OISCA — Tree Planting Day

Among many other things, what struck me very strongly was how very organized OISCA was. For several years, thousands of baby seedlings had been nurtured in greenhouses, kilometers of wind breakers had been constructed, land had been prepared with healthy soil, and wooden chips had been scattered over the entire terrain.

In addition, each of us short-term volunteers had received an instruction package in the mail. We were told what to bring, what to wear, how the day would be organized, and how to plant the small saplings. 

 
Likewise, before we arrived, OISCA staff had painted sticks with a blue tip and had placed each one where the trees were to be planted.

The work was to take place behind Sendai Airport. When we arrived there, men with very clear signs were waiting for us. They politely showed us where the buses were to transport us to the site.

 
There were 350 volunteers in all. Since most of us had no real experience, OISCA staff carefully demonstrated exactly what we should do. 

 

We worked in pairs, digging holes, planting, covering each baby tree with wet sandy soil, securing it firmly by pushing down with our feet, and then covering the area with wooden chips to hold in moisture.

Each pair was responsible for one long row. So we all followed our line of blue-tipped sticks that paralleled the coast. Dig, plant, stomp, spread. Dig, plant, stomp, spread. 

It was truly wonderful to be part of that rhythmic process and to watch green ribbons of life appearing behind us as we worked.

People had come from many places. Most were local, but some had come from Tokyo, Yokohama, and even as far away as Osaka. I asked one visitor how he had known about this project. “My company supports OISCA,” he replied. “In fact, we want to promote this wonderful organization because most people don’t really know about it. So we’ve designed shopping bags with OISCA information on them. It’s a small endeavor, but we hope it helps.”

In my group there was a young couple who worked very quickly. When I commented on their speed and skill, they told me they had been in the Japanese Peace Corps in Africa. They had planted rice there, so working in the soil was refreshingly nostalgic for them.

 
After we finished, there were speeches of appreciation. The Vice President of OISCA said how deeply he loved the people of this area. He told a story about an incident that had deeply impressed him. After the earthquake banks were giving people a bit of cash, about $300. One day an old woman came to give back what she had received. “I gratefully took this money,” she explained. “But when I got home, my son had also gotten some. I felt that two people in one family getting money was not fair to others, so I’ve come to return what I was given.”

“Now how can you not love and deeply respect people like that?” the Vice President said. Then he continued, “I’m old now, so I won’t see this forest in its full glory. But many of you will. And pine trees are very sensitive. They carry the spirits of those who died here. And they will carry our spirits and intentions as they grow and stand strong for centuries.”

Just then, someone pointed to the sky and said, “Look!” It a very clear day, but overhead was an unusual rainbow. One part of it was a circle. Another formed two perfect wings.

Angels.

Indeed, the spirits of those before us were there. Surely they were hovering close, lifting the veil between us and them, and showering us with their blessings.

Love,

Anne