Cherry blossoms came early to Tokyo this year. Traditionally Japanese would have a cherry blossom viewing party (hanami) to celebrate the coming of Spring and to inaugurate the new year. But this Spring is no time for celebrating. The governor of Tokyo has made public announcements to encourage people from refraining from holding these hanami parties in Tokyo parks due to the mood of the nation after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and power blackouts.…
An historic church in Fukushima city was reported demolished today due to extensive damage. The Fukushima Church of the United Church of Christ in Japan, as the first commissioned work by American missionary/architect William Merrell Vories was a cultural asset registered with the Japanese government. This church, founded in 1886, was far too damaged to repair. PRAY for this church and the other 27 churches in Fukushima city that they may have a renewed sense…
Japan is recovering from a great disaster but is even more spiritually needy, which is the assessment from the World Compassion Network (WCN) staff after their visit to Japan. “Japan has suffered a triple punch in the stomach. The 9.0 earthquake was the worst earthquake in 100 years. They actually survived it quite well due to their building codes. The Tsunami however was devastating. Their tsunami protection walls were taken down in a split second…
Today is April 1st, a day which marks the beginning of year for businesses and schools. For all of Japan, and especially for those in the hard-hit areas, today is a day of new beginnings. Japanese are trying to keep their spirits up in the face of the hard realities of destruction of lives, homes, and communities. It was only 3 weeks ago today that Japan had met in the terrible forces of nature and…
Today we were meeting for our Converge Worldwide Japan Field Council. We have been planning on our response to the triple disasters of March 11th. More coming very shortly. Jeff Chapman, who went on a relief trip (see previous posts) to Kessenuma and Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture a week ago, shared some photos and video of his trip. The destruction is what we have seen elsewhere but it was encouraging to hear how they were…
Our Asian Area Director and I met with Pastor Yonai and Pastor Sasaki, the Rengo General Affairs director to discuss Converge Worldwide and our CW Japan Team response with these Rengo leaders. Pastor Hiroaki Yonai is the chairman of the Japan Baptist Church Association (Rengo) and the pastor of the Kokubunji Baptist Church in West Tokyo. Pastor Yonai had just returned from a trip north to Higashi Matsushima City in the hard-kit area of Miyagi…
In Hitachi, CRASH Japan’s second hub for support and hope has been established. A core team left Tokyo on Friday, March 25, to set-up the new base-camp in Ibaraki. In line with the goal of helping churches share love and hope with their communities while meeting their practical needs, CRASH Japan is searching for potential base sites in each of the affected areas of Tohoku. Once a location has been chosen, a team is sent…
PRAY that God would bring the Hope of Christ through Christian relief efforts by the Japan Evangelical Association, CRASH Love-On-Japan, Japanese churches and denominations, and Christians throughout the region. ASK God to grant each church a special measure of peace for their community that they may be safe places of calm. PRAY too that they may help the grieving. Everyone knows at least someone in the affected areas. Government leaders like Prime Minister Kan remind…
On Friday, Converge Worldwide sent an additional $15,000 for Japan relief work through CRASH Japan, this is in addition to the $20,000 already sent. This Japanese based evangelical relief organization is a cooperative effort of both missionaries and Japanese leaders. Funds are helping set up relief bases in the hard-it areas and buying necessary relief supplies. Thank you for this giving that brings smiles and shares hope. PRAY that all needed funds will be received…
Japanese Congressman Ryuichi Doi became emotional as he walked the streets of Sendai for the first time since the tsunami waves devastated the city. There was so much damage, so much destruction. So many people lost their lives. So many people don’t know where to turn for help. “It was such a big disaster,” he said. “But we must have hope. We must overcome. We must overcome.” Congressman Doi has been instrumental in getting emergency…