MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2022

we touched this same spot with our hands, our feet, our gaze and our dreams

Thursday, March 31, 2011

What it means to Pray for Japan


Mar 31, 2011
Jon Petersen (North America director of 24-7 Prayer) talks about what role prayer plays in the current situation in Japan, and introduces the Prayer Room at CRASH.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

'Songs for Japan' album tops iTunes charts in 18 nations

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

NEW YORK (Kyodo) "Songs for Japan," an album dedicated to supporting victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunamI, is the top-selling album on Apple Inc.'s online shop in 18 countries.

According to the iTunes Store Top 10 Albums, the album, featuring 38 songs by artists and groups from Europe and the United States, tops the charts in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and the U.S.

The artists and groups include U2, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Bruno Mars. The first song is "Imagine" by John Lennon and the last "Sunrise" by Norah Jones.
Proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The track list for Songs for Japan, according to Apple:
1. John Lennon, "Imagine"
2. U2, "Walk On"
3. Bob Dylan, "Shelter From the Storm"
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Around the World"
5. Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
6. Beyoncé, "Irreplaceable"
7. Bruno Mars, "Talking to the Moon"
8. Katy Perry, "Firework"
9. Rihanna, "Only Girl (In the World)"
10. Justin Timberlake, "Like I Love You"
11. Madonna, "Miles Away"
12. David Guetta, "When Love Takes Over"
13. Eminem (featuring Rihanna), "Love the Way You Lie"
14. Bruce Springsteen, "Human Touch"
15. Josh Groban, "Awake"
16. Keith Urban, "Better Life"
17. Black Eyed Peas, "One Tribe"
18. Pink, "Sober"
19. Cee Lo Green, "It's OK"
20. Lady Antebellum, "I Run to You"
21. Bon Jovi, "What Do You Got?"
22. Foo Fighters, "My Hero"
23. R.E.M., "Man on the Moon"
24. Nicki Minaj, "Save Me"
25. Sade, "By Your Side"
26. Michael Bublé, "Hold On"
27. Justin Bieber, "Pray"
28. Adele, "Make You Feel My Love"
29. Enya, "If I Could Be Where You Are"
30. Elton John, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
31. John Mayer, "Waiting on the World to Change"
32. Queen, "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)"
33. Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"
34. Sting, "Fragile"
35. Leona Lewis, "Better in Time"
36. Ne-Yo, "One in a Million"
37. Shakira, "Whenever, Wherever"
38. Norah Jones, "Sunrise"

Call for earthquake aid donations


In response to the catastrophe of the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, The Japan Times is collecting donations that will go to support  the efforts of the Japanese Red Cross and the Japan Emergency Team, operated by Jhelp.com For more information see http://jtimes.jp/quake

Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?

Jennifer Moses, author of a recent WSJ article "Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?" talks with Kelsey Hubbard about the tempest her piece has provoked.

Live Chat

Today's teen and preteen girls are bombarded with images and products that tout the benefits of sexual attraction. But must we as parents, give in to their desire to "dress like everyone else?" asks author Jennifer Moses. She talks with WSJ's Kelsey Hubbard.

WHO NEEDS A RECEIPT?


Sunday, March 27, 2011

JAPAN CURRENT NEWS


SEND team members risk lives to help Japanese

Radio helps share Christ in earthquake-ravaged Japan

Operation Tohoku


March 27, 2011

The Japan Emergency Team has been in the Fukushima, Sendai and Kesenuma areas of Northern Japan, since the day after the 9.1 earthquake on March 11 bringing in food, blankets, water and other supplies in its 85th  Disaster Operation since 1989

The team command center is currently based in the Sendai Government Offices and  it operates four projects.

First, bringing in supplies including food, water, medicine, clothing and delivering as needed to shelters and individual homes.

Second, operating an emergency feeding program to individual emergency shelters and individual homes including hot rice, stew and other items with nearly 3,000 served to date.

Third, the Japan Emergency Team receives supplies and individual teams assisting them on site to provide help as needed.

Fourth, the team operates The Emergency Assistance Service which based on a running survey of shelters and smaller individual communities provides assistance in bringing supplies and people to places of need, locating missing individuals and providing assistance as needed.

The Emergency Assistance Service operates by going to www.jhelp.com and clicking `help`.  Supplies provided, assistance needed, individuals wishing to help on site and other requests are matched with current need.

Currently most needed supplies include water, canned and instant food, blankets, sleeping bags,tents, used laptop computers to communicate.

Donations can be made online at www.jhelp.com or at Postal Furikae 00160 7 162438 Nihon Kinkyu Enjotai.

The Japan Emergency Team began in 1989 when 38 students from Chuo University travelled to assist with the San Francisco Earthquake and has been to nearly every disaster both within and outside Japan since that time.

