Roberta writes: I heard the unbelievable stories of everyone.  While visiting Mrs. Hashiura who has been bedridden for about a year, the Wata family came by.  They each had their own story but are all glad to be alive.  Shiina, the youngest, a 6th grader, saw the water rushing into the rice fields from her school window.  At that same time, her mother, working at a hotel watched as her car floated away and crashed like a bobbing toy into other cars.  Everyone spent the night just where they were, not knowing the whereabouts of other family members.  Shiina still has nightmares and the others wake up every morning thinking that life is as it was.  Then with a jolt, they awaken to another day of struggle.

I made the rounds, visiting all the members of the Shichigahama Preaching Place in NE Japan, also visiting two extended family members who w ere dealing with the loss of a home, a deceased wife, missing nephews, missing friends.  I brought fruit to everyone and passed out packages of seaweed I bought at Costco!  The seaweed was the most appreciated. 

Future:  Each community faces its own unique set of circumstances.  Shichigahama is relatively small with its population of 22,000 compared to some of the other communities.  In addition, loss of life is less, with 70 confirmed dead and 800 in shelters.  But what about the future?  Build back across the street from the sea or build on someone’s salty rice field which can’t be used for 3-4 years.  Although 60% of those who no longer live in their home want to rebuild on higher ground, building on the local low mountains is not an option because 60% of Shichigahama is protected as national forest.  The options are slim.

The bright light is the little church there.  It is the only church in town.  Supplies pour in from all manner of Christian groups making it possible for Rev. Oyama to pass out supplies to the neighbors or to shelters. 

Prayer requests:

• Pray that the church in Shichigahama and churches like it will be the very lighthouse that these conservative, tradition-bound communities need. 
• Pray that their Easter was truly the beginning of resurrection.
• Pray for the people of Japan as they continue their recovery from the devastation caused by the earthquake.
• Pray for Roberta and our other missionaries in Japan, Gordon and Lee Ann Hwang, and John and Tomoko Armagost, as they seek to minister for Christ in that needy land.