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 helping people with relief supplies, people who would have nothing without it.
Kessenuma had a population of over 73,000 people but only three churches with about 120 attendees before the earthquake and tsunami. One church is no doubt completely gone from the tsunami. Of the over 400 churches in the hard-hit areas no one yet knows the big picture condition of all the church buildings, congregations, and pastors. No doubt Christian witness in this area was heavily affected by the March 11th events. PRAY for each church and membership. May each of these people share the joy and hope in Christ to their neighbors. PRAY too that Christian relief groups could assist those churches to minister in the communities God has called them to minister too.