From our interactions with the Japanese Christians we met at Morigo Camp and through the Japanese/Japanese speakers in our team, we heard stories of people who have lost family, friends, possessions and their means of livelihood.  One family from Tona district of East Matsushima city lost 11 relatives in the disaster and it was only during the time we were working in that area that they were able to arrange for the funeral rites.  This would be over 4 months after the disaster, so we can im agine the grief of the remaining family members as they recount their loss.

 

We also heard that many who lost family members and friends in the disaster felt a deep sense of guilt that they could not save or help them.  In particular, a story of how a lady was so overwhelmed by the sight of the oncoming tsunami wave that she let go of the hand of a neighbour’s child who was swept away and never found helped us understand to some extent why many here appear outwardly calm but are inwardly hurting.

 

Four months on, the trauma of the disaster weighs heavily on many hearts in the Tohoku region and the uncertainty of their future continues to be a worry.  News reports and stories from the ground confirm that very little of the aid that has been donated from around the world has reached the hands of the people in need, particularly through government channels.  The fisherman from Ishinomaki explained that he had to ask for help to restore his house as the offer of government assistance for demolition and rebuilding of a new house was way too little to enable him and others in a similar situation to consider this option.  He had also gone to several financial institutions to try to obtain a loan to rebuild his house but was turned down at every single bank due to his age.  A CRASH staff also shared that many people who lived in the shelters were afraid to leave even if there was a possibly of going back to their homes as they would need to provide for themselves in terms of basic necessities once they leave the shelter.  This would be difficult for many who have lost their jobs and means of livelihood and who would also need significant amounts of money to repair and restore their homes.

 

Against this bleak picture of the immense needs in the disaster areas, we heard stories of hope as those who are suffering receive help and comfort from volunteers from within Japan and all over the world.  More than these, we heard stories from Japanese believers of how the Lord is uniting the Church in Japan to shine His light in the Tohoku region and of an increased conviction among local believers of the need to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to their people.

 

One amazing story that was of great encouragement was the testimony of the school principal of Nakano Elementary School near Sendai Harbour.  He shared of how the Lord had been preparing him for the recent disaster since he became the principal 3 years ago and how the Lord answered his prayers which started long before the disaster and allowed all 600 of the evacuees under his care to be saved. The 600 included students, their parents and those living in the district because the school had been pre-designated as the evacuation zone.

 

In one of my morning devotions during the 2 weeks, the Lord reminded me from Mark 4:26-29 that our role was just to scatter the seed and when the harvest is here, we can proceed to gather in what He has caused to grow.  This passage gave me much comfort and hope as it taught me not to focus on my feeble efforts but to trust in the One who can and will give the growth to the seeds that we scatter for Him.