Heart4Japan & Rose

an urgent prayer request!

2012-02-03T10:33:00.002+09:00

A japanese girl that I went out last night with is missing. She hasn't gone home last night.

I merely caught the second last train back home, and she seemed to had called home at about 11.30pm, informing that she was on her way back.

It seems that her phone is out of battery, and all calls directed to rusuban (voice mail)

the father had called the police.

We were out for a music session and chat last night, and God is certainly has an eye on her I believe. There was about 1 hours of discussion about mental distress and having faith in God to stir the wheel in our lives. She told me at the platform as we went on to the train, that she went to a Christian pre-school, and though she is not a believer, but the practices had a huge impact on her, and whenever she is down, she remembers.

Do pray for her SAFETY!

and may God bring her back SAFE!

May God bless you as you pray, Thanks!

CHANGE

2012-01-26T01:00:00.002+09:00

CHANGE workshop

In another 19 hours, we will have our first hiki workshop this year in
Tokyo, theme "CHANGE". It should be a commitment of 5 months (one month
once), with the aim of using mind-map in getting to the root of the
problem, and fix it.

The workshop is meant for those who wish to change, and for those who are
at a cross road. We have 4 participants right now excluding me. Each of
them had some sort of experience with Christians or Church, yet
non-believers. Some are at particular down mood. I hope that this session
will be a great time of sharing and that they will change for better (and I
will change for better too).

Please keep them in prayers, and keep me in your prayers! May I have the
wisdom of the Lord, and may Holy Spirit at work before, at and after the
session.

Love, Rose

Tohoku Weekend Trip Continued.......

2012-01-13T20:28:00.000+09:00

"24 HOURS IN TOHOKU" - WHAT A DIFFERENCE ONE DAY MAKES!

「東北に２４時間」 - たった一日でも、本当にたくさんのことが出来ます！

Please sign up a week earlier if you like to join the trip!
"24hrs in Tohoku" Weekend Schedule ／「東北に２４時間」ボランティア活動スケジュール

=========================================================================

金曜日 Friday : 9:30pm - 10:30pm : CAJから出発。Depart Christian Academy in Japan

土曜日Saturday:

5:00am: 石巻市に到着。Arrive in Ishinomaki City

5:30am: 石巻港を見る/Visit Ishinomaki Port

6:30am: 「ジョイフル」すきやで朝食 / breakfast at “Joyful” (a family restaurant).　 (about 500 yen a person)

8:00am: サマリタンズパース・ボランティアセンターに到着／Arrive at Samaritan's Purse Volunteer Center

8:30am - 12:00noon : ボランティア活動。Volunteer work

12noon - 1:00pm: 昼食 - サマリタンズパースがお弁当を支給。Lunch break - Lunch box provided by Samaritan's Purse.

1:00pm - 3:00pm : ボランテイィア活動。Volunteer work

3:00pm : ボランテイィア活動を終了/End the day's Volunteer activities

3:30-4:00 pm: 東京へ出発。RAで休暇をとる。Depart for Tokyo, stop in rest stops along the way

10:30-11:00pm: ＣＡＪ駐車場に到着（朝霞台（東武東上線）・北朝霞（ＪＲ武蔵野線）経由 Return to CAJ Parking Lot via Asakadai (Tobu Tojo Line)/Kita-Asaka (JR Musashino Line).

途中で　（10:00-10:30pm）、東武東上線の朝霞台駅／武蔵野の北朝霞駅（同じ駅）に一部の参加者を降ろします。Around 10:00-10:30pm), we drop off some participants at Kita Asaka station, Musashino line /Asakadai station, Tobu Tojo Line. These 2 stations are side-by-side.

14. 家に帰れない方は、東久留米の作本さんの家で一泊できます。出来るだけ11:00pm迄にCAJに到着する予定にしていますが、交通事情によりますので、確約は出来ません。東久留米にある家に宿泊希望される方はお申し出ください。Those with no means to get home can spend the night at the Sakumotos' house in Higashi Kurume. Let us know if you will need this service. Of course we try to arrive by 11:00 at CAR, but this is not guaranteed.

Hospital Journal 入院日記

2011-11-23T00:31:00.006+09:00

Nov 4, 2011 (Friday)
I spent an overnight in the office so that I could work while waiting for mom. Needed to get her at the airport by 7.30am, needed to get a train by 6.10am at Ueno.

Nov 5, 2011 (Saturday)
Still working...
grabbed last piece of note from the printer at 5.30am, and ran to Ueno station, cutting through the University Hospital... gate was closed. I looked at the board helplessly, it said, "Gate open at 6am". No time to run back for another way... I climbed over the fence, and started running. I didn't know the shortcut cutting through the Ueno Park, so I decided to use the long way... fearing missing train, I ran my lung out.
My record from my department to Ueno station, 20 minutes. I got on to the train.

Mom arrived Narita.
The luggage was fulled with herbs and things for me. We pulled the heavy luggage home, reached home by about 11am.

We both tried to rest for a while. Then we went out for a gathering with friends, the theme was ART Therapy that evening. T went with us. I had a long chat with T that day. Friends made some special Japanese candies for mom. Mom loves that gathering, it was indeed fruitful evening.

mom's first painting

T's first painting

My first painting

Nov 6-7, 2011 (Sunday - Monday)
Mom and me went outing.
The Lord blessed us with amazing sceneries that even the tour guide was amazed for he seen it for the first time after so many trips. The rainy weather drew out hundreds of waterfalls, and amazing huge rainbows. When we reached the mountain top, the usual misty view became clear, and we were able to see miles away. The grumpy tour guide became excited.

rainbow in the morning at Nagano

立山

Nov 8, 2011 (Tuesday)
I went back to school to work. Mom stayed at home to rest. I had seminar presentation the next day, confused, feared, terrible experience. Again another untouched new field. Getting sick....
There was one more thing that I wanted to do, even though I couldn't make hikikomori as my PhD, I wanted to present my work on hikikomori, I wanted my colleagues to know, and I wanted to call on people's attention of what should be done.

Nov 9, 2011 (Wednesday)
Prof. thrown me harsh questions in the morning session. I didn't understand what he really want. But I felt that I needed to correct something in the presentation, praying, working, praying... mom was there with me. She began to witness the process of the making of the presentation. Maki tried to comfort me, I couldn't stop my tears. It must be the fault of the medication.

I did a successful presentation, according to my colleagues, through not much updates or practical procedures. I was amazed of my appeared calmness during presentation. God must have been there with me. We had a celebration party after that, for the birthday stars, the pregnant moms, the finished of my presentation, and so many others... I was like a dead fish after that, Mieko rewarded me with a great massage.

Nov 10 - 12, 2011 (Thursday - Saturday)
In Tokushima for the Child Mental Health conference.
I learned so much.
Yet, still in depression.
Got in touch with a few great teachers, yet I couldn't write anything.
Received an email replied by Prof. Osada, became clearer with some set in ideas. Grateful.

A river that runs through Tokushima City, reminded me about Melaka.

The Statue of Awa Odori (Awa Dance)

Nov 12, 2011 (Saturday)
Reached home at about 8pm. Mom cooked.
Still depressed.

Nov 13, 2011 (Sunday)
Brought mom to school again, get ready some notes to study during my leave.
Took pictures, made maps for mom, trying the best to secure her not to get lost.
Felt so uncertain, took courage to send an email to a few friends from Malaysia, hoping that some may be nice enough to offer help in taking care of mom while I am hospitalized.
Michael responded immediately, thanks God.

We took a walk to Ueno Park and Ameyoko.

mom at Ueno Park

Nov 14, 2011 (Monday)
Admitting to hospital.
So many procedures... briefing, discussions with doctors and nurses.
I began to learn that this is a rare chance to learn about procedures for admitting into a hospital, operations etc, as first hand experience.

I continued to paint, as a part of the art therapy experience. If it would be effective, I would introduce this to my peers in Akita. The medical staffs were very surprised at my drawings.

Michael came to visit me in the evening, helped mom with a place to stay while waiting for my procedure tomorrow. I had more peace in mind.

Nov 15, 2011 (Tuesday)
At 6am, the nurse woke us up.
While waiting, I drew another two pictures.
Michael came with my mom at 7.30am.
The doctor pushed me to the operation room, Mom and Michael bid me goodbye.

I remembered that the doctor put an oxygen mask on me, in a few breathe, I was back to the ward.
The time in the operation room was lost.
Without knowing when and how they opened up on me, it was finished with pain.
The medical staffs tried to talk to me, I couldn't remember much.
But I guess I saw mom, she was worried, and probably some friends was around her.
Pain, was all I could remember.

the ward

Nov 16, 2011 (Wednesday)
The nurse practiced walking with me... pain... yet we tried...
We managed to walk for 4 meters.
The nurse was very caring and kind, she praised my effort, and gave me comfortable words.
When we returned to the bed, she removed the drainage. I had to learn to urine by myself.

I tried to go to the toilet every two hours, knowing that it was always slow for me in re-adapt.
Pain, continued...

The next thing to do after urine was to wait for the gas.
Pain, continued...
Thirst....... no water until the gas escapes successfully from my bowel.
Pain...
Thirst....

I thought I saw Midori at the door, praying for me.

Nov 17, 2011 (Thrusday)
About 10am, I finally farted. Relieved.
I had my first drip of water. Cough began.

I went to talk to the girl next to my bed, hope that she wouldn't get nervous as she saw a terrible me.
Brought her the origami flowers and swan that Midori made.

They brought me my first food, porridge water with miso soup, and an ice-cream!!!
It was the best porridge that I ever had. Guess I finished my food so fast, that I got stomach pain...

pain, continued...

a bouquet of flowers

I began to have visitors.
A friend that I made during the outpatient visit, brought another friend to visit me. Both of them brought me a bouquet of flowers.

All visitors only stayed for about 5-10 minutes.
Even the shortest stay brightened up my life in each visit.

I was able to talk to Midori this time. It was a good time of sharing. She also explained to me how the origami works.

Midori with her origami

Cough continued, the pain continued.....

In midnight, the cough was worse.... I woke up with coughing in every two hours.

Nov 19, 2011 (Friday)
The doctor explained to me what kind of procedures that they have done.
Because of the volume and the size of the fibroid, it was a difficult procedure, but it was a very successful one. (I later learned from another patient that she had an assisted Laparoscopic as hers was 8cm big. I could not hold my praise to the Lord, for mine was shrink to 7cm big, and another one 5cm big)

More people came and visit me. I was happy.

My condition was more stable too. They still brought lunch to my bed.
Friends from Kashiwa came,
Colleagues from my department came,
Friends came,
Juniors came,
In the evening, Jun-kun came too. お久しぶりに~
we had long chat.

My Malaysian friends were all super kind, in helping me to take care of my mom!!! Bringing her back, bringing her for meals, encouraging her with kind words.... what more can I ask?

The cough continued, getting worse.
I realized that the cough was caused by the irritation of the throat, and the location was deeper everytime. It seemed to me that the muscle of my throat was waking up little by little.

Nov 19, 2011 (Saturday)
The cough was really really bad...
I got tired really easily, but I finished another painting.

Subha came to visit, it was a fine good catch up. :-)
Friends from Kashiwa came with a lot of fruits. I was really glad for the time to catch up.

Would discharge tomorrow.
I began to pray for friendship that I built in this place will grow and become fruitful.
May the love of the Lord shines.

Scenery from the hospital canteen

Nov 20, 2011 (Sunday)
Two friends came to help me for discharge.
Zhang and T .
Mom had heavy dose of caffeine last night, and was late this morning. :-)
I took a bath, washed my hair before discharged.

We took a taxi home.
Zhang helped us to get a taxi.
T came back with us to help out with luggage.
T stayed for lunch.
We chatted more, and began to discover more of his potentials.
T went home in peace.

Nov 21, 2011 (Monday)
Mom urged me to take a walk.
I walked out from the room, made a circle, still feeling pain. Had to go on pills.
The cough finally stopped.

Praise God.

Nov 22, 2011 (Tuesday)
The day of follow up visit in the hospital. (huh? two days after discharged?)
Mom was afraid that I couldn't walk much, she was preparing to call a taxi.
I prayed, and felt that I could handle the walk. Anywhere, I needed to start walking.

The doctor expected me to be fine.
Prof. expected me to hand in the proposal in the beginning of Dec, I needed to be fine.
Able to walk to the train stations by myself was good sign!

The doctor said my wound healed amazingly (非常にきれい).
No trace of remaining fibroid, no water retaining in my stomach.
I past the test.
Plasters were removed. I saw my wounds for the first time.

Now
Now, I am settled to rest at home, work from home, until the next class/seminar on Nov 29.
On Nov 29, another 2 friends that I made in the hospital would be admitted, and have their operation dealed.
Thank you God for granting me fast healing.
Lord, I pray for comfort and peace in the hearts of my 2 friends too.

My depression gets better after the surgery. Now I understood that the pressure and stress while waiting for the procedures made people nervous and depressed unknowingly.

At the end, I deeply felt in debt to whom who had helped us in this journey, including prayers and practical help. Especially to my Malaysian friends who had responded to the appeal, signed up a volunteer sheet to assist my mom in finding her way home: Michael, Lew Ah, Cheryl, Ken, Lin Hui Jeng kae, Keoh Serne, Sofiah, Subha and some others that names that I did not know. May God bless each one of them richly!!!

Updates - November 2011

2011-10-29T05:32:00.002+09:00

Concerning Surgery

Thank you for your love and concern and prayers!
The fibroids were reduced in size (13cm - 9cm; 9cm - 7cm), it looks like Laparoscopic itself is enough.
They will poke 4 holes at my tummy.

I donated 400ml blood for myself on Wednesday, and it was the first time that I was put on drips after the blood donation. The doctor said that the drip was to help me to recover asap before the procedure.

Very soon, on Nov 14, I will be admitted.
And on Nov 15, there will be the operation.

A testimony to glorify the Lord! I believe that the Lord is preserving and preparing me for the operation as I find myself at perfect health, blood pressure normal, and no anemic response. (my bp tend to fall on the low side in previous check ups). The doctor thinks that I will be fine in one month. :-)

(with attached is the picture of me after drawing blood on Wednesday)

New Opportunity to Serve

The Lord is opening new door for me to meet up with Christian Academic Scholars! This had been a long yield. I finally get to meet up with a senior of my department, now a professor in Oita prefecture, majoring in mental health, Christian. I am taking the new opportunity to attend the mental health conference in Saga, which is 1.5 hr flight from Toky from Dec 08-12. I am also given an opportunity to share with a church in Saga (Saga and Oita are one of the least reached prefectures in Japan, where people gathered from far for Sunday Service). I will also attend a citizen conference about hikikomori (the social withdrawal). I will be sharing about the outreach support that our church back home had provided for hikikomori, the exploratory intervention (2010 Jan, T-san; and 2010 Dec - 2011 Jan, Y-san). I sense that the Lord is preparing me for this day, and he is preparing me to work with the local churches slowly to assist them in dealing with mental care for their members and neighbors. It will be a slow long process, yet exciting.
Oh yeah... I had a great time in Akita conference! I presented in Japanese. :-) and got a lot of feedback from the field workers. That also led me to the Christian professor that I mentioned above.

Glorifying the Lord!

Another great news to glorify the Lord!
My professor promised to fund for my PhD project(if I managed to satisfy him with the work proposal). Although I still need to bare my own expenses for conferences and hikikomori outreach, yet having a research fund is certainly very much helpful!!! (only one person in a year will get the funding)

Peace
I realize my workload and the schedule do not seem to fit with the preparation for scholarship application, which almost all have the deadlines in Nov and Dec. Anyhow most scholarships limits age below 35, which I have just exceeded, that left me very limited choice. Although a lot of "noises" crept in sometimes on how to get support, monthly or yearly, yet there is no time to waste in thinking about it, for I sense that the Lord is encouraging me to serve more by continuing with my work with the mental distressed, and preparing for new study. Yeah, though I am doing nothing in actively raising support, there is peace, it is like there is an assurance.

Prayer Request:
1. Mom's flight to Tokyo: safe journey.
2. Mom's health in Tokyo, despite of taking care of me.
3. I will extend invitation to friends to visit me in the hospital, so I wouldn't get boring. It will be an exciting trial, as my and a friend had planned to give out origami adding a word of the Lord, to every visitor, staffs and patients in the same room.
4. Pat (from Austria) is having fun, we will have a study group on next Tuesday, Nov 1, he will speak about his hikikomori lifestyle in the past.
5. The due date of my first review report on the new project on Nov 2 morning.
6. My presentation on PhD thesis on Nov 9. (I am hoping to incorporate some personal work, eg. reasoning of my work on hikikomori and church outreach, in the presentation.)
7. Please pray for good encounter during another Children Mental Health Conference in Tokushima prefecture from Nov 10-12.

Me and mom will also attend a mental peer support group on Nov 5.
I am sorry to put mom to work more than just taking care of me, yet she will be a part of the ministry during her whole visit in Japan.

Please pray for Lord's covering on her! Thanks!

Introducing Incubator Ministry HK

2011-10-02T15:08:00.001+09:00

Heart4Japan member, Ah Fu is entering her full time ministry from this month. To find out more about the organization that she is serving with, I decided to explore Incubator Ministry on Friday evening, Sep 23. Enjoy!

VIP 国際交流 Watadori & VIP Asia Connection & ISI

2011-09-11T23:13:00.000+09:00

CROSS CULTURAL COMMUNITY

2011.09.23 (Fri) 18:00-20:00
Tokyo Musashino Evangelical Free Church

1. Leadership Initiative
2. Introduction with New Issue in the Marketplace

The talk would be in both Japanese and English, international students are welcomed. VIP club provides opportunities to expand your perspectives of the needs and talents wanted in global market.

