Just a word for some folks who answered the phone at 1:00 AM in Tokyo last Sunday morning -

[kyburg]

The name Agape was born out of a 2:00am call from a desperate Japanese family whose car had broken down in central Los Angeles. One of the students hopped out of bed and drove to meet them. Rather than greeting the volunteer with gratitude, the father of the family angrily asked "What took you so long?!" From that point on, the students realized their work may be taken for granted and unappreciated. Hence, as a group they called themselves "Agape", the Greek word for "unconditional love."

How was it possible I was able to see a doctor on Sunday morning in a place where I couldn't even read the phone book? The Let's Go book had this group listed in it under "Medical Emergencies," and only a stuffed up head facing a 10 hour plane ride in two days would have made me dial them up.

Someone answered the phone at 1:00 AM. Someone answered the phone after breakfast to talk to my hosts at the ryokan and tell them I was sick. Someone answered the phone when I got to the doctor's office to tell the doctor I was concerned about what he was prescribing for me because I'm allergic to a number of antibiotics.

When concluding the call, all they said "call as often as you like. Don't worry."

I'm sending them some cash, it's the least I can do. But I'm sending an update to the Let's Go team, and an invitation to them when any of them comes to visit.

Their help was priceless.

(Cross-posting to nihon, expatsjapan.)

Comments

[estokes.livejournal.com]

Well, I still have you friended because I really enjoy reading your journal... do you mind if I keep reading? You often make me laugh :o)

[kyburg.livejournal.com]

I need to add you back. That was a bad decision on my part.

[estokes.livejournal.com]

Not at all! I'm not offended at all when people drop me, especially when I'm not posting (no internet)

I normally wouln't have said anything, but you're one of the few people I'm always sure to check up on, and I was just hoping I didn't say something to offend you. I'm touched that you added me back though, thank you :o)