It wasn’t so much the violent shaking of the ground, or the tremendous power of the tsunami which swept away everything in its path. If this was all the people of the Fukushima Baptist church had to deal with, they would be on their way to recovery already. Yes, the rebuilding work is long and hard, but many communities along Japan’s northern coast are rebounding from last March’s disaster.

But this church is located just a few miles from the crippled nuclear reactor which remained in the news long after the water from the tsunami had receded. The tsunami damaged the plant’s cooling system, and a near nuclear meltdown occurred, releasing unsafe levels of radiation into the air. It may be decades before this area can be inhabited once again.

The Liebenzell Retreat Centre in Okutama, west of Tokyo, has served as the temporary home for about 70 of the church’s members since last March. Although they were recently allowed to briefly visit their homes and the church to collect some personal belongings, it was clear that they would have to start over in a new place.

Missionaries Traugott and Dorothea Ockert report that the congregation has purchased a plot of land in Iwaki (about 50 miles – 84km – from Fukushima) and is constructing a new church. It is scheduled to be completed by summer. A new multi-family residence is also being constructed near the church, to house members who have not yet been able to find new housing.  “Thus, all of our guests will be provided for, writes Ockert. “Even in this, we have experienced God’s faithfulness.”