1. Thank God for the incredible unity of the Christian church in their response to this triple tragedy. Organizations like JEMA and JEA are working closely with umbrella organizations like CRASH to coordinate response to these disasters (see previous posts). PRAY that God would energize this unity into great opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ in this large unreached people group.
2. The Converge Worldwide Japan Field Council met last week and drew up plans to respond to this great disaster to hit Japan. You will be hearing shortly about how you can have more a part in helping in this crisis. In attendance was our Asian director who will be meeting with other Converge Worldwide leaders this week to review and implement these plans. PRAY for wisdom and courage in responding to this great crisis in Japan. PRAY for collaboration of the Japan mission with our Japanese church partners the Rengo and the CRASH organization.
3. Today thousands have died, thousands are still missing, about 200,000 are homeless and living in shelters. Many are still without electricity or heating fuel. Aftershocks still continue. This earthquake was 1,000 times larger than the one in Haiti in 2010. This has affected nearly the entire country. PRAY that the church would respond with a message of hope in this opportunity. The spiritual needs of Japan are tremendous.
4. Though the nuclear crisis is far from over and may take months to resolve (see yesterday’s post) radiation is returning to normal levels in areas away from the plant. This includes previous problems with higher levels of radiation in vegetables and tap water. In Tokyo where we live levels are far below levels of weeks ago. PRAY that people’s fears would be calmed in the midst of this crisis.