June Happenings

   Well it's been a busy, busy month. Summer is definitely here! The weather has become hotter and humid. School work, activities have kept us all with schedules filled. Here are some of the things that have been happening:

On June 11, we had Sport's Fun Day. It was a day of sports activities, games, and competitions. We were about 70 teachers, parents, friends, and students. The students were divided in three teams and had trained for several weeks before the event. They were all looking forward to it and we all enjoyed it very much. 

Dim and Me :)

COG (Church of God) 

"Father's Day Mini-Concert" was the special program for this year for father's day. I enjoyed it, but really miss my father.  I'm so blessed to have a wonderful Heavenly Father who is with me everywhere I go and at every moment.  

Cooking Club ended this week. We had 6 weeks where we cooked some different things like cookies, spaghetti, hamburgers, snacks, and dips.  I will really missed it and I think my girls will too. 

Time is going so fast and July is almost here! Summer break starts on July 15 so I'm ready and excited to go home and see everyone! :) Mexico and US watch out here I come and I'm ready for great time with family and friends, delicious food, parties, traveling, and lots of sun!

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow"

 Spring is finally here!! I learned that in this side of the world, flowers don't bloom until late April or beginning of May. It's like a new beginning, a fresh start...It's been lifting and encouraging to see the natural beauty all around. It's like God showing us that no matter how long the sky has been gray, and things have been rocky, He's there..He's always there.

  School started again in the beginning of April, and things are definitely back to normal there; as busy as they can be. This new school year I am teaching a girl's cocking club on Fridays, and we all really enjoy it. Even when we only had a few weeks of break, it has taken the students a few weeks to get back into their study mood but I am thankful things are getting better now. I am also teaching, ESL to three boys, one hour - three days a week. They are my best students! Well, maybe I should better say the cutest of all! (sorry no pictures yet). When I first got here, a little over six months ago, I would not imagine how close I have gotten to so many of them. I am grateful God has brought me here and even with all that has happen, I do not regret it for a second. 

I wont deny I am looking forward to summer break since I will be going to America (as they call it here)! I am really excited about seeing my family and friends. But until then, I will be updating as much as possible. 

  One of my house-mates, Namiki, got married a week ago. That was my first christian-Japanese wedding. It was really nice and different. The ceremony was short and to be honest not sure of all they said since it was all in Japanese hahaha. She looked really pretty and radiant. I learned a new word too; Omedeto gosaimatsu = Congratulations! She moved to Yamagata Prefecture, which is north from here, closer to Sendai area. They will both be assistant pastors in COG( Church Of God) there. Everybody misses her around here, but we are all happy for her too.

As Life Goes On...

  Well, time doesn't stop. It goes by so fast! It's hard to believe that in a few days it will be two months of the biggest earthquake and Tsunami in Japan's history. Since then we have had over 800 aftershocks. For about three weeks now, we haven't had any, which I'm very grateful!

  The Fukushima Nuclear Plant situation seems to be more under control. It will be a long process and months before it can be completely declared controlled and 100% safe area again. In other matters, slowly some things are going back to normal. Many of those who had been living in refugees centers returned home last week. The construction projects are going at a slower pace then expected, but going none the less. The most affected areas still have a long way to go before they can live "normal-lives" again. I find it hard to believe that after going through an experience like this, they can go back to living the way they use to before. Life changing events like this change not only the way you live, but your perspective in life and what really matters changes too. It's hard to explain how something so unexpected has changed my life in many ways. I am amazed of the love and sensibility God has put in my heart for Japan and the pain of others. How their suffering has become mine. I can not thank Him enough for teaching, showing, guiding, holding, and being with me through it all. It's so encouraging and motivating to have my family, friends, and churches prayed and supported me in many ways. I am so blessed to have felt the love and care not only towards me, but also my parents. 

 Catastrophic events and natural disasters are happening all over the world, but it is not something we need to be afraid. They are just signs that the final days are coming. It has made me think on the things I'm doing. On how many more I can and should be doing. It has made me reflect on my past, present, but mostly on my future. Even when I do not know for sure how long I will be here in Japan, I know that God's timing is the best. This past week I've been meditated on a song by Casting Crowns titled, "Glorious Day" and been reminded of His unconditional love for us. It is good to be reminded that eternal life is something our minds can not completely comprehend, but preparing for it is what all we do should be all about...