Quoting from the very first part of VIP forwarded message:
"Many important changes, especially in the frameworks of politics, technology, and the economy are occurring at a fast pace in our international society. Nations and individuals seem to be trying to find a new basis for their world view, value system, and lifestyle, etc. In this changing age, the International VIP Club provides you with the opportunity to seek eternal truth and chart the future direction of your life and work."

VIP - You are precious in my eyes - Isaiah 43:4

I was personal impressed by the word of Mr. Masaru Aoki, which will be the first presenter on Sep23. He said, "We aim not only to share with you what we need in business world, but we want to hear from the students, what they want, their desires even worries, that could challenge us to think more globally, and thus help to tailor the kind of leadership development program that will in return help the students to bring the constructive ideas and work back to their homeland."

I had an opportunity to overlook the program, it's amazing!
I wouldn't be around in Tokyo at that time, but I would encourage you to go!

Those who are interested, feel free to register with Mr. Aoki, masaru.aoki@dnjonline.org, or Miss Kazue, kazue1486@gmail.com.

About Christian Funeral in Japan.

2011-08-05T13:36:00.001+09:00

Throughout the years, many Christian pastors and families in Japan had sufferred the course in having to deal with funerals especially with their church members who are Christians, but the status changed had yet to be accepted by their family members who are non-believers. Limited choices of funeral services, as in Japan, it had been a custom that the temples would handle the funeral. Many missionaries had shared about their concerns and wish to have Christians organization that would help them to take care of the funeral, including negotiating, land of burial, ceremony etc.

A friend had started this ministry called, "Shinai Ceremony神愛セレモニー". The ministry focuses on christians wedding and funeral servies. Looking at the packages that they offer, I realized that this could be the answer to the prayers that people had been praying for.The ministry base in Saitama, they have several connection with people who could offer this service in Kanto area. It would be wise to ask them if they could expand their services to your local areas.

An highlight of their services is berieved/grief counseling, which we often find it difficult with the death of our beloved. My advice is do take a look at their webpage (though in Japanese), get your members who need the service to look at it, I believe it will helps, and much soul comforting. God bless. http://www.shinai-ceremony.org/

A Short Report from Team 10 to Ishinomaki (sponsored by KBF)

2011-07-19T15:37:00.000+09:00

On Friday, July 15, we put up a team of ten (Kashiwa Lodge members + friends) to join a volunteer effort up to Ishinomaki with KBF, forming a team of 25 people in total.

The drive took about seven to eight hours with a several stops at the highway rest. I was put in a van with Celine and Bruce and Takahiro so that I have more freedom to stop for washroom in the highway. It was a very nice thought of Eric.

We didn't sleep but kept each other up by chatting a lot in the vehicle, and that seriously took effect on the second day while we began working. :-)

Before we started working, we drove by the destructed area, and spent sometime there. A huge sign 『がんばろう！石巻』had been set up at the site, and flowers, cans of beers and drinks were placed to remember the dead, and I found a wooden cross was placed there too. I was really glad that Takahiro was able to come along, and while he mentioned to me that what went through his mind at that moment, was the daily life of the people and families that were supposedly there, I was almost sure that this trip would leave an impact in his life and a beneficial one. I hope that he would share this experience to others.

I splited up with the group in Ishinomaki, where they were sent to work at a field above the river, and I spent my time in the volunteer center, trying to find out more about ways to cooperate with the city officials in long term outreach of kokoro no care (mental health care). Even as we considered the Ishinomaki volunteer center as the best organized city effort, I was surprised to find that the volunteers were mostly non locals. The volunteer center explained to me some work that had been done by the local communities and the volunteer organization from Tokyo named Recovery for Japan. I see some certain trace of follow up and work of mental health care. Some of the work that I am planning do repeat with some of the self-initiated events of the locals too. We agreed with each other that in a long term, we do need to pull effort with other volunteer organizations in considering the impact of what we could make out of the limited resource, and the impact of unnecessary retraumatization to the victims in every effort that we do. The unreleased information keeps the kokoro no care for the disaster victims much more difficult. My concern would be if our care would truly reach the disaster victims that were being assigned to the temporary houses. (noted that the people who gets the priority to move into temporary houses are from these areas. where houses and families were supposed to be located at the mess you see in this picture.)

Again, the information of how many temporary housing were built, the general information of residents, the specific needs are not in link with the volunteer center. It was released in the news around June that there would be about 18 blocks of temporary houses for the disaster victims that could hold about 100 people in Ishinomaki. However, by driving around, and talking with the locals, it seems that there are far more than that. The person in charge advised that I may try to find these information with the city official website, but I am still far from locating the necessary information. Because of the limitation of the information, I hold back my proposal, and was not able to discuss more until I am connected to others who are doing more practical works in the field.

The taxi driver that drove me from the volunteer center to a nearby shopping mall expressed to me his concern of the elderly people who stay in the temporary houses may not have access to the facilities for daily living especially for those without cars. It was true that if I have to pay 2,180 yen from the volunteer center to the nearby shopping mall, and along the way, with the many temp. housing that I have seen along the way may have serious difficulties pertaining to this issue.

Jusco, now named AEON, was located at another side of the location in the picture above. According to the locals, it had turned into an evacuee center in the time of tsunami. The taxi driver playfully told me that the place is so huge, and that I would probably lost my way in it. The kind driver spoke in a tohoku dialect, which I could only understand 60% of it when it comes to unfamiliar topics.

The place was indeed big, and with words around like, "ガンバッペ石巻!" I walked around the shops, to get a feel of the customer flow, and the utilization of the facilities in the mall. The sales girl told me that they certainly have a huge customer flow, especially during the weekend. Then I realized that people from Kesennuma 気仙沼 came over to this shopping mall because this is the nearest mall that they could get after the destruction of the Kesennuma city. The mall gets a lot of residents from surrounding too as the young and old were trying to escape from the heat.

I was then tired and exhausted, and decided to take a rest at one of the sofa located at the corridors and walk ways, opposite a nail polish store. I dozed off quickly until an old woman sat beside me. I guess I behaved very local, like a school girl, waiting for my parents to come and pick me up in the store. We smiled to each other. Although the mall is with air-conditioning, we were still feeling exhausted from the heat outside the building at the place where we sat. Then, the old woman began to talk to me, complaining about the weather, feeling pity for my exhaustion. And she asked me what I was doing, and I told her I was waiting for my team to come and pick me up after their volunteer work at the other side of the river. After she found that I was from Tokyo, she looked at me unbelievingly and said, "oh... it is really terrible that you have to travel up here for this work at this weather! " Then she made an remark, "it is worse in Tokyo, right? the heat must be more terrible there."

The old woman told me that her sister and brother in-law who were staying at the site (refer to the picture above) were still missing, and she herself went to AEON for refuge during the 10 days course. She illustrated to me how it was in the mall when it was turned into evacuee center, all the walking lanes were filled with people, and what they were given for food during the ten days. Her husband ran up to the hill. She has two adult boys who are not staying with her, but everyone is safe in her family. Now a relative of her, a form 2 girl was the only survivor in her family in the tsunami. All the while when she tells her story, she remained calm and good humor. During our conversation, another woman sat down beside us, and listened to our conversation. Then she asked the old woman if she was from Ishinomaki. And she introduced herself that she was from Kesennuma. They then described the terrible event, tracing to the evacuation warning of tsunami. This woman from Kesennuma stays at the hill side. When the alarm sounds and the evacuation warning was announced, she mentioned that the announcement was "It looks like the tsunami is coming" rather than "The tsunami is coming", which had probably caused many people to ignore the warning, and when the tsunami came, it was too late to escape. She illustrated how the water rushed to the foot of her house, and the people were screaming for help, and she was afraid to help anyone for the fear of being pulled into the fierce water. I began to imagine even if the people have run, they would not probably had stopped at the hillside, or need to take a break at the foot of the hill. I guess there could be a proportion of healthy elderly people may run faster that me, but I suppose there are more elderly people who are just like the person sitting in front of me, suffering body and muscle aches with their long hours of laboring in rice field or sea. The woman's grandson was trapped in the school, and they were saved by the helicopter after three days.

After about an hour talking to each other, we bid each other goodbye, and I went to food court to have my lunch, and began to put down my thoughts from all these observations.

I began to realize that most of the local people who mingle at the mall are probably not so much concern with volunteer work nor people who are assigned to temporary houses. Most are probably affected by the tragedy, but not the one that I am targeting at. No posters or related leaflets of volunteer informations or events that were created for the disaster victims, and it would be difficult to classify nor measure the loss of the victims. This observation tells us that there is a huge challenge in how to reach out and disseminate information to people in need.

The team came to pick me up after their sweat labors in the hot sun. :-) Then we got them McDonalds for dinner in bus... (Thanks, Eric and Tsunoda-san!)

It was even best, that due to an unforeseen traffic jam, we were far behind schedule in reaching Tokyo, and based on the large number of volunteers we have this round, Tsunoda-san sent eight of us back to Kashiwanoha campus. Although this was an unusual measure at an unusual situation, I was really glad that everyone had been patient and gracious enough to get us home.

At the end of this, I would like to express my deepest gratitude the student team: Celine, Zoli, Erik, Rob, Nic, Gareth, Tuba, Baron and Suzuki. Thank you so much, and I hope that you had a wonderful time in your labor and friendship building with one another! Most of all, thank you for being patient and generous with me, for the frequent washroom stops that I made and my "sneaking out" from the hot sun labor. ^^ Looking forward to have more fun with you guys!!!

more about my health

2011-07-19T12:49:00.001+09:00

An unusual ten days had past since my visit to the Tokyo University Hospital emergency ward on July 8 afternoon for a surprise attack of pain. The doctors prescribed Acetaminophen IV trying to reduce the course of the pain, and CT scan with contrast to look for infection or inflammation that was not discovered by the radiography imaging. The acetaminophen took a while to suppress the pain, together with the contrast injection, caused me to be more nausea, and vomiting.

The doctors and nurses surrounded me kept throwing me tons of questions, and one thing that they were really concerned was if I have any family members in Tokyo, and if there is any friend that will be with me for the whole course. That prompted me to think if I really need an operation, or warded. I began to imagine the inconvenience and difficulties without someone being by my side.

Maki, my best friend who accompanied me to the emergency was left alone outside the cold and dark corridor while all these were happening inside the little emergency ward. Poor and kind Maki was having so many datelines, and she herself was suffering bladder infection too. As they moved me to CT scan, I realized that I might need to be warded, and I wanted to tell Maki to go back to the lab. Maki rushed to my side as she saw them pushed me out from the emergency room, thinking if they were sending me for operation. She then heard me murmuring to the doctors (doctors from different specialties came at different time, repeating the same questions, some doubts if I was able to understand and answer them in Japanese, I was trying my best effort to answer the questions although I was numbed by the pain) with my eyes closed, and she felt relieved and laughed, no one talks as much as Roseline, she thought... then while I was pushed inside the CT scan room, I started to vomit. Maki heard it from afar, and she went back to the place and saw no one, and she knew it must be Roseline that was vomiting. This part of the story became one of our favorite, or Maki's favorite when she illustrates my situations to our colleagues. I love it too, it becomes a good laugh in our miseries.

When they released from the emergency ward, it was almost seven in the evening. It was so dramatic as after 4 hours of struggling with such severe pain, and I was released from the ward, as if the pain was a put of of a show in order for a thorough investigation. Then the doctor explained to me with the CT, that my pain was due to nothing else but the compression of two large myoma (fibroids) in my womb. That seems to explain many things: seemingly bladder infection that was not getting better with antibiotics, heaviness and pelvic pain, pressure in lower abdomen, heavy menstruation etc. She prescribed Acetaminophen to suppress the pain for the weekend, and advised me to ring the hospital if I have sudden and uncontrollable pain again, then return to the clinic for further check up on Monday.

Fearing that I might get into trouble again by traveling in the cramped train, Maki insisted if there could be someone to accompany me back to Kashiwa from Hongo, which takes almost an hour and a half ride. Thank God we found Liu Feng, another friend who commute in between both campus, was still in Hongo at that time. He accompanied me back to Kashiwa, and though I thought it was not very much necessary in the beginning, had turned out to be an incredible help for me to get back to the place where I stay. Then only after that I realized that Liu Feng actually had an appointment in Tokyo in the evening, which after he sent me back, he went back to Tokyo again. I am in great gratitude towards my friends for their great love and that they had really sacrificed their time to help me.

Another terrible two days had gone, and I began to find the rhythm of the pain and possible trigger factors to it. On monday, the doctor prescribed me a MRI scan, and changed the Acetaminophen to Ibuprofen. To prevent any possible serious pain, I began to pop Ibuprofen like sweets, 3 times a day, as long as I uncomfortable with the compression. On Wednesday, I did a urography with dye to detect obstruction and the size and shape of the bladder. The IV drip this time did not cause nausea, but the wound caused by the fat needle that hooked on the vein of my antecubital fossa took more than 4 days to recover this time. After the scan, the doctor made an effort to see me, and explained to me about the results of the MRI and urography imaging. It was confirmed that the large myoma had taken the whole space and the uterus expanded so much that had causing the compression to the stomach and pelvic bones, where another myoma had grown side way, and pressed on the ureter that caused this swelling of the kidney. However to our surprise, the size of the myoma were far bigger than she thought, and now she was worried if I could have the microscopic surgery in due course.

Hormone therapy is prescribed and will take place on July 27. Surgery is scheduled in November, and we will see how much the fibroids would shrink until then. :-)

Some friends had expressed their concerns about my situation, and I guess that the prayer had been more fervent since. I would wish to express my thankfulness to everyone who is concern. Some had said, do not worry about the fibroids, well... aside of being astonished by the event, and the traumatized feelings of imagining surgery with more readings, in fact I am happy and relieved to find out the causes of all these ill feelings that I have been bearing for a while. Especially when I find out that the extra weight that I am carrying is reducible :-) and I would probably be in a better shape after the removal of the fibroids ^^. My concerns are more about the pain and inconvenience that caused by the fibroids and the following treatment course, that affects my mobility. I have to take leave from school to reduce the physical stress of traveling. So far, God had always proved his generosity in giving me extra grace and strength when there is a mission going on. The trip to the volunteer work in Ishinomaki was successful on Saturday, and when the team decided to send us back to the Kashiwa Lodge on Saturday midnight definitely helped my situation too.

The reason that I disclose all these information was not to seek pity from you, nor to humiliate myself. As I always trust that being a missionary should be transparent enough in everything that I do if possible, and as this blog had always remained a site of experience learning for future missionaries, as well as a part of my spiritual journey. It will be great if you would like to pray for me, and knowing what exactly I am facing, so that you enjoy being a partner in this spiritual battle of a global mission. Shalom.

Aside from praying for the healing and reduce of the impacts of side effect, there are several things that I am working on and need His grace upon me:

1. the transfer of lodge, from Chiba prefecture back to Tokyo. (hopefully within walkable distance to school/hospital)
2. the completion of the social phobia paper.
3. the completion of application of ethical approval for new projects on hikikomori.
4. my work with the young people (somehow I have been delaying in replying emails, looking into things as I used to be... I am much slower these days, and not being very concentrate of things)
5. the possible and best fulfillment in discussion and working with young people in Akita.
6. the possible fulfillment of studies in Suicide prevention center in Beijing in September prior or post conference.
7. the possible reconnect with the students/young people that I had been working with in Hong Kong after the Beijing trip.
8. I need to start writing my hikikomori paper again as soon as possible.

Prayer Request of 2nd part of 2011

2011-07-13T00:07:00.000+09:00

Since Mar 11, we have entered the fifth month after disaster.

After working with various people while serving the disaster areas,

I began to step back in May, slowly adjusting my pace,

thinking and readjusting my thoughts, my position, and most importantly,

the will of the Lord in this entire work.

Current Work and Expansion

It was almost the same time,

few things happened in Tokyo:

1. I am finding hard to catching up with my studies and thesis after a long "vacation" away from school;

2. My work in Tokyo expanded, where I have now a new group of hikikomori or young people to work with;

3. My health getting worse, with the seemingly frequent pain that associate with frequent urine.

On another hand, the work in the disaster areas had made new contacts, and new people to follow up with.

In the effort of one of our partner in Heart4Japan, Ps. Sakae Makita had established an NPO for East Japan Disaster Recovery, http://ejdrf.weebly.com/

I am expected to contribute my biblical disaster mental health experience in this group.

I am expecting and excited to expand my hikikomori service to Akita, where I put my main effort in community approach suicide prevention, and to link both Akita youths and Tokyo youths together, by sharing their knowledge and experience together.

Source of Support

A church in Brunei that I had never met approached me about three months ago, about adopting me into their missions board, although nothing had been said nor decided, the work of the Lord no doubt encouraged me deeply. Knowing that the difficulties in getting church support, I took up a 2 months part time job to help out a professor in Chiba University on his English assignment. This work takes another 1.5 hour for one way commute.

There are several courses that I need to take from now, conferences to attend, I pray for strength and His light to guide me in this work.

Would you pray for me with what the following?

Schedule

July 16 Volunteer to Disaster Area: Ishinomaki 石巻

July 22 Fieldwork to Special School in Tokyo - Showa Gakuenhttp://www.showa-gakuen.net/index.htm

July 31 Fireworks with young people from Seisa (Hikikomori Freespace)

Aug 6-7 Social Disparity and Health International Conference in Tokyo - Presenter

Aug 21-29 Fieldwork to Akita, working with young people on hikikomori

Sep 6-7 Fieldwork in Tokyo: Special school and Hospital

Sep 9-28 Missions Trip to China/International Suicide Prevention Conference in Beijing

Oct 1 Study Group (Schizo) - Presenter

Oct 19-21 Public Health Conference in Akita - Presenter

Nov 3 Department Seminar - Presenter

Nov 9-11 Child and Adult Mental Health Conference in Tokushima

(highlighted in yellow are the events that I need to prepare as a presenter)

I am planning for the new season of hIkikomori study group from October, but I am yet to apply for ethical approval as well as grant. Grant is not so often available, yet my young people would need the funds to help them to travel to Tokyo for the study group.

