Jean in Newcastle Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 (edited) We finally heard from one pastor. He and his family are fine. He was able to confirm that 4 of his church members are ok too although one person's house was severely damaged. He drove around until his car was blocked by parked cars (gas stations aren't open) and confirmed that 3 out of 5 church buildings are still standing. He's still trying to locate the most important part of the church - the actual pastors and people. There is no electricity. People have to wait in lines for 2 to 3 hours just for water. There are other lines for food and gas. One of the churches he wasn't able to get to was directly in line with the Tsunami on the coast. There is no cell phone reception and even landlines work in some areas but not in others. He's terribly concerned about that church. Please continue to pray. I can't watch any more video clips etc. It reduces me to tears every time. My family has been pulling together. People I knew in Tokyo and other parts of Japan have been calling to express their love and concern which has shored me up considerably. New Update - Just heard a report of the church in Fukushima (right in the shadow of the main nuclear reactor that is having the meltdown). They are all fine but have been evacuated. They sounded more frustrated by it all than anything, which actually made me feel better! Edited March 14, 2011 by Jean in Newcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug: ((Jean)) My prayers continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jld Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaffodilDreams Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Thinking of you, Jean. I had no idea you were from Sendai! I'm so thankful you weren't there. I hope any loved ones you may have over there are all safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadianmumof5 Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 It is such a tragedy for all those who are there and those who are watching and waiting to hear from family/friends. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been touched by this disaster. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug: Wishing there was a smilie that is praying... :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Praying for you and your family and friends, Jean. Many hugs Kia Kaha Willow, in Christchurch, NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Praying for you and your family :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Jean, I just posted in reply to one of your posts on the College Board -- I'm sorry for what you're going through. I have friends in Yamada and Miyako, up the coast, and am just walking around with my heart in my throat. I also can't stop watching the videos and other stuff on the web. Hugs to you :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 I'm so glad you had some good news. I can't watch any more, either. I know my cousin is having a hard time, even though he's okay. At least he was able to find a phone to call home, so that was good. He's in an area without electricity, and I'm not sure about water. :grouphug: to you. It's going to be a long recovery there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kchara Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparrow Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug: It's just unimaginable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Jean you must be going crazy. I am so sorry! I am praying for you and for all of Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Jean, continuing to pray for all of Japan, and Sendai and other hard hit areas as well. I can't imagine how awful it would be to know the area and watch the video.:grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danybug Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Thanks for sharing the first hand news! I will pray for peace for you and continue my prayers for Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug:and prayers:grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Praying by your side. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Inna* Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QumaCote Posted March 13, 2011 Share Posted March 13, 2011 Oh Jean, I'm so sorry! Big huge hugs and prayers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug: It's so heartbreaking for me to watch and I've never been there or know anyone there. I can't imagine what it must feel like for you. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:Continuing to pray.:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Praying Jean. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 I was at a sing-along tonight. I sat and heard people talk about "the amazing videos of the tsunami! and how I'm glad that it happened there and not here." They didn't mean anything horrible by it and do feel sympathy for the Japanese but it was difficult to hear comments like that. Singing itself is a very emotional experience for me because I sing with all my heart. I'm afraid that in the midst of a group of people (half of whom I know very well) I just lost it and started to sob. I left and went to another room to calm down and all these ladies started to follow me to comfort me. I appreciated their love and support but sort of wanted to be alone to get myself together. I almost started laughing hysterically while still crying when one woman (with no idea why I was even crying) told me to "just let it all out". My dh said that he was thinking "uh-oh" when he saw the exodus of ladies following me out the room. Eventually they went back to the singing and I was able to sit quietly and regain control. I don't mind showing my emotions per se but do like to be in control of them. Whew! Now I am just exhausted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nono Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Tough night. :sad: I think for some folks, if they've never experienced a disaster, or haven't familiarity with a place, it becomes a surreal event watching it on TV. You gave much grace to those who said comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I sat and heard people talk about "the amazing videos of the tsunami! and how I'm glad that it happened there and not here." :confused: Seriously, I've never understood people who say things like that. Even if they're not "trying" to be insensitive, it's horrible & shows their self-centeredness & ignorance of the world. To me, people who speak that way have lost some of their humanity. :grouphug:, Jean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Sorry it was such a tough night Jean! :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug: to you. I hope you get some good news soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_melody_ Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug: I'm praying for you, and for all the people of Japan. I hope that you can find some comfort soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I was at a sing-along tonight. I sat and heard people talk about "the amazing videos of the tsunami! and how I'm glad that it happened there and not here." They didn't mean anything horrible by it and do feel sympathy for the Japanese but it was difficult to hear comments like that. Singing itself is a very emotional experience for me because I sing with all my heart. I'm afraid that in the midst of a group of people (half of whom I know very well) I just lost it and started to sob. I left and went to another room to calm down and all these ladies started to follow me to comfort me. I appreciated their love and support but sort of wanted to be alone to get myself together. I almost started laughing hysterically while still crying when one woman (with no idea why I was even crying) told me to "just let it all out". My dh said that he was thinking "uh-oh" when he saw the exodus of ladies following me out the room. Eventually they went back to the singing and I was able to sit quietly and regain control. I don't mind showing my emotions per se but do like to be in control of them. Whew! Now I am just exhausted. Oh Jean. I am so so sorry. I am so sick over what is happening in Japan, I cannot even imagine what you are feeling. