Dr. Rich's Melheimian Maxims

Speaking of Virtual Valerie...

Fast Company today is telling us that French Kissing is going digital.

http://holykaw.alltop.com/kissing-goes-digital-tongue-and-all-video

Direct Japan Help

Hey FINKs, here's a DIRECT way to help. Put it in the bulleting on Sunday and make an announcement? If you want to do something, email the guy literally handing out the food and supplies John Broman [[email protected]] rich   Friday, April 01, 2011 3:30 PM Attachments:

On Apr 1, 2011, at 1:13 PM, John Broman wrote: Dear Rich, It has been good to be able to talk with you by phone today. I would like to start out with the conclusion. Running and shopping costs for Nathan, and his crew, in order  to move about without monetary restrictions in supplying the most needy is, about $20-25,000/wk. The media is portraying the nuclear reactor problem as, serious, but they hardly mention a more serious problem, which is, getting food, clothing, hygiene supplies and basic shelter to the most needy often in very remote and isolated situations. I have a commitment for $10,000 next week.  God supplied our needs this week. I know He will continue to do so. I would like to make a request for $10,000 next week and $20,000 per week for the following three weeks.  After that the whole situation as to where Japan's needs stand will need reassessing.  My 'gut' feeling is that we will be getting about $5,000 in small donations per week, which will fill in the difference. I would greatly appreciate Mr. Chang's consideration of partnering with us during this time of Japan's unbelievable need. Below I will add on, or send separately ,comments and photos that will give you a better idea of what is actually happening and how Nathan's  team is making a unique difference. In His service, John On Mar 28, 2011, at 4:39 PM, Nathan Broman wrote: John, Anything more on this? We are clearing out shelves in the food stores and supply stores to take out to those in need. Whole towns have been wiped out, and we get lists of things that people are asking for.  It is possible to feed 100 people from your own pocket maybe, but when the numbers go into the thousands, it is hard to keep shopping when you don’t have the cash. We have been spending a lot on food (vegetables, fruit, ready to eat meals, etc), shoes, boots, socks, and lots of underwear.   Attached is a few of the lists we are getting from different shelters. A couple of our guys act as scouts, searching out shelters that are in need, tags the shelter with the GPS and sends me the information by e-mail. I try to get the list of supplies ready and send someone out to deliver.   The main and centrally located shelters are pretty much supplied, some even to the point of having too much. But some of the remote areas and the smaller places are still in need.  They don’t have fuel for their cars, to go any place and thus are stranded. We have delivered fuel in drum cans to some places.   Anyway, any amount of donation would be helpful. I have been borrowing cash from Meysen and GC after spending what I have here, but there is a limit to what I can borrow.   Thank you   Nathan Sent from my BlackBerry   From: "Nathan Broman" <[email protected]> Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:51:17 +0900 To: 'John Broman'<[email protected]> Subject: Donations and Aid   Hi John, Very encouraging to know that the American people are eager and willing to support and help.    I am in Minami-Sanriku Cho (Shizukawa). I have come here last night with are trucks and vans. This town is located along the coast on Highway 45, between Ishinomaki and Kesenuma. We have come to distribute a couple truckloads of supplies. Some are donations that came from Samaritan’s Purse, and there was also a load of food etc. that came from CHEA.   We needed to clear the Meysen hall, and I thought the fastest way to clear it up, was to help deliver the goods with our BDL staff. (It’s what we do every day. J)    I was shocked to see the port town in Minami Sanriku completely gone. The whole town was washed away by the Tsunami that was over 20m high. I had just driven through this town a few times on my way up to Rikuzen Takada a few months ago when we were working in Iwate prepfecture. I will send you some pictures later.    Anyway, about your call this morning. Figuring roughly, so far we have spent about 1,000,000 yen, and depending on how long we continue to help, we could be spending a little more.  We have had some donations that will cover some of the expenses, but if there are more donations, I know we could use them in the places needed.   Please let me know if you have any more questions.   Nathan

First Hand Report from my friend Hiro Inaba

At 6 A.M., March 25th, I am writing this, praying that the nuclear power plant accident will continue to head toward successful containment.  News programs are reporting that radioactive materials have been detected in the tap water of Tokyo municipality and mineral water has been distributed to mothers with infants.
 
