March 16, 2011

Dear                                                                         March 16, 2011

Thanks for your concern. Gary and I had quite a shaking up the other day and continue to be a bit unnerved by aftershocks. No damage yet and by looking at the BBC news online, (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12732015) we feel that there's not a big risk to our health from the levels of radiation.

OMF has given us the option of leaving the country if we want to but at this stage we are staying. If we had small kids, our decision might be different.

Around here looks fairly normal except that people are queueing for petrol and there's a bit of panic buying at the shops. Be  assured we have plenty of food and have stocked up on nonperishable items. We've only had power cut off once and that was only for two

hours.

We've lost some sleep by being woken by aftershocks and warning announcements over loud speakers but other than that we are okay. Emotionally we are also a bit tired.

Today I decided not to look at the TV. It gets too much after a while.

And since the power stoppage didn't happen this afternoon, I made some orange and poppy seed muffins and invited a Japanese neighbour and her little girl over for afternoon tea. It was nice to be together and just do something normal.

So far people we know in Sendai have survived but some we haven't been able to contact.

One missionary family had their car washed away but they were safe in their beach cabin up on a hill. They are still isolated there but have enough food and there are some others there with them for support.

Nobody can properly relax with the aftershocks happening but we are just glad to be alive and have the basics that so many don't have, like water and sufficient food. We are very grateful to God to be spared the horrors up north.

Please pray with us that we will have continuing strength. We may be having someone to stay here. Very glad to be able to do something for someone in the present crisis.

Do take care of yourselves too. I'm sure your ever busy schedule is not letting up any.

Love to you ,

Ruth (and Gary)