Japan
Returning from Japan was difficult. As the media attention has lifted, and peoples attention has shifted from both the southern storms, and Japan, to other issues, I want to share the desperate need in Japan. On 3.11.2011 the Northeast (Tohoku) region of Japan was struck almost simultaneously the once-in-a- thousand-years combination of a 9.0M earthquake, followed by waves of tsunami reaching documented heights of as much as 78 feet and sweeping as far as six miles inland, massive conflagrations including the devastation of Kessennuma, Iwate (former population 73,000) as well as partial core meltdowns taking place in nuclear reactors in Fukushima and the liquefaction of the reclaimed land in the vicinity of Tokyo Disneyland. While many buildings—because of strict Japanese building codes—survived the initial earthquake, thousands of people were drowned and swept out to sea by these tsunami, and tens of thousands more have been left homeless, including thousands living in tent cities and cardboard lodgings in schools and government buildings converted into relief shelters, with additional tens of thousands unable to return to their homes, farms, boats and businesses because of the continuing radiation exposure hazard. At present there are more than 13,000 confirmed dead and over 12,000 reported missing, yet there are fears that the death toll will rise even higher as there were many places where none were left to file a missing person’s report.
Through the National Foursquare Church in Japan, as well as the 2 missionaries we have in the Sendai area, we were able to get many area shelters much needed food, water, vegetables, blankets, heaters, stoves, refrigerators, clothing, and other needed items.
We are partnering with Foursquare churches in Japan and CRASH Japan (an interdenominational Christian relief organization based in Japan) to provide information, relief goods as well as lodging for short-term relief teams assisting on the ground. Our two-year plan for relief, compassion and church-planting is as follows: 1-3 mos: bring pastors and supervisors to the disaster area to create awareness and encourage vision-casting.
3-6 mos: send short-term teams to work in partnership with local believers and churches to shovel, clean and pray for local residents
7-12 mos: develop “second-timers” as leaders and sub-base locations in communities where our workers are welcomed.
13-18 mos: establish “houses of prayer” where volunteers are known to have stayed while helping local residents
19-24 mos: pioneer churches and hosting “celebration” services at base camp locations.
• Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the revelation of God’s love for the Japanese.
• Pray for wisdom, faith and favor as we attempt to show and tell Jesus in the most unreached areas of this nation that
represents the world’s least-reached language group.
• Pray for miracles of help, healing and hope to confirm God’s love for the Japanese.
We continue to work towards helping more as the opportunities arise, and the Lord opens doors.
Southeast Tornadoes
Recently I returned from Japan, and 2 days later sent to the southeastern States effected by recent storms. We were able to assist in Georgia and Alabama. With most of our efforts being focused in the Huntsville area of Alabama. Through a local Foursquare Church, Restoration Church, we were able to distribute over 5 tons of life saving goods to people in need. The tornadoes that hit Alabama reached over 130 miles long and 1 mile wide of homes and businesses. Destroying everything in its path as it touched down.
Through the local church, we opened a distribution center in the church, created a warehouse in the community room, and began feeding upwards of 1500 people a day breakfast lunch and dinner as long as the power was out.
Through this we have been given an inroad to the community that the Church has never had in the past. People are open and willing to the Church Family, and see them reaching out to help.
We are continuing now to reach out to those who dont have insurance, clean, and provide emotional care to those starting to pick up and rebuild their lives. Please pray for the continued work in the effected area of the southeast.
