ANSWERED PRAYER – Thanks for praying #1 “CRASH Japan base camp received the 93-ton donation from Samaritan’s Purse and with the help of 200 local volunteers unloaded the much-needed aid into North Sendai.” #2 Thanks be to God that a full electrical blackout has not happened in Tokyo. Conservation and rolling blackouts are keeping the biggest city in the world running. #3 Doctors report that miracle upon miracle were what made it possible for an…
RELIEF TEAMS COMING? Assessment stages of relief operations are closing and safe effective systems to facilitate potential volunteers have been developed. Six forward CRASH bases are nearly all operational. Very soon volunteer teams from overseas will be able to be deployed for cleanup and rebuilding. Volunteer teams would come to japan for two weeks or more and are self-funded. CRASH will “facilitate, provide equipment & supplies, secure housing, and delegate needs to be met by…
Converge Worldwide Missionary Hits the Road Since we have been down in this area we have been excited that Jeff Chapman, a fellow Converge Worldwide missionary, will be joining two others to take two vehicles to Ishinomaki city in Iwate prefecture. The truck arrived back in the Kansai area today and those on the trip reported that until they drove to Niigata the trip was very normal but then the trip changed as they entered…
1. Today the decision was made to proceed ahead with the Field Council for our Converge Worldwide Japan Team next week (March 30-April 1). PRAY that God would provide a tank of gas for the Ellisons to attend this event. 2. Continue to PRAY for missionaries monitoring developments and deciding whether to stay of leave the Kanto area (or Japan). John talked to a missionary from the Philippines who was encouraged that Converge Worldwide was…
When smiles collide When smiles collide with tears, I remember that I am not alone. When joys and sorrows come one upon another, I remember that God loves me. When highs and lows seem oddly alike, I remember that Jesus died for me. When sunshine and shadow are confused, I look to God and remember that my life is but one piece of God’s great universal plan and that is good. The past 12 months…
Today has been a day of mixed feelings. I have been elated about hearing report after report of relief work through CRASH and other agencies and our Rengo churches. This is very exciting. I have also heard about the struggle that people are dealing with all over Japan. Now that Elaine and I have relocated to the Kansai area (see below) we realize that no one here has not been effected. We also have heard…
Christian Response to the Disaster I have previous written about the collection of relief supplies and the shipping from the Nagoya area churches. There is also much help coming from the Kansai area. One missionary from Kansai for over a week has been assessing damaged areas far to the north. He bought a truck has been coordinating shipping up to his area for establishing a base of operation. One missionary reported making it to Sendai…
Converge Worldwide and the Japan team has been partnering with the Japan Baptist Church Association (Rengo) for over 60 years. This network of churches did not report any damage or problems from the earthquake. But they are mobilized to help. They are praying, giving, and sending relief. This was a letter sent by Pastor Hiro Yonai of the Kokubunji church in western Tokyo. I appreciate that you lift us and our country up with your…
Thanks for thinking and praying for our safety. As we have been monitoring the situation in general and the Fukushima power plant in particular, our mission has been discussing possible evacuation plans with our Home Office since Tuesday last week and what it would look like. Elaine came to Kansai (Osaka) area on Friday for the Kansai school board meeting and to deal with possible train delays was planning to stay until Saturday (and packed…
Missionaries Stay or Leave Tokyo? In some cases government authorities have ordered their people out of Japan. Other missions have mandated that their people in the Tokyo area and north relocate south of Tokyo. Leaving missionaries the option to stay or leave has been very difficult for people in the situation in Tokyo and even more so for those up north. One missionary I know personally in his blog very well defended his decision to…