CB Southern California
Helping CB Japan Relief

4/11/11 
Today, we receive your donation of $10,000. We appreciate the strong support from CB Southern California.

One month has passed since the great earthquake that occurred. However, the aftershock at midnight on April 07  led to damage to the lifeline of the NorthEast-Japan region again. Houses that survived the earthquake in March just collapsed.

More than the physical damages, what we are concerned about is the minds of anxiety filled survivors. The towns where they used to live are gone, or, even if their houses had been spared, those who have witnessed the tragedy taking place right in front of their eyes are bewildered and fear stricken
in the midst of uncertainties. At first they were only concerned about obtaining daily commodities. After they get settled a little, it seems that
their souls are more agitated than before.

The church is a place where we offer this world consolation and hope in God. 
We, the members of Japan CBA, are trying our best to support such churches.
Though the activities to deliver relief supplies are ongoing, gradually the
needs are being met. Some volunteers work to clean up the rubble from the damaged houses.  JapanCBA has begun financially supporting our coastal churches.

One of these churches, Kesenmuma First CB Church, lost their church building and the city was utterly destroyed. At present, the church cannot supply its pastor's honorarium. But for the restoration of the church, it is absolutely necessary that the pastor is firm on his legs. Since similar needs are forseen in coastal churches, we are planning to extend such support in order of precedence.

Also, the needs for all-out repair work and rebuilding are becoming apparent
as the condition has begun to settle. As far as I've been informed at this
point, besides the washed away churches, two other churches are in need of
massive repair work including rebuilding. Besides that, many churches have
some cracked walls and the like.

As for the nuclear power plant problems, there is no sign to tell us when we
can live in peace. Though the situation is not as bad as the way it is
broadcasted overseas, and the residents around the greater Tokyo area
continue with their daily life as usual, it will take a long time until the
problems are solved. Therefore, the members Fukushima First Baptist Church, who were located nearby the nuclear power plant, have no prospect to return to their homes. Currently though, they have moved down to a Christian camp near Tokyo and are aiming at a settled life. But when the radiation leakage problem is prolonged, they will have to move again. There is no answer to where they should go.

Additionally, in the disaster stricken area, there are hundreds of orphans still waiting for their parents to show up. We foresee that the whole society of Japan has to be mobilized to care for the orphans, but please pray for their future.

We are so very grateful for the encouragement, prayer, and financial contributions from CB Association of Southern California. May the Lord richly bless your ministry unto the Lord!  

Report from Steve and Belva Kotlarczyk, SEND missionaries

Steve and Belva are good friends of Jim and Vicki Smith.  Jim has been to visit and help their ministry many times over the years.  Here is another report from them.

4/4/11
Steve has spent almost 14 days in the present area.  He told me today that he has distributed 10 tons of relief supplies during that time.  
   

Not too far from his Base Camp, he found some large Home Centers and grocery stores who are beginning to get supplies, so he makes a lot of shopping trips with lists from churches and then delivers what he has bought. These churches have all become distribution centers for people, which is a tremendous thing, because it is causing exposure and contact with so many surrounding community people.

Because of the radiation situation continuing, people have been warned not to drink the water and then now told it is okay, but uncertainty causes the need for bottled water--which is almost impossible to find.  He purchased plastic tanks and is filling them with the fresh water from his Base Camp and delivering it to people in need.

Earthquakes continue daily.  This is nerve wracking for all, but even more for those in the hardest hit areas.  We all feel like our equilibrium is messed up.

The new school year began today.  Many displaced children are excited, but fearful.  Some are in new areas and have nervousness from it.  One area elementary school was completely wiped out from the Tsunami, with the exception of one teacher and one 6 yr. old boy.  So the pain continues.