Japan’s Spiritual Poverty

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…

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Japan April 1st

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…

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Churches Shattered

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…

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Rengo and Converge Respond

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…

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CRASH base now in Hitachi

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…

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Continue to Pray for Japan

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…

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Continue to Give Generously

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…

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Christian Congressman has Hope

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…

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Tsunami of Prayer for Japan

Join us in a Tsunami of Prayer for the Heart & Soul and of Japan! By Carlton and Joshua Walker The 9.0-magnitude earthquake and ensuing 30-foot tsunami on March 11 were the worst in Japan’s recorded history. The devastation they wreaked, along with the continuing dire threat of escaping radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plants, has led both Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Naoto Kan to call this Japan’s worst crisis since World…

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Sat 3/16 Update

Recovery efforts continue throughout the hard-hit areas, many people are still hurting without needed food, water, and medical care. Major efforts continue to restore cooling systems at the Fukushima #1 nuclear plant and the environment continues to be impacted. The Japanese people continue to struggle on some in desperation. Many are banding together to give hope and consolation in the midst of this terrible triple tragedy of the earthquake, tsunami, and leaking radiation. This will…

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