23rd March - Report 7

I took Monday off and had some rest. In the evening, we went out for a meal, the first and probably the last while we are at the rescue centre. The restaurant gave free sugar candy to the children and the adults watched, smiling. I have allowed myself to call this scene “happiness”.

We now have something that I call a ‘victim’s pass’. For example, at the ticket counter at a hot spring bath if I say, ‘This is a lovely place. By the way, I survived the earthquake and tsunami,’ they give me a 50% discount. It wouldn’t work if you were pretending to be a survivor. There is something that only a genuine victim can communicate.

Yesterday, I worked on my daily schedule. After breakfast and cleaning, we have worship from 9:30. Alongside a time of sharing and prayer, there is a Bible class. From 10:30, some exercise and games, including relaxation. Many people are not feeling well. We need to keep our strength up. Then the children study until late afternoon. It is like a small school in the mountains.
11 March, the day the earthquake and tsunami struck, was my 54th birthday. Yesterday I got a birthday present - a pair of slippers that someone bought for 200 yen (US$2.47). Normally you wouldn’t mention the price, but not now. They are worth more than that. They are too good for me, so I am keeping them in my bag.

At the worship service today, we are having a graduation ceremony for the kindergarten and elementary school children. I should wipe my tears away and serve in a manner fit for a pastor.

I received a phone call from Korea, saying, ‘We are watching TV with amazement and tears at how Japanese people are coping, queuing for food and not fighting for it.’ If that is so then maybe we are a church which the Lord planted in Fukushima before the arrival of the power plant, and is now nurturing through this trial to be strong enough to withstand it.

I remember how moved I was when I read ‘Through the Valley of the Kwai’ by Ernest Gordon. The prisoners of war were maltreated by Japanese soldiers at the camp in Thailand during WW2. Under extreme pressure they behaved appallingly toward each other. However once they began to meet around a copy of the New Testament, they started to change. The weak were encouraged. They started sharing the little food they had with each other. One gave his life for the sake of another. After the war, there were revenge attacks against the Japanese at other camps, but not at this one. Because of this experience Ernest Gordon became a minister. I saw what happened at this camp as a real church where Christ was at work. If God chose those POWs for His purpose, maybe He has chosen us for a reason.

I received good news today. Word of Life Press rang me to say that my book, ‘God is at work in good times, as well as bad times’ has been published. Who would have thought that a disaster of this scale would happen just at the time of its publication? It looks as if my own book will encourage me to move forward.

24 March – Report 8

In our worship this morning from Matthew 5, we learned that Jesus calls us to be the light of the world and salt of the earth. People say that this earthquake is the beginning of a period of tribulation. There is no doubt that this is a time of trial. We might need to be shaken or to go through fire, so that the salt will keep or recover its saltiness. We read in Hebrews 12.5, “Do not lose heart when he rebukes you.” I would like to take this as God’s discipline, just like parents who love their children discipline them.
Yesterday, in snowy weather, we had a graduation service for children at the kindergarten and primary school. Everyone was in tears. It seems there is no one who can stop us from crying. We took a group photo after singing the song that we always sing at graduations. I wrote a verse (the second verse), expressing how I feel now.
How fast time flies, I can't believe how quickly the moments have passed.
The precious years have come and gone too soon, here with you.
I've learned from you the right way to do what must be done.
Now is the time to say farewell, with an eternally grateful heart.
(translation by Yamagishi Katsuei)
Even at this rescue centre, we as the family of God are having this blessed day.
How good it is to see your small hands.
May our Lord bless you as you step into a new phase of your journey.
I hope that we will have a graduation from this disaster, when we hear God speak to us, “Well done, you faithful servants.”

24 March 5pm – Report 9

It is snowing. I feel a surge of power within me. Just like winter turns to spring, God has prepared a plan of restoration. Since the disaster struck, we live on food and other goods that are sent from all over Japan, by the goodwill of people. Although we haven’t had any meat, the tinned food that we have every day is varied. We are kept healthy, and I feel a resurrection power within me. I feel blessed by being sustained by what people give us. I feel that the Lord has chosen our church - chosen it to be near the power plant; that He designed it so that I was a pastor who encountered the earthquake.

From tomorrow, I have decided to go to meetings in Tokyo and Yokohama as was planned. I also plan to visit my church members scattered in different places. Some have spoken to me on the phone, “More than anything else, I am sad that I lost my church.” I am in tears again, even when I decided not to be.

I will not be defeated. I will not give up. Saying these things to myself, I will leave my ark but will come back again. My Lord, who does not slumber nor sleep, bless this flock while I am away. Embrace and have mercy on each one who is scattered.

25 March – Report 10

I am grateful for your prayers. There are advantages in life at a rescue centre. I had been saying that I would go on a diet, but now I have lost weight. However, there are some who have gained weight. I joke, “Your vitality is amazing. You can survive any disaster”. Everyone laughs.

Some have gained more possessions. Every day, clothes arrive. Some of them are brand new. A nearby clothes shop said that we can take anything for free. Others say that they are eating better than when they are at home. Even in deep sadness, we have laughter.

I often think of Jesus, who knew sorrow and was familiar with pain. He became man, entered a world of darkness, shared joy and pain with us, and experienced happiness and sadness. I am looking for this Saviour in my heart. This road we are taking might be one that is led by Jesus, reflecting His Good News. “Every road leads to Rome.” Jesus is with us on this journey. Let’s walk with him.

Translated by Yoshie Yokoyama