It’s been 24 hours since I was able to write to you. The earthquake magnitude has been “upgraded” to 9.0. A map on TV showed that the erupting fault line was 50 km (310.69 miles) long. I’ve continued to feel earthquakes and now there is a 40 second warning on TV. Is that progress or not? I stayed close to my computer and TV again, trying to get glimpses of areas I was concerned about.
RESCUERS From early morning I communicated with my Area Director at International Ministries in the USA, Stan Murray and our General Secretary here in Japan about various issues. One was the arrival of Baptist World Alliance Rescue 24 and Hungarian Aid workers. The results in brief is that we decided that we would not utilize C.R.A.S.H. group as I indicated in my last letter but that the alliance we are a part of involving the three Baptist groups (Japan Baptist Union, Japan Baptist Convention, Cooperative Baptist Convention) will share the responsibilities of these professional rescuers. One group met them at the airport while another is sending two pastors with them by car to the northeast. Roads are still not totally open, and the bullet train is not running yet. They plan to go sometime on Monday the 15th. Once they have arrived, they will seek out pastors and churches needing help, with the translation assistance of missionaries on the ground. This having been settled, I needed to decide what to do about going to church.
GOING TO WORSHIP I decided not to drive the hour it would take to go to Suginami-Nakadori church since the roads might be unstable or crowded and went instead to a church close by. I found that the church had cancelled services. Apparently most members come by train, and in the event of another earthquake, the members would not be able to return home. I felt like I really needed that worship service but returned home.
THANKSGIVING This turned out to be an emotional day. By the end of the day, I was just feeling sad. But I decided to write up what I had discovered. Low and behold, even though there were many sad parts in finding out about more damage by the earthquake, there were so many things to be thankful for. I had communication with four different individuals, one by cell phone, one by email and two by cell phone texting. Although all the messages were brief, they related the safety of people. One communication was from a staff member at Shokei Gakuin. Another was a cell phone call from a friend and Shichigahama member who came to Tokyo for a wedding before the earthquake, Two other messages related the fact that this person and that person were safe.
The news that I was expecting with fear also came. The port of Hanabuchi-hama, where four members of Shichigahama preaching place live has been wiped out. All vestiges of Mrs. Inazuma’s dress shop and place where Shichigahama Preaching Place began under the direction and prayers of Ted and Beth Livingston and Rev. Hisayoshi Saito has vanished. All my friends could tell me was that Mrs. Inazuma was safe and so was her family. No one has information on the rest of the people. Only from the TV I learned that at least 200 people are isolated and waiting rescue in one of the ports of the town.
AMBASSADORS We
need most of all to find out the situation of our churches. Missionary John Armagost and the pastor he
has worked with for so long, Akira Takahashi, plan to leave tomorrow, fly if
possible to Aomori, the northern most Prefecture
on our island, to visit and encourage pastors in Hachinohe, Kuji, Kesennuma and work their way
down. They will be assessing the situation
of each church, whether One Great Hour of Sharing funds are needed, and if
volunteers could be accommodated to help in the clean-up and rebuilding. This
will be quite an adventure for John and Akira sensei and they would really
covet your prayers. This is a
reminder for you to give generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering
since it is our main method of help. You can give on line by clicking here.
THINKING ABOUT LIFE Although I lament the loss of the possessions and life long work of our Christian friends, at the same time I’ve felt the intense emotion of joy when I hear their cheery ‘voice’ saying that they have survived. Those who ran back to save their property or life-long work did not survive. It makes me ponder what the essence of life is. Is my life in Christ alone? Am I securely connected to the vine? Is God truly my rock? It’s a good idea to get these issues settled now so that we will be truly prepared for anything.
PRAY FOR
- John and Akira sensei as the traverse unfamiliar country and sights.
- Pray that the barriers to bringing in gasoline will be removed in order for people to travel back home or go to work.
- Pray for the restoration of electricity. Cell phones depend on it and messages must be kept short accordingly.
- Pray for organized distribution of water.
- Pray for the continued spiritual strength of believers, especially when they face questions like “Where was your God?”
- Continued prayer for my back. (It seems to be slightly better)
Depending on you all in more ways than you can imagine but on God too….
Roberta
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