In case of any natural disaster, if you have news, reports, or information, please send that to mcmurray@spiritbuilding.com and we will post it asap. Forward reports you receive or encourage senders to contact us directly.
If you’re looking for news, we can only post what we know. Determinations of fellowship lines, individual or congregational responsibilities, or follow up with the situation will be up to you.
Japan - March 2011
Below is a note from Bob Nichols, who preaches the gospel in Osaka, Japan, and has for many years. Thankfully, he and the brethren in Osaka are doing all right. However, some there are concerned for family members in the affected area. Here is the email:
People have been write me about the Japanese earthquake, so I thought I would send you a note to say we`re fine here. Things here in Osaka are fine. We are about 600 miles south of the earthquake as you know, and somewhat protected from the worst effects of the tsunami. ...at least we hope we are. The last few days I have been feeling several earthquakes, then today the biggest in Japanese history. It was 8,000 times bigger than the one in Christchurch New Zealand, last month. Everyone here in Osaka is fine, but Kanno san, who studies the Bible with us, is from Sendai where the earthquake took place. So now, we are concerned for his parents, his brothers and his family in the city. My sister`s two older boys are in Tokyo now. They have both married Japanese wives and both have new babies. Because they are in Tokyo where there was a lot of shaking and damage, so we are also praying for them.
Okamoto, 82, one of our members, called just after the earthquake. He called to reassure me that the highway buses will be still running on Sunday when he plans to go to church with me in Osaka. I am always proud of his continued faithfulness.
We in Osaka are doing fine. Prayers for Kanno san`s family in Sendai and my family in Tokyo would be appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Bob
Chile - March 2010
Dear brothers:
I write this message to you to inform you of the current situation here in Talca (Maule), CHILE to 7 days of occurred the earthquake.
I am going to report for the two congregations in Talca. Because it was one of the most affected areas by the earthquake. (Church of Christ in Carlos Trupp, Talca, According to telephone information of the brother Ramón Ramos)
We continue having tremblings in the center of Chile. But with the to pass from the days diminishes the frequency and the intensity.
The brothers in other areas of Chile are well. In Lebu (near to Concepción) there was only a family that had to leave their house and to be in a shelter, but now they are well. Brother Sergio Pino, from Temuco visited them and confirmed that they are well.
In Talca area, we had need of food by some days. These could not be obtained because the Supermarkets were closed or simply by to have finished (supermarkets opened Tuesday, and it sell alone some few things for each person). And some brothers had lack of money because: or they could not work for some days, or because their salaries had delay in to be received by them (and some they will delay still) by obvious reasons. Practically all the center of Talca fell to the floor, with the consequent effects in the services and purchase of products.
But, thanks to God the need of food that had was supplied by the shipment of aid of 4 congregations of Chile. Two churches brought the food to Talca, and other two sent some money to a brother (Richard Rosson) of a nearby city that could buy food there, and to bring them to Talca ($440.00 on the whole). Yesterday we finish to distribute this aid among the brothers in Talca (the two churches) along with the brother Richard Rosson, of Linares. The brothers in Talca we are very thanked by this aid.
Although in the first messages I spoke, perhaps in advance, in name of the brothers of Talca that would be able to have need to receive helps economic of some outside churches of Chile. Today, already passed several days we see that there is not for now such need. Only that we do not know well if some family can have later this need by some effect that this have in his works, and that we be not capable of attending. In such case this would be analyzed for the churches in Talca, and we would notify. But is very possible that will not be the case.
With the aid received, at this time the brothers in Talca have food for more than 15 days. Almost in every sector there is water and light, except in all the center of the city. That causes still some problems. At night I have been maintained the sound of remains (12:00 PM to 07:00 AM), due to the robberies and lootings. Little by little can be bought food in the supermarkets in more normal form, and in many parts bread can be bought.
On Thursday we had the biblical study almost with the same habitual assistance.
Thanks for your sincere concern for your brothers in Chile. Your brother in Christ,
Carlos R. Bello Venegas
Evangelist
Church of Christ - Villa Francia, Talca
Talca, CHILE
Home phone: 0056-071-293335
Mobile: 0056-82504874
South America
www.carlosrbello.wordpress.com
www.cristianosentalca.wordpress.com