  

 "He who holds the stars in space holds His people in His hands.."

Missions Trip Report

   In the midst of the storm, God always takes time to show us His faithfulness, love, and overflowing blessings. You Can See the Sun even In a Cloudy Day!
   Sunday March 27, the first trip with supplies collected by different churches, neighbors, and donations to Miyagi and Sendai. Kenji sensei made a three days trip to Yamagata, and Miyagi prefecture. Kohatu sensei, Kakoto sensei, and a high school student from Kawasaki church went along too. The bus was loaded with supplies such as; fresh vegetables, fruits, rice, clothes, toiletries, babies' supplies, kitchen materials, bicycles, and money. People over there lost everything and were so tired of the hard re-construction work everyday. They had spend many days drying up after the Tsumani hit their area. Many of them were getting sick because of lack of nutrition, electricity, and medicines. They needed money to buy food supplies, and gas to go to the closest clinic, the situation was really critical. 

  The team left Sunday night 9 p.m. and arrived at Yamagata church around 3 a.m. They took a nap till 6 a.m. and met another team from Yamagata church. They headed to Sendai that morning.  There is a church that belongs to COG (Church of God, our denomination) in Sendai and they were headed that way. The first thing they did was helped repairing the roof of the church which had been damage by the earthquake. They also left rice supplies there before leaving. That same day, they headed to Shiogama to another church there. This church was not hit by the Tsunami, but surrounding neighbors had lost everything and had been living in very bad conditions. The church has been helping the people around taking some  refugees in, providing warms meals, and sharing some supplies. CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope) had sent many supplies already,  so  Kenji sensei was asked to drive up north, close to Iwate prefecture to take the supplies. They left the donations at Shiogama church about two hours drive from Sendai. They uploaded what they had at that church and headed home. A couple days later, the news announced that many refugees from Miyagi prefecture had been sent to Kurihara city, where Shiogama church is,  by the government. This showed us that we had been let by God to bring the supplies and donations there since they were needed there the most. 

   On April 8th, Kenji sensei and other two pastors made the second trip to Kurihara. It was a short one-day trip. Makoto sensei, the pastor who was planning on going and taking the van full of supplies, hurt his back the day before the trip, so Kenji sensei was asked to drive in his place. Kenji sensei, Makoto sensei, and Mitsugu sensei left around 4am that day. Even when it was a long, last minute trip, Kenji sensei was thankful that God gave him another opportunity to serve. The day before they arrived, all the extra supplies at that church had gone to a refuge place prepared by the government. The church members were happy for our arrival and it was an answer to prayer for them. God knows the best way and the perfect all the time.  

The church's van full of vegetables, gas stoves, and other supplies.

Pastor Kenji (COG my church here) and the rest of the group who went for two days.

Some pictures of Miyagi and Sendai

The coast

Mani cars along the road haven't been removed

Chiogama Church
They have been receiving a lot of evacuees to this area. the church has been distributing the supplies. 
Pastor Kenji and his wife Miho send their special thanks and regards to all those praying for us.
 I will like to thank you again for all the prayers, support, encouragement, and financial donations.


Special thanks to:
Vision Cumpliendo tu Destino - Cd. Obregon, Sonora Mexico
Centro Cristiano Tierra Fertil - Cd. Obregon, Sonora Mexico
Living Word Church - Phoenix, AZ
God's Bible School & College - Cincinnati, OH
Florence Community Church of the Nazarene - Cincinnati OH
Iglesia La Roca - Cd. Real, Spain
Escuela KJOKMA - Villahermosa Mexico

11 Days Later...

"Remembering God's goodness is a good cure for doubt."

   Well 11 days have passed... We've continue having earthquakes, not aftershocks, but new ones. They just not stop. I've experienced more earthquakes in the past eleven days, then many people in a lifetime! I don't think that makes me an expert though.


   We are still being cautious about the food and electricity.Demand is still higher then suppl, but we have had pretty good meals in the middle of it all. Gas is a bigger issue. It's hard to find a gas station with enough gas to fill big vehicle, and the prices keep going up.

