Japan Earthquake
Friday, March 11, 2011 10:01 PM
From:
"Kevin Zirkle" <kevin.beckyzirkle@gmail.com>
To:
Bcc:
office@pioneerfaith.com
We want to let everyone know that we are all safe. We have had some damage to things
in the house but the building itself is fine.
We haven't been able to get any reports from the Immanuel Churches in the Sendai area.
We are still having some aftershocks today (Saturday Japan time).
We have heard from many of you and want to thank you for your prayers for us and for
Japan. We will keep you posted as we have more news.
Kevin and Becky
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Japan update
Monday, March 14, 2011 5:34 AM
From:
"Kevin Zirkle" <kevin.beckyzirkle@gmail.com>
To:
"April McCarty" <amccarty@zoominternet.net>
Bcc:
office@pioneerfaith.com
At church yesterday we had a special prayer time for those directly affected by the
earthquake and tsunami. There were some in the congregation who asked for prayer for
friends and relatives from whom they had not yet heard. During the service, we
experienced another aftershock and had another strong one this morning (Monday).
All of the Immanuel Churches have now been contacted, and the pastors are OK. The
church buildings are still standing but have sustained some damage. The death toll is
expected to rise considerably. Today’s newspaper headline was “20,000 missing in 2
towns”. These were towns that were destroyed by the tsunami.
The nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture that suffered damage is causing great
concern. The authorities are working to contain the damage. Because a lot of Japan’s
electricity is generated by nuclear power, there is now a lack of capacity to meet the needs
of everyone. Beginning today, there will be planned power cuts in different parts of Japan
so power can be diverted to the north where they desperately need electricity. Our
neighborhood has not lost power yet.
The trains in Tokyo are not running their full schedule, so transportation is difficult.
Gasoline is running short because the stations cannot receive deliveries. I was able to
buy some this morning but could only buy 20 liters at a time.
Christian Academy in Japan (where Becky works) has canceled classes until at least
Thursday, and the Immanuel Church canceled its Annual Conference.
Continue to pray for those in the north who still are without any water and power in some
areas. We appreciate all those who have written and expressed concern and assured us of
your prayers. We will continue to keep you updated.
In Him,
Kevin and Becky
PS Just as I finished writing this we had another aftershock. The one this morning and the
one just now were a magnitude of 4.
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Japan update
Thursday, March 17, 2011 9:55 AM
From:
"Kevin Zirkle" <kevin.beckyzirkle@gmail.com>
To:
"April McCarty" <amccarty@zoominternet.net>
Bcc:
office@pioneerfaith.com
We have heard from many you and want to assure you that we are doing well. Stores are getting
deliveries and shelves are being restocked. We have not experienced a power cut in our area,
but many people, stores and public areas are cutting back on electric use.
We hear on the news that relief supplies are beginning to get to the affected area but on a limited
basis. Cold weather continues with snow in Sendai. Even shelters have limited heat, so people
are cold.
Work continues to try and contain the problems at the nuclear plant. Water was dropped again
today to try to cool the nuclear rods. Radiation levels are being monitored and reports given
hourly. Tokyo is not in danger at this time.
Stores in Tokyo are still low on some items, but they are getting some deliveries. Trains are
running reduced schedules to save electricity.
CAJ (Christian Academy in Japan) has decided to remain closed until April 4. We are going to
drive out tomorrow so Becky can take care of orders and books that have arrived.
We did hear that the Sendai Immanuel Church was not damaged too badly and that they have
electricity although no water or gas. The IGM denominational headquarters has set up a
Disaster Relief Section to help get needed supplies to those in the affected area.
WGM has set up a place on its website for those who would like to give to help those suffering
from this tragedy. You will find it at www.wgm.org
We appreciate everyone's prayers and words of encouragement,
Kevin and Becky
If you would like current news on the relief effort underway, please go to the following website.
http://www.crashjapan.com/
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Subject: Zirkle Update
From: "Kevin Zirkle" <kevin.beckyzirkle@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, March 22, 2011 8:26 am
To: Other recipients,
"Pioneer Faith Church" <office@pioneerfaith.com>
Thank you for your prayers for Japan and for those who are affected by the earthquake and
tsunami. We have heard from many of you and appreciate your words of encouragement.
Supplies are beginning to reach some of those in the north who need them. More people are
being accounted for although there are still significant numbers missing. You have probably
seen on the news the rescue of an 80 year old grandmother and her 16 year old grandson
who were found nine days after the earthquake hit. They were in their collapsed house. So
there is still hope for people. Pray that others will be found alive.
Stores in Tokyo are beginning to restock although they are limiting the quantity of some items
for sale. Trains are running fairly consistently but have decreased the numbers of trains to
save on energy. Some stores are closing early to save electricity, and the train stations are not
using escalators or elevators. The lighting is much less than usual as well in public areas.
Everyone is trying to help by conserving electricity and other forms of energy. Aftershocks
continue daily with varying intensity, but we are getting used to that.
The level of radiation in Tokyo has increased slightly but is still not health threatening. Spinach
and milk from the area closest to the nuclear plants is deemed contaminated and being
destroyed. We saw on the news a dairy farmer pouring out the milk from his cows and another
farming plowing under a field of spinach. Many people have lost and are losing their only form
of livelihood and do not know how they will live and provide for their
families.
We have not had any power cuts in our area but many outlying areas have. It is not clear how
long these power cuts will continue but some have said the end of April. Gasoline is still in
short supply with up to 100 cars waiting in line at stations for hours to get gas.
CAJ has decided to remain closed through the end of March with classes set to resume on
April 4. Other international schools are beginning to open as early as next week. We still are
not sure what our schedule will look like if the power cuts continue.
As Regional Directors for WGM, we make visits annually to the fields for which we have
responsibility. Tomorrow (March 23) we leave for Ukraine. This trip was planned well
before the earthquake. At first we were not sure we would be able to make the trip as airlines
were changing flights and schedules, but it does appear that our flight tomorrow will be as
scheduled.. We will return to Japan on April 4. Please pray for our newest missionary, Holly
Muehleisen, as she will be staying here by herself while we are gone.
We appreciate your prayers for this trip to Ukraine. Kevin will speak Saturday night at a youth
meeting and Sunday morning at a combined worship service with three of the churches with
which WGM works in Ukraine. There will also be days of business meetings with one item
of creating a crisis action plan. That is certainly timely after all Japan has experienced these
last eleven days.
Your prayers for Japan are so important. Many people are still suffering with cold, hunger
and the stress of all that has happened, but most of all they are without the hope, peace and
security that comes from faith in God. Continue to pray that the body of Christ can meet the
desperate spiritual needs of people here as they minister to their physical needs.
In His love,
Kevin and Becky
