I just talked again to UMC missionary and ARI staff ,
Jonathan McCurley. No injuries.

 

The water is on in some areas of ARI has
shut off or is not flowing in other areas. All buildings have been badly damaged
well as the live stock facilities. It is hard to determine the extent of the
damage everywhere until the after shocks have stopped and staff have a chance to
look around completely. One of the hardest hit buildings is the main building
which is the “heart of ARI” where classes, meetings, gatherings, etc. are held.
They cannot get into the building now with all the glass broken from the windows
and plaster from the roof. Plaster has fallen in many of the other buildings
from the ceilings. Everyone spent the night in the cafeteria with no electricity
as there was concern as to the safety of the dorms with plaster falling from the
ceiling.

 

The overseas participants are not at ARI as of yet as they are
scheduled to come at the end of the month. It is still not determined if they
can come due to the damage to the buildings and livestock areas.

 

Right now
staff are deciding as to whether they should evacuate or not. There is concern
about radiation leakage from the fire of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant 100
kilometers away. There are reports of government officials advising everyone to
evacuate if they are 100 to 200 kilometers from Fukushima. (People near the
plant have already been evacuated.) Half of the ARI staff and volunteers have
already left . More were leaving as Jonathan spoke to me. Jonathan did not know
if his family should leave ARI or not but is waiting for further news and
praying. They have asked for prayers.

 

In prayer, Claudia