   As you may know, the nuclear plant is not under control yet. Just this past weekend hundreds of citizens from different countries such as US, Mexico, France, Italy, and others have gone back home. CNN news posted this morning:
'' [8:29 p.m. Monday ET, 9:29 a.m. Tuesday in Tokyo] The U.S. military is considering the mandatory evacuation of thousands of American troops and their families in Japan out of concern over rising radiation levels, a senior defense official said, according to CNN's Chris Lawrence. The official, who did not want to be on the record talking about ongoing deliberations, says there are no discussions to evacuate all U.S. troops across the country. The talks have focused exclusively on U.S. troops in Yokosuka, just south of Tokyo, the official said. Yokosuka is home to America's largest naval base in Japan.
[9:30 p.m. Monday ET, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Tokyo] High levels of radioactive substances have been found in seawater near the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Tuesday.
Levels of iodine-131 in the seawater were 126.7 times higher than government-set standards, the electric company said on its website. Its monitors detected caesium-134, which has a half-life of about two years, about 24.8 times higher than the government standards. Cesium-137 was found to be 16.5 times higher than the standard.''


   On better news, This catastrophic even, has brought many to Christ. We just had news from churches in Fukushima, Sendai , and Miyagi areas, where people have become christians. Some of them are workers at the Fukushima Plant. We pray for them, since they have gone back to work and are trying hard to get the cooling systems up and running.


   Church of God, in Higashi, Totsuka (my church here) had a rice ball sale last weekend, and all the money was going towards the donations found. Pastor's in the affected areas have requested our help. There are some areas where it7s been cleared for people go back home, the problem is that their houses are destroyed, on inhabitable. They are tired and many survivors are sick. so our church decided d to do more then send money (which is really needed too). The pastors, deacons, and leaders of the church had a meeting at 7am Thursday morning, to discuss about this issue. In this meeting was decided to do more then collecting money and get a group from church to go to the refugees centers in the Sendai and Miyagi area. A 14 pass anger van with gas, canned food, rice, and a group of volunteers will be leaving from Sunday, March 27 until Wednesday. this will be the first of many trips we hope to make. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to go. I really will like to join the group, but we are planning on leaving space in the van for some people who might want a ride back with the group. The group would be traveling along the Japan Ocean, avoiding the Fukushima area.


   Many of you have asked if there are ways to help those needed it the most here and the answer is yes! There are several ways:

   1. Prayers, I really appreciate all the churches and people who have been praying for me and for Japan.

   2. Money donations are also being collected since its the easiest thing to get to the pastors there.

  3. Donations of rice, gas, canned food, clothes, and medicine are also necessary. (for those in US and Mexico, it would be easier if you deposit the money in my account.


U.S.:
Gloria D. Rivera
PNC 4203886444

Mexico:
Gloria D. Rivera
HSBC : 4048344162


   We had planned to move to a different apartment before everything happen, so this Saturday we did. Since it was so busy, I didn't have time to think or worry about all that has been going on. It was such a strange feeling. It's not that I live worrying what will happen every second of my day, I just can't help to think about it since the situation is all around me. A question concerning my future here has come up in several emails, text, calls etc. I still haven't decide to go back yet, but today while reading about the possible evacuation of the US Military base families which is in the same area as me, I considered the possibility. I'm trusting that God will guide me to make the right decision if the situation arises.

Thank you for your prayers, support, care, encouraging words, and love.

5 Days Later...

   As days pass by, somethings go back to normal, while  others get worse... 

Some trains are running again which makes transportation issues better. Also today, two people were rescue after 96 hours! There was a 70 year old woman and a 20 year old man. Those are great news!...
   On the other hand, the nuclear plant issue hasn't gotten fixed, on the contrary it has gotten worse. Reactor #2 had a minor explosion increasing levels of radiation around it. Also Reactor #4 got caught on fire this morning. Authorities say that the reactor itself was not damage. Other reports say that  radiation levels outside the plant keep increasing. 0.809 microsievert  radiation was detected in Tokyo today (aprox 200 kilometers away from the plant)  this is 22% more than normal. Considering weather conditions, the rate radiation has been dispersing, and the fact that they can't cool down the reactors, I wouldn't be surprised if by tomorrow some radiations is detected in Yokohama also. Rain and snow is expected for the next couple of days and that makes the risk even higher.  The ratio from the plant has been expanded to at least 30km away. Some people who would like to get farther away can't due to the lack of fuel in their cars. An elder couple was allowed to go back to their town to look for their son. He was in his way to the post office when the earthquake happened and the tsunami came. Its been four days since the tsunami so the chances were really low. I couldn't stop crying as I was watching the news. The dad was yelling his son's name as he was crying and lifting trash and rubbles covering the destroyed building. 