My health Condition

I had a dramatic weekend last week. :-)

I was admitted to the emergency ward in Tokyo University Hospital last Friday due to a severe pain. After a few good hours, I was told that instead of appendicitis, the CT scan confirmed that I have two big uterus fibroids (10cm and 5cm) that pressed on my right ureter, causing thickening of the wall, which suspect to contributed to the frequent pain and urine that i had suffered a while. I am given pain killer to control the pain. As the compression also caused stomach discomfort, reflux and nausea, I do have some difficult times.... ><

Because of the expansion of work in Tokyo, and the condition of my health, moving to Tokyo seems to be the best option at this moment. I am looking forward to move.

Surgery would be scheduled in October or November.

Hormone therapy would be needed prior to the operation to shrink the fibroids.

First Session: July 27

Second Session: Aug 31

I went for MRI on Monday, it was terrible....... >< the sound was so loud!!! They put this earphone on my head, and surprisingly.... I thought I heard worship songs..... probably because I was warned before I went through the procedure, I was well prepared with prayers. The Lord seemed to be citing Psalm 91 to my ears... it was a lot of comfort.

I am going for the nephro test tomorrow :-)

Oh yeah, I am also attending a youth mental health seminar in the evening tomorrow! :-) Let's pray for all the best!

Please pray for HIs provision of strength, comfort and finance on all the work that need to be done! May the peace of the Lord to be upon me, and you who are at the same frontal line of this intense battle.

July Relief Effort in Ishinomaki 石巻救援活動　～　７月

2011-06-15T15:41:00.001+09:00

All
皆様

この最近の２週間のKBF東北救援活動に参加してくださった皆様、ありがとうございました。大勢の方が参加してくだいました。エリックさんがレクルととにがんばって、このいい結果になった。参加して下さった方の皆様が、自分の観点からのレポートを書いて下されば、ほかの参加しようとしている人たち参考になります。色々面でこの活動をサッポットして下さっている方々にもはげましになるとおもいます。あわせて、そのレポートと私が撮った写真をフェイスブックで公開します。レポートを書いたら、このメールのreply-allで返事を下さい。もし、何か改善してほしいポイントもあれば、別状で、私とリーダーにそれについて知らせて下さい。http://www.facebook.com/pages/KBF-Tohoku-Relief-Team/212751098757354

A big thank you to all those who participated in the KBF Tohoku Volunteers activities for the last 2 weekends, June 4 and 10. We had the largest number of particiates to date on the 10, thanks to Eric`s great recruiting work. If possible, can those who participated please write a report of what they did and saw from their own perspective. I think such reports will be useful references for those that are thinking of participating, and an encouragement to those that continue to support this work in many ways. We will upload both the reports and the photos I took onto to the team`s Facebook page.　And if you have any comments on what we could have done better, please let me or the leadership know in a seperate email

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KBF-Tohoku-Relief-Team/212751098757354

七月／八月のスケジュル

ボランテイア委員会でデイスカションの結果で、七月（５週末）と八月（１週末）をボランテイィア活動を続くことに決めました。その後の月についてはまだきめていません。各週の活動にについては、その週に連絡しますがdoodleでの七月のサインアップはもうできていますのサインアップしてください七月の活動のために一つ一つのイベントをリッドしたいと思っているひとを募集します。委員会はそのインフラのすべてを（車、など）よいします。イベントのリーダはその日のイベントのかつどを管理する。一つの週末のイベントに２人をセットし、その一人できれば前に一回、KBFのボランテイアかつ参加した経験のあるひとにしたい。それは絶対の条件ではないけど。是非、是非この機会をもって、そろて募集ください。下記の委員会のメンバーにご連絡ください。

JULY/AUGUST SCHEDULE
After a number of discussions within the Volunteer Committee, we have decide to extend the KBF Tohoku Volunteers program into July for the whole month and August for at least 1 weekend in August. Dates for later months will be decided in due course. More details on each weekend`s trip will be given in the week of the trip, but we already have July dates on doogle so please sign up. 　We do urgently need your help. We are looking for people who will commit themselves to to lead at least one weekend. Committee members will provide all infrastructural support including cars etc. Event leaders will take care of managing the actual volunteer day`s events. We are hoping that we can get at least 2 leaders for each event with on leader being someone who has been on at least one of the Tohoku visits. But this is not essential. Please do very much consider helping in this way. If you can help please do contact one of the committee members in the list below. Your help will be much appreciated.

Doodleを投資てオンラインで参加登録をおすすめしています。メールアドレス　（連絡のため）と運転免許お持ちかと他の参考になると思う情報をコメント部分にのこしてください。参加の興味のある友人や家族にもこのメールを転送してください。その人が参加を希望する場合、彼ら自分でかあなたがその人のためにオンライン登録をすることも可能です。どちらの場合でも、その人の名前とメールアドレスをわすれずに！！

http://doodle.com/qb9xcsu28aage87s
We continue to encourage people to sign-up through doodle. Please leave your email address and whether you can drive in the comments section. In addition include any other information that you think would be useful for us. We continue to look for people willing to drive. If you have a driver`s license please let us know in the comments section! Please feel free to forward this email to friends and family who might be interested in signing-up. They can sign up themselves or you can sign up for them. In the latter case dont forget to include their name and address！！

http://doodle.com/qb9xcsu28aage87s

質問があれば、遠慮なくご連絡ください。この救援活動に賛同していただき、感謝しています。この活動を通して、私たちは、被災者の方々の復興をお手伝いさせていただくだけでなく、悲しむ人と共に涙を流し、生活を立て直そうと努力する人たちと共に働き、東北の兄弟姉妹の助け人として成長させていただく機会が与えられています。運転できる人募集してます。もし日本の免許書があれば、コメントのセクションにそれをかいてください！！みなさんが活動に参加してくださることを期待しています。ニーズと比べて、私たちのしていることは僅かですが、そのほんの少しでも、被害者の痛みを軽くできればと思っています。

皆さんからのアイデアを依然として、募集しています。活動を被災者のニーズを必要に応じてひろげたいとねがっています。

Please let us know if you have any questions. Again thanks for agreeing to be part of this work of compassion. Our sincere hope is that in addition to helping the people who have experienced disaster on a epic scale, you will find yourself enriched by the experience of weeping with those that weep, standing together with those that seek to rebuild their lives again, and being your brother`s keeper and helper. Compare to the needs, what we are doing is not much. However our hope is that we can lessen, even a little bit, the pain of the victims on this disaster.

Here is the general schedule that we will follow for each weekend:

金曜日Friday :9pm - 12midnight : CAJから出発。leave Christian Academy in Japan (near Higashi Kurume station) between 9pm and 12 midnight. Please try to come at 9pm and let us know if you will be unavoidably late. We leave as soon as all signed up are on-site. We stop at rest stops along the way

土曜日Saturday: 4am: 石せんしゅ大学ボラていアセンターに着く。すこしねる。Arrive at Ishinomaki Senshu University around 4am and sleep in car

Saturday : 7am - 8am: すきやで朝食breakfast at Sukiya (about 500 yen a person)

Saturday : 8am-9am: ボランテイア登録。災害保険を申し込む。Volunteer Registration at Volunteer center - includes getting disaster insurance if you dont have any

Saturday : 9am - 12noon : ボランテイィア活動。Volunteer work

Saturday : 12noon - 1pm: 昼食ーファミリレストランなど。Lunch break - family restaurant etc

Saturday : 1pm - 4pm : ボランテイィア活動。Volunteer work

Saturday : 4pm - 5pm : ボランテイィアセンタにもどるReturn to Volunteer center to end day`s activities

Saturday : 5pm - 6pm : 東京への出発。RAで休暇をとる。leave for Tokyo between 5pm - 6pm, stop in rest stops along the way

土曜日Saturday : 夜中１２時：12midnight : CAJに到着。家に帰れないひとは作本さんのいえでねる。Arrive at CAJ, those with no means to get home can spend the night at Kelvin Sakumoto`s house

持参するもの

現在の活動方法ですが、10-12人乗りの車2台を使っています車一台、運転手２人。一人の運転手は帰る道で疲れないために、あまりボランティア仕事しないようにする。ボランティア参加者は、交通費(往復5000円程度)と食費を自己負担してください。学生は無料です。また、参加費を払えないという方はご相談ください。そういう方の参加費を支援するための予算を確保してあります

私たちの活動は石巻ボランティアセンターと協力しておこなっています。このセンターは、世界でもまれにみる、組織がしっかりとしたボランティアセンターだと思います。決して官僚的ではないのに効率的、という日本の良さが発揮されていて、その働きは一見に値します。もしボランティアセンターの運営について学びたいという方があれば、石巻センターに行くことをおすすめします。センターのホームページは以下のとおりです。

http://msv3151.c-bosai.jp/group.php?gid=10163

当日は、汚れてもよい作業服を用意してください。耐水ブーツ（鉄のインソルあればもっといい）、耐水手袋、ゴーグル、ヘルメット、丈夫なマスク、水筒、長いパンツ、長袖の仕事用のシャツなどはを自分でもってきてください。センターにありますし、私たちのほうでもいくつかお貸しすることができますが原則として各自後持参。できるだけ自分のものをもってきて下さい。

What to bring:
The way we are working is that we have 2 cars carrying 10-12 people, and at least 2 drivers a car. One driver will not do much physical work so they are able to drive back in full strength. All working people are encouraged to pay their own way - transport costs - about 5000yen per trip + and the cost of whatever you eat. Students are free. Restaurants are generally back in business so there should be no problem here. In addition, finance is not to be the reason you cant come. We have a small fund that will finance anyone else who is having issues with costs.

The work involves working with with the Ishinomaki City Volunteer Center, who have the best organized workplace of any volunteer center of, I dare say, anywhere in the world. Japanese efficiency without the bureaucracy!! Its a sight to see - and for anyone wanting to learn how to run a volunteer center - this is the place to go...they have a website, that does not do justice to what this center is doing -

http://msv3151.c-bosai.jp/group.php?gid=10163

You should bring work clothes that you dont mind getting dirty. Basically you need waterproof boots(with metal insoles, if possible), waterproof gloves, goggles, a helmet, a water bottle, a work mask (not surgical mask) and long pants and long sleeved shirt that you dont mind getting dirty. The center will lend you some of these things and we also have some to lend but as much as possible please bring your own.

We continue to actively seek ideas from every on how we can expand our activities to meet the needs of the victims of the victims of the disaster.

God bless

神様の恵みがあるように

Lawrence Mutenda (on behalf of the KBF Volunteer Committee,KBFボランティア委員会を代表して)

A message from the KBF Volunteer Committee KBFボランティア委員会

2011-05-30T12:39:00.001+09:00

重要な知らせ
KBF東北救援隊は、名前のとおり、東久留米にある久留米バイブルフェローシップの働きとしておこなわれています。けれども、活動には、KBFのメンバーの方も、そうでない方も、クリスチャンの方も、そうではない方も参加することができます。私たちの活動は、イエスキリストへの愛に基づくものですが、救援隊の活動は、「宗教」活動ではありません。私たちは、お手伝いさせていただく東北の方々にも、救援隊の活動に参加してくださる方々にも、聖書を読んだり、祈ったりすることを求めたりはしません。祈りたい方は自由に祈ることができますし、そうではない方は、祈らなくてもかまいません。助けを必要としている東北の方々を手伝いたいという心からの思いをもち、さまざまな新しい友人と出会いたいという願っていること。救援活動への参加資格は、それだけです。
このEメールは、救援活動に関心のあるお知り合いの方に自由に転送してください。

An Important Message
The KBF Tohoku Disaster Volunteers Corps, as the name implies, is part of the work of Kurume Bible Fellowship, in Higashi Kurume. However we welcome anyone who wants to participate, Christian and non-Christian, KBF member and non-KBF member. We are not ashamed to say that this work is driven by our love for Jesus Christ, but neither do we consider our activity a "religious" activity. We will not be asking those we help or those who participate to read Bibles, or to pray. Those who want to pray will be free pray, those who do not will be free not to. All we ask for is a sincere desire to help those in need in the Tohoku area and a desire to make new friends with all kinds of new people - that is the only qualification!!! Needless to say please feel to forward this email to any of your friends who may be interested.

Message from KBF Volunteer Team

皆様
All

5月27日・28日のKBF東北救援活動に参加してくださった皆様、ありがとうございました。7名の方が参加してくださり、寺上さんという方の自宅清掃（泥出し）をお手伝いしてきました。参加して下さった方の皆様が、自分の観点からのレポートを書いて下されば、ほかの参加しようとしている人たち参考になります。色々面でこの活動をサッポットして下さっている方々にもはげましになるとおもいます。あわせて、そのレポートと私が撮った写真をフェイスブックで公開します。レポートを書いたら、このメールのreply-allで返事を下さい。もし、何か改善してほしいポイントもあれば、別状で、私とリーダーにそれについて知らせて下さい。

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KBF-Tohoku-Relief-Team/212751098757354
A big thank you to all those who participated in the KBF Tohoku Volunteers activities on 27/28 May. We had seven participants. If possible, can those who partipated please write a report of what they did and saw from their own perspective. I think such reports will be useful references for those that are thinking of participating, and an encouragement to those that continue to support this work in many ways. We will upload both the reports and the photos I took onto to the team`s Facebook page.　And if you have any comments on what we could have done better, please let me or the leadership know in a seperate email

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KBF-Tohoku-Relief-Team/212751098757354

Doodleを投資てオンラインで参加登録をおすすめしています。メールアドレス　（連絡のため）と運転免許お持ちかと他の参考になると思う情報をコメント部分にのこしてください。参加の興味のある友人や家族にもこのメールを転送してください。その人が参加を希望する場合、彼ら自分でかあなたがその人のためにオンライン登録をすることも可能です。どちらの場合でも、その人の名前とメールアドレスをわすれずに！！

http://doodle.com/qb9xcsu28aage87s

We continue to encourage people to sign-up through doodle. Please leave your email address and whether you can drive in the comments section. In addition include any other information that you think would be useful for us. Please feel free to foward this email to friends and family who might be interested in signing-up. They can sign up themselves or you can sign up for them. In the latter case dont forget to include their name and address！！

http://doodle.com/qb9xcsu28aage87s

質問があれば、遠慮なくご連絡ください。この救援活動に賛同していただき、感謝しています。この活動を通して、私たちは、被災者の方々の復興をお手伝いさせていただくだけでなく、悲しむ人と共に涙を流し、生活を立て直そうと努力する人たちと共に働き、東北の兄弟姉妹の助け人として成長させていただく機会が与えられています。みなさんが活動に参加してくださることを期待しています。ニーズと比べて、私たちのしていることは僅かですが、そのほんの少しでも、被害者の痛みを軽くできればと思っています。

皆さんからのアイデアを依然として、募集しています。活動を被災者のニーズを必要に応じてひろげたいとねがっています。

Please let us know if you have any questions. Again thanks for agreeing to be part of this work of compassion. Our sincere hope is that in addition to helping the people who have experienced disaster on a epic scale, you will find yourself enriched by the experience of weeping with those that weep, standing together with those that seek to rebuild their lives again, and being your brother`s keeper and helper. Compare to the needs, what we are doing is not much. However our hope is that we can lessen, even a little bit, the pain of the victims on this disaster

We continue to actively seek ideas from every on how we can expand our activities to meet the needs of the victims of the victims of the disaster.

God bless
神様の恵みがあるように

Lawrence Mutenda (on behalf of the KBF Volunteer Committee,KBFボランティア委員会を代表して)

Biju Paul (paulbiju@gmail.com, 090 9398 7049)
Lawrence Mutenda (lawrence.mutenda@gmail.com, 080 5647 4848)
Eric Fandrich - (eric@fandrich.net - 090-4002-6525)
Jun Tanaka - (jt51h20@hotmail.com, 090-9395-8283)
Steve Iijima (our sage! Whats Sage in Japanese?)