The team can be reached on site 24 hours a day at 090 3080 6711 or 090 7170 4769.

日本緊急援助隊は
2011年3月11日に発生しました東北・関東大地震の翌日から仙台、気仙沼、福島に入り援助活動を行っております。
食料、医療物資、水、缶詰などを早急に運び、現在は仙台を中心に4つの活動をしています。
避難所、個人の被災者に物資の供給
炊き出しを行い計3,000人分の配給を実施
最も必要とされている被災地のリスト作成
各国から入っている援助部隊の窓口として派遣先を案内
日本緊急援助隊は1989年に千葉大学の学生8人がサンフランシスコ大地震の被災者を救済活動をお行いました。それは日本において初の民間としての援助となりました。
1989年から始まったこの活動は国内外問わずの災害地に一番に乗り込み一番最後まで被災者救済を行うポリシーで活動しています。
国内では雲仙普賢岳、北海道南西沖地震、阪神・淡路大震災、能登半島地震、新潟県中越沖地震などで活動を行ってまいりました。
この度のオペレーション東北は85回目の援助活動となります。
現在行っている東北・関東大震災では、短い期間でも活動を行っていただけるボランティアを募集しております。
また現地では缶詰、インスタント食品、粉ミルク、寝袋、テント、水、ノートパソコンを今一番必要としています。
救援物資は災害受付システムから送ることができます。皆様のご協力をお願いいたします。
jhelpHPから「助けて」のアイコンをクリックして自分がボランティアできる活動範囲などのご要望をいただければ
後日ご連絡します。
またオペレーション東北では現在寄付も募っております。
郵便局振替口座 001607162438 
まで寄付をお願いします。
現地に取材を申し込まれる方は
teamjhelp.com
までご連絡ください。

A Music Thanatologist in Tokyo

Carol Sack, who along with her husband Jim work at the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mitaka, Tokyo, was interviewed for a 30 minute weekly broadcast on religion on NHK Radio 2 today. Carol, a music thanatologist*, offers palliative care through harp and voice at the bedside of the dying, going weekly to a hospice for the homeless in Tokyo. She now trains others in the discipline through courses in harp, voice, and theological reflection.

I recorded the re-broadcast of the interview and posted it to the following as an audiobook file that you can add to your iTunes library. The interview is in Japanese:

https://files.me.com/ruthie/b2y9kx.mp3

The name of the file is "Carol_Sack_NHK_Radio_Interview.mp3" and it is about 29 megabytes in size.

Here is the NHK broadcast schedule listing of the re-broadcast:

http://cgi4.nhk.or.jp/hensei/program/p.cgi?area=001&date=2011-03-27&ch=06&eid=84967

* Thanatology is the academic, and often scientific, study of death among human beings. It investigates the circumstances surrounding a person's death, the grief experienced by the deceased's loved ones, and larger social attitudes towards death such as ritual and memorialization. It is primarily an interdisciplinary study, frequently undertaken by professionals in nursing, psychology, sociology, psychiatry, social work, and is offered as a course of study at many art schools. It also describes bodily changes that accompany death and the after-death period.

Courtesy of Joel Ingulsrud (formerly of Nagoya and now Tokyo)

Saturday, March 26, 2011

"CROSS" FERTILIZATION

Salutary Good Fruit

Toyohiko Kagawa, a Japanese Christian once wrote:

"I read in a book, that a man called Christ, went about doing good. It was very disconcerting to me that I am so easily satisfied with just going about."

God's fruit trees were not planted merely to look good, but to be good for something. The "sin" of the fig tree is not that it was doing something bad, but that it was doing nothing-just taking up space in the vineyard. The Gardener turned out to be more than a caretaker in a graveyard, but one who invested himself in fruitless trees so that they might not only look good, but bear fruit-good for people to eat and be nourished. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control" (Gal. 5:22-25). This is said of those who "belong to Christ," people who have undergone "cross fertilization"! In our troubled accident-prone, disaster-ridden world, might we not become "show-and-tell" trees that bear good fruit, samples of produce good for something, good for people in bad times?! 

THE JOY OF THE CHURCH IS TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH

Thursday, March 25, 2011

Dear Friends, 

Well, I'm off on Saturday to Tokyo and we are arranging others to follow.  I'm sending on some links to you that will really bless you and keep you informed for prayer.  The first is a "Thank You for Praying: Video from Japan" video from some young Japanese - this will really move your heart.

Andy Game is my primary contact in Japan and has made CrashJapan his focus.  Relocated from Yokohama to the Christian Academy in Japan (Saitama Prefecture) he is involved with the team coordinating relief efforts for the people of the north region. Check out the Crash website for the latest signs of hope and regular updates.

