Samaritan’s Purse responded to the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit March 11, 2011 by sending 93 tons of relief supplies one week after the disaster. We have continued working in Japan for a year to help the Japanese people recover. Our efforts have included mud-outs, reconstruction, supply distributions, and community events to uplift the spirits of those who have lost so much. Please continue to pray for Japan as there is still much work to be done.
Less than a week after the earthquake and tsunami, Samaritan’s Purse chartered a 747 cargo plane filled with more than 90 tons of emergency relief supplies for distribution including plastic sheeting for shelter, hygiene supplies and blankets.
Ty Grossman, volunteer carpenter, works on Suijy Nihei’s home in Shichigahama. He and two other carpenters read the Bible to Nihei during their lunchbreaks. Grossman said, “It was encouraging to be around fellow believers on a mission to serve people with a compassion for them, and a desire for them to enter eternity.”
Pastor Yoshio Usui of Japan Baptist Kesennuma Church received a mini truck from Samaritan’s Purse to help him distribute supplies in his community. Since March, he has helped give out 3,000 relief items to families in Japan.
Samaritan’s Purse reconstructed this building to use it as base-house for our staff and volunteers. Our ministry partner, David Kazama, named it “The Hope Center” after seeing families find hope after the devastating tsunami hit Kesennuma.
Araki Hideo became a staff carpenter with us after volunteering in Kesennuma this past summer. “I want to help other people as much as I can,” he said. “I’ve never done anything good like this before. Now I want to help other people little by little as much as I can.”
Miimi Ogawa, Samaritan’s Purse construction liason, and Shiroko Chiba formed a close friendship after Shiroko and her husband Kaoru lost seven family members in the tsunami. Our volunteers helped reconstruct their home in Kesennuma.
Japanese Christians and Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers worship together at Kesennuma First Bible Baptist Church.
Pastor Hiroshi Minegishi preaches during a Sunday morning service at Kesennuma First Bible Baptist Church. “Your life is a miracle, so we should rejoice. Are you rejoicing and giving thanks for all things? This must be our spiritual attitude.” Ten people have accepted Christ through Samaritan’s Purse relief programs and are now attending Minegishi’s church in Kesennuma.
Kawanami-San has been growing bonsai trees for 37 years, but he lost all of them in the tsunami. When SP carpenters finished rebuilding his home, they gave him new bonsai trees in appreciation for their new friendship.
Isao Seto and his wife Yoshiko now have a warm home to live in after Samaritan’s Purse volunteers and carpenters reconstructed their home in the community of Okada Shinhama. Six other families in this area also have renewed homes now, thanks to Seto-San who helped us make connections in the area.
Construction manager Daniel O’Malley presents Mitsuru Kimura with a Bible at his home dedication ceremony in Ishinomaki. Kimura-San trusted in Jesus Christ for his salvation that day after hearing the Gospel preached by Pastor Shuzo Suzuki.
Hiroko Endo was the first person to receive help from us in her community near Shichigahama, Japan. She says, “Because of Samaritan’s Purse I have energy and joy! I am so happy that the volunteers could make this such a beautiful house.”
Shietsu Kato and his wife Rarichiko received a new home from Samaritan’s Purse and renewed lives after trusting in Christ for their salvation in January. “Before the tsunami I had never heard of Christ, but then the people of Samaritan’s Purse came in the Name of Jesus to help us, so I came to know Christ through these people,” Shietsu said. “I now go to church to learn more about Him and we pray together to God.”