Weekends Tohoku Relief Effort (KBF)

2011-05-27T09:26:00.000+09:00

これからも6月末までは、最低週に一度の東北での活動を続ける予定です。また、今後も必要があるかぎり、そして参加を希望するボランティアの方がいるかぎり、この活動を続けようという声もあがっています。

現在の活動方法ですが、10-12人乗りの車2台を使っています。ボランティア参加者は、交通費(往復5000円程度)と食費を自己負担してください。学生は無料です。また、参加費を払えないという方はご相談ください。そういう方の参加費を支援するための予算を確保してあります。

私たちの活動は石巻ボランティアセンターと協力しておこなっています。このセンターは、世界でもまれにみる、組織がしっかりとしたボランティアセンターだと思います。決して官僚的ではないのに効率的、という日本の良さが発揮されていて、その働きは一見に値します。もしボランティアセンターの運営について学びたいという方があれば、石巻センターに行くことをおすすめします。センターのホームページは以下のとおりです。
http://msv3151.c-bosai.jp/group.php?gid=10163

当日は、汚れてもよい作業服を用意してください。ブーツ、手袋、ゴーグルなどは、センターにありますし、私たちのほうでもいくつかお貸しすることができます。

毎週末のスケジュールとしては、金曜日の夜9時から12時にＣＡＪを出発して、夜通し運転し、土曜の早朝に石巻に到着します。9時ごろから作業をはじめて、昼食をはさみ、4時ごろまで作業を続けます。夕方の6時に石巻を出発し、どこかで夕食の休憩をとり、土曜の真夜中12時ごろにＣＡＪに戻ります。

ウェブページからの登録: 名前を入力した後、参加希望の日時にチェックを入れてください。(5月28日から6月末までの間で選択することができます。) http://doodle.com/qb9xcsu28aage87s   連絡先がわかるように、コメント欄にEメールのアドレスを記入してください。質問があるときには、それもコメント欄に記入してください。友人や家族にもこのメールを転送してください。その人が参加を希望する場合、あなたがその人のためにオンライン登録をすることも可能です。すでに口伝え、携帯、スカイプ、Eメールなどで、参加希望を連絡してくださっている方々も、再度オンラインでの登録をお願いします。お手数をおかけして申し訳ありませんが、事務手続きを簡単にするために、ご協力をお願いします。その代わり、交通費を5円割引することをお約束します。

フェイスブックのリンクからもDoodleで登録することが可能です。（ http://www.facebook.com/pages/KBF-Tohoku-Relief-Team/212751098757354 ) -私たちのフェイスブックは立ち上げたばかりですので、より使いやすいものにするためのアドバイスがあれば、ぜひ教えてください。

今週末の活動に参加を希望するかたは、水曜日までに連絡してください。ただ、登録した後も、急にキャンセルする人もありますので、水曜日以降も柔軟に対応する予定です。突然のキャンセルというのは、対応に困るところがあるのですが、こうした救援活動は、強制的になるようなところがあってはならないので、一人ひとりの誠意を信頼したいと思います。

これまで、参加者の集合と解散はＣＡＪで行ってきたのですが、参加者は東京中から集まっているので、真夜中に移動する交通手段がない、という方々もおられます。そこで帰るときには、車で送ることも試してみたのですが、これは簡単なことではありません。でも帰る手段がないから救援活動に参加することができないという人がでるのは本意ではありませんので、車で送るのは最後の手段に残しておき、土曜日の活動の後、それぞれが帰宅できるよい方法を考えていきたいと思います。

みなさんにお願いしたいことがあります。

１．    運転手を募集しています。交代で運転するために、一台につき二名の運転手が必要です。

２．    最低6人の人が、ゆったりと座れるようなバンや車を提供してくださる方を募集しています。

ボランティア委員会(Lawrence Mutenda, Jun Tanaka, Biju Paul, Eric Fandrich, Steve Iijima)では、東北までの運転を一人の運転手が担うことを懸念しています。日本には、救援活動を続けていくのに十分な数の運転手がいると思いますので、東北までの運転を一人が担うというようなことは、なるべく避けたいと願っています。

みなさんに覚えておいていただきたい大切なことがあります。KBF東北救援隊は、名前のとおり、東久留米にある久留米バイブルフェローシップの働きとしておこなわれています。けれども、活動には、KBFのメンバーの方も、そうでない方も、クリスチャンの方も、そうではない方も参加することができます。私たちの活動は、イエスキリストへの愛に基づくものですが、救援隊の活動は、「宗教」活動ではありません。私たちは、お手伝いさせていただく東北の方々にも、救援隊の活動に参加してくださる方々にも、聖書を読んだり、祈ったりすることを求めたりはしません。祈りたい方は自由に祈ることができますし、そうではない方は、祈らなくてもかまいません。助けを必要としている東北の方々を手伝いたい
という心からの思いをもち、さまざまな新しい友人と出会いたいという願っていること。救援活動への参加資格は、それだけです。

このEメールは、救援活動に関心のあるお知り合いの方に自由に転送してください。

なかには、週末二日間を活動したい、もっと東北に長く滞在して救援活動をおこないたいという意見もあります。また、冬の間の救援活動の進め方についての意見もあります。今後の活動について、意見があれば、ぜひお知らせください。現在、具体的な検討をおこなっているのは、アイロン、電子レンジ、冷蔵庫、洗濯機など、家財道後を失った方への支援です。詳細については、また連絡いたします。救援活動をよりよいものにしていくための新しいアイデアがあれば、遠慮なくお知らせください。

May the Lord bless you.

Lawrence Mutenda (ボランティア委員会を代表して)

We continue to be committed to visiting Tohoku at least once a week until end of June and there is already talk of doing so for as long as it is required and there are volunteers willing to go....

The way we are working is that we have 2 cars carrying 10-12 people. All working people are encouraged to pay their own way - transport costs - about 5000yen per trip + food costs. Students are free. In addition, finance is not to be the reason you cant come. We have a small fund that will finance anyone else who is having issues with costs.

The work involves working with with the Ishinomaki City Volunteer Center, who have the best organized workplace of any volunteer center of, I dare say, anywhere in the world. Japanese efficiency without the bureaucracy!! Its a sight to see - and for anyone wanting to learn how to run a volunteer center - this is the place to go...they have a website, that does not do justice to what this center is doing -

http://msv3151.c-bosai.jp/group.php?gid=10163

You should bring work clothes that you dont mind getting dirty. The center has boots, gloves, goggles etc and we also have some to lend.

The plan for every weekend is to leave CAJ between 9pm - 12 midnight Friday, drive throughout the night, get to Ishinomaki Saturday early morning, begin working around 9am finishing around 4pm, with a lunch break in-between. We start driving back around 6pm, with a break for dinner, aiming to arrive back at CAJ around 12 midnight Saturday.

1. Web-based sign-up : Thanks to Jeannie Johnson, a techie, if ever there was one! We now can sign on for the KBF Tohoku Relief Volunteer activitiues on-line.
a. Please clink the folllowing doodle link: http://doodle.com/qb9xcsu28aage87s
b. Type in your name and tick-off the dates for which you want to participate. ( we have set-up dates for 28 May - end of June)
c. To help us fully identify you fully, please leave your email address in the comments field. Of course if you have questions you can leave them in the comment field as well.
d. You can also sign-up for friends and family, or you can forward them this email.
The Doodle sign-on link is available via our facebook link ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/KBF-Tohoku-Relief-Team/212751098757354 ) - our face book is still rudimentary - if you have ideas on how to make it better please let us know.

Please do let us know by Wednesday this week if you can participate this weekend. However we are keeping this flexible enough that people can sign in or withdraw at the last minute. That has its problems, but we believe the work of compassion cannot be forced on people in any way shape or form. People can be trusted to make good faith efforts to promote compassion.

Until now we have been thinking of picking up and dropping off people at CAJ, but we are now seeing people coming from all over Tokyo who will have a non-trivial problem of finding transportation at 12midnight. We tried driving people around the city after coming back but that proved a significant challenge. We will keep that as a last resort so that house distance from CAJ does not become a reason you cannot come, whilst we look for better ways to ensure that you get home, after a hard day`s work!!

Things we would like to request:
1. We need drivers, at least 2 per car who can share driving
2. We need offers of cars, preferably vans comfortably sitting at least 6 people.

The Volunteer Committee ( Lawrence Mutenda, Jun Tanaka, Biju Paul, Eric Fandrich, Steve Iijima) and expressed concern yesterday about the risk of having just one driver driving to Tohoku and back and decided we are going to avoid this at all costs going forward - in the belief there are enough drivers in Japan to sustain this program for the forseeable future!!

An important detail we would like everyone to know. The KBF Tohoku Disaster Volunteers Corps, as the name implies, is part of the work of Kurume Bible Fellowship, in Higashi Kurume. However we welcome anyone who wants to participate, Christian and non-Christian, KBF memmber and non-KBF member. We are not ashamed to say that this work is driven by our love for Jesus Christ, but neither do we consider our activity a "religious" activity. We will not be asking those we help or those who particapte to read Bibles, or to pray. Those who want to pray will be free pray, those who do not will be free not to. All we ask for is a sincere desire to help those in need in the Tohoku area and a desire to make new friends with all kinds of new people - that is the only qualification!!!

Needless to say please feel to forward this email to any of your friends who may be interested.

Some people have expressed in full weekend or longer work visits. Others have talked about efforts to help people in winter. We welcome more ideas on how this can be done. One effort that is currently taking shape is providing people who have lost their home appliances, with irons, microwaves, fridges, washing machines. More about that in the next update. But this work is free to expand in any and every good direction!!

May the Lord bless you.

Lawrence Mutenda (on behalf of the volunteer committee)

被災者のこころのケア　2011.04.17那須ベースに行ったセミナー

2011-04-19T21:53:00.001+09:00

http://www.heart4japan.net/FaithWorks/Kokoro_no_Care_for_Disaster_Victim.html

Seminar: "Post-traumatic healing in Tohoku crisis: counseling and prayer"

2011-04-14T17:58:00.002+09:00

Date: Tuesday, April 26th

Location: The Wesley Center in Shibuya

http://www.en.wesleycenterjp.com/ourlocation.html

Time: The seminar is offered 3 times (choose one of the listed times):

Morning: 11 am to 1 pm

Afternoon: 3 pm to 5 pm

Evening: 7 to 9 pm

Dr. Joe Ozawa, is a psychologist residing in Singapore. Dr. Ozawa has done post-trauma training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and with World Vision, International. He has done post-crisis interventions / training in such countries as Rwanda, South Africa, Indonesia and Cambodia. The emphasis of this seminar would be on a Christian response which includes healing and intercession in a Christian context. (See his bio below.)

This event is open to the public and is free. However, a basket in the back of the room will be placed if anyone wants to donate to earthquake relief efforts at the Wesley Center. This seminar will be conducted in English - Japanese.

Please RSVP to Wesley Center at 03 6427 4696 or sarah.oba@ib-shadan.com

Name:

Church or organization (if any):

Email:

Your Home or Cell #:

Time of seminar: e.g.Morning, afternoon, evening session

( If you cannot make this day, Dr. Ozawa will be speaking at a Aoyama university on April 27. He is possibly available for other talks and sessions until April 30th. Email him directly to schedule a presentation.)

Detailed information and photo of Dr. Joseph Ozawa

Email: hippopostman@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:

With two degrees from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, Dr. Ozawa has been a licensed clinical psychologist for over 26 years in the United States and Singapore. In the USA, Dr. Ozawa had been in private practice for over 20 years dealing with diverse forms of psychopathology. Dr. Ozawa has also been Director of Behavioral Health Services for a U. S. Sect 330 Federal Health Center where he oversaw psychiatric and psychological care and was a supervisor and trainer for psychology interns from Tripler Army Medical Center.

In Singapore, Dr. Ozawa is currently Senior Consultant Psychologist of the Subordinate Courts. He has also been the Senior Director of the Family and Juvenile Justice Centre, Director of Psychological Services at the Subordinate Courts of Singapore as well as Head of the Psychological Services Unit at the Ministry of Community Development. Prior to that, he was a psychological consultant to Singapore Boys Home and to Pertapis (Islamic social welfare society). In his work with the governments of USA　and　Singapore, he dealt with abused and neglected children, battered wives, juvenile delinquents and offenders with mental disorders.

Dr. Ozawa has also been a consultant to World Vision, Intl. for over 10 years in over 18 nations, especially dealing with counseling trauma, reconciliation and crises.

ACTIVITIES IN JAPAN:

2004 Dr. Ozawa was the plenary speaker (on “relational distress”) at the Japan Society of Social Psychiatry in Morioka. 　

1994-2007- Dr. Ozawa gave seminars and workshops in many areas, (including Osaka, Aichi-ken, Tokyo, Sapporo) on dealing with depression, suicidal thoughts, stress and trauma, and “hikikomori.”

2008　– Dr Ozawa was a course instructor on “juvenile justice” at the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute (UNAFEI), affiliated with the Ministry of Justice of Japan. Greeted by then Minister of Justice Hatoyama.

2010　– Dr Ozawa presented a workshop on “Post-traumatic Stress Disorders in Caring Professionals” to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

CHRISTIAN HISTORY:

Dr. Ozawa has been Director of Counseling and Healing at Mt Soledad Presbyterian Church (California) and a licensed Anglican pastor (not ordained) at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral (Anglican) of Singapore. He has been on the core faculty (since 1994) of Bethany International University of Singapore (branch of Bethany in Minneapolis, Minn, USA), a missions training organization for pastors from Asia and Africa. He has also been a consultant to World Vision, Intl for over 10 years in over 18 nations, especially dealing with counseling, trauma, reconciliation, and crises.

Directions to Wesley Center:

From the green bus terminal on the East Side of Shibuya Station, take Bus 1 which heads toward Roppongi Hills or Shimbashi Station.

FROM SHIBUYA: Take the 01 Bus from the East Exit of Shibuya Station. The bus is headed for Shimbashi Station. Please ride until the first bus stop which is Aoyama Chutobumae. Turn right as you exit the bus and walk no more than 2 minutes in the direction toward Roppongi along the expressway. (On the opposite side of the expressway, notice Eneos Gas Station) On your side of the street which is the left side are several tall buildings. The 2nd from the expressway has a dark grey brick signboard that says Wesley Center.

FROM OMOTE SANDO: EXIT B3 Go left on Koto dori 4th stop light also see HUNTING WORLD store on right then at stop light turn right then a few meters left again, then see bldg.

Wesley Center Business Office

6-10-11-Room 301 Minami Aoyama

Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062

Tel: 03 6427 4696 (Wesley Center's office)

Sarah Oba's cell # 090-4752-9302

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 2011/4/10

Subject: セミナーのご案内

＜セミナーのご案内＞

東日本大災害のPTSD（心的外傷後ストレス症候群）の癒し：カウンセリングと祈り～クリスチャンの見方から～

●日時：２０１１年４月２６日（火）

●講師：Dr. Joseph Ozawa　小沢・ジョセフ・ポール　博士

A.B., M.A.T. (ハーバード大学); Ph.D. (南カリフォルニア大学)

認定心理学者 (カリフォルニア＆ハワイ, 米国)

●場所：Wesley Centre　東京都港区南青山6-10-11

　http://www.en.wesleycenterjp.com/ourlocation.html

●料金：無料（Wesley Centreの救援活動のため、自由献金箱を部屋の後ろに置きます）

●時間帯：１．午前１１時～午後１時まで

　２．午後３時～５時まで

　３．午後７時～９時まで

セミナーの内容は３回とも同じです。いずれか一つの時間帯を選んでください。

●申し込み方法：電話かメールでご連絡ください。名前、所属教会／団体、電話、メールアドレス、参加時間帯をお知らせください。

電話 03-6427-4696

e-mail sarah.oba@ib-shadan.com

＜申し込み＞

名前：

所属教会／団体：

電話：

メールアドレス：

参加時間帯：

■講師紹介■

小沢博士はハーバード大学の2つの学位、南カリフォルニア大学博士号を取得。

認定臨床心理学者として、26年間米国とシンガポールで勤務。

米国では多岐におよぶ心理学的問題を取り扱う開業医として20年以上の経験を持ち、米国国立政府保険機関である問題行動医療サービス機関の理事として、また軍医のインターンのトレーニングを行う。

シンガポールでは裁判所（Subordinate Courts）所属の主任心理コンサルタントとして働いている。

国際ワールドビジョン（World Vision, Intl）のコンサルタントを10年以上、18ヶ国にわたって続けており、特にトラウマ、和解と危機を取り扱っている。

日系アメリカ人３世で、父方が静岡、母方が熊本の出身。米国在住の３人の子供と２人の孫がいる。

■日本での活動■

2004年「関係の窮状」についての基調講演、日本社会心理学学会（盛岡）

1994-2007年「欝、自殺願望、ストレス、トラウマ、ひきこもりに関するセミナーおよびワークショップ」（大阪、愛知県、東京、札幌）

2008年国際連合アジアおよび極東機関（UNAFEI）に少年裁判を導入した一人として法務省を訪問、当時の鳩山大臣を表敬訪問

2010年日本外務省のスタッフに対し、「介護専門職のトラウマ的ストレス」についてワークショップ開催

Conduct of Volunteers at Disaster Area

2011-04-12T22:08:00.003+09:00

Mat 10.42 “... if anyone gives even a cup of cold water because he is my disciple...”

First thing to do in the disaster area

When you reach the disaster area, register yourself to the volunteer center.
Wear a name tag or some other item that identifies you by name.
Introduce yourself as a survivor care volunteer.
Express words of sympathy for the local people.

How to act and behave : the goal is to establish TRUST

Work with local people: provide care in cooperation with the first-aid station and the medical team. Discuss with a local contact person (e.g. leader of the residents’ association) and build a good relations with him/her.
Team up with local organizations (residents’ association, women’s association, youth association) in conducting activities.
Actively make rounds, and talk/greet to each victim.
When you see a disaster victim busy working or tidying up the debris, work with him/her.
Record your actions and observations consciously and leave the notes with the disaster area field leaders for needs collection and continuous support of disaster victims.
Mentally handover responsibility to continue the work to the next team; communicate clearly what needs to be done.

Attitude and Preparedness

Gather information (situation of disaster area, existing support system, where to approach, personal networks, contact the disaster management office to grasp the overall situation) before you depart.
Learn local norms from community leaders.
Allow time to gain acceptance in a community
Be dependable, non-judgmental, respectful
Recognize cultural variation in expressions
Positive actions, go out and provide support to those in needs.
Provide information about victim support service after having confirmed accuracy.
Focus on immediate needs of disaster victims when you listen to what they have to say and support them.
Be flexible and modify your role to cope with changing situations and needs.
Remember that what you want to do for disaster victims is not always what they need.
Do not criticize local supporters but discuss problems with them; remember that the local supporters are also disaster victims.
Before a volunteer provides survival care, there is a need to identify the vulnerable populations (infants, pregnant women, elderly persons, disabled persons, elderly persons living alone, persons in need of nursing care etc.) and recognize the feelings and sentiments: anxiety about future, fear, things lost (home, family, etc.)

日本赤十字　ー　ボランテアとこころのケア

2011-04-09T13:44:00.002+09:00

I would like to bring your attention to some good materials that the Japanese had developed for the "kokoro no care" (practical emotional + physical care) in disaster areas.

The first that I would like to introduce is the little booklet that Japan Red Cross had developed, is in Japanese, but it is simple to understand, you just need to get some friends to help you on that.

