Japan Quake Rpt: Obata May 7 ’11

Here is a brief note from Shiro Obata which accompanied the weekly bulletin for the Haruna church (May 7). He and his wife, Rumiko, were able to visit the disaster area. Here is a rough translation:

風薫ると言いたいところですが、大気の汚染が依然として心配されています今日この頃です。

今日は嬉しいニュースがあります。愛する宣教師夫妻、ポール兄とステイシー姉に男児タイタスが今朝、生まれました。母子ともに元気です。お祈りを有難うございました。

また、今日は東京から愛姉３人が訪問くださり、ご奉仕やよいお交わりをいただけました。

その他、５、６日と石巻市に赴き、ジョエル兄たちの茨城チームと被災者の方々を問安出来ましたことも感謝でした。以前、３年も行っていた阪神淡路のときも訪問することが出来なかった小幡姉も今回、初めて参加でき喜んでいました。

その辺は車で１時間も行けばなんでも手に入るようになりましたが、公共交通機関も便が悪く、その上、車もなく、特に持参した野菜、果物が大好評でした。まだまだ瓦礫の後片付けは手もつけられていません。撤去、掃除の手が必要です。お時間を作って、イエス様の手足となって出て行ってください。水戸教会のジョエル・オズボーン兄が見事な指揮ぶりを発揮していますから、この兄弟に是非、お問い合わせくださいますように、お願い致します。

はるなキリストの教会　小幡史朗

Rough translation:

I would like to say there is a cool summer breeze, but we are still concerned that the atmosphere is contaminated.

I have some wonderful news today. Our beloved missionary couple, brother Paul and sister Stacey, gave birth to a son, Titus, this morning. Both mother and baby are well. Thank you for your prayers.

Also three beloved older sisters from Ochanomizu, Tokyo came for a visit May 7. We have received their help cleaning the church building and good fellowship.

California Oranges for Ishinomaki

Additionally Rumiko and I are very thankful we were able to go to Ishinomaki May 5-6 to serve disaster victims with brother Joel and the Ibaraki team who are helping the disaster victims. Rumiko was unable to go to help during the Osaka-Kobe earthquake relief which lasted for 3 years. She remained in Tokyo on watch at the church building. But she was able for the first time to visit and was happy to do so this time.

If you go just one hour by car from here, you cannot buy anything because of the disaster. Public transportation is bad. In addition to that there are no cars. It is very popular to bring in vegetables and fruit. There is still much rubble which has not been cleared. There is a need for the removal of rubble and cleaning up. If you can make time, please come and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Brother Joel Osborne of the Mito church is providing splendid leadership so brothers and sisters please contact him, I ask.

Haruna church of Christ – Shiro Obata