CRASH Tono Base
Tonight I am writing from CRASH Iwate Base in Tono City. Tonight we have 14 people staying here, most of whom have been out working in the disaster area all day. I am mostly in the management role keeping this place running, but I have made it out to the disaster area a couple of times.
Further south, in Sendai City and near the nuclear power plant, conditions are much worse, but things here in Tono are not bad. We do have aftershocks several times a day, even as I am typing, we just has a shake of about M3 or M4. But, we have food and water, electricity, and kerosene for the heaters. The stores are open and have at least some stock of food and supplies, although only about one fourth of what they normally have. Here, almost all of the damage is right along the coast where the tsunami hit; there is only a little visible earthquake damage. At the coast, the destruction is horrifying, thousands of homes and businesses swept away by the tsunami, cars littered about like toys, boats on top of buildings or swept up streets. Sometimes the scene would be funny if it was not so terrible – yesterday I saw a car balanced on top of a washing machine inside a building. There is a surreal aspect of it when you leave the coast – a five minute drive from the destruction, you can stop and get a coke from a vending machine – a short distance from the coast, life goes on almost normally. I think the psychological impact will hit later for many people.
Thank you for your prayers. God be with you!
Comments
Comment from Brian and Beth Ann S.
Time April 1, 2011 at 1:14 am
Thank you again for the updates. It is information like this that we need. The news states the same things over and over again, with the same pictures. Now they are totally focused on Libya and the nuclear power plants. The news implies that the whole north is in dire straights. We are hearing from other friends that food and clean water are the biggest issue for most people, even in the south.
We thank God that you both were able to fly to the north and become part of the CRASH team. May God keep his hand over you in your efforts to bring comfort and the Lord’s peace.
Comment from Melissa L.
Time April 2, 2011 at 1:49 am
Dear Karen and Dan,
Praying for you today. May the Holy Spirit give you the words to speak and encourage those in need. You are loved!
Comment from Melissa L.
Time March 31, 2011 at 12:52 pm
We are lifting you and the rest of our sisters and brothers in Christ there in Japan up daily in prayer. Please let us know any specific prayer needs as time allows. May God give you all the energy and strength as you serve and reach out to the lost.