『日本赤十字　ー　ボランテアとこころのケア　』ダウンロ-ドでき
る。被災地で日本人のボランテアたちにとても役に立つと思います。

Below is an example of what the booklet look like.

Volunteer and Kokoro no Care : Anyone can do it for the disaster care

4 Main Points for Volunteers

Sit beside the person so that the person is not left alone

Listen tentatively and engage.

Acknowledge their feelings.

Listen to their stories even if the topic of conversation seems not of emotional care concern.

5. Caution

Do look after your own health and keep safe

Do consider the different ways in approaching the children and elderly people, for there would be different problems i.e. physical, emotional, financial, etc. according to their age and situations.

3 Weeks of CRASH: Japan Disaster Relief

2011-04-05T22:44:00.001+09:00

（from CRASH:Japan Disaster Relief, Jonathan Wilson)

"3 Weeks of CRASH: Japan Disaster Relief"

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God." 2 Timothy 1:8
We are now in our fourth week since the disaster and I don't want anyone to be ashamed of the work that we are doing with CRASH for the testimony of our Lord in Tohoku. It might seem that other groups are moving faster and getting more done, but we are not in a race with anyone. Indeed everyone who is helping in the name of Christ are sharing the burden alongside those who are suffering. Our vision is a long term vision to mobilize Christian volunteers safely and effectively. We do not have to do everything and indeed cannot do everything. But because it can be hard to see the bigger picture in the midst of the daily work, here is a partial summary of what has been accomplished.

Over the course of the last three weeks, CRASH has
• delivered over 30 tons of relief supplies, including food, diapers, hygiene products, soap, toilet paper, bicycles, clothing, blankets, water and bedding and has been involved with distribution of larger amounts in cooperation with other aid organizations,
• mobilized over 100 volunteers into the disaster areas doing assessment, delivering supplies, mucking out homes, performing light demolition, emotional care and various other roles,
• had over 300 volunteers at HQ serving in various roles, everything from warehouse management, answering phones and food service to volunteer training, producing media and coordinating base operations in support of sending thousands of volunteers over the coming months and the long-term recovery of the region.
• established 4 regional bases of operations in Iwate, Miyagi, Tochigi and Ibaragi and numerous relationships with churches and ministries through whom we are serving local communities affected by the disaster, and
• developed partnerships with over 50 ministries, denominations, missions and associations both within and without Japan representing millions of Christians who want to help love on Japan in the name of Jesus Christ.

We are still in the early days of the response, there is so much more to do and thankfully we are not the only ones working. Please continue to pray as we work together.

God Bless You,

Jonathan Wilson

Recapturing what had happened in Tohoku Earthquake

2011-04-05T19:00:00.008+09:00

Volunteer Care Training Manual

Had been working on the CRASH volunteer care training manual the whole week. We are near the binge to finish, yet there are always different ideas in different people of what a field manual should look like. Let's pray for unity and let's gain Christ perspective on how we should work on things. So much time and resources had been wasted in this area, we have no more time to loss. The manual should be completed asap, as the volunteers may begin to burn out just like the disaster victims.

Recapturing what had happened in Tohoku Earthquake

Below is the background of the disaster.

Please use this as the key information to pray for the work of Christ.

2011 Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake - The Loss and Needs

The M9.0 earthquake occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, had triggered extremely destructive tsunami waves of up to 29.6 m (97 ft) that struck Japan minutes after the quake.

Figure 1 被災地の衛星写真 the satellites pictures of disaster areas

Extensive physical damage is not the only characteristic of the Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake. The multiple disaster situation includes a wide variety of problems, such as the nuclear plant accident, the urgent need to rescue disaster victims and support their livelihoods, paralysis of the commodity distribution system, a shortage of electricity, the yen's appreciation, and falling stock prices. The devastation cause $309 billion of loss, making it the world's most expensive natural disaster on record. The economic impact included both immediate problems, with industrial production suspended in many factories, and the longer term issue of the cost of rebuilding which has been estimated at ¥10 trillion ($122 billion). Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "In the 65 years after the end of World War II, this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan."

Figure 2 避難所情報マップ the map for the evacuee centers

The total number of 27,000 death toll plus missing was reported by the Japanese National Police Agency, as well as over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed. If we multiply the number of death and missing with 4 family members and 10 friends who remain alive, the people who are living in bereavement come close to 4 million. Not forgetting there are another 80,000 or more evacuees from Fukushima, who face the same uncertainties in future, going through the same frustration of losing their homes. Plus, more than 2 million of Fukushima residents would expected to live with constant fear in perceived danger. The need for “kokoro no care” (mental care) is definitely in huge demand.

Consider the Unique Characteristics of the Disaster Victims

There was never such a large scale of devastation caused by a natural disaster that no one could really claim familiarities with the situation, also the situations is complicated by multiple events.

Earthquake
Tsunami
Nuclear Plant Accident
Cold (sudden drop in the weather, snowing, no gasoline, no electricity) and Influenza Threat
Deprived from Basic Necessities (no food, no water, no medicine)

These were near death experiences, and the survivors are still experiencing it after 2 weeks of disaster, which is often rare. For Fukushima residents, it is never ending story.

Churches are setting up bases at these areas, yet do remember they themselves were also victims.

Anxieties, burn out, restless, sleepless night, uneasiness would either manifest or suppressed.

Neither way, it is going to be a problem later.

The only way is to have His peace and rest, by prayers and worships. Yet, do remember the above mentioned symptoms are real. The church and Christians need to be strengthen first before they move out to share their joy/testimonies to the community who are suffering even more as they have no presence of Lord with them, which may mean: peace, hope and love. What ahead of them are: uncertainties of life, loss, grief, berievement, emptiness, resentment, anger, sadness, panic, phobia, and sleepless nights with all kind of memory flash back.

Praying for the disaster victims is like setting an army to fight at the frontline before the frontline Christian workers, including me. Pray for unity in teams.

The Lord is good, and He is exposing me to more great things of His. Pray for spiritual alertness and physical strength in me.

Sites' Photos

Matthias Buerki who had just came back from his second trip to Miyagi with Shinjuku Shalom, New Hope, Yokohama Gloria Church and the Korean Methodist Church, had sent me a link of the photos he had taken:
http://mybuerki.smugmug.com/Japan/Mission-Trip-Japan/16388738_w8yfi#1232487346_PLHH8
It gives you a sense of how things are up there, and give you an idea of are the things that you could do when you are on the field.

Visiting Tochigi

Departing to Tochigi on Thursday morning for a few days to visit the evacuee centers.

Shelters at Tochigi seems to had received the evacuees who had been staying within 30kms from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Initially, they thought they were away just for a while because of the tsunami. But now, they can never go back because of the high radiation, even though their homes were not destroyed. There is a lot of hopelessness, and probably resentment too. Many had left with only what they were wearing, thinking that would be back home after an hour or two. There is this disillusion, confuse, regret, and a void hopelessness that we would be working with.

The Fukushima evacuees are probably not getting as much attention in comparison to Miyagi, while they suffer the same lost. The spiritual atmosphere in Fukushima will be a totally different scene.

Will update you again, after I return from Tochigi.

Below is my schedule:

Apr 5, working on Volunteer Care Manual Jap Version
Apr 6, Visiting FreeSpace, Shinjuku
Apr 7 - 10, Tochigi
Apr 11-14, Back to work in department, meeting up with some people, and work on the presentation for Apr 15

Apr 15, Hikikomori Study Group
Apr 16 - 18, Refresh and to work on some training materials.
Apr 19 - 30, CRASH/Sendai

Schedule after April 15 is subject to change with urgency of events.

Eastern Japan Earthquake Disaster Rescue and Recovery Assistance Committee

2011-04-03T23:32:00.003+09:00

I would like to bring your attention and donations for Tohoku Relief and Rebuild into this newly set up NPO in Akita, with the leadership of a team of pastors from different denominations, purposely focus in Tohoku Relief. They had gain a special approval for tax exemption when the Japanese people donate into this account. I had worked with Ps. Sakae for long, in trying to bridge the church and community in Akita. He was elected as the chairperson of Oomagari Mental Health Association last November, and making a good progress. I believe this NPO has a lot of potential in reaching out to MANY in the disaster areas.

On Friday, March 11, 2011 14:46 there was a 9.0 earthquake of the western coast of the Touhoku region of Japan. Within several hours after the earthquake, a large tsunami hit a long section of northern Japan. By Saturday (3/12), there was a movement in Akita Prefecture to create a committee that would be able to assist in the rescue and recovery of victims of this disaster. This committee would need to consist of lawyers, government officials, and pastors in the Touhoku region. By Monday (3/14) the committee had come together and was temporarily called the “Eastern Japan Earthquake Disaster Rescue and Recovery Assistance Committee. ” The members of the committee are as follows:

Pastor Sakae Makita (Akita Pastor and Committee Head)
Mr. Sasagi Mitsuo (International Lawyer)
Mr. Luis F. Aleman (Consultant)
Mr. Minoru Makita (World Financial Group Representative, Dallas, American International Coordinator)
Pastor Akira Taguchi (Akita City Pastor)
Pastor Moto Nakada (Akita City Pastor)
Pastor Fumiyuki Wakamatsu (Akita City Pastor)
Pastor Billy Petite (Akita City Pastor)

Donations can be made to the following account.

PAYING BANK : MIZUHO BANK. LTD
A/C WITH BRANCH : AKITA BRANCH
ADDRESS : 1-2-1. NAKADORI
AKITA-CITY. JAPAN
SWIFT CODE : MHBKJPTP
A/C NUMBER : 720-2044861

東日本大震災を機会に活動を始めた非営利団体です．
目的は，大災害の被災者に対して救済と復興支援を行い，次世代社会が創造されることです．

そのために，次の事業を行います．
１．食料確保・支援事業
２．生活物資の確保・支援事業
３．メンタルヘルスボランティア支援事業
４．被災地域のインフラの復興支援事業
５．被災地域の産業復興支援事業
６．被災地域の雇用促進支援事業
７．被災地域の子どものたちの教育支援事業
８．その他の救済復興に関わる支援事業

事務所を次の場所においています．
秋田県秋田市泉南1丁目11-1
委員長：蒔田栄
電話連絡先：０１８７-６６-２３６８　
E-mail ：sakamakita@gmail.com

当委員会の特徴は，支援物資や資金を海外で調達して，行政と協力しつつ，被災地へ救済と復興支援をお届けする海外と日本国内のメンバーによるプロジェクトティームであることです．

Contribution
寄付のお願い
左記の諸事業を行うために寄付と募金のご協力をお願いいたします．

銀行口座番号
口座：みずほ銀行秋田支店（普） 2044861

税務署から課税控除対象の認可を頂いております．

Radiation From Cornwall to Hong Kong Beats Tokyo Amid Nuclear Plant Scare

2011-04-03T17:51:00.000+09:00

By Stuart Biggs and Yuriy Humber - Apr 1, 2011 8:37 PM GMT+0900

A forwarded news from Bloomberg

People jog in the West Kowloon park as the Hong Kong skyline rises across Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong. Photographer: Jerome Favre/Bloomberg

Typical radiation levels in Hong Kong exceed those in Tokyo even as workers struggle to contain a crippled nuclear plant in northern Japan, indicating concerns about spreading contamination may be overblown. Photographer: Jerome Favre/Bloomberg

Typical amounts of radiation in Hong Kong exceed those inTokyo even as workers struggle to contain a crippled nuclear plant in northern Japan, indicating concerns about spreading contamination may be overblown.

The radiation level in central Tokyo reached a high of 0.109 microsieverts per hour in Shinjuku Ward yesterday, data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health show. That compares with 0.14 microsieverts in the Kowloon district of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory said on its website. A person is exposed to 50 microsieverts from a typical x-ray.

Many countries have naturally occurring radiation levels that exceed Tokyo’s, said Bob Bury, former clinical lead for the U.K.’s Royal College of Radiologists. A 30-fold surge in such contamination in Tokyo prompted thousands of expatriates to leave Japan after the March 11 tsunami knocked out power at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant, triggering the crisis. Radiation in Tokyo is barely above levels in London and New York even now, analysts said.

“The situation in Japan looks set to follow the pattern of Chernobyl, where fear of radiation did far more damage than the radiation itself,” Bury said in an e-mail referring to the 1986 accident in the former Soviet Union, the world’s worst nuclear disaster. “Whatever the radiation in Tokyo at the moment, you can be fairly sure it is lower than natural background levels in many parts of the world.”

Exceeds New York

Tokyo’s radiation level is only slightly higher than New York, where an average of 0.095 microsieverts an hour was recorded in the seven days to yesterday, according to a real- time Geiger counter reading set up as part of the Background Radiation Survey, a project where owners of the equipment feed their readings into a central database. The level in Tokyo the day before the accident averaged 0.0338 microsieverts an hour.

Radiation levels in Hiroshima prefecture, where the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb in 1945 killing an estimated 140,000 people, averaged 0.051 microsieverts an hour yesterday, according to datafrom Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

In Singapore, the radiation level was 0.09 microsieverts an hour at 4 p.m. local time yesterday, according to the city state’s National Environment Agency. Radiation levels in London yesterday were about 0.08 microsieverts an hour, according to figures from RIMNET, the U.K. national radiation monitoring network and emergency response system.

Underground Uranium

The U.K. Health Protection Agency estimates the typical Briton receives about 2,200 microsieverts of radiation per year from background radiation, or about 0.251 microsieverts per hour -- more than double the levels registered in Tokyo.

“Half of the average annual radiation to people in the U.K. comes from radon -- an invisible, colorless, radioactive gas present in all soils,” John Harrison, deputy director of the agency’s radiation center, said in an e-mail. “It’s a byproduct of the decay of uranium which is found in all soils around the world, and the amount that seeps out is dependent on the local geology.”

Cornwall, a popular tourist destination in southwest England, has four times the level of radon as other parts of the country, he said.

Natural Radiation

Natural radiation makes up about 85 percent of the global total, according to the World Nuclear Association. Manmade contributors include medicine and buildings, as well as the nuclear industry, which accounts for 1 percent of the total, the association says. Foodstuffs also contain radiation, and a 135- gram (4.8-ounce) bag of Brazil nuts has a dose of about 10 microsieverts, according to the U.K. agency.

Other activities that enhance naturally occurring radiation levels include mining, milling and processing of uranium ores and mineral sands, manufacturing and use of fertilizers and the burning of fossil fuels, according to a 2008 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The highest level of background radiation is in the state of Kerala and city of Chennai in southern India, where people receive average doses above 30 millisieverts per year, or 3.42 microsieverts an hour, according to the World Nuclear Association. India has vast amounts of thorium in its soil. A millisievert is 1,000 microsieverts.

In Brazil and Sudan, exposure can reach 40 millisieverts a year or 4.57 microsieverts an hour, the Association says.

Partial Meltdown

Tokyo Electric’s nuclear plant entered a partial meltdown after a magnitude-9 earthquake, the largest recorded in Japan, triggered a tsunami over 15 meters that knocked out power, including the backup generators, at the facility 220 kilometers (135 miles) north of Tokyo. Radioactive material has leaked into the air and sea ever since as workers, firefighters and the military battle to restore power and cool the reactors.

The highest level of radiation recorded at the plant has so far been 1 sievert, or 1 million microsieverts, found in water that flooded a turbine hall. While direct exposure at that level can cause hemorrhaging, the level drops to about 1 microsievert an hour at a distance of one kilometer and to 0.01 microsieverts at 10 kilometers, according to Tetsuo Iguchi, a professor specializing in isotope analysis and radiation detection at Nagoya University in central Japan.

No Fishing

Radioactive iodine rose to 4,385 times the regulated safety limit earlier this week off the coast of Fukushima, Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, told reporters in Tokyo yesterday. No fishing is occurring nearby and the sea is dispersing the iodine, he said.

A sample of Tokyo tap water, measured at the Kanamachi purification plant northeast of Tokyo, on March 22 found levels of radiation at 210 becquerels per liter, more than double Japan’s recommended limit for infants. The level dropped to within safe levels the next day. The news triggered bulk buying of bottled water at supermarkets and convenience stores even as the government said the health risks are minimal.

Dismantling the plant and decontaminating the site may take 30 years and cost Tokyo Electric more than 1 trillion yen ($12 billion), engineers and analysts said.

Japan’s government has set up a mandatory evacuation zone extending 20 kilometers around the plant in Fukushima and advised residents within 30 kilometers to stay indoors. The U.S. government recommends its citizens to avoid going within 80 kilometers of the stricken facility.

‘Tokyo Is Safe’

Tokyo is safe for habitation and the French school in the Japanese city will re-open next week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a speech at the French embassy in Tokyo yesterday. The crisis surrounding the crippled nuclear plant is “critical, unstable and durable,” he said.

Foreign embassies in Japan have been overly cautious and alarmist in advising their nationals to leave, Shunichi Yamashita, professor at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Nagasaki University, southwestern Japan, said in a briefing last week in Tokyo.

“It’s wrong to say that even a trace of exposure would be dangerous,” said Yamashita, who studied the effect of radiation on children after Chernobyl and is an adviser on radiation levels to the local government of Fukushima. “A person who gets radioactive material on their skin can easily wash it off.”

Asked if someone living 31 kilometers, or just outside the government’s evacuation zone, from the Fukushima Dai-Ichi plant was as safe as someone in London, he said, “Yes, absolutely.”