Andy just sent me this video on rescue efforts - amazing!!

We have received most of funds we need for getting our team to Japan and back for this first trip (thank you so much), and are applying any additional donations to helping specific needs we encounter when we are there.  Having cash in hand is sometimes the most effective way of helping those in crisis - especially "those of the household of faith" who are suffering.  It is the joy of the Church to take care of the Church. 

Read more about how this trip came about by visiting 24-7 Japan The Time is Now. A link to give online is also provided here.

Also check out the www.24-7prayer.com website and www.24-7prayer.us as we will be posting updates in the days and weeks to come.

So, there it is, short and sweet.  I'll be in regular touch over the next two weeks. Please let me know if you get anything from the Lord in prayer for Japan, scriptures, encouragements etc...please send them along and I'll pass them to the folks I will be meeting with in Japan

Pray especially as we seek to build a coordinated prayer strategy in partnership with key ministries, churches and leaders.  It won't be easy, but it is paramount for Japan's future. 

Love, Jon Petersen     ninevahjon@cs.com    City Force

JAPAN FIELD REPORT FROM AICHI

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil,
        for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me."

March 26, 2011

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you all for your continuing prayers on our behalf, on behalf of the relief efforts currently underway through CRASH Japan and on behalf of the people of Japan. With the devastation and loss of life in northeast Japan being said to be five times the size of Hurricane Karina and with the enormity of the recovery and relief effort now before the nation of Japan, your continuing prayer support is much needed.

This past Tuesday/Wednesday (3/22,23) I was up in Tokyo for two reasons. The first was for our monthly Japan Leadership Council Meeting, which took place on Tuesday and then to visit the CRASH Japan Relief Command Center, in order to assess the possible need for Eileen and I to join the CRASH Japan EmoCare team, which is focused on disaster victim care and the pastoral support and care needs of the relief teams being sent up to the disaster area.

Two reflections on my trip up to Tokyo

Reflection #1: One sobering thought.... Since the Kobe of 1995, our here in Central Japan was predicted to be the next area that would be hit by a major earthquake, as I rode the Bullet Train through our neighboring prefecture at a speed of 260 kph and passing right next to the ocean, I was struck by the fact that should that earthquake have hit where it had been predicted, literally, the entire area we were passing through along with the Bullet Train and it's tracks have been swept away into the ocean and no longer exist.

Reflection #2: One powerful thought.... Upon entering the CRASH Japan Command Center and seeing the 100 or more volunteers focused on the relief effort and led by a large cross-section of the evangelical missionary community, I was impacted in seeing how the Lord was mobilizing his people in bringing the needed physical, emotional and spiritual help to the nearly 1/4 million displaced and suffering people of northeast Japan.

Concerning CRASH Japan and its Three Pronged Strategy

While at the CRASH Japan Command Center, I was encouraged to hear of the three pronged strategy that has been developed in order to get the necessary aid into to those who most urgently need it. That strategy first involves the establishing of six base camps through six area churches in the northeast which are able to receive the supplies and house the relief teams. Then, by avoiding the "hot spots" where other relief agencies are currently working with local pastors and believers in order to get the necessary supplies to the many hidden areas which have yet to receive the aid they need. And lastly, along with the bringing of the necessary supplies to meet the physical needs of the countless displaced people, to also to deliver a special piece of literature speaking of God's message hope from Psalm 23.

In a recent report just received back from one of the base camps, "While on his assessment trip for CRASH, Ralph and his team found 9000 evacuees who were very low on supplies. They're now working with Samaritan's Purse and the Marines to get supplies like hygiene kits, rice, water & cup-ramen delivered to this huge group of people whose town was obliterated."

So how are we going to get involved? As a home near the CRASH Japan Command Center has been offered to us, Eileen and I plan to drive up to Tokyo in order to join the CRASH Japan EmoCare team in the preparing relief teams to be sent to the disaster area and also to be there to debrief them on there return. Thus, we will appreciate your prayers in the following specific areas:

1. For the Lord's leading in exactly what role He would have us play in terms of pastoral care and relief team preparation.

2. As CRASH Japan is currently working out of the campus of Christian Academy in Tokyo, with school scheduled to resume in early April, they will need to move their operations to a longer term facility. Please pray for the Lord to open up just the right facility that will meet the needs of CRASH Japan.

3. And finally, as we will initially be committing to serve at the CRASH Japan Command Center for the next two weeks, please pray that we might be sensitive to the Lord's will if he would have us commit to a longer period of time.

Even though we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil, for we know the Lord is with us and the efforts to bring physical, emotional and spiritual help and hope to those tens of thousands who are suffering greatly. Thank you for your continuing prayer support!

