Kessenuma Day 1 - Friday

Sato

Friday 8/3
We left Koganei church at 6 AM with the Nojiris driving one car and the Yabana brothers drivign the other.  We thought we would arrive at Kessenuma for a late lunch, but because of traffic and several rest stops in between, we didn't arrive at our destination until after 4 PM. The drive was long, but I couldn't sleep at all. As sson as we left the Tokyo area, the scenery was all dense forests and rice fields. I don't think there is anything that could have prepared me for what I would feel at Kessenuma.

We met Mr. Abe at his printing company and home, which also serves as the chappel for Kessenuma First Bible Baptist Church.  He shared with us his story of how God took everything away, yet has been his source of comfort and hope. Abe-san thought that he would no longer continue his printing business after the Tsunami. All of his printing machines were damaged beyond repair because the water came up about five feet high.  Yet, despite such loss and suffering, God brought people from around the world who prayed for him and helped him start all over with a renovated building and state-of-the-art printing machines.  Now he has dedicated his life, his home, and his company to God and to spreading the Gospel to people all over town and Japan.

Kessenuma First Bible Baptish Church was swept away by the Tsunami on March 11, 2011.  It was located in the residential neighborhood close to the levees that separate the land from the sea.  All that's left now is the broken foundation it once sat upon.  Pastor Minegishi met us at the original site where two portables are now set up - one dedicated soley to prayer and another for distributing and recieving supplies.  As he expressed his story and what God has been doing there, he was full of joy and gratitude.  How can he be rejoicing when there was so much devastation and when there's still so much more to be done?

That night, we went to eat dinner in a part of town where people who lost their businesses set up new shops.  At the cafe, there was a lady who shared her story of that fateful day.  The group met a resturaunt owner and shared about Jesus.  It's just thinking about what these people had to suffer and are still recovering from.  Later, we walked down the streets to the shoreline.  Buildings-whole streets- sit empty after the tsunami raveged entire streeets and neighborhoods.  There was a sense of desolation, pain, and loss hanging in the air.  Connor was right-the fog that descended down onto the city created a somber tone that matched how my heart felt today.