To contact the reporters on this story: Stuart Biggs in Tokyo at sbiggs3@bloomberg.net; Yuriy Humber in Tokyo at yhumber@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reed Landberg at landberg@bloomberg.net

Be One Tohoku Aid

2011-04-02T11:07:00.003+09:00

Jumpei visited 2 cities in Tohoku region last week, and joined the relief work. He said, the area was completely destroyed and it was filled with sadness and hopelessness. And surprisingly people are still in need of food, clothes and so on... after almost 3 weeks were passed.
On thing that he mentioned in his letter not only touched me,
"I had a chance to pray for one lady and she started to cry while I was praying.
They need healing and love from God! I believe this is the time for Japan!"

but triggered me for ... a memory in BeiChuan....
I remember the lady that I prayed for during Sichuan earthquake 3 years back. She was one of the very few survivors from BeiChuan, the town where two mountains joint into one. The PTSD made her couldn't utter any word clearly, but just shaking terribly as she sees people. Her eyes were terrified. She hadn't spoken to anyone since, it was about the 10th day after the incident. I sat down quietly beside her, allow her to relate, and I started praying for her quietly, inside me. Then the MIRACLE came... she began to quiet down, and she laid her head on my shoulder, and then I hold her in my arms, and told her I'll pray for her softly. Then I prayed, not in her dialect, but in my own language. I felt serenity, and felt the Holy Spirit was doing something in between us, something very special in her. I left her alone after that, leaving the Lord to do what He wants with her. After 15 minutes, I went back, she looked so different. She came down from her bed, to look for me, and she hold my hand, and it was no longer tears in her eyes, but serenity of calmness... the atmosphere totally change.... http://heart4japan.blogspot.com/2008/05/power-of-his-love.html

There are more than you could imagine for what a prayer would do.

The Be One group set up a ministry called "Be One Tohoku Aid"

http://b-1.jp/new/tohokuaid/

They are planning to send team from Osaka to Tohoku about three times a week with cars and trucks full of supplies and food.

Jumpei said,

"Now we are thinking and praying that how we can help the area in long term.
I believe we have to stand up and star something for this nation.
This disaster caused a BIG FEAR among people in Japan.
I believe God will use this disaster and turn it into revival of Japan!!!"

Below is something that the Be One group is calling for, please join them in you are in Kansai.

今回の東北における災害をうけて、関西の教会として共に集まり、共に礼拝し、被災地に遣わされた人達の証しを聞き、東北、また日本の人々の為に共に祈るときを持つことを企画しました。急なお知らせですが、ぜひ参加してください。誰でも参加できます。

Hope for Tohoku 東北への希望
日時：4月10日（日）　14：00－17：00
場所：大阪クリスチャンセンターhttp://www.osakachristiancenter.or.jp/map_english.html

We would really like to come together with one heart as the body of Christ in Kansai to worship together,to hear testimonies from those who have gone to serve, and to pray together for the people of Tohoku.
Though it is short notice, it seems important at this time to come together and remind ourselves of Who this is all about and to lift these efforts and the people of Tohoku up in our united prayers.

Hope for Tohoku
Date/Time: Sunday, April 10, 14:00-17:00
Place: Osaka Christian Centerhttp://www.osakachristiancenter.or.jp/map_english.html

Introducing Shalom: Another Center in sending up relief goods

2011-03-30T20:45:00.009+09:00

EAST JAPAN CRISIS RELIEF PROJECT – 3/26　東日本災害救援プロジェクト3/26報告

I am writing this report from Shiogama, Miyagi, Japan, a city hit hard by the March 11 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that have shaken Japan and affected the world. We are a team of 14 from the Tokyo area. We left on our second relief trip (3/24-26), with 3 trucks loaded with 6 tons of food, clothes, cold medicine, house-cleaning equipment, baby goods and emergency supplies. We also had an 8-passenger van and a 5-passenger SUV to complete our caravan.

宮城県塩竈市から報告します。新宿シャローム教会を拠点として出発した二回目のチーム、今回は、東京地区から14人のメンバーで行きました。3/14-26の日程、3台のトラック（+8人乗り、5人乗りの二台の車）で、計6トンの食糧品、衣類、風邪薬、清掃用具、ベビー用品、救急用品などを運びました。

Because we were registered as emergency vehicles, all 5 vehicles were able to use the expressway up to Sendai free of charge instead of paying the normal 7200 yen ($90) toll. As on our first trip a week ago, we stayed at Shiogama Bible Baptist Church, pastored by Yukikazu and Yukimasa Otomo. After our morning orientation on Friday, 3/25, we divided into 2 teams, one to do house cleaning and the other to distribute goods.
５台とも緊急車両の認可を受けることができたため、仙台まで無料で高速道路を使うことができました。第一回の時と同様、塩竈聖書バプテスト教会に宿泊させていただきました。3/25(金)朝、オリエンテーションが行なわれ、二つのチームに分かれて、一つは家の片付け、もう一つは救援物資の配給にまわることに。

I went with the team to deliver goods. The city we chose to go to is called Ishinomaki, Miyagi, reputedly one of the hardest hit by the tsunami. The spectacle that awaited us was overwhelming – crushed houses, cars on roofs, debris scattered everywhere. We pulled into an open space next to a building and began distributing goods to the 200 or so who gathered. They had not received any outside aid like the people in shelters because they were living in their own homes and were left on their own. Because the tsunami had left layers of mud in their houses, they quickly depleted the limited number of shovels, brushes, rubber boots and other cleaning tools that we had brought. Many also wanted gas cookers, thermos bottles, and of course fresh fruits and vegetables, which many had not eaten since the earthquake.

私は救援物資配給チームに入りました。今回対象となったのは、津波被害が最も深刻な場所の一つとして報告されている宮城県石巻市です。押しつぶされた家々、屋根の上に積み重なった車、至る所に散乱した瓦礫。私たちは、まず、一つの空き地を見つけて、集まった200人くらいの人々に物資を渡しました。この方たちは、自宅で避難生活を続けているため、避難所にいる方々とは違って、外部からの救援物資を今までいっさい受け取っていませんでした。私たちは少量のスコップ、ほうき、長靴や他の掃除用具を持って行っていましたが、彼らの家の中は津波の残した泥がたくさん積もっているので、それらの道具はあっというまになくなってしまいました。またたくさんの方が、ガスコンロ、魔法瓶、そしてもちろん、新鮮な野菜や果物を欲しがりました。多くの方は、地震の後、そのような新鮮な食べ物を口にしていなかったのです。

After the crowd disappeared, because we still had lots of goods, we moved to another location, the parking lot of a large supermarket. When word got around that free food and goods were being given away, 1000 people appeared out of nowhere and quickly got in line. We limited the number of articles each could take to 10 items. Of course, baby diapers, toilet paper, underwear, and all the food items were popular and went quickly. People came in worn-out clothes. They looked haggard. We saw a young woman with only house slippers on her feet! This is unheard of in a country where people never wear slippers outside. We were able to give her a pair of shoes.

最初の場所で人々が帰った後も、物資はまだ残っていたので、別の場所に移動しました。大きなスーパーの駐車場です。無料の食べ物や物資が配られているという口コミが広まり、どこからともなく、約1000人の方があっという間に集まって列が出来ました。一人10点まで、と受け取る数を決めました。もちろん、紙おむつ、トイレットペーパー、下着、食糧品は人気ですぐなくなります。みな着の身着のままの状態でした。一人の若い女性はスリッパしか履いていませんでした。日本では外にスリッパを履いて出るなんて聞いたことがありません。幸いこの女性に靴を一足渡すことができました。

People were so thankful; many asking who we were and where we had come from. Many said they had not received any relief supplies and that this was their first. We continued giving away what we had until it got dark, we had almost nothing left, and the line finally dissipated.

来られた方々は皆感謝して下さいました。またいろんな方が私たちがどういう団体でどこから来たかと聞いてくださいました。そして、多くの方は、ここでは、救援物資は今まで一度も受け取っていない、今回が第一回めだと言っていました。暗くなるまで物資を渡し続け、残りもほとんどなくなり、列もとうとうなくなりました。

At the end, as our team gathered in a circle to pray for the people we had served that day, we felt a great thankfulness to God that we could offer a little encouragement to a people fighting hunger and hopelessness in the midst of such great devastation. And we also vowed that we would return to show these people that they are not forgotten.

最後にチームで集まり、今日救援物資を渡すことのできた方々のために祈りを捧げましたが、その時、私たちの心は、神様への感謝の思いで、いっぱいになりました。このような甚大な被害の中で、飢えや失望と戦っている人々に少しでも励ましを差し出す特権を与えてくださった神様に、心から感謝しました。そしてまた、あなた方は忘れられていない、ということをこれらの方々に示すために、これからもこの地に戻って行くことを誓いました。

Thank you all for the great response of support and love that is being poured out to Japan from all over the world. We have gotten emails from Singapore, Africa, India, Brazil and Hawaii of teams coming to help. Many cannot come, but are praying for Japan. Thank you so much. Our God does answer prayer! Also, many are sending donations to buy needed supplies for the disaster victims. A heart-felt “Thank you” to you. We are using 100% of the donations for relief goods and transportation costs only. And we are doing our utmost to find the unreached people with the direst needs to offer them hope.

世界中から注がれている大きな愛と支援に心から感謝します。シンガポール、アフリカ、インド、ブラジル、ハワイからも、救援に向かっているというメールをいただきました。また多くの方は日本への祈りで支援してくださっています。私たちの神様は祈りに答えて下さる方です。また被災地の方々のために必要な物資を買うようにと義援金を送って下さった方々も大勢おられます。心から感謝します。義援金は100%救援物資の購入と現地との往復のガソリン代にのみ使っています。そして、全力を尽くして、何とか、まだ物資の届いていない方々の必要を満たそうとしています。

Some of the other teams we have contact with are going all over East Japan, to hospitals, orphanages and shelters and delivering much needed supplies. We are all working together – Christian organizations, churches, individuals, NPOs, NGOs, volunteers, self-defense forces and government offices – all bound together with the singular goal of helping the stricken in this crisis.

また私たちは他の団体の方々とも連絡を取っていますが、彼らも、病院や孤児院、避難所など、被災地の至る所に出て行って、緊急に必要な物資を届けています。クリスチャン団体、教会、個人、NPO、NGO、ボランティアグループ、自衛隊、政府の方々、私たちはみな一つとなって働いています。この災害で危機的な状態に置かれている、大きな必要のある方々を助けたいという共通の目標で結ばれています。

I salute the members of our second trip team. They worked hard and displayed great spirit under trying living conditions. The team members were:
Pastor Toru Majima and Atsushi Kawashima, Takuma Hirako, and Matthias Buerki (Swiss) of New Hope Yokohama Church in Yokohama, Kanagawa
Kazuyoshi Iizuka, pastor of New Life Family Church in Iruma, Saitama
Tsugio Takahashi, member of New Hope Narimasu Church in Tokyo
Pastor Yong Kyu Lee and Yong Keon Kang of Central Gloria (Korean) Church in Tokyo
Pastor Shizunori Sumiya and Jun Suematsu of New Hope Chiba Church in Yachio, Chiba
Ryo Sakamoto, an English school teacher from Nagoya, Aichi
Shiomi Sasanuma, Director of Happy Birthday Foundation, and a member of New Hope Tokyo Church
And me, Elmer Inafuku, pastor of Shinjuku Shalom Church in Tokyo

第二グループのメンバーとなってくださったお一人お一人に感謝します。皆様本当に一生懸命働き、たいへんな状況の元で素晴らしい心を示してくださいました。

The 3 trucks were provided by New Life Family Church, Central Gloria Church and Jun Suematsu. We also rode up in two vans, provided by Central Gloria Church and Tsugio Takahashi. We are so grateful for their generosity and willingness to help. What a great caravan we were!

３台のトラック、またバンを提供してくださった教会、個人の皆様に感謝します。

Please continue praying for:
どうぞ続けてお祈りください。

1) The Fukushima Power Plant to be brought under control and radiation damage kept to a minimum.
福島原発が制御され、放射能漏れが最小限に抑えられるように。

2) All unreached and needy survivors be located and helped.
まだ物資や救援が届いていない被災地の人々が把握され、彼らにも救援が届くように。

3) Many grieving hearts be healed from the pain of losing loved ones, businesses and all possessions.
愛する人、商売、仕事、家やその他の財産、持ち物を失って、痛み苦しんでおられる人々の心が慰められ癒されるように。

4) The entire East Japan region be able to rebuild their cities and farms.
被災されたすべての地域の方々が、自分たちの畑、村、町、都市を再建することができるように。

5) Many precious souls be able to find spiritual strength in God that will help them overcome in the midst of this tragedy.
たくさんの尊い人々が、このような悲惨な状態の中で、この事態を乗り越える力を、神の中に見いだすことができるように。

6) Better prevention of damage from earthquakes and tsunamis be instituted in Japan and the world.
日本また世界に、今までよりさらに良い地震対策、津波対策が立てられるように。

7) The right solution for the issue of whether nuclear power plants should be used or not be given to all governments.
あらゆる国の政府が、原子力をエネルギーとして使うべきかどうか正しい解決策を持つことができるように。

新宿シャローム教会を通して救援物資を送りたい、または義援金を送りたいという方は、教会までお問い合わせください。
新宿シャローム教会03-3371-7558

For those who would like to partner with us in sending relief aid to East Japan, you may send contributions to:
Bank: Mizuho Bank
Branch: Shinjuku Shintoshin Branch Swift ID: MHBKJPJT Acct. name: Shinjuku Shalom Church Elmer Inafuku (no dots or hyphens)Branch no.: 209Account no.: 3717160

Our bank address is as follows:
Mizuho Bank Shinjuku Shintoshin Branch
1-25-1 Nishi Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
163-0676 Japan
Tel. 03-3345-1221

My church, Shinjuku Shalom Church's address is listed below.

Praying for East Japan!
Elmer Inafuku

--
Shinjuku Shalom Church
7-9-7 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Tel 81-3-3371-7558 (Church)

May God's Shalom be with you!

As now CRASH is asking a hold to send in the relief goods because Crash Japan is on the process of moving its office and storage. You may want to send your ready packaged relief goods to Shalom instead. :-) However if you would like to wait a little, to send to CRASH, probably in the near future, Crash Japan will announce where to send goods.

I always respect Ps. Elmer in Shalom Shinjuku. He has incredible accountability.

I worked with him before, and I salute his leadership and strong sense of responsibility, and how tightly he cling on towards prayers to draw strength from the Lord.

This is a message by Ps. Elmer,

Notes on Mar 29, 2011

2011-03-29T00:41:00.002+09:00

Hold On in Sending Relief Goods to CRASH Office
CRASH is currently using CAJ (Christian Academic Japan) as its head office, the school will start on April 1. Joshua Hari would like to thank each and everyone who had responded to the needs in Tohoku Relief, and sent relief goods to CRASH, yet, there is a need to clear out all the relief goods that we are storing at the CAJ canteen before April 1.

I know some of you had/are planning to send goods to CRASH office, now we would like to ask you to hold on at present.

To speed up the work in sending up goods to the afflicted areas, there are few things that are crucial: gasoline, vehicles, man power.

Need your prayers!

Tokyo Budokan
The shelters in Tokyo Budokan had not opened up for volunteers.

Working From Different Sites
In Akita, 5 pastors set up a team to help in facilitating donations of goods and cash, though differ from CRASH. Yet, these are all good news. There is a need to work from different sites, while the churches from the South and Central try to collaborates with CRASH in Tokyo, it would be redundant if the people from the north would need to come down to Tokyo and going back up to the north.

Tension
In some of our Facebook groups about Tohoku Relief, and people search, we have many participants/members who were not Christians that registered. At one particular group, where Japanese language was the domain, a Christian reporter reported his view and sorrow as he was alarmed by the other religious groups that were also working at the relief sites, and addressed them as "cult". The article was seen as inappropriate by some of the members, in consideration of the feelings of others. The arguments shed some lights about how we should pray, and how we should communicate.

In time of crisis such as this, we would see people who sacrifice themselves for others, and people who turn their backs away. And many times, those who work harder than others, are non-Christians. When my tutor in the Lodge 'advised' me to leave, he asked me one question, "Why are you not leaving?" I told him I am a Christian. He did not understand at all. And the fact is, many Christians left on the spot, and the other who had stayed with me, were not Christians at all. This is something that we need to reflect on.

How Should We Pray?
I would say for myself, probably the best prayers for now, is that :

The Lord shall shine His LIGHT in the midst of the multitude who lost hope and family members. That His LOVE shall fill everyone in NEED, that they shall not WANT (Psalm 23). And that in the relief work and love that have shown, the Lord will GATHER his people, to the awesome knowledge of His sovereignty in OVERCOME crisis in our lives.

Do remember ONE thing, our prayers are conversation with the Lord. Our prayers reflect WHO we are, especially when we put it in words, and post it up on the wall. And remember, the world is WATCHING too!

Paypal can help to save more on transaction!!!

2011-03-27T21:29:00.000+09:00

After a several discussions with friends who are more familiar in the matters of money transfer, now I have decided to advice you to make your donations through paypal. The exchange rate seems to be better, and no other fixed charge. Since this would save my time and cost to get to HSBC in Tokyo, so, please make your donations directly to CRASH or other bodies through paypal. God bless!

Prayer Points Recorded From The Sites

2011-03-25T10:57:00.002+09:00

As you may have aware, many teams are corroborating with CRASH, and sending up relief goods to the afflicted sites, and helping churches and the afflicted areas. Now these are reports from the sites that we could probably spend sometime to ponder on, to pray.....

... from CRASH message board....

HARD-HIT AREAS:
• Days after the earthquake, heavy aftershocks are still being felt throughout Japan, with no way of knowing how long these aftershocks will continue. Some experts have said that there could be strong aftershocks of up to magnitude level 8 for six months. Please pray that the earthquakes will cease.

• Pray also for the buildings that survived the initial shock, but are being hammered by the aftershocks. Many buildings still stand, but were weakened, and because of this strong aftershocks are very dangerous.

