March 31 - Day Off - Mall at Ishinomaki

Today Peter, myself, and some others traveled to Ishinomaki to go to the Mall.  Peter and I dropped everyone off at the Mall and we went to several builders stores. Much of what they sell here is cool, and not available in the US.  We then met the others at the Mall, had lunch and came back to the Camp.  I took some pictures of hats in one of the stores, and a number of unusual USB devices.  

We ate at the food court, had a hamburger, Japanese style.  It was great!

It has been fun getting to know the other volunteers here, some are from Japan, some of the US and Canada, and a few from other locations such as Hong Kong, etc.

Last night someone tripped over my computer bag in the dark and my work glasses got knocked to the floor, when I found them this morning they were scratched.  I should be able to use them next week but will have to go to the VA to see if they will replace the lenses.

God is at work here in the lives of those we help as well as our lives as well. Not all the volunteers are happy campers, some are not use to living like this, and some are having problems with the food being offered.
Please pray that they can see past this to encourage them in the work ahead of us.

It has turned cold again today, just when I thought ware weather would stay. Rain started around 4 PM and it makes it feel even colder. The heaters do not work well, especially with people coming in and out. The building has little installation which does not help.

Only Three more work days, we head for Tokyo Thursday, and fly out on Friday. 

Lunch 

It looks just like the food (Plastic) in the window

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hats

Hat 1

Hat 2

Hat 3

 

Hat 4

Hat 5

Hat 6

Hat 7

 

USB and IPhone Stuff

IPhone Stand

IPhone Stand

USB Coffee Cup

USB Hair Curler

Toilet Seat Sanitizer

USB Razor

USB Pants/Tie Press

March 30- Day Five on New Home in Ishinomaki

Today is my 5^th day working on this home.  The homeowner Mrs. Takahashi continues to be a blessing with her kind smile and demeanor. Mrs. Takahashi continues to provide us with snacks twice a day. It gives her great joy to serve us.

When we first arrived today the cleanup crew from the government was hauling away the debris from home. All the stuff that was torn out of the home, as well as house hold effects that had to be trashed as well.  The men stated that today is their last day working, that the government is ending the program that paid them. They were not sure what they would do next. We asked them if we could pray for them and they appreciated it and showed true gratitude for the prayer.

My head hurts more today, seems that all of the doorways in the house are about two inches two short for me.  I kept hitting my head for days working in the house. It would seem that after a few times I would learn to duck when walking around the home.

We have had a number of US Navy SeeBee’s working with us this week.  They are stationed near Yokoahama and for several of them this is their second time helping. What a blessing, especially Mike, who worked circles around even the best of us. Today is their last day and they will be here; they have to leave in the morning to return to their base.

Snacks from Mrs. Takahashi

 

SeeBee's, Mike is second from left.

Peter from Canada is second from right.

Rich and the Japanese workers

Workers

March 28 - Day Three on New Home in Ishinomaki

The day started with me checking my email and found a bad email message.  I really can’t go into it here but I firmly believe that God is sovereign and in control, all things work for the best even if we do not understand it now, or even later.

Our homeowner continues to be a blessing. She continues to come down at break time with treats and tea. You can see the excitement in her face as we continue to show improvement on the repairs to her home.  Today her family came by while were working and they too are excited and grateful for all that SP is doing for them.

I continue to be amazed on how widespread the destruction is.  You can go down a residential street and find a fishing boat right in the middle of the neighborhood. I picked up a few picture books showing the destruction.

Today is laundry day.  Like the showers the laundry is outside, or better under a tarp.  I have to do laundry every three days to stay in clean clothes.  Keep in mind with three washers, two dryers for 100 people it can be challenging to get it done.

L-R Gary, Mrs. Takahashi, Rich (Team Leader)

Laundry

March 27 - Day Two on New Home in Ishinomaki

Today started out cold, but now snow.  After breakfast and prayer time we headed out to work. We have a new group helping us, US Navy SeeBee’s and a US Marine.  They are a great help and encouragement to all. Our homeowner is a very kind woman in her late 60s or early 70s. When the homeowners are present we ask them to join us for prayer.  We have someone who interprets for us and it is a blessing to have this very kind woman pray with us. She is extremely appreciative of what Samaritan’s Purse is doing for her. Each morning and afternoon at break time she comes down from her rooms upstairs and brings us tea and treats.

She has or had a very lovely home; our hope is that soon she can once again enjoy her home.  I enjoy seeing the face of the homeowner as they see their home being rebuilt.

Tonight after dinner we had a very significant earthquake. It shook the entire building for several moments; this was the biggest one we have experienced since coming on this trip. As my friend John taught me I always have a bug out bag, ready by the door with clothes, documents, and shoes.

March 26 - New House in Ishinomaki

After 4 wonderful days off in Tokyo with John it was back to work for me here at Tome Base Camp.  Last night we had another shake, some of the people here have never experienced an earthquake before and was a little concerned, however they were assured it was only a minor one and they should go back to sleep.

After being in Tokyo with warm weather it is a shock to be back here in freezing weather.  It started to snow again this afternoon and I've been cold almost all day, and even though they have heat here at the camp when you have people coming and going it is hard to keep this building warm.

I broke my army watch today, somehow I got it caught and pulled the stem off it. Like it because it was really rugged, but I guess even watches like that have it's limit.  I got to drive down to the warehouse today to pickup plywood and blue foam boards.  I like driving here, but would not drive in Tokyo or big city.

They started two new homes while I was gone.  The one I worked on the homeowner is living upstairs, she is a lady probably in her 60s.  She is so very nice, this morning she brought us some snacks, and this afternoon she made us tea.  What was so exciting is she agreed to join us in pray prior to starting work, and at the end of the day as we were leaving she folder her hands in pray and said over and over again "Amen".

Last morning in Tokyo/Shinjuku

Took my last hot bath in a heated room, checked out of the hotel, walked to Shinjuku Station, found a locker for my duffel bag,and came to Lotteria for breakfast.

John is going to meet me for a few hours before I head to Tokyo Station to catch the bullet train for northern Japan.

It was a great visit and I will post more when I get back to the camp.

Well I made it back to camp with help from John. As usual I was talking and lot track of time, made it to the train OK and the trip went well.  The weather in Tokyo was mild, I only needed a short sleeve shirt and light jacket.  When I got back up here it was snowing and 31F. 

John and I went talking before I left and we came across some type of Police parade. It is funny how often we stumbled across things like this.

Police Parade

Police Parade

John and I went talking before I left and we came across some type of Police parade. It is funny how often we stumbled across things like this.

Tokyo is in bloom with Cherry Blossoms

Tokyo is in bloom with Cherry Blossoms

We have about a dozen US Navy Seabees show up while I was gone, glad to have the help and looking forward to talking with some of them.