Tokiko Hiratsuka was at home with one of her daughters when the massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011.

The earthquake occurred in the late afternoon, shaking the house violently. Broken glass was everywhere, all electricity was down, and it was snowing outside. Minutes later, Tokiko heard a warning of an incoming six-meter tsunami approaching.

“It was like hell,” said Tokiko, a single mother of two daughters. “We heard a strange noise. We went outside and saw the rush of water coming, like it was being pushed by a major force moving towards us. After seeing the water we ran inside, making our way to the second floor.”

Freezing water engulfed the first floor of their home. Fortunately, it was sturdy enough to survive the waves. But the next morning, Tokiko knew she couldn’t stay in the house filled with muddy, smelly water.

With nowhere to go for help, Tokiko and her family lived in her car for one week before relocating temporarily to a friend’s home. When the water finally receded she ventured back to the broken home. She stood in shock at the amount of destruction.

“I did not know where to begin,” she said.

Tokiko wondered for weeks how she could get back into her home. Life seemed stagnant as destruction and debris remained in Ishinomaki, without any signs of progress.

Then hope came alive. Samaritan’s Purse responded to the earthquake and tsunami to help those suffering from the terrible conditions and to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tokiko applied to have her home mudded out. She was told that not only would we clean the muck and debris from the house, but would also rebuild so she and her daughters would be able to move back in.

One week later, a team of volunteers came out with smiles on their faces and tools in hand. Water-damaged walls, floors, and ceilings were stripped down, and soon Tokiko’s home was ready to be rebuilt. A construction crew from Samaritan’s Purse then worked tireless hours to restore the first floor so their family could move back in quickly.

“I felt pure joy when I first met them,” Tokiko said as she laughed. “As they continued working on my home, I wondered, ‘How can I be more like them? How can I have more joy?’”

Dan Emmons, a construction crew leader who worked on the project, was determined to have her home completed early.

“We had not seen Tokiko all week, and we were hoping she would show up so we could show her around,” Dan said. “As we were leaving, she pulled up out front. When she stepped into her house, she let out a shout of delight. The more she looked around, the more she erupted with joy. She showed us the goose bumps on her arms from her excitement, and even hugged both Larry (the other construction crew leader) and me.

“We asked her if she would join us in a prayer. She agreed, and in the prayer we thanked God for Tokiko, for allowing us to come into her home, and for the kindness she had shown to us. It was a moment I will never forget.”

The next day, Satomi Jo, an assistant cook at one of our volunteer bases, arrived at Tokiko’s home with Suzuki, a local pastor. They explained the Gospel, and Tokiko believed in Jesus Christ for her salvation that day.

“I felt a sudden peace come over me when I accepted Jesus,” Tokiko said with joy on her face. “All of the burdens I had felt every day I feel no longer. All of my worries have disappeared. I still have bad things inside of me, but my heart is more clean and pure with God in my life. I wake up every morning thanking the Lord for everything in my life.”

She continues to meet with Pastor Suzuki once a week for a Bible study and is looking forward to sharing her newfound love for Jesus Christ with her daughters.

“The encouragement we all felt from this news was like a wave of love and joy flowing all around us,” Dan said. “We knew that the angels were rejoicing in heaven, and we too were rejoicing. God bless all who touched Tokiko’s life, and all who were a shining beacon of the Lord’s love and kindness.”

Samaritan's Purse , Japan , Emergency Relief , Paving the Way to New Life