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 of the rescue of an 80 year old woman and her 16 year old son from their damaged home. This gives hope that many more will be found. But the looming fears of what will be the final situation with the nuclear power plant has people still on edge.
Here are some things to pray about right now.
1. As the world news moves away from Japan’s triple tragedy, people are still suffering up north, many are in evacuation centers, and the nuclear reactors at Fukushima still are not cooled down. PRAY for Japan today and continue. This recovery will not take weeks but months.
2. Ask God to intervene in the nuclear reactors at Fukushima #1. This continues to be a very serious situation. There is some progress but also some holdups. We heard yesterday that a Christian man Mr. Naoyoshi Sato has been put in charge of restoring the power to these reactors. In Japan the number of Christians is very small (under 2%). Pray for this believer in Christ who has been put in “a time such as this.”
3. I heard of several efforts the Rengo churches are involved in praying, giving, and collecting relief supplies and sending them up north. PRAY for all the Rengo churches to get involved in relief efforts.
4. CRASH is establishing 8 base camps for relief throughout the entire region affected by the earthquake and tsunami. I have heard that at least two are already operational. One had to be moved due to the evacuation area around the nuclear plant. PRAY they would all be up and running by tomorrow Monday. From these camps supplies can be gathered and volunteer teams sent out to do relief work. Soon many volunteers teams can be mobilized. (More on sending a team from your church later).
5. As we enter the second week of relief work would you pray for a refreshment of many who have been working very long hours in very pressured situations. This relief effort is a marathon not a sprint. PRAY for a second wind for these workers.