Dr. Ritsuko Narita was on our last team to Shintate Ishinomaki City. She wrote about one family that she had met. This story is still fresh in my mind as well.
Mrs. Matsukawa and her son, Ren, came to Mrs. Komatsu’s house where we were working. She told me that her husband, Mr. Matsukawa, passed away there when the Tsunami hit. They visited the place after 100 days passed. On March 11, Mrs. Matsukawa was on the way home from her work. Mr. Matsukawa and their two sons: Ren (12~13 yrs old) and Sora (10 yrs old) were swept away from their house. Ren was rescued by somebody who lived on the 2nd floor of the apartment, located next to Mrs. Komatsu’s house. Mr. Matsukawa was on the truck in front of Mrs. Komatsu’s house. Ren shouted to his classmate, Eiki, Mrs. Komatsu’s grandson, to rescue his father. So, Eiki cut the curtain, made a long strip, and threw it toward Mr. Matsukawa, but Mr. Matsukawa could not move there because he had hypothermia. Next day, he was found to be frozen to death there. I could not help crying about this sad story.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15).”
Ren watched his father’s death on that night. When Mrs. Matsukawa was telling us her story, Ren was emotionless. I cannot imagine how hard watching his father’s death was for Ren. Please pray for Matsukawa Family. I heard that they do not want to live in that area and will move to another place.
Please be in prayer for Converge Worldwide and other volunteers working with people like Mrs. Matsukawa. Ask that God would grant them tremendous compassion to listen and meet their deep heart needs.