Higashi (Eastern) Sendai Church
We at Hope Presbyterian Church are partnering with the Rev. Tateishi in Sendai, Japan in an effort to provide tangible support to a specific church. (Please scroll down to view ALL updates.)
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Although the Eastern (Higashi) Sendai Church is located right in Sendai, it did not sustain any damage from the tsunami and only minimal damage from the earthquake. All church members are safe, although some have lost relatives and sustained serious damage to their residences. Some members are living at the church.
Sendai is one of the hardest-hit areas of Japan. Note the proximity to the Epicenter as is evident in the map to the right.
The cinder block wall at the back of the church sustained some damage from the initial earthquake.
Rev. Tateishi is working with other Christian churches and mission organizations to meet the needs of those still in shelters (mostly elderly), those in isolated areas, and those whose needs aren’t being met, as well as those that are currently being sheltered at the church building.
The city of Tagajo (right) is located approximately 15 minutes from Eastern Sendai Church and is where the tsunami’s waters began pouring onto land.
Hiroko’s mother (in photo on left; center) is seen here with some youths who came to help from Tokyo.
This is currently how the sanctuary looks (right) as supplies are being organized to give to those in need.
Pastor Akira Tateishi (on chair with gray sweater)
How can you help? Please make your love offerings payable to "HPC" with "Sendai" on the memo line.
NEW UPDATES! (5/28/11)
The Eastern Sendai Church is now focusing on sending out teams of volunteers to a coastal city, Tona, which is about 1 hour from Sendai. There are approximately 200 households in that area whose 1st floors are completely ruined and are living on the 2nd floor.
(volunteers ready for dispatch to Tona; Hiroko’s
brother, Keita Koriyama is 2nd from left)
The process begins with removing everything from inside the house and then tearing up the floors to clear out the mud and sludge underneath.
ALL electric appliances are broken.
Because this is a rural area, the community did not have a proper sewage system to begin with. Tona only has a ditch that is now completely covered with dirt and volunteers are trying to help homeowners clear it.
Mostly girls and smaller men are going under the floor boards (in photo, right) to clear the sludge and scatter lime for disinfection.
Clearing the streets of debris and clearing the ditches to allow for better drainage.
Another look at the damage.
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NEW UPDATES! (January 2012)
Earlier this year, the Reformed Church in Japan collected special offerings for the volunteer work in 
the Tona district on Miyagi Prefecture ($10,000) in additiona to other special offerings from churches like Hope. Thank you!! This money has been put towards the restoration of homes as well as purchasing much needed appliances (as seen in the photo on RIGHT).
As the future of this city is unsure in terms of the city's restoration plan, we will continue to help people restore their homes and provide them with any basic needs as well as building relationships with families in hopes of pointing them to Jesus Christ.
The renovation process is tedious and involves removing the floors that are soaked in seawater, the plaster, insulation, as well as the bathrooms and kitchens. If the seawater beneath the floor of the lower level isn't removed, eventually the whole house will rot away.
In addition to renovation work, Eastern Sendai Church is working with the children in the area as 
their play spaces have been swept away and left with rubble and glass pieces. We have held sports events, taken them camping, and also held a 3-day Sunday school camp. We also have a once-a-month get together with residents in order to eat and fellowship. Through fellowship with us in Christ, we continue to pray that Jesus Christ will open those victims' hearts like He did to Lydia (Acts 16:14).