News from JAPAN

I trust that you and your churches have been praying for the people of Japan throughout this past weekend. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami have devastated portions of the northeast coastline. Thousands are dead as bodies begin to wash up on shore. Nearly 2,000 more were injured. At least 1,500 are still missing. There have been more than 150 aftershocks. Throughout the weekend, the crisis escalated with explosions at a nuclear power plant. Millions are without food, safe drinking water, and heat in near-freezing temperatures. Aid has been slow in arriving due the enormity of the crisis and the destroyed infrastructure in the area.

We have affiliate missionaries in Japan. They are Ray & Georgia Landis from Madison Church of God (Great Lakes Region) serving with The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM). I wrote them this morning and got this response: "All the pastors of TEAM churches in the devastated area have been contacted and are safe. Ray went to the grocery store last night to get some supplies. The faces of the customers looked so dark and hopeless. The only thing they can do is hoard their supplies of food and basic necessities. Please pray that we will be in the right place at the right time to give hope to those who have no one to go to. Pray for CRASH, Christian Relief Assistance Support and Hope, an organization started several years ago to help during times like this. Several TEAM missionaries are directly involved in this disaster relief organization. If you have a Facebook account you will find updates at CRASH Love On Japan."

According to the TEAM website, "...all TEAM personnel are accounted for and safe.  Transportation infrastructure, telephone and cell phone communications are being restored.  One TEAM missionary reports: “Gas is being rationed, batteries and food staple supplies are low in stores, and we anticipate planned electricity outages, but otherwise our lives are almost normal. This isn't true for tens of thousands of Japanese...."
We received inquiries soon after the tsunami warnings in regard to the Kapakus in Hawaii and the Sarvers in Thailand. Their locations were not impacted by the tsunami, and both couples are fine.

If you or your church wish to contribute to the relief efforts in Japan, I would encourage direct assistance to one of four evangelical organizations:

1. TEAM with whom the Ray & Georgia Landis are serving;
2. World Vision
3. Mennonite Central Committee; or
4. Samaritan's Purse

You can go to those websites to donate online or to find their mailing address.

Pray for the relief workers, that God would grant them safety and stamina. Pray for the Christians of Japan that they would be able to mobilize relief efforts and provide for people's needs, both physical and spiritual. Nearly 70% of the Japanese claim no personal religion, even though the influences of Buddhism and Shintoism dominate society. Christians make up less than 2% of the population. Pray that the response of Christian aid organizations will open hearts and minds to the one Source of love and mercy. Thank you!