311 Remembered

Beloved,

With the EEC behind us, we spent most of Friday visiting the Onagawa area which is about 2 hours drive from Sendai going in an easterly direction.  Our first stop was a temporary housing complex (set up for the Tsunami victims) in Kirigasaki which is a small village on the coastline.  When the tsunami alert was sounded, the towns people left immediately for higher ground and none were lost. But they lost their homes.

In this temporary housing complex, there were 25 individual units or apartments.  We split up in teams and visited each unit.  The Ishinomaki Church provided a gift of household items which was given to each of the residents.  They were very thankful and expressed deep gratitude for the gift.  We extended an invitation for them to join us in their assembly room and 7 residents showed up.  We were elated.  Willie shared his testimony and we sang a few songs.  While they have lost much, their eyes still reflected a thankfulness for what they did have.  Please pray for them.

After our meeting, we drove through the area which was devastated.  There are still signs of the destruction, but there is also new construction going on every where.  We stopped frequently to reflect on what happened here.  The reported height of the wave reached 75 feet in this area.  It is impossible to even imagine it.  It was quiet in our cars as we remembered 311.

In our devotional this morning, Nakada Sensei shared from Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep."  He reflected on the time when he arrived in Ishinomaki 19 days after 311.  Of the population is 50,000,  3,200 lost their lives here, and there are still 430 missing.  He recalled helping dig through the rubble and seeing the churches come together for the sake of the Gospel.  We'll share more about this when we return.

It is just so good being together as a team.  There is continued laughter among the members, some tears in sharing, good reflection on every experience and just having fun together.  It is such a joy.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  Pastor Kagiwada (still not used to the name Ben) is a real "crack up".  Even Kumi shared that she's learning more about her pastor that she ever imagined.  The team is very thankful for Tetsuo's leadership and for keeping the team 'loose' and enjoying every moment of the trip.  We are continually amazed as to how much he knows about food........well, maybe not that surprised since he has probably eaten everything that has ever been prepared.   Just joking, Tetsuo.......well, maybe not.  Thank you, Lord, for our leader.

We wrapped up the day by eating a lot of sushi.  Be sure to read Tyler's depiction of that.

Thank you, blessed ones.  While the remembrance of 311 was sobering and good, we remain thankful for every remembrance we have of each of you, and give thanks to God for your support and love (Philippians 1:3-5).

And we will praise Him,

Your Sendai Team

Suzuki-san - Saved from the Tsunami

Willie sharing with the residents of Kirigasaki (temporary housing)

The Tsunami came right through this bay.  Imagine it being 75' high.

This shot was taken from the top of a hill where a hospital is located.
The wave was 10' higher than where this picture was taken.

This picture is at the front of the hospital entrance.  Tyler and "Ben"
would have been under water.......but at least Tetsuo would be floating.

This is the site of where the Ishinomaki church stood.  They are now
raising money to build a new church and Christian Center.  Pray with us.

Anyone for sea urchin?
We ate lunch at a restaurant which is now located in a temporary building.