Do for One What You Wish You Could Do for All
Faced with overwhelming need in the wake of the triple disaster, Richard Amos focused on helping those few that God put in his path.
As I watched the TV news reports of the horrendous destruction caused by Japan’s 2011 tsunami, earthquake, and nuclear disasters, I could think of nothing but getting to Japan quickly to help. At age 76, I couldn’t do heavy lifting, but having spent over 40 years in Japan, I did know my way around and could drive a truck to deliver supplies.
Initially, fellow-OMSer Steve King and I picked up and distributed supplies provided by Food for the Hungry, Samaritan’s Purse, and CRASH. People were appreciative everywhere we went, but whatever we did seemed like a drop in the bucket. I began to focus on needs I could meet, rather than be overwhelmed by all those I could not meet.
I tried unsuccessfully to rent a truck, but then a Japanese friend offered me his station wagon. I crammed supplies into the car and headed north of Sendai, praying that God would lead me to a place not yet reached.
The road was nearly impassable in many places. I seldom saw signs of life, except for Self-Defense Forces clearing roads and searching for victims. Eventually, I came upon the parking lot of a devastated convenience store in Minamisanriku, where people lined up to receive hot noodles. They were camping out in what was left of their homes or staying with relatives. I asked a young man if people needed supplies. “Oh, yes,” he replied. “You are the first one to come.” God had answered my prayer! Volunteers in the area were supplying a simple hot meal once a day, but besides that no supplies had reached the area. We quickly distributed our supplies, and I promised to come back with more. When I asked the young man if there was anything in particular he needed, he said, “I surely would like a watch. I only have my stomach clock to go by.”
I went back and forth from Sendai to Minamisanriku for a couple of weeks, filling and emptying the station wagon, mostly with essentials, but I didn’t forget the watch. My wife, Judy, subsequently joined me and we did trips from Kantō. Sometimes we used the OMS truck. Many others came in to help the town, but there was still great need and opportunity to share the love of Christ with the residents of this fishing village, which had never had a Christian church and whose last Bible study had closed 20 years ago.
Eventually, the thousands of homeless in Minamisanriku were resettled into 59 temporary housing complexes, the largest of which had 222 units. We could not meet the needs of 222 households, so we concentrated on a smaller complex of 22 units. When that complex received help from other sources, we searched for a smaller complex where we could make a difference. That is when we were introduced to the 10-unit Kamihoroke complex tucked back in the hills.
Japanese pastors and church members began asking to go with us to Kamihoroke each time we came back to Japan on a semi-annual ministry trip. At first, in 2012, they brought much-appreciated supplies, but were shy about interacting with residents. However, after concentrating on one location and taking the same core team each time, they began to take the initiative in 2013. Chiba District churches “adopted” the complex, and now do all the planning for cookouts, fellowship, and distribution of supplies.
The needs in the area have changed over time. At first, people were desperate for the most basic things. But later people’s requirements changed to the need to connect with others. People were assigned to temporary housing complexes by lottery, not choice. The mostly elderly residents didn’t know the other residents and, despite living in such close quarters, they remained relatively isolated from one another. Someone told us that about the only time they use the community building that had been added to the complex is when we visit and provide dinner for everyone.
Last fall, the manager of the complex asked us again, “We appreciate what you do, but why do you keep coming to such a small place?” It gave us another chance to speak of the love of God that motivates us to share his love. One of their greatest concerns is that they not be forgotten. Each time we go we assure them that we have not forgotten them and that God hasn’t either.
Photo supplied by the author.