   Aftershocks continue, There have been about 240 aftershocks till now. Just this morning we had two, one around 3am and another one just before 5am... Couldn't sleep after the second one...about a 45 minutes ago another one hit not far from here of 6 magnitude. my shower was interrupted as I run out...my heart was beating so fast, I can't understand how I can't get use to them...Everybody is so sensitive to them right now though, so I'm not the only one...
   The demand for water and food is getting higher and people is getting desperate. Yesterday morning around 9am, my roomate Dim went to a rice shop not far from our apartment. When she got there, there was a long line of people already waiting. She stood there for about 45 minutes when someone announced that they were out. Even some people who had been in line since 8am weren't able to get any either. That afternoon, I went to a supermarket close by to buy some groceries. This store was going to be open for a couple hours.  I got there about an hour before the store opened finding a line of about 100 or so people in front of me. A couple minutes after approximately other 50 were behind me. When the time came the doors opened and we were allowed in. As we went in people starting running. It was unbelievably chaos! I feel like floating since people were pushing all together trying to reach the food on the shelves. Bread, milk, cup noodles, can food, and eggs where disappearing. It was like literally fighting for food...it was crazy and sad. I really never thought I would have to rush like that. When I finally made it to the register line, I found myself close to the entrance door. It took about an hour and fifteen minutes till I was able to pay... 

   All I can do pray and be still...Today I kept praising God in the midst of this chaos and uncertainty...Psalms 91 was my chapter for the day... 

Psalms 91 

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High 

   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a] 

² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, 

   my God, in whom I trust.”

 ³ Surely he will save you 

   from the fowler’s snare 

   and from the deadly pestilence. 

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers, 

   and under his wings you will find refuge; 

   his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night, 

   nor the arrow that flies by day, 

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, 

   nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, 

   ten thousand at your right hand, 

   but it will not come near you. 

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes 

   and see the punishment of the wicked.

 ⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” 

   and you make the Most High your dwelling, 

¹⁰ no harm will overtake you, 

   no disaster will come near your tent. 

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you 

   to guard you in all your ways; 

¹² they will lift you up in their hands, 

   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 

¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra; 

   you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

 ¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; 

   I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 

¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him; 

   I will be with him in trouble, 

   I will deliver him and honor him. 

¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him 

   and show him my salvation.”

{Funny story: as Dim is standing in line she hears a man passing by ask another man who was in line ,"what is this line for?" to this the man standing in line answers, "I dont know" ...lol} 

3/11/11...A day I'll never forget!!

