7/2: Tuesday - Minamisanriku, Kessenuma, Rikuzentakata

Today added another interesting dimension to our ministry trip as we 3 guys drove up the coast to see other towns and cities which had been devastated in the disaster.

Sylvia had been asked to lead a special Ladies Luncheon for local missionary and ministry women, so she stayed in Ishinomaki and connected with about a dozen gals whose lives and ministries are focused here among the relief and restoration efforts.  Lorna organizes these events once a quarter, and finds it crucial for the spiritual and emotional well-being of the ministry families here.  Sylvia counts it a privilege to pour grace and joy into these hearts that give and give each day and are so often totally drained and weary.

Discussion time at ladies meeting

Meanwhile, we were driving past Onagawa, across the Kitakami River, and up the coast past fishing villages and small towns, and on to Minamisanriku, Kessenuma, and Rikuzentakata.  Because of the way these cities were situated on low-lying river deltas that faced a direct hit from the tsunami, these cities were obliterated in the disaster.  Adding to the horror, fires broke out on the floating debris which burned large neighborhoods, causing a hell-on-earth scenario.  As you can see from the photos, nothing is left where there used to be a thriving cities, especially in Minamisanriku and Rikuzentakata.  And the startling "highlight" of Kessenuma is the massive fishing boat still inland a half mile from the harbor.

This used to be a thriving neighborhood...

A frequent sight: railroad tracks are devastated and will be years before restoration

What's left of downtown Kessenuma

The "famous" stranded fishing boat - a curiosity now, a horror then

The harbor is half a mile away; note the cleaned up surroundings

Under the starboard side is a crushed and burned car

One of the few remaining buildings in Rikuzentakata

A reminder of tsunami power

Crossing a temporary bridge; note the hillside being removed for filling the valleys

This valley used to be the city of Rikuzentakata - now just empty fields

BTW, here's a link to some before and after images of these cities.  Terrible reminders of what it was like in these, and other cities.  http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/03/japan-earthquake-2-years-later-before-and-after/100469/

As we drove home, we reflected on many subjects: disaster, rebuilding, and more.  Perhaps my strongest impression was that these places of destruction and slowly become places of construction.  The deep foundations of infrastructure are being put into place, so recovery is on the way, but is still many years away.  Even the train lines were wiped out - literally washed away - and have only begun to be rebuilt in one or two areas.

We looked for signs of hope, and frankly, very few are to be found.  But yet, if you look closely, you can see faint glimmers here and there.  So I'm optimistic, at least for 5 or 10 years from now.  Even so, what can ease the loss of life, property, and commerce?  

Tough day.