JICA Participants Host Family

This year I was a host family for the JICA Participants. It has been many years since I have been a host family. The two participants that I looked after were Pinar from Turkey, and Supaporn from Thailand.

When everyone in Kosaka said, "you will be the thorn between two roses", was when I realised I would be looking after two beautiful women participants from Asia. On the second trip to my house, after visiting Stone Circle, I took them to Daienji and showed them the 42 metre high, 9 metre round, 2000 year old Sugi (cedar) Tree. Nearby was the grave of my wife's uncle, the head of the family of the old Narita-ya Inn, which had been covered by twigs and leaves that had been blown around by Typhoon No. 14. After cleaning the grave with a bamboo broom, I put my hands together to pray. As I did so, Pinar came up besides me to seek my consent. When I nodded, she put her hands together too and prayed.

I was moved by this. There is no doubt that my wife was very happy, when the two participants from different countries who are younger than our grandchildren, came to the grave. I thought to myself that although there are differences in religion, the world is all but one.

On November 14th, at the farewell party, while smiling, drinking cola and eating, Supaporn as always had her appetite with her. As we parted, I felt a pain in my stomach looking at tearful Pinar. I silently prayed for their happiness and prosperity when they return to their countries.

by Miyamae Minoru (Nov 15th)