Down and dirty day two

 

(click on any photo to enlarge)

This is a view of the kasetsu jyuutakuu (temporary housing) that still dots the Noto Peninsula. I think each unit is maybe 200 square feet including kitchen and bath. We became familiar with these units at every place we've done our volunteer work, though so far we haven't done any community building. Not yet, anyway.

This time our team was led by Egawa-Sensei, who is on staff with Noto Help and a Pastor at the Uchinada Church. We again were removing walls, this time it was a retaining wall that was collapsing. So that meant more digging and breaking down concrete.

Both boys have been fantastic. They've done everything they've been asked to do and more. It's all been about physical labor. Fortunately the weather cooperated, we encountered only brief showers.

This is Peter working with Choi-San, using the jackhammer to break down the wall. Let alone this is a challenging task, the jackhammer itself is quite heavy.

The chunks of the broken concrete wall need to be stacked for later disposal. It can take two people to carry these out.

Once the brick wall was removed we helped build a temporary retaining wall. Both boys learned how to properly use a drill. In general, between the power saw, the jackhammer, the drill, etc. we're getting a lesson on using power tools.

Aaron is ready to take on any job coming his way!

We then installed the temporary retaining wall which will keep the dirt in place. Aaron helped pound in the posts supporting this wall using a sledge hammer. I said to Peter "it's hammer time!" He gave me the look of "I don't know you."

One more view of the retaining wall.

All of this was a two-team two day effort. Pretty amazing. Nice work, gentlemen!

As we were packing up our tools, I looked across the street. I realized there were many vacant lots. There were at least two houses that once stood here, now it's mostly weeds. I saw numerous open fields, areas where the rebuilding has yet to start, if ever. It's very humbling to see this.

Upon returning to the Uchinada Church, we picked up our towels and headed almost immediately to the onsen (hot springs). I don't mind getting dirty, but it was also good to get clean. We got there in time to also have dinner there, this is ten-zaru soba, shrimp and veggie tempura served with cold buckwheat noodles which are dipped into a sauce. It was quite nice after a busy day.

We're packing up our stuff as we speak, our housing is being relocated before Sunday services at the Uchinada church. Saturday is a work day, we don't know what we're doing yet but we'll use the blog to keep you posted.

Shameless plug time: We're able to do this work thanks to your prayers and support. You can always reach me via email at ayoda77@gmail.com if you have any questions or simply want to check in. Also, here again is the info if you're interested in financially supporting our work:

By Zelle (preferred): Use donations@glints.org or 630-715-0734. Write in the comments section “Oda Global.”

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