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 We were at a party on Saturday. A good number of the people there had recently transferred from Japan (south of Tokyo). So while we didn't have friends and neighbors directly in harms way, we'd been glued to the news and Facebooking our friends to find out what was going on. I thought that the guest of honor put it well. She said that in the past if she'd seen the video, she would have watched and then said how horrible and been sad. But having lived there, it was different. These were real places and real people who were hurting and seeing their lives turned upside down. And the level of concern we had for Japan was on a different deeper level. Even though I don't have friends in Sendai, and can count all of our friends among those who are (so far) only inconvenienced by the quake; when I watch, it is so very present. The streets aren't filled with odd little houses and strange looking people. These are identical to the streets we've walked for two years and are far more familiar to me than DC. The people look like people who were my friends and neighbors and my heart just aches for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug:, Jean. I'm so sorry. I "get" your singing experience. It took over a year when I divorced to be able to sing without crying. It sounds as if you handled your situation with grace... having the women follow you and all. You are a lovely example to me in many ways. I'm so, so sorry for your pain in this. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Even though I don't have friends in Sendai, and can count all of our friends among those who are (so far) only inconvenienced by the quake; when I watch, it is so very present. The streets aren't filled with odd little houses and strange looking people. These are identical to the streets we've walked for two years and are far more familiar to me than DC. The people look like people who were my friends and neighbors and my heart just aches for them. I think this is so true! It's the little things, like recognizing the drink bottles, or food. Seeing convinence chains that you've visited. Seeing license plates that aren't "foreign." Heck, nothing is foreign, it's "home." Realizing that this could have been "here." Being here right now is so very surreal/unreal. I understand the desire to not want to watch anymore, on the other hand, it's the only way to know what is happening now, what has changed from yesterday. It's easy now with all the English coverage from the UK and US, but how is that going to change when the coverage goes away? Jean, I'm glad you got news from your friends and I can only hope that more parishioners are found and safe. I wonder how they will ever get things cleaned up, rebuilt and all those survivors will get there lives back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Oh, Jean! :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abacus2 Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug: How heartbreaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 (edited) :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: My mom was missing for a week after Katrina. No one had any idea where she was. Landlines weren't working nor were cell phones. I still recall the day when while i was talking to my Aunt, my mom's sister, a strange number beeped and I answered and it was my mom's voice on someone else's cell phone. Seeing the video footage of my friend's homes completely under water to the roof tops....looking at street signs that I knew, nearly under water and later visiting and seeing how much the landscape had changed.....just heartbreaking. Edited March 14, 2011 by Capt_Uhura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I think this is so true! It's the little things, like recognizing the drink bottles, or food. Seeing convinence chains that you've visited. Seeing license plates that aren't "foreign." Heck, nothing is foreign, it's "home." Realizing that this could have been "here." Being here right now is so very surreal/unreal. I understand the desire to not want to watch anymore, on the other hand, it's the only way to know what is happening now, what has changed from yesterday. It's easy now with all the English coverage from the UK and US, but how is that going to change when the coverage goes away? Jean, I'm glad you got news from your friends and I can only hope that more parishioners are found and safe. I wonder how they will ever get things cleaned up, rebuilt and all those survivors will get there lives back. Jamee, there is a channel on AFN that provides the English translated NHK coverage. I think it was around channel 25 on the free/basic lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 English translated NHK coverage. You can watch the NHK station here: http://wwitv.com/tv_channels/6810.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonor Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug:Praying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie in WI Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 :grouphug::grouphug: and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetBean Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Praying for you friends and church family in Sendai! I have just been praying and crying, and praying for the people of Japan. I can't even imagine what they are going through. :grouphug::grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 New Update - Just heard a report of the church in Fukushima (right in the shadow of the main nuclear reactor that is having the meltdown). They are all fine but have been evacuated. They sounded more frustrated by it all than anything, which actually made me feel better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewpeaceful Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 My heart goes out to everyone in Japan. My family survived Rita evacuation and hunkered down for Ike (20 minutes from Gulf) which were nothing compared to the tsunami. I remember the desperation for fuel, water, and food and it was nothing compared to what those towns are dealing with. I remember families from our church losing everything and not being able to access the street their house was on for months to see the damage - months. I remember driving through our town the day after the storm and it looked like a war zone with boats in the middle of the road, signs down, the heartbreak, the sense that life would never be the same again. It was, but it took a LOT of time and our hurricane was nothing compared to Sendai. One can't fathom until they have seen and lived through wondering how they will feed their children, let alone themselves. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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