Akihiro has been in touch with several medical organizations to see how he can best help the tsunami victims. Today he went to the Japan Primary Care Organization Headquarters in Tokyo. There he learned that there are many doctors wanting to go to the site, but the problem is a lack of medications, IV fluids, etc. on the sites and there is limited information about where to go and how to go. Apparently most of the universities have already sent their teams to address the crisis. This primary care organization is aimed at more of a long term approach and is addressing the chronic needs of the victims. The doctors' terms are a week long, so that isn't really a good option for Akihiro, being the only minister in Shioda, so it is a blessing that at this time there are so many doctors wanting to serve. Some of the doctors who want to serve need refresher courses in the care they will be giving. Others are pediatricians or surgeons with little experience in the this area of medicine. Akihiro and several other doctors are working to develop a 1 or 2 day educational program for the doctors who will be going to the site. This opportunity is an answer to our prayers. He wanted to help so badly, but didn't know how he could do it and still be in Shioda for church on Sunday. He can do some of this work from home, but will be going in to the office to help with other coordination of this project.
We had a three day weekend here, so no power outages--the downtown businesses are closed, so less usage. Gasoline remains a challenge. They are rationing it--only 10 liters of regular or 30 liters of high octane. Many stations run out of gas by early afternoon.
Please continue to keep the refugees in your prayers. For us, we are adjusting to the little inconveniences and feel less stressed.
