the new backbone and life line of the community. Or so I thought waiting anxiously as the development of the well progressed. As the week went on I could clearly see the communities' source of hope so openly exposed. So real. So raw.
It was evidenced more and more that this village's hope was no longer being found completely in the well itself or what it was to produce, but that their hope was being entrusted in something much greater. Something much more secure.
A hope for salvation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A desire to be in His presence and a hunger and a thirst to know Him more fully. What beauty. What encouragement. What humility. By the well completion many members of the community knew whole heartily "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst..." John 4:13
Somewhere between the excitement of the well dedication and the accumulation of a thousand plus laughs with the village children, I found myself nearing the end of my stay. How quickly the time had passed. So many memories created and enjoyed in only a weeks time. Love, laughter and fellowship all sincerely expressed and received. The gift of water. Never have I experienced something quite like it. Remarkable really. Something so simple, elementary and basic yet so essential to life. Seeing people receive clean water for the first time, rejoicing with hearts fully convinced that it came from the Lord. You could literally see life being poured into these people as they were splashing and playing with their new endless supply of water.
I have never in my life been apart of such an incredible experience. A community so stricken with poverty yet so saturated with hope. A true blessing to be able to witness with my own eyes indeed, but to personally join in and partake in the experience first hand.. simply divine. Sharing, laughing, loving and serving along one another side by side. Our goal was a water well. What was achieved was far greater. An unbreakable bond between two new friends. A fellow brother and sister. I couldn't have asked for a more precious gift.
And so I sit here in my seat reflecting about all the newly acquired memories. I am overwhelmed. I am amazed. I am forever changed. - Brandon Kidd
Here is my reflection of my first experience in Honduras:
Honduras - My heart is glad, filled, over flowing even. My thoughts and feelings consume every ounce of my being. They penetrate me to my core. Emotions rushing around so vividly through my mind I could hardly contain it. The culmination of such feelings, a single teardrop falling down my cheek. A symbol of God's grace and redeeming power. How mightily God can move in a weeks time. Breathe taking. I am amazed, speechless. I am left pondering this in my seat as the plane made its way back to the States...
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea lies a majestically tropic country named Honduras. A country whose beauty shines as hot as its sun and whose inhabitant's hearts are as infectious as their smiles. Warm, rich and authentic are the Honduran people...
Our goal was a water well. Free, clean, healthy drinking water for the village of La Halaria. Situated between a school yard servicing several hundred kids and an orange grove supporting several times that, the new water well would become the new backbone and life line of the community. Or so I thought waiting anxiously as the development of the well progressed. As the week went on I could clearly see the communities' source of hope so openly exposed. So real. So raw. 
It was evidenced more and more that this village's hope was no longer being found completely in the well itself or what it was to produce, but that their hope was being entrusted in something much greater. Something much more secure. A hope for salvation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A desire to be in His presence and a hunger and a thirst to know Him more fully. What beauty. What encouragement. What humility. By the well completion many members of the community knew whole heartily "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst..." John 4:13
Somewhere between the excitement of the well dedication and the accumulation of a thousand plus laughs with the village children, I found myself nearing the end of my stay. How quickly the time had passed. So many memories created and enjoyed in only a weeks time. Love, laughter and fellowship all sincerely expressed and received. The gift of water. Never have I experienced something quite like it. Remarkable really. Something so simple, elementary and basic yet so essential to life. Seeing people receive clean water for the first time, rejoicing with hearts fully convinced that it came from the Lord. You could literally see life being poured into these people as they were splashing and playing with their new endless supply of water. 
I have never in my life been apart of such an incredible experience. A community so stricken with poverty yet so saturated with hope. A true blessing to be able to witness with my own eyes indeed, but to personally join in and partake in the experience first hand.. simply divine. Sharing, laughing, loving and serving along one another side by side. Our goal was a water well. What was achieved was far greater. An unbreakable bond between two new friends. A fellow brother and sister. I couldn't have asked for a more precious gift. And so I sit here in my seat reflecting about all the newly acquired memories. I am overwhelmed. I am amazed. I am forever changed. - Brandon Kidd
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Matt says:
That's awesome, I love the narrative that you put together with all the photos. I am always so blessed to see the amazing gift that is provided through the Gospel coupled with the blessing of water. So much that we take advantage of, such as the basic necessity of clean water.
(08.17.10 @ 05:30 PM)
Rachel Absher says:
Hi Brandon. I found your blog a couple of months ago. I love your work. Your love for the Lord shines through in your images. Thank you for sharing your work with the world.
