Kobe Earthquake Statistics:
Just a few days after our last newsletter hit the Post office, we had a major Earthquake here in Japan that has really shaken the entire nation! One week after the earthquake hit Kobe, I (Dennis) finally made my way into this broken city. I had offered my help almost immediately upon hearing about it. Yet, as with the government, our churches were somewhat slow in accepting outside help. Finally, I got the green light to go from our field Chairman. How can one explain the feeling as you drive down the street of a city that used to be as pretty as any I've seen. Kobe was a new city. A class act. But now as you drive down the street, the terrible reality of the destruction of the Earthquake hits you on every side. Some side streets are impassable or non-existent because of the rubble. Many homes have fallen flat, where about all you can see is the roof. Some have fallen sideways. Some are still standing, but leaning terribly; you know they'll have to be torn down. Some are standing, only because of the house next to them, holding them up. Some have been totally gutted by fire.
Others have slipped right off their foundation, and are sitting in the middle of the road. Rock walls around their gardens have crumbled onto the roads. Seven story apartment buildings have become six story apartment buildings. 2 story homes have crushed the first floor and all those who stayed there. It is an awesome thing to look up at a several story building and see it leaning in such a way that makes you afraid to walk beside it for fear that gravity will win out, and pull it over on you. Even places which appear fine at first glance are set to be torn down, because of the structural damage.
The damage inside the rooms from fallen objects is unbelievable. Some rooms are chest high mini disaster areas. To look into the eyes of the people and see the dullness, the pain. Here are a people who are not used to 3rd World type lifestyles, being crammed into rooms with no heat, no privacy, and no belongings except what they can carry. Colds and flu's are spreading, and tempers are starting to flare. Yet, they, as a whole are very resilient, always bouncing back, and ready for the long haul. Most have lost friends or family, and many are angry at the government who's slow actions to save could actually be held responsible for the deaths of many. Still no water or gas for much of the city. Most of the restaurants and stores in the area we were in are without the ability to open.
With all that has happened we are praying that the hearts of the Japanese, so proud for so long, will begin to open more to the Love of Christ. No one is reaching out to them at this time more than the Christian World. Truly, they will know we're HIS disciples by our LOVE!
The aftershocks continue, and are really quite unnerving. I was standing in a city square when the strongest aftershock yet hit (about a 5.2?). I felt like I was on a boat! All I could think was how awful it must've been to wake up to one many times worse. Standing there during that aftershock was still better than waking up to another one at 4:00 one morning wondering if this one were the big one they've been waiting for. I pulled the covers up over my head, and hoped the book shelves didn't decide to join me on the floor. They say there's still a big aftershock coming....wonder where I'll be when it hits?
We all watched with despair as many who had lost all in the Kobe earthquake also had to go without the necessities of life despite being in Government sponsored refugee Centers. Some, even children had to go 2-3 days without any food. All the stores were closed due to damage, so even those with money couldn't buy food.
As soon as we could, we gathered up several van loads of food, water, clothing, personal items and even toys, and began distributing them to the many who had lost everything in the quake. I'll never forget the look on a little 10 year old boy's face as I handed him a soccer ball. Within seconds they had a soccer game going! More than once the dear Grandmas had tears in their eyes as they gladly received what we brought them. Sometimes I think they were more grateful for our time than our gifts! Ron & Debbie Galbreath, Jim Dickey, David Hymes, Koichi Kitano, Brian and Sally Snider, and Randy & Connie Ackland were other A/G Missionaries who joined me in distributing these goods. We were grateful to be able to use Sarah Blackstone's apartment as an outreach center. Other than the fact that the apartment was quite new and comfortable (thus survived the quake quite well) we lived much like the refugees themselves, indeed just about everyone in the city. We had to pack our own water, not just for drinking, but for cooking, toilet, cleaning, etc. We ate mostly canned food, and ramen. Lots of Tuna for me! Yeah!
We would take off in the morning and drive around looking for some of the areas where people were living under tarps, or in tents. These are the people who seem to be the most needy. They aren't in the official refugee centers, and thus don't receive the help that everyone else does. Once we would start talking with them, they would usually warm up to us, and be quite willing to take what we had to offer. We worked out of our STL Vans. We would pull everything out and put them on the ground, and help people go through them and find what they needed. One man desperately needed shoes. He had lost everything in the quake. He was too proud to ask, but his wife asked for him. At the time we didn't have his size, so we went looking for him, and when we brought back some shoes for him, he was so thrilled, he put them on right away!
All the daily necessities that we take so much for granted, they no longer had, and seemed more then willing to receive...after they felt they could trust us. After we set everything out on the ground, many of those passing by would stop as well, and ask if they could take some too. Finger nail clippers and can openers seemed to be the hottest items going!
One day I went to a neighboring city that had the only restaurant that I knew of which was open. It was a Mr. Donuts! I bought 100 donuts, and went and distributed them to the camps, and boy were they thrilled! Another time, I found someone moving their things out of a semi-destroyed home on a rainy day, so I gave them a tarp to cover their things. Another day, we helped a man dig a car out from under his fallen house. His wife then, gladly received some pots we had brought to distribute. We even gave people a ride to a public bath so that they could get their first bath in a long time! (ours too!) Some of the baths are beginning to open up, but, you may have to wait for hours to get in.
Everyone was so open to us, even after they heard that we were Christians, doing this in the name of the Lord. In fact, it seemed to me that many of their hearts were softened by the generosity of the church. In this land where it is in Vogue to oppose Christianity, we may well have made a small dent for his name's sake. The opportunities in the future may be greater still as we continue to reach out to them with the love of Christ!
What with Dennis' involvement in the outreach to the refugees in Kobe, we may not be able to make our trip up North after all. As it is it will have to be cut back, simply because of a lack of funds.
In regards to our finances, they are continuing to get better, thanx to many of you who are praying and giving. We were down to just $7500 in the red this last month. However, that jumped up to over $9000 this month largely because of $1500 car inspection due this month.. We cannot tell you how much we appreciate your prayers and support. You are important to us. You are important to the Japanese!
Lastly, let me explain again to those of you who resent getting these impersonal newsletters. This is really all we can do. It's too expensive to mail them all from Japan, so we have our printer send them for us from the States. We do try to answer every personal letter we get, so, you know what they say, "If you want one, write one!" Seriously though, we do think of each of you as we send these off. THANK YOU!
Mid April will bring a new address, once again. Please take note. Here it is:
2-10-31 Sakuragaoka
Seika Cho, Kyoto Fu 619-02
Ph/Fax. #077-472-2144
I Know it must be tough keeping track of us during all the moves we've made. Thanks for keeping in touch though. We do so appreciate the letter's we get!
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