This Easter, the story of resurrection carried a deeply personal message for the small community of Christians in disaster-hit Japan.
More than six weeks after a massive earthquake and tsunami ravaged the country's northeastern coast, leaving 26,000 missing or dead, the region is trying to clean up and move forward.
"When you're faced with so much death, it really makes you think," said Junko Chiba, 46. "But there are things you realize through suffering. It helps you understand your blessings, more so than if you lead a comfortable life."
Chiba drove all night from Saitama prefecture near Tokyo to join about 20 people to worship and reflect Sunday during Easter services at the Kesennuma Bible Baptist Church. Her family home is in nearby Oshima, and she had been a regular at the church during high school.
The white wooden church, one of a handful in this devastated fishing town, sits atop a hill. It escaped physical damage, but its members lost homes, jobs and neighbors.
Still, they say they are blessed and believe their suffering has brought them closer to God.
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