Our Savior Lutheran Church pastor, the Rev. Glen Hieb, kneeling second from left, is pictured here with members of his parenting class in 2006 in the Japanese city of Mito.The Rev. Glen Hieb, pastor of Strongsvilles Our Savior Lutheran Church, felt the aftershocks of the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 all the way from his Middleburg Heights home.

For two decades, Hieb served as a Christian missionary in Japan, most recently as president of the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church in the city of Tsuchiura. He and his family returned to the United States in 2006.

Although he had experienced a number of earthquakes during his time in Asia, Hieb realized after hearing details of the most recent event that it was anything but typical.

I knew that it was going to be devastating, he said.

The area of Japan that Hieb primarily served is south of the disasters Sendai region epicenter. However, his large network of friends have cited severe electrical, fuel, food and transportation shortages.

They just arent able to get the basic things, he said, noting that no injuries have been reported, but one family remained unaccounted for as of March 14.

Hieb remains in close contact with those affected by the catastrophes, and is posting frequent personal updates from those individuals on the churchs website. The blog can be viewed at oursaviorlutheran.net/wp/Japan.

To assist in the relief effort, Hiebs congregation is gathering monetary donations to be funneled through the churchs Milwaukee headquarters.

Those wishing to make a contribution can make checks payable to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 14343 West Sprague Road, Strongsville, OH 44136. Indicate Tsunami Relief Effort in the memo box.

Its quite a hard time for them right now, Hieb said of his Japanese friends.

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