For the past several days I have been engaged in urgent support efforts in Sendai and Fukushima. I visited Higashi-matsuhima City, Ishinomaki City, and yesterday I entered Shinchi-machi Town in Fukushima Prefecture and  Soma City. In Minami-soma City, we were able to deliver emergency supplies to the spot 25 kilometers (15.6 mile) from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This area, being between 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) and 30 kilometers (18.8 miles) from the nuclear plant, is designated as "Area where the residents should remain indoors."
 
On our ways to Minami-soma City three policemen at a check point approved us to pass, noting, "25 kilometers is as far as one could venture to go. The clinic may lie exactly on that border line." One of the policemen wore a black metal mask covering his entire face, looking just like a knight with full head gear.
 
The very clean city was a ghost town with not a soul to be seen. Of course, there were no pedestrians and stores were closed with shutters. A few cars come and go occasionally, while only the traffic lights continue to change from green to yellow and to red. Orange letters run across the electronic sign board above the traffic lights: "Due to a nuclear plant accident, those in the area between 20 and 30 kilometers must take shelter in their own homes!"
 
Higashi-matsushima and Ishinomaki were bustling with overflowing volunteers from all over the country. But once one sets foot in Fukushima Prefecture, not a single volunteer can be seen; in Shinchi-machi Town or Soma City, and in Minami-soma City within the 30 kilometer radius.
 
In Minami-soma, Dr. Kyohei Takahashi continues practice in the indoor-confinement area near stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (Photo by Chea Japan)
We found the clinic run by Dr. Kyohei Takahashi, Obstetrician and gynecologist, about three minute drive from the City Office. Dr. Takahashi did take shelter in an evacuation center, but he returned to the city when he learned that people were still in town and in need of doctors.
 
I learned about Dr. Takahashi thanks to Mr. Jin'ichi Ota of Marumori Ministries, who is a corroborator of "Chea Japan" in the area adjacent to Minami-soma. Mr. Ota noted that "Dr. Takahashi says food and water are seriously lacking, and it would be a great help if someone could bring them."
 
Mr. Ota and others, who are themselves victims of the recent disaster, have now turned to supporting others. He was concerned about Dr. Takahashi, who had been actively supporting child adoption for over thirty years.
 
Arriving at Dr. Takahashi's clinic after 11 A.M., we were surprised to see about eight patients in the waiting room. Three zealous nurses were busy responding to phone calls and to patients. Dr. Takahashi appeared in response to a nurse's alert and welcomed us.
 
First we delivered to Dr. Takahashi's home in the back of the clinic thirty  boxes of food (pascalized rice, cup noodles, curry, pascalized sukiyaki bowls, chocolate, Calorie Mate nutrition bars, etc.) and 70 liters of water.
 
The overjoyed Mrs. Toyoko Takahashi said, "What great help! We will share these with staff and patients in need." She added, "My husband, being anxious to help the sick, seemed not to be able to stay put in the evacuation center. We don't know how long the current situation will continue, but both my husband and our son are doing their best. I am so grateful for your support."

Dr. Takahashi invited us into his medical office in between consultations. He remarked, "First, being afraid of radiation, I fled to the evacuation center, since luckily we had no hospitalized patients at the time. But I came back because there were people who needed me, thinking that may be my mission. Also several members of the staff said they would remain here as long as people are in town. My patients were happy, crying and embracing me, saying, you have come back, Doctor!"
 
When asked how he feels about his wife and son returning to town with him, Dr. Takahashi replied, "I do worry about them. But my son says he was moved by his father's stance and he, too, has decided to risk his life." Dr. Takahashi added, "In any case, I want to continue practicing medicine here as long as even one patient remains. 'God won't give you any trials you cannot handle,' you know."
 
Tsunami over 45 feet high attacked the coast of Minami-soma, engulfing over 300 houses in one sweep. According to the investigations up to March 26th, 259 have died and 1,260 are missing, but search and rescue efforts here have been halted due to the in-home confinement order following the nuclear plant accident.
 
