Director’s Report:
We welcomed Ms. Keiko Holmes, a British resident who has worked for reconciliation between Japanese people and British POWs (prisoners of war) and their families by the former Japanese army. We heard about her 30-year journey of reconciliation. This was Keiko’s third visit to ARI. Her testimony of how many people’s hearts that had been closed tightly and wounded by the war were healed by Keiko’s who has walked with God side by side, and their lives were transformed by being set free from hatred and enmity, shows us hope that miracles do happen.
Keiko’s work is not limited to those related to British POWs, but extends to India, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and many other areas of Asia that were affected by the invasion and rule of the former Japanese military. Keiko’s talk always ends with a heartfelt “apology” to the people of these regions, as there are many participants from those areas at ARI. I am grateful that the Japanese members of ARI community, including myself, were able to express our sincere apologies again this year. Keiko tours Japan every fall for about three months to give her testimony. Interested parties should contact Agape World Japan Office at Kojiro Fujita, agapeworldjapan@yahoo.co.jp TEL: 080-5016-4687