Changing of the Guard, Sunday, March 27

The Chibas and members of Ofunato Bilbe Baptist Church.

We had a short service after breakfast, and the OMF team went to Pastor Chiba's church in Kessnenuma for the morning service. Dan and Karen went to the Kyoudan church here in Touno, and I straightened things up a bit, as I was to attend the afternoon service in Ofunato (Pastor Chiba, again). I left early to take the food the team had left to the City Hall in Ofunato for distribution. I chatted with the town employees there, asking how supplies were holding up, and what was needed. They directed me to the Social Welfare Department, which has set up an emergency center in a tent at the front entrance.

Needs change as time goes on. I asked them what it was they needed now.

"Rubber boots! Shoes!" one blurted.

"Underwear for small children."

"Bath towels. Detergent; liquid detergent for cold water." They were getting into it.

"Shampoo/rinse. Body soap."

"Pens, pencils, notebooks, post-it notes." She fingered a half-used pad.

"This is all I have left".

"Moist towlettes."

As we talked, I determined they were worried about consumables. Things were okay at the moment, but, as one pointed out, they did one massive distribution, and it was likely everyone would run out at the same time, prompting another shortage. Paper goods and food will be an ongoing need.

Fresh food is needed; people have been living on instant noodles and rice balls long enough.

I quipped: "I know what you really want- gasoline, kerosene, electricity, and running water."

"You got that right', they replied.

"How about some houses?" asked one.

We discussed that for a few minutes. People remained in temporary situations long after the Niigata earthquake. Offers of prefabricated units from overseas get stonewalled, as they are not up to earthquake code, or something. Amateurs aren't supposed to be doing building. What can be done about it?

Well, I can't handle housing at this point, but tomorrow I have helpers coming to the church We will need materials to finish the church.

I set out for the town to check on building supplies. The main building material supplier was swept away. One home center has mostly household goods, the other is out of drywall already. I managed to get all 58 sheets in the Touno home center reserved for us; I now have to transport them to Ofunato. I will need to check for a building materials supplier here in Touno for more drywall, and insulation. It will disappear quickly now that the initial cleanup is winding down.

It was nearing 4:00 p.m., so I set out for the Ofunato afternoon service (at Ms. Kumagai's house for the interim), only to discover the service is at 3:00! I was very disappointed, but everyone was there looking at Pastor Chiba's photos of the devastation in Kessenuma where he lives. We then went to the church building, where we prayed, and I explained what the team was doing.

The pastor's wife told me a little about the church. They had put up a prefabricated building years before, without registering it first. They never did get permission, and it had to be taken down. Their pastor left, and the church was very distressed. Pastor Chiba was closest, so the other Iwate Baptist churches asked him to help. He did, and managed to get them into the current building. It sits on the cement foundation of the old prefab. The only other thing that remains of the old building is a stained glass window. The new building is only 10 years old. At first, the members were afraid this was the end of the line, but our help and yours can get them through this, by God's grace. Please pray on.

Tonight we got a wireless internet hookup; I am catching up on reports from 5 days ago. I need to get to bed. The house is still rocking occasionally from an extended aftershock that started 15 minutes ago. Another day in the Iwate coast country. It is so beautiful. If only it would sit still.