Introducing Shalom: Another Center in sending up relief goods

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

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!!!

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

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

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

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)

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



Thoughts... continued

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"

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

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

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

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

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!!!

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

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!!!