JAPAN RELIEF TESTIMONY BY LUKE HIGUCHI

I came to support WFWP's Japan relief project. On July 1, I escorted four sisters who came from the United States of America from Narita Airport to the Unification Church headquarters in Tokyo. We went to Ishinomaki City, which is one of the most damaged cities in Miyagi prefecture. We put ourselves at the disposal of the volunteer center at Senshu University in Ishinomaki City.

The first day, we were sent by the volunteer center to Mr. Abe's house, located near the Ishinomaki harbor. Around his house, many homes are smashed. But although his structure is intact, it is uninhabitable. Therefore, we helped to remove mud and wreckage from around and inside his house. We shoveled it into bags and dragged the heavy waste to the sidewalk. We filled 300 bags our first day. It was a cloudy day, but very humid and hot.

One of my tasks is to make a documentary video for the upcoming WFWP Annual Assembly. I was very busy taking video and photos. But at the same time, I worked hard to remove the bags filled with heavy mud.

After finishing our day's work, we drove to Onagawa, one of the most damaged cities. I felt very sad seeing Onagawa City, because, by contrast, Ishinomaki City has been improved compared with when I visited it last April. I can say the Japanese residents and volunteers made Ishinomaki better, removing all broken cars and other rubble. Not so in Onagawa, where the whole city is in ruins and not many people survived. I could see no people trying to rebuild the city. We got out from our car and prayed together for those whose lives were taken by the earthquake and tsunami.

Overall, we had a good experience. I will work as a volunteer for one more day, and after finishing work tomorrow, I will take a bus and train to Tokyo. Then I will return to the United States on July 5.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work as relief volunteer.