• The devastation from the initial earthquake was compounded by heavy tsunami that hammered the east coast. Some towns were entirely obliterated by the tsunami. With the threat of strong aftershocks, the threat of tsunami still loom. Praise God that these tsunami have ceased for the time being. Please pray that the affected areas remain safe from further tsunami.

• Due to the seismic activity, the ground level in much of coastal Japan actually sank, so sea water that came in during the tsunami is not receding. This is hampering relief efforts. Please pray that relief teams will be able to work safely in these areas.

• In the wake of the earthquake, fires raged throughout affected areas. Pray for the victims of these fires and those who have lost their homes.

• Over a week later, hope of finding survivors dwindles, and teams are beginning to shift their focus from search and rescue to recovery. Pray for those who have still heard no word on their loved ones.

• Casualty reports are still coming in. Over 9,400 bodies have been found, and over 13,000 people remain unaccounted for. It is estimated that the death toll could exceed 15,000 in Miyagi prefecture alone. Pray for those who have lost their loved ones in this disaster.

• Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in the coastal areas and the area around the Fukushima nuclear power plants. Conditions for these people are terrible. There are terrible shortages. There is no fuel for heaters, no electricity, and in many places necessary supplies are scarce. There is no gasoline for anybody to go out and buy these supplies. Night temperatures in northern Japan this past week have been bitterly cold, and it is snowing heavily in some areas. Please pray for them, and all who are having to stay in public shelters.

• Pray for those who are have taken refuge in unofficial shelters. The government and official relief teams do not know about these places to send help. Pray that they can get word out to relief teams and receive the help they need.

• The future is uncertain and grim for those who have lost everything in this disaster. Pray for hope.

• Pray for the injured and the elderly. Many who were already weak before this disaster occurred are finding the stress more than they can handle. Several have died due to the stress alone, and more are dying in shelters because of the shortages. Please pray for continued healing and proper care for this very vulnerable segment of the population.

• Temperatures in northern Japan have been unseasonably cold. Snow and rain add to the dangers to people's health. Please pray for continued health for those who are caught in this terrible situation.

• Pray for medical and hospice workers who were unable to rescue all of the people under their care. Many of them are struggling with intense feelings of guilt. Pray for God's comfort for them.

• Pray for the restoration of municipal offices and the recovery of the government; many officials are still missing, and many buildings were destroyed in the disaster.

• The earthquake in eastern Japan has had serious implications on the state of medical response. In Miyagi Prefecture, despite stoppages of supply lines and difficulties to provide water, medicine, and provisions, hospitals continue to overflow. Many hospitals struggle to support patients in face of power outages and water shortages. Pray for the doctors and patients in these hospitals.

• Pray for those whose homes are still without electricity or running water.

These are the people that we will eventually run into when it comes into ministries. Please pray for the wisdom of God upon His people, in how we could be as a light, share love and care with our beloved people. There is a NEED to EQUIP the workers with a little counseling knowledge and skills, so that we would be able to understand at a little about emotional turmoil, how to deal with grief etc. May we soar on the eagle wings! God Bless Japan.

Methods to Donate

2011-03-24T15:55:00.003+09:00

For Malaysians that wish to donate

I will be helping out in CRASH on the R&D next week. So, if you would like to make contribution, and save every cent to the relief work that you donate. I will like to facilitate the donations in this way. You can bank into H4J Malaysia mission account, HSBC, 002-074086-025 (Yong Kim Fong), and I will get them to bank in to the HSBC account, so that I can take it out from the ATM in the Tokyo branch. That would probably reduce the loss. As it will not involve handling charges, but ONLY the bank convert fees, and about 150yen per withdraw for 120,000yen. We are hoping that this will help to secure the maximum fund that could reach the victims, and the needs of the churches. Please notify me the amount that you bank in, and details, if possible.

Your direct transaction with the receiving organization will actually save me a lot of work, but then, considering the value of Ringgit and the level of income Malaysian earns, every single cents count in the relief effort. A same amount from Malaysia while compare to US and SIngapore, would mean 5 to 10 times sacrifice our citizens ready to make. I believe every donors would have the same thought, that is to give the maximum to the victims. Therefore I am really glad if I could be of any assist at this matter.

If you would like to make your own arrangement, sending money in through paypal, would be helpful to in reducing unnecessary charges. Please refer to CRASH homepage for this. www.crashjapan.com

For Hong Kong friends who wish to donate
I can help you via the same method, and you need to bank into H4J HK mission account, HSBC 405-2-005487 (Yong Kim Fong). Or you may consider to donate the money to CCMN. check CCMN websites. I believe the CCMN missionaries would have a wise way to reduce the loss in transfer rate as much as they can.

If you would like to make your own arrangement, sending money in through paypal, would be helpful to in reducing unnecessary charges. Please refer to CRASH homepage for this. www.crashjapan.com

The reasons of why I suggested CRASH

But sometimes one body receive a large donations and sits on it, as it always happens in CRISIS donations. You would probably be very surprised that much of the money that was donated for Indonesia Tsunami Relief in 2004 and Sichuan Earthquake 2008 are still not being utilized.

In the previous relief organization that I joined, they explained to me how the money is used, and why there are certain funds sit in the bank and not be utilized at all, and even with that fund available, they still need to raise fund when next disaster strike. It seems like when the donation comes in, it will be divided into different categories, or the category for that critical moment, i.e. "1st phase relief", or "buying food for the victims in the shelters". Meanwhile, many others are also raising funds and pumping the resources into the same directions. When the need of these items no longer exist, they can't use it for others without getting consent of the donors. But there is no way to find out the donors, therefore it is impossible to get consent. So, the money sits there and generate interest, probably they are able to use the interest, and it probably goes into admin fees. It seems like most structured body would have the similar process. There is not enough flexibility in funds utilization.

I'e know Jonathan Wilson, he is a pastor and also the founder of CRASH (Christian Relief Assist, Support, and Hope) for years, since Sichuan Earthquake. And I am always amazed by his energy, and wisdom that he has in working with nonbelievers. And I know that many leaders of Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, Conservative Baptist Association, Japan Cell Church Mission Network, Japan Christians Fellowship and many others are offering help and cooperating with CRASH. As I checked with the Japanese Christians leaders in the field, there is a high recommendation that funds to be channel into CRASH at this moment. Therefore I believe that the financial is transparent, and there is a good accountability in this. I believe that your donations will be in good hands.

But then it is really on your own discernment in where and who to donate to. I trust your decision, and believe that God will make the best use out of the donations that you have made! If you are planning to come as a volunteer, please let me know, and we can catch up while you are here! :-)

Organizations that are accepting donations at this moment

CRASH Tohoku Relief

JEMA Japan Evangelical Missionaries Association

Japan Baptist Association

Japan Red Cross

Medical Without Borders

Feed the Hunger

World Vision

etc.

Top 10 Needs at the Sendai Base Camp

2011-03-24T02:38:00.001+09:00

Top 10 Needs at the Sendai Base Camp! - CRASH

As of March 23, 2011

Hygiene Items (toothpaste, alcohol gels, toothbrush, combs, sanitary napkins, adult diapers)
Cans of Baby Milk (for newborn and 1 yr. olds)
Men's and Women's underwear
Rice
Gas bombe and Portable Stoves
Toilet Paper and Tissue
Cans of Food and Instant Ramen
Batteries (Type 2)
Items for Clean Up (Rubber Boots, Gloves, Buckets, Scrub Brushes)
4L Water Containers

We appreciate your support with these items. We can not accept any second-hand items. Please put items in separate labeled boxes.

It is also possible to buy things through distributors (e.g. Amazon) and have it sent to CrashJapan at 〒203‐0013　東京都東久留米市新川町１－２－１２－１０６　松川プレイス１０５　クラッシュジャパン Please contact CrashJapan @ 080-4094-2645 if you have any questions or would like to donate.

Tsukuba Express Schedule at Kashiwanoha Campus (Temp Measures)

2011-03-21T23:32:00.000+09:00

Latest schedule for Tsukuba Express from Mar 22 onwards. No express/semi express train at this moment

Thoughts... continued

2011-03-21T21:51:00.003+09:00

Mission to Shelter
Our mission in visiting the shelter in Budokan completed in 2 hours. There is a high concern of privacy in this shelter, which is very different with the shelters at the north. No name list was posted on the board. No details of breakdown of age group. What we understand is that there are currently about 350 people in the shelter. The shelter do accept donation of goods, but not cash donations. It seems to suggest that this shelter has no real critical needs at this time.

We expressed our concerns about mental health care of the residents, and suggested something that we could do for the children. I am not sure how much the person would convey the message to the people in charge, but then I have passed my name card to them, and wait if the Lord opens the door.....

Something to be Alert of and to Pray for......

Security
Somehow not very much different with other places in crisis, there were theft cases too. I recieved warnings in chain mails and read something about this on the net, but it had never really appeared to me as real until ....... Few days ago, two students who were trying to collect donations at the stations were being beaten up, and their money were being robbed. At the station in Ayase, a sign was put up by the police, warning the people to be careful about their bags. At the chat corners, victims being raped in last Kobe earthquake shared their experience, and advised people to be extra careful at this time of crisis. I don't really notice these fears on their faces, but the fear was expressed during a conversation in a home visitation.

Future
Now the situation in Japan is much stable since the success of restoration of electricity to the nuclear plant. The donations are on their ways. There are less fear of the nuclear and radiation, but there are much fear in future, of how we could rebuild the places that have destructed. PTSD and berievement of the victims who witnessed the tsunami and loss their homes. Also, the huge number of lives lost/not found (21,000, as dated Mar 20), there is a large load of berievement that only God can take over from now. After the complete stabilization of nuclear plant, there are more for us to do!!! CHURCH, let us prepare ourselves in this long and continuous battle!

"Understanding the radioactivity at Fukushima"

2011-03-21T11:27:00.003+09:00

With the great fear and confusion that is griping the population at the north of japan. there is a need to address this in this issue.

A friend had shared with me this public lecture that was taught by Ben Monreal, a physicist, entitle "Understanding the radioactivity at Fukushima" at the University of California, Santa Barbara immediately after the earthquake. It contains accurate info on health effects of radiation and on consequences of reactor accidents under various scenarios. The video of his lecture is available at http://online.itp.ucsb.edu/online/plecture/bmonreal11/. The slides of the lecture are available also in Japanese, translated by six volunteers in Japan, at http://ribf.riken.jp/~koji/jishin/zhen_zai.html.

Synopsis of the lecture

Assistant Professor Benjamin Monreal, UCSB Department of Physics, will give an overview of radioactivity and reactors, radiation health and safety, and the ultimate fate of the materials coming out of the stricken reactors in Fukushima.
Why is it worse than Three Mile Island? Why is it (probably) not as bad as Chernobyl? How worried are scientists? How worried should you be?
The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session with a panel including Theo Theofanous, Professor of Chemical and of Mechanical Engineering, and Patrick McCray, Professor of History, both of UCSB.

My friend suggest that if you are only interested in health effects of radiation and consequences of reactor accidents, you may skip the video and just view slides 12 through 17 and 21 through 31 (slides 13 through 18, and 22 through 32 in the Japanese version).

I am not an expert on this, but I am glad that I could learn together with you!

Meanwhile, In a graphic form, radiation counts in Tsukuba, about 50 km north of Tokyo and closer to the reactors, are available at http://rcwww.kek.jp/norm/index-e.html. The graph suggested that those are not at a level to be worried about. PLUS, there has been more progress at Fukushima than a few days ago--high-tech fire engines spraying water and power has been brought to the disabled power station. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to be careful. i.e. not to getting wet from rain is a good precaution.

Report from: Christ For The Nations Japan Bible School

2011-03-21T10:50:00.001+09:00

March 17, 2011

Report from: Christ For The Nations Japan Bible School

When the earthquake hit us on Friday afternoon at CFN Japan Bible School, the whole building swayed like we were on a large ship. We felt “seasick” even after the quake, but thankfully there has been no damage. We have been getting emails from CFNJ graduates around the country, especially from the affected areas, and as far as we know, everyone is safe. But several students have family and friends in the affected area that they have not been able to get in touch yet.
I have been told that CFNI graduate Pastor Thomas Davis has evacuated from his home in Iwaki city, hard hit by tsunamis and also not far from the atomic power plant that is in a crisis situation. Please keep these people in your prayers

Iwaki City, one of the cities where the earthquake and tsunami has hit is also only about 50 km away from the Fukushima Nuclear plant. Everyone arrived at Christ For The Nations Japan Bible School in tears of relief and thankfulness to be in a safe and warm place. They hadn’t had a bath for 3 or 4 days, and that’s pretty unthinkable for a cleanly Japanese!

Kiyonori’s Family Have Accepted Christ
Kiyonori Sakamoto and his wife Lena have been studying at CFN Japan since September last year. They were very worried about their family living in Iwaki City under the threat of radiation. So with permission from CFN Japan Bible School, they invited the family to come and stay at CFNJ as evacuees.

Since the earthquake and the threat of radiation, and Kiyonori sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, all the family members in this photo have accepted Jesus Christ into their lives! From that point on, they started experiencing miracles of provision of water and other necessities plus being able to obtain air tickets to Hokkaido, where CFNJ is. God is good! The family is looking forward to attending church on Sunday, and they are considering getting baptized.

A Harvest of Souls
God is working speedily at this time folks, and we ask you to pray for the harvest of souls. We sense a tremendous spiritual battle going on over souls in Japan. It is time the spiritual strongholds over Japan to be broken, idols to fall, false Gods to be exposed and torn down, so that the captives of Japan can be set free.

Dear Praying Friends, the greatest contribution you can give to Japan is to pray for souls to be saved, be built up, equipped and even sent out to the harvest field around the world! Like Moses of old, please keep your hands of prayer up for Japan. We’re going to win this one with the Lord on our side!

We have been able to help the Sakamoto family with money for food. As donations for the earthquake relief work comes in, we are planning to send the funds to churches and Christian relief organizations working in the hardest hit areas.

Gerald Goodall
International Representative
Christ For The Nations Japan

Various Updates on Mar 19

2011-03-19T20:42:00.001+09:00

Getting Ready for Victims
There is a great need to open your house for victims who are evacuating from the north.
Crash Japan and Toshio Nagai Sensei are looking for volunteers to host foreigners who are trapped in this disaster. Contact Crash jwilson@gracejapan.com, or Toshio at j.clayhouse@gmail.com.

Churches in Kansai, please be prepared to open as a base for shelters to receive a huge flood of victims if the stabilization of the nuclear plant fail. There could a wave of panic in Kanto area, and people may flee to Kansai.

The Stabilization of Nuclear Plant
Pray for success at cooling the nuclear reactors! It would be only GOD that can make this now! The leader of the electricity restoration project is Mr. Naoshi Sato. He is a Christian. Pray that the Lord will give him supernatural wisdom and ideas even now and that they can fix it. For the Lord that surpassed all knowledge and human understanding will strengthen them with power through the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the team!

Shelter NEEDS * GOSPEL Choir & Children Ministry
Thousands of victims from Tohoku are flooding into Kanto area, there had called out for mental health care. I know that there some licensed Christian counselors had started to visit the centered, but there is much more that we can do. In my previous experience of Sichuan 5.12 Earthquake, having activities in the shelter, cheering up the victims would be effective in elevating fear and open up doors to chat. Conducting children ministries in camps/shelters would be effective tools. Sending the Gospel team to the shelter to sing, would be another good Instead of channeling all our efforts to the sending relief resource to the afflicted areas at this moment, we may need to start something immediately with the shelters. There is a huge shock, PTSD, and a lot of fears with the victims, the uncertainties about tomorrow. There is also a lot of pain and berievement because of the loss of families.

Trauma Coaching and Working with Evacuees
CRASH could provide this training. Contact CRASH 050-5534-5729 for the group working on evacuees, and ameeko@crashjapan.com for trauma coaching. There is a trauma coaching tomorrow at 5pm in Higashi Kurume. If you have massage skill, please offer your service. Ty and me are planning to visit the shelters in Tokyo on Monday, so that we can gage the situation better. If you would like to come with us, please join us! Leave me an email with your contact number.

Now, some "Negative" info :-p and some ENCOURAGEMENT
Aside from the above encouraging messages, I guess I should not hide some "negative" information that I am aware of, IF the stabilization of nuclear plant fails, and IF the direction of the wind is blow towards inland, and IF there would be rain when this happens.

I was given a verse twice yesterday, putting up the armor of God!
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
As quite a number of you had received a prophetic message about the spiritual warfare that is going on, this is probably the fight that we need to stand against.

The radiative reading is stable now, but no one knows about the real situation and what will happen tomorrow. If Kanto needs to be evacuated, those who are physically weak and sick would be in dilemma, as they can't run fast, they would probably be left behind. For us who choose to stay right now, are facing a risk. Evacuation from nuclear explosion is different from earthquake evacuation. Ministries that go into the earthquake areas would be able to help out, to care for the left behind, to carry the victims out. But in a evacuation of nuclear explosion, there is not much we can do. Those who can run will run, and those couldn't run will stay and wait for the help from the professional rescue team. People will stay indoor, close all the windows and doors, shut themselves off while waiting for the rescue team. There is no home visitation that we could do. And there would be a food and water problem. The burden of relief effort increase by having one more person in the afflicted area.The same would be with the church. So, the most possible thing that we could do by our presence, is gathering with the saints, and singing hallelujah, and waiting for the rescue team to rescue us before we run out of food supply. The tap water is no longer drinkable once it rains.

Does this sound depressing enough? :-) These are the stories that I know...
Yet, the peace in me assures me that God is in control, and He is here with us.

Therefore,
stand firm on Eph 6:10-18
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

For this is time for us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God! (Eph 3:18-19) > thanks Kimbo for this message! ^^

Love,
Roseline

Fukushima Nuclear Plant Cooling Project

2011-03-18T15:11:00.001+09:00

There are Christian workers working on pipe connection for cooling system of Fukushima nuclear plant. Please pray for them. Their names are Seiichi KISAKA and Naoyoshi SATOU.

