Japan Quake Rpt: Obata Sept 7 ’11

[Editor: Here is a rough translation of a report on the Church of Christ East Japan Disaster Relief Committee meeting September 6, 2011.  Seven Japanese congregations are part of the committee though only five were represented at this meeting.  Shiro Obata, minister for the Haruna church and who coordinated relief efforts for the Kobe earthquake, is chair person for the committee.]

アメリカ、カナダ、そして世界各国から助けられて、始まったキリストの教会東日本大震災支援活動の委員会が久しぶりに水戸教会を会場に行われた。私は6月のガン手術以来、二ヶ月何もできず、申し訳ないことだったが、ようやく動き始めることができて感謝している。
はじめに、4月からの活動報告、そしてこれからの活動計画を祈りのうちに立てた。
その日を生きることへの奉仕で始まった働きがが、次には安心、安全への確保、そして心のつながりが出てきて、これからは仮設住宅の建設が進むにつれ、支援の内容も変わってくる。そのための働き人の学びも必要、その一環として来月には被災者とどのように向き合うかのセミナーを開催する。
私たちの最終目的は彼らが、本来に姿に回復して、希望をに向かって歩みだすことである。主なる神にその知恵と力を祈り求めていかなければならない。

 

Help has come from the U.S., Canada, and every country in the world.  The Church of Christ East Japan Disaster Relief Committee met at the Mito church building after a long time.  In June this year I had cancer surgery and was unable to do anything for two months.  I sincerely apologize for this.  But we finally met again and I’m very thankful.

The order of business was to hear a report concerning the work done since April and then to wrap plans for future work in prayer.

At first our relief effort was to work toward just living; next came peace of mind and safety followed by relationship building.  With the building of temporary housing our support efforts will change.  For that reason those who help will need to resources on how they can help as our support changes.  Part of the plan is to have a special seminar on who to relate to those who have experienced this disaster.

Our goal is to help them recover to a more natural state with a spirit of hope as the advance.  We must pray to the Lord God for wisdom and strength to accomplish this.