(08.17.10 @ 10:45 PM)
Elizabeth says:
What amazes me most, and make me love reading your posts, is how you and Kristin act as you speak. You two aren't those people who keep saying they want to help and make a difference but really, just sit on their bottoms and do nothing. You two go out there and make the change yourself. The world's blessed to have people like you and know that you have inspired many :)
(08.18.10 @ 05:00 AM)
April Rankin says:
Wow. Amazing work Brandon. You really captured the essence of their world over there. Beautiful work!
(08.19.10 @ 08:40 AM)
KatieVollmer says:
This is AMAZING! I love the way God spoke to you and the way you expressed in through photography! You and Kristin do beautiful work and are very talented! Its awesome to see you giving back and giving glory to the Lord!
(08.19.10 @ 11:14 AM)
kristin says:
thank you so much for sharing that B !!! the photos of pure joy when the children are splashing in the pure clean water brought me joy as well. and i will pause to reflect on this next time i go to my own tap, inside my own indoor modern kitchen, to drink, wash or cook with. blessed be.
(08.20.10 @ 10:02 AM)
Ariana Govea says:
Brandon, I am deeply moved by what took place in your heart. It's amazing that the glory is given to my Lord and Savior.Your work is amazing, God truly has blessed you with an amazing gift...Keep up the good work!
(08.21.10 @ 02:17 PM)
Annie says:
Wow, such beautiful words and beautiful pictures. Simply beautiful.
(08.21.10 @ 06:06 PM)
Jasmine Nguyen says:
To God be the Glory!!!
(09.12.10 @ 05:15 PM)
Nathaniel Kidd says:
Such an inspiring story filled with praise and worship to our Holy God!
Amazing! I want to be a part of something like this!
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Featured on Living Water Int'l
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so moving. to read the story about the girl who lost every one but her grandfather put me in tears. how to find hope and joy in the midist of so much pain and loss can seem impossible. what a great journey for you and k to share christ's love and hope. thanks for sharing. xx
(05.04.12 @ 04:45 PM)Good to have you back. It was an interesting "tour" of your photography. Very real. You are a lovely couple. Keep up the good work.
(05.04.12 @ 04:49 PM)Gob Bless you both!
Breathtaking
(05.04.12 @ 09:04 PM)What a blessing that you got to go there and meet all of those amazing people and photograph those moments. Love them all. I didn't shed tears until the 13 year old girl. It was waterworks then on. Beautiful images. Love you guys.
(05.04.12 @ 10:11 PM)I grew up in Japan and haven't been back in 12 years. These images capture the soul that is Japan and her people so beautifully and accurately. I love these photos with such a passion.
(05.04.12 @ 10:54 PM)Thank you for sharing. So touching.
(05.04.12 @ 10:55 PM)Once again, you have spoken volumes with your photographic talent. God bless you,
(05.05.12 @ 06:45 AM)I felt so touched by all the pictures ... glad you guys got to witness life and hope after all that happened... the shots were beautiful ... thanks for sharing that.
(05.05.12 @ 09:04 AM)Thank you for portraying the life that is still going on in Japan, and how much rebuilding needs to happen. I hope to be there with CrashJapan in June to aid in anyway possible. I would love to ask you questions about your experience. Thank you!
(05.06.12 @ 01:55 PM)thank you so much for sharing your trip. the last story is so touching and encouraging to see how faithful they are in such a time of pain and disaster to sing such a song of praise. it reminds of me of the story behind "it is well with my soul."
(05.06.12 @ 08:18 PM)Thank you for sharing your experience out there and capturing how God is working in the midst of this tragedy to bring hope and encouragement. Esther and I are both very excited to volunteer in Japan for a couple days this coming July with an organization called Be One Tohoku Aid!
(05.07.12 @ 12:05 PM)This photo journey is amazing. I could see and feel the emotion in each one. You both have done a remarkable job on this. What a blessing you have been to the many people affected by this tragedy. Their smiles say it all.
(05.07.12 @ 08:29 PM)This is amazing you guys. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us. Hugs!
(05.13.12 @ 10:16 PM)"How Great is Our God"..... this post is amazing.
(05.15.12 @ 01:44 PM)Your talent has no bounds. These images are incredibly beautiful and powerful and brought tears to my eyes. God is so good, all the time.
(05.19.12 @ 09:31 AM)