Also, Fukushima First Bible Bpatist had also sent out prayer request!

福島第一聖書バプテスト教会関係者も原発で働いていますので投稿いたします。
Sister Shibuya's husband, he is in the Fukushima Nuclear Plant One. 渋谷姉妹のご主人　第一原発内作業中
Sister Nakamura's husband, he is in the Fukushima Nuclear Plant One. 中村姉妹のご主人　第一原発内作業中

Sister Kita's husband, he had departed to the Fukushima Nuclear Plant Two yesterday. 北姉妹のご主人　　第二原発へ昨日向かった。

Yatsuo is going to the Fukushima Nuclear Plant now. 八津尾さんご主人　今原発に向かっている。

Brother Nishimura is leaving to Fukushima Nuclear Plant Two on Monday. 西村兄弟　月曜日第二原発へ出発

PRAY with us!!!

For the Lord's protection, and success in the work!!!

It's TIME to be ONE with the Community

2011-03-18T10:31:00.009+09:00

TOKYO
The shelters in Tokyo is Tokyo Budokan, and Ajinomoto Stadium are taking 15000 victims.
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/INET/OSHIRASE/2011/03/20l3hc00.htm
（1）東京武道館

　足立区綾瀬３－２０－１

　東京メトロ千代田線｢綾瀬｣駅徒歩５分

（2）味の素スタジアム（調布庁舎）

　調布市西町３７６－３

　京王線｢飛田給｣駅徒歩５分

I encourage the churches in Tokyo that it is time to take action in this area! Walk in to the shelters, bring our ears to listen to the appeals, bring our hands to care, bring our harmonicas with us to blow a sweet pleasing hymn. We are His intercessors! Think about the needs of the elderly people and the children. That will help us to make plans!

With the experience in Sichuan 5.12, we conducted activities (singing) in a electric cable factory for the workers as per requested by the owner to encourage their spirits. In the hospital, we rounded the beds, listening and comforting the patients, helping them to wipe their bodies, singing praise songs together, lifting up spirit one another. We had received high appreciation from the hospital staffs and the city official. They told us if we were absence, the atmosphere would be dull. We had made a difference. If the communist government would appreciate what we did, I see no reasons for the Japanese government to reject us. Christians have good and respectable image in such situations. There are 1,500 victims in the shelters. GO!!!

CHIBA, MATSUDO
On the other hand, Matsudo-shi 松戸市 is getting volunteers to help to host the victims. For some of us who are sending relief goods to the tohoku afflicted areas, why not we work with them? How much more chances would we have to work together with the community as ONE? Shine, CHURCH, SHINE!!!

Please call the number below or write them a email to let them know how many you could host! Thanks!

避難者のホームステイ先を募集しています　松戸市では、避難者をホームステイとして受け入れていただけるホストファミリーを募集しています。

すでに、5人の避難者が市内にホームステイしています。

避難者の健康管理について　避難者の健康管理のために保健師を派遣し、色々な相談にのっているほか、妊娠中の方もいることから医療機関との連携も図りながら体調管理に努めています。

部署名：総務企画本部防災課

電話番号：047-366-7309
Fax 番号：047-368-0202
Email: mcbousai@city.matsudo.chiba.jp

The huge amount of victims that reached Tokyo and North West Chiba, and other places raised a nNEED for mental care. The victims are in fear, fearing the uncertainties lie in tomorrow, traumatized by the earthquake and tsunami and nuclear plant explotion, in great bereavement for the loss and dead. For the victim shelters in Tokyo area, it is TIME for second phase intervention, 心のケア, mental care. It is TIME to be UNITED with the local community that we have long to be as ONE.

Please Donate!!!

2011-03-16T22:58:00.001+09:00

The old are shivering... the young are weeping... the lights in their eyes are fading.....
Cold......
Hungry....
Thirst....
No Gas...
No Blanket....
No Water...
No Toilet Paper...
No Toilet...
No Food....
No......................................................................

I can't stand this anymore!!!

My heart breaks with the people in the camp, with their hunger, cold and thirst. I am trusting the local churches that are sending up goods to the inflicted areas. There is a need for donations!!!

If you agree to sum up your donations with all others as one body, Heart4Japan. Please bank into the following accounts if you are located in HK or Malaysia. I will withdraw it in Tokyo, so we can save the expensive tele charges by the bank transfer. I am sorry that I can only help the members in HK and Malaysia at the moment for this direct transfer. If you are planning to do teletransfer to my account from locations other than HK and Malaysia, I will advice you to direct bank in to JEA account,

1. Japan Post 郵便振替: 00190-5-7790 Account holder: （JEA）日本福音同盟援助協力委員会

2. Mizuho Bank みずほ銀行: Kudan Branch 九段支店 532-1673098 Account Holder' JEA援助協力委員会

If you are in the States and Canada, try this instead,

*Find information from this link

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_109898789089909&view=doc&id=110132985733156

For those who are hoping to donate as a body of Heart4Japan, please bank in to either account below, and I will send it to the afflicted Church!

Please notify me immediately once you donate, together with you email. I will send you the reports of where the money goes.

My email: yangjinhong@gmail.com

Account Holder: Yong Kim Fong
HSBC Hong Kong 405-2-005487

HSBC Malaysia 002-074086-025　

Let's us SHINE!!!! God bless you!!!

Random Thoughts

2011-03-16T18:58:00.002+09:00

I admire the people who are helping at the sites, including the volunteers and the onsite news reporters. not only because of the dangers of aftershocks and freezing cold outside, but also the areas in Miyagi is very near to the nuclear plantations. When everyone is leaving, and having fear, that young man is reporting every needs in the few shelters, so that the companies and red cross are aware of what is lack , and are able to send relief goods and help on time!

And I love the governor of Aomori too. They are affected too, and cold... but they are planning to send assist to the more affected areas.

They live an example of what God created man to be. Now, it is the question of how God's created rules and image of men live so profoundly in His image while do not know Jesus?

I love CRASH people who are traveling up to the inflicted areas, I love Sugaya Sensei and Fukuno Sensei and a lot of others who are risking their lives to travel up to inspect the sites, and plans for relief efforts, I love the churches in Japan getting in ONE to support one another in prayers, finance, live searching process, donations of resources!

We are Christians, Missionaries that we believe God had sent us here, and we are getting ready for consequences, and we believe that it is only God that made us stay here and be of assist.

Some Japanese flee to their hometowns, some stay. Some work. Some tried even harder to help the victims. Some do it because of responsibilities. Some do it because it is a nature part of human in sympathy and empathy. Some always sacrifice themselves for others. I begin to see the old lost high standard of moral value restoring through these heros... I wonder if there are some responded to the disaster because there is a voice that called out to them, to be strong and to be still? What we say and think is God, to many people who do not think that they possess a faith, they think that is self. That is where they loss out. God gives rain to every creature on this earth. The good and the bad. Even the End-Time, no one would escape, and the trial begins with His people. God is righteous. He wouldn't judge people who do not know His laws before He judge His own people that He had given the messages to tell the unknown about Him and His laws.

God's law is to love your neighbor as yourself.

Let's PRAY
pray that the relief efforts by the church n missions would reach on time o the sites!

pray that the wind will chang its direction, and blow to pacific ocean
pray that the Lord will miracuously intervene and remove the radioctive exposre to the oceanic lives
pray that the Lord will send holy spirit to heat up the people in the shelter and feed them with manna
pray that the nclear plant will be stable.

It is FREEZING COLD in Miyagi, Aomori, Fukushima, Ibaraki!!!

Address to send resource/goods for relief! Act Fast!

2011-03-16T13:05:00.001+09:00

Now there is an address available for us to send things up to the affected areas. Act fast! We would need help and donations from the South, because my place has run out rice, water, instant noodles, and toilet paper. Cup noodles will be much useful than instant noodles!

message from Fukuda Sensei,
"I and Grace City Church Tokyo are collaborated with this church for relief ministry. I will got to bring water, foods, clothes and other daily necessities for Iwaki, Fukushima tonight. Grace to you!"

Oyumino Christ Church(rev. Dan Iverson) 2-2-126 honda-cho, Midori-ku, Chiba-shi 266-0005

Many pastors and missionaries are still sending things up to the affected areas, ignoring the shortage of power, and persistent strong aftershocks, also the risk of exposure of radioactive component. A team with Sugaya Sensei (Kiyose Grace Chapel) is in Sendai now. We trust God for all His arrangement! Please pray with us, for our praise and prayers are fragrance aroma to our loving Father!

Thoughts on 3.15

2011-03-15T23:48:00.006+09:00

Information on Radioactive Factors

A friend works with radioactive factors sent me this information this evening.

It will help you to understand the radiation factors in Tokyo now. The report covers Kashiwanoha campus, Hongo Campus (Tokyo), Komaba Campus (Tokyo). This will shed lights to the surrounding areas too.

Tokyo University has set up a center to monitor the radioactive level everyday. So we would have very accurate data compare to media. (Please refer to the attachment)

Tokyo University Environmental Radiological Countermeasures News

(From Tokyo University Radiation Control Center)

a screenshot from the NHK news on Mar 15, 2011

(From NHK)

The Situation in the Student Lodge

Most of the residents in the lodge had left/ planning to leave in these two days. No one is interested to listen about Jesus, as long as they can get a flight out of Japan. Some asked why I could be so calm, I took opportunity to explain about God. But not many are interested :-( I have to wait until the time ripe. No one is interested to know why you are staying. And it is true, I wouldn't know how long more could i stay, because we do not know what will happen tomorrow. The extra that I have is the peace of God, and having that assurance everything is in the hand of my Lord, no matter live or dead. Even in this two hours that I am trying to write this email, in Shizuoka, again there was a 6.2 magnitude earthquake, and I could feel a 3.0 magnitude earthquake here in Kashiwa. Now, we are watching if Tsunami would hit again. God is the only one that could call out to the storm and roaring wave and say, "STOP!" now.

There are still a few foreigners would still prefer to stay, I was swayed here and there too if i should leave, thinking I couldn't do much here if I am quarantine by the fact of radioactive exposure. And the society structure here do not permit ministries such as what I had in Hong Kong or during Sichuan Earthquake. The campus had issued a notice for the students and staffs to stay home. Bai Bing is leaving from Osaka to Beijing on Mar 19, I was thinking to accompany Bai Bing to Osaka tomorrow, but after I saw Michelle and knowing that she decided not to go anywhere, and just stay in her room, I made a decision to stay. I hope I can be of assist in some where if she needs me. Most Europeans are not going anywhere, because it is harder and more expensive for them to leave, maybe...I'm not sure...

In this situation, I begin to notice a different between the missionaries and people who are here for working/study. Our missions make us want to be here more than ever, so that we can be with the Japanese people that we love, with Japan, the land that we adore in this difficult time. But people who adore this land and her people because of her beauty and success would leave once it turns ugly. I am glad that they can leave, because many are suffering extra emotional and psychological fear as they listen and monitor the news every hour and then. I pray that they will have a safe evacuation, and reach home safely. The flight tickets had gone up so high, and some even canceled their flights. Let's pray for calm and peace for those who are planning to leave.

Japanese people

Japanese people appear to be more calm, more effective than ever during disaster. I have been pondering these days, about the effective ways to lead people to Christ. What most people interested was why I seemed to be so positive in difficult situations, and showing not much fear. Yet, when I tell them that is because I know God is with me, and then they laughed, yes, "Roseline is not afraid, because God is protecting her." But they stopped there, no one asked more, even when I wanted to tell more, there is no time for anyone to stop and listen. And I can understand..... in such situation, when people are anxious about the situations of their family members, and getting really serious on how they could practically help the effected, they have no time to listen to "fairy tales"... the warning of Endtime, to them is the repeating stories in movies.

Many of the people are still working, and commuting to work even the trains stop. They would walk and cycle, for hours. Until today, an official announcement was released to advice everyone in Tokyo and Chiba to stay home and refrain from going out unnecessary.

The incident is not only bringing fear to the country, but following with economic retardation. It is a difficult time for Japan. Let's pray for the best, may the Lord has mercy, and may people find strength, peace and love through Christians faith/act.

Reflection: Religion and Proclaim of Faith - Varieties

What is the image of God that comes along with our profession?

The Tokyo governor said he believed that the Tsunami was a punishment from God, and that resulted a huge anger in the nation. He apologized today for his words, for he was not sensitive to the emotions of the people who are effected in this disaster. I don't know what religion that he professed. But there are many religions in Japan that warn people about EndTime, and God's punishment. Many prayer boards were set up in the internet to pray for Japan. A lady posted a note on one of the prayer boards, "God is shaking Japan...for too long they do their own way..it's a way they will return to God". I was angry, very angry. To me, this message at a public board, where the japanese are watching, the hurtings are hoping to be comfort, it makes no sense. It seems irresponsible, the bible had warned us about the end time, and no one would be spared. The tragedy is in fact calling us to repent of not making our move earlier to make disciples before they perish!

I remember when I was in 5.12 Sichuan Earthquake Relief, I was comforting a woman in her camp with another friend. It was the first day for the medical relief came into their camp after 7 days of being trapped in the effected area. She was having PTSD, and she began to weep and tell us her sorrow of losing everyone in the family. As she began to lean herself to my shoulder, a man from Shenzhen came in, followed by an army, a believer. The army was a believer that is anxious to serve the Lord. The first thing the man said was, "how many died?" "Oh, ok. it's over, don't think about it anymore. Now is the time to believe God! God will protect you! Now repeat the sinner's prayer with me!". Fearing and confusing, the lady made her confession. I cried during the debriefing as I shared about this story. What are we, sons of God, doing in the midst of people? that is not the kind of God that I profess, and it is not the kind of God that we proclaim in our team!

Measurement for Evacuation

Please don't worry. The friend who sent me the following email knows a lot about radiation. He is staying because of work responsibility. If he flees, that mark the worst situation, where all should evacuate, and I will evacuate too. Right now at this minute, we are still okay.

Please remember Onuki Motoharu, and his wife Miyuki. Miyuki is pregnant, and is expected to due next month. They have a young child with them too. This is the only Japanese family with Japanese nationality living in my lodge. Onuki is doing all his best in monitoring and sending out news to every residents in the lodge. He must be so tired. Pray for strength.

What we could pray for now, is the fully control of the nuclear plant!

When radioactive level is high, we can't put on the heating system. If that happens, we will be suffocated in door. Then, we have no choice but to leave Kashiwa/Tokyo.

Weather is FREEZING COLD,

The weather is so cold, even in Kashiwa, I still have to put on my heating system even I am wearing my dawn jacket. I can't imagine the suffering in the snowing Fukushima and Miyagi and Ibaraki that runs out of electricity and gas. Thinking and crying and worrying about the lost of family members in such condition, without enough food and water, and not getting immediate medical attention, is horrible.

We are lack of insulin and other medications in the affected areas. But individual donations are not accepted at this moment. If you are move to donate for medical relief, this is a good site to donate. http://www.msf.or.jp/work/Japanese/index.html

CRASH is collecting donations, in setting up bases in affected areas to monitor news of local churches and helps needed in affected areas.

Let's never forget them in our prayers!

Praying to Serve

I am praying some open doors for me to serve, e.g. joining an organization where I can stay in the office. (I am staying too far from the town, with the current situation, it is pointless to travel. E.g. it takes 3 hours or more to Tokyo where CRASH relieve office is per trip , two trips a day will take 6 to 8 hours, how much more left to work? )

Although I am trying to connect people to the right resource, updating as frequent as possible, but It will be really boring to stay home and not doing anything much practical. It is encouraging to see students in nearby prefectures are trying their best to facilitate the needs for the victims! i wish to be with them. :-)

I dont have any certificates, not a certified teacher, not a medical doctor, not a medical nurse, not a certified clinical psychology. not a professional rescue and relief worker..... my best and strongest point is my language ability and experience in Sichuan 5.12 relief. But what does that mean? My Japanese proficiency is probably in advance level for normal communication... but Tohoku speaks another dialect which may make things difficult. Let's pray that God will open a door for me to be with people, so that I could serve as salt and light. And if God brings me up to Tohoku, I believe that He will protects me with His blood, and open my ears and tongues for the local dialects. ^^ Trust, because it would be really God if anyone would accept me to the front line. I am weak in physic, and have no medical knowledge to be upfront. If God send me, pray for the people that I will be minister to, :-) and pray for me.

Always feel free to copy-paste/forward any information here that you want to mobilize them to pray.

3.11 Needs update

2011-03-14T17:42:00.003+09:00

気仙沼市立病院お米（４５０kg／日）を足りないので、食べて捨て食器を欲しい。〒９８８－００５２　宮城県気仙沼市田中１８４番地

Kesennuma City Hospital in Miyagi is running out of resource, the electricity is cut off, what we can give is rice (450kg/day) and eat-and-throw utensils. Refer to above for where to send the goods.

The same is going on with many other shelter and hospitals too. Keep your eyes on the needs, and find ways to send resource if your area is not affected. Thank you.

It's going to snow in Miyagi and Fukushima tonight, the shelters with no electricity supply reported that they are running out of fuel/gasoline. It is going to be a miserable night... PRAY for love and comfort..

Other things that you may consider to send,
2. flour
3. can food
4. instant noodles.
5. Kairo (the instant heat pack)
6. toilet paper

7. torch light
8. Blankets
9. Gasoline

CRASH members are moving into the shelters to assist as best as they could. Keep their travels in your prayers, and keep the LIGHT shine in them through their services.

The place where I stay is 237.910km from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Do not worry, if there is a need to evacuate, I will. Meanwhile, I am glad to be here.

Many people are having fear and distress. Pray that I will be able to help in somewhere.