   When I got up this morning, I never imagine what all would happen today. I was excited about it being the last day of school and all was going as planned. RA's (Raymond Academy)  Closing Awards Ceremony ended around 1:30pm (school year ends in march here). The students and parents had all gone home and spring break had officially started. I decided to go to my room and talk to my mom for a a while before taking a well- needed nap since I had been going on 3 - 4 hours of sleep for the last couple weeks.  I was in my room, Dim and Namiki were in the kitchen, about fifteen minutes after talking on Skype, at 2:46p,  my bed started shaking stronger then usual.  I looked up and everything was moving, Dim and Namiki were yelling my name asking me to come out... I closed the computer and went out. I didn't know what to expect I couldn't walk straight. When I open the door, Dim and Namiki were holding on to a strong pillar, everything was rocking hard, loud sirens not far, cars honking, people screaming. I still couldn't believe it!!! I had many thoughts going throughout my head, I held on to the pillar and to Dim's jacket, while she held on to Namiki as well...tears filled my eyes got and I kept saying, "it just doesn't end!"...panic was everywhere....then I didn't know it was just the beginning....
   The 9.0 magnitude earthquake lasted two minutes...the longest in my life! two minutes passed and just when we thought it was coming to an end, aftershock started, two strong ones followed the earthquake...We couldn't go in the house for a while. A man passing by, run to the pillars we were holding on and held on too.  Two aftershocks followed one right after the other, of less magnitude, but still big. For about the next twenty minutes the earth wouldn't stop shacking.  When we finally went in and started to watch news on Namiki's cellphone. We couldn't believe what our eyes were seeing!!! It was like a movie..a nightmare...just unbelievable...
   We walked a block away to the pastor's house and spent the next eight hours which seemed like days, watching the news, trying to contact people, and praying... All phone services were down or busy, electricity had been off in many areas, even a few blocks aways from us, the tsunami had struck furiously and taken everything and everybody on its way.   Miho Sensei, (pastor's wife and RA principal) couldn't get a hold of her mom, Namiki's grandparents who live in one of the most affected areas couldn't be reached...
  Around 11pm we came back to our apartment. To my surprise, we had electricity, Internet, everything was working fine. Many missed calls, texts, emails, fb messages where waiting when I got here. Thank you everybody who has care, prayed, and contacted me. In moments like this is when love, care, support, prayers are really needed.  I didn't get much sleep, lay down around 4 am and just praying and thinking.  Over 170 aftershock have happen, small ones, but big enough to made me open my eyes and wanted to be ready to go out.  We were in red tsunami alert, sirens were ringing all night and kept my thoughts busy...around 7:30 I gave up trying to sleep and got up. Namiki couldn't really sleep either, so we were both in the kitchen watching the latest news. Numbers of deceased people and missing kept increasing and the tsunami alerts were still red. Praying, hoping, and waiting...
   So many things unfolded after, uncertainty and fear surrounded us... Mixed feelings and thoughts cross your mind when you're in the middle of a situation like this. Unanswered questions, weakened hopes, weary spirits...  Its been two and half days and it's still hard to sleep... two days later things haven't settle, on the other hand to some extend gotten worse.  Japan it's ahead in studying the possible damage and preventions of earthquakes, but this earthquake was way more then what they were prepare for.  Many were calm about it when it happen, for many others the shock came after a couple hours. 
   In Miyagi Prefecture, one of the most affected area of 17,666 population, more then 10,000 missing.  It's been announced that there is a 70 percent chance of a magnitude 7 or stronger quake occurring in the next three days, and a 50 percent chance of one hitting in the three days after that. Even when the tsunami alerts are low now there is a 73% chance of another tsunami in three days. "Officials previously said that more than 2,000 people died or were missing following Friday's earthquake and tsunami." Local news tonight (Sunday 3/13) announced that about 28,000 ppl couldn't go back home while 343,271 scape the tsunami. 
   The radioactive plant cooling reactor system  it's still a priority. "There is a risk of a second explosion at the quake-hit Fukushima power station, Japanese officials have said. However, chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano said the facility could withstand the impact and the nuclear reactor itself would not be damaged. Technicians are battling to cool reactor 3 following a blast at the building housing reactor 1 on Saturday."
  Because of the lack of electric power, Japan had been divided in five sections and have scheduled power outages.  Starting tomorrow Monday, here in Yokohama from 9:20-1pm ; 6pm-10pm the electric power will be off.  Also food supplies and gas are running low all over the country.  We were asked to prepare a backpack with water, some food, passport, money, and some clothes.
  I won't say I'm not scared at all. I'm trusting God and I am sure that He's in control. He has kept us safe so far and wont leave us now. There are many things I'm not sure about, there are many questions I don't have the answer for. Mixed feelings and I can say for sure that this experience is without a doubt life changing... I've grown closer to God and He has given me peace.  I've been praying for those who are suffering for the lost f a love one...those who have lost everything. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I do know that whatever may happen, God is with me anywhere I go.
  Please continue praying for Japan. Specially the following days, weeks, and months will be filled with sorrow and fear for many... 
  
Psalm 27:5, " For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock".

  Psalm 61, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows;  you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Increase the days of the king’s life,  his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day"