Contrary to the houses on the beaches of Ishinomaki that I walked yesterday, where houses in congested areas had been destroyed by waves, leaving sad debris, here, Minami-soma, nothing of any shape remains, except for occasional roofs, leaving the entire region as a huge mud plain with only roads running through it.

Hiro Inaba is Director of "Chea Japan." Hiro will be my guest in Aspen for an Asian FINKtank April 23-24. A graduate of Law Department, Waseda University as well as the Graduate Program in Fuller Theological Seminary. A former director of NHK. For the past 12 years he and his wife Wakiko have been home schooling their three children (a 19, a 14, and a 2-year-olds) in Burbank. Currently producing a large scale Biblical film "Kingdom Come."  www.cheajapan.com

Joseph is 18

Happy Birthday, old man! I could not be more thankful for the joy you've brought into my life, for the passion you have to make the world a better place, and for the future of lives who will be touched by your love, creativity, insights, and strength. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in your eyes, your smile, your very presence and essence.

I close this birthday wish with the little ditty I used to sing you in the hallway every night...

 

I'm so glad to be your dad

It don't bother to be your father

Flips my lid that you're my kid

Drives me wild that you're my child

I'm elated that we're related

And daddy will always love you, no matter what

Mommy will always love you, no matter what

Jesus will always love you, no... matter.... what!

Wes and the Two Wild Boars

My friend, comedian, writer, film guy Wes Halula, spoke yesterday to 450 high school kids in Carefree, AZ. Whilst speaking, the auditroium was visited by two wild pigs. I woke with a little song for Wes and company.

Hava leeena
Hava leena
Kinda pig

Changa boara
Changa boara
Changa boara
Make it big

Digging truffles
Having scuffles
Running into Wes's talk
Makes for interesting Facebook
Even better in a..

Wok.

Free Clinics

Yesterday my friend Carl George told me 80% of health care cost has to do with access. That's everything EXCEPT health care - buildings, admin, records, marketing, etc. Gets me to thinking: Why shouldn't every church host a free clinic? Or a clinic that costs 80% less? I think we could create a disruptive technology, solve the health care crisis, and make most of our churches irreplaceable in about six weeks if we really wanted to.

Kindness Movement

I found myself listed on a site connected with the "Kindness" movement in Africa. Is anyone familiar with these folks?
http://www.kindnessmovementofnigeria.com/usefullinks.htm

Kindness Movement

I found myself listed on a site connected with the "Kindness" movement in Africa. Is anyone familiar with these folks?
http://www.kindnessmovementofnigeria.com/usefullinks.htm

Raving Iowegian FINKs

Here's a day brightener that greeted me this morning from a FINK who installed all 8 Faith Stepping Stones at once in her church a couple years back.


On 5/25/10 9:38 PM, "Angie Witmer" <[email protected]> wrote:

Hey, friend.

Hope all is well in Colorado. The photos you posted are fabulous--wish I was there! Unfortunately, I need more than a week's notice to get away. Stink.

I wanted to give you a brief update from my annual job performance review: according to the folks who write up these performance reviews, Stepping Stones and H2H are transforming the church. The reviews all said that they can't imagine life without Stones and are so grateful for all that this program is bringing to Plymouth: new members, new life, new worship services (we started two new family-oriented worship services this year: an Ash Wednesday service and a Holy Week service that were more family friendly that the usual Lenten offerings). On and on and on and on about how life @ Plymouth is more rich, full, and faithful because of H2H and Stones. It was almost embarrassing how folks were carrying on.

So I thought I'd share some of the embarrassing riches of the abundant life @ Plymouth with you. Thanks for bringing it into our lives. Into my life. It really is transformative stuff.

Ang

Songyang's Masters

My godson, Songyang He, graduated from Champaign/Urbana with a Masters in International Finance.

Congratulations can be sent to [email protected].

Now, to find a good job! If any of you have contacts or ideas on where a wonderful young man who speaks fluent English and Mandarin might start looking, drop me a line.

His father is my good friend, world-class Christian artist Dr. He Qi (www.heqigallery.com), and his mother Yu Hua is a world-class musician Yu Hua.

Any ideas or directions you might send will be much appreciated.

Rich