In Christ and for His Glory, Jim Nielsen TEAM-Japan

PS For more up-to-date information concerning the relief efforts of CRASH Japan, please visit:  http://www.crashjapan.com/

Friday, March 25, 2011

Kelsey Nielsen follows her heart to help impoverished in Uganda


Wednesday, February 9, 2011


By Mary Cantell, Correspondent

How far would you go to help the impoverished? Collegeville resident and Temple University junior Kelsey Nielsen can tell you. She’s been to Uganda as part of her school’s social work curriculum and fell in love with the people. Despite getting malaria three times, she doesn’t let it stop her from doing what she’s been called to do.

“I’ve had [for years] a heart for Uganda. I feel drawn and called to this culture and the people here,” said Nielsen in a recent telephone interview. “This is home now.”

Her calling came several years ago when she read about the war on Northern Uganda along with the incidents of child soldiers, slave trading and sex trafficking. Now she is serving as the adoption coordinator at the Amani Baby Cottage, an orphanage in Jinja, in addition to coordinating special projects and taking online Temple courses.

Nielsen had malaria three times in 2010. The latest bout indicated the onset of cerebral malaria, the most deadly form, for which she was treated with Coartem and IV Quinine treatments. If not treated within the first 24 to 72 hours, the disease is fatal.


“I know the pain that this disease puts your body through. The severe body aches, the high fevers, the piercing headaches,” Nielsen said. “I began to hallucinate, and I did not know who I was or where I was. Within minutes people back home were praying. My friends were standing by my bedside and praying. The medicine began to work.”

Nielsen’s tasks working in the sub-Sahara can sometimes be overwhelming both physically and emotionally. Sometimes she feels totally unprepared for the tasks before her, she said. Although she understands the pain of contracting malaria, what she cannot understand is not having the resources to fight the disease. The destitution in Uganda encompasses so much in the way of economic and social adversity; fighting the battle of mosquitoes and their disease is like adding insult to injury. The bright spot is that malaria can be prevented.


Working with the families, lawyers and making trips to the U.S. Embassy and Immigration offices, Nielsen finds it all worth the effort as she loves working with the children and seeing them go back into safe and loving homes through the sponsorship program she’s been a part of creating.

“Seeing families empowered to take care of their children with the little bit of assistance we can provide through our sponsors … seeing happy, healthy children … that’s where I want to be,” she said.

Nielsen wishes to bring awareness to the severity of the disease and be a voice to the voiceless. In Africa, a child dies every 45 seconds from malaria, according to the World Health Organization. The plan is that she’ll remain in Uganda until June … for now.

“I just love loving the Ugandan people,” she said. “I could get malaria a thousand times and still feel this is where I need to be. The beautiful things I get to see here far outnumber the painful. Seeing children re-united with their families … orphans being adopted into their new forever families … the resiliency … the strength of these people. It's something you'd have to see to believe. That is why I stay.”

Nielsen can be contacted for correspondence or donations at Kelsey Nielsen, Amani Baby Cottage, P.O. Box 1799, Jinja, Uganda, East Africa.

Kelsey Nielsen is the eldest daughter of the late Charlie Nielsen and his wife Linda. 
Charlie Nielsen was raised in Japan as an MK.
Kelsey can also be contacted by email at tub56099@temple.edu 
Please visit Kelsey's blog ~ Bring Them Home

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A REPORT FROM JAPAN


24 March 2011

I watch the evacuated people in school gymnasiums and public arenas living in simple conditions.  Some have cardboard separating family units.  They have little food in some evacuation centers although this is rapidly improving.  The Budokan is the first evacuation center in Tokyo to serve hot meals to the evacuees 6 days after they started to arrive!  I attended a Billy Graham Crusade in this same hall in the 60's.  I particularly notice the children.  They are playing, laughing and smiling.  Children are more resilient than we give them credit for!  The Japanese government has said no children orphaned will be adopted by families in other countries.

In the devastated area more than half of the residents are over 60.  They have lost everything!  Many young people leave that area for jobs in Tokyo and other big cities.  I've watched older men and women cry over their loss of loved ones and life as they knew it.

I have watched as some people have gone back to their devastated homes.  They are not hoping to find something of material value but of sentimental value.  Perhaps a family photo or a photo of a lost child or something precious to a family member.

High school graduates cannot have a graduation ceremony (graduation is in March in Japan) because their school is destroyed or housing the homeless.  There are close to a half million homeless.

The cost of reconstruction will be the highest due to such a disaster.  Estimates are $309 billion - almost four times the cost after Hurricane Katrina in the US.

Many people in Japan (including some foreigners) are irritable and short tempered.  There is the radiation concern, radiation in some foods and now radio active iodine in Tokyo's drinking water.  The government has said children under 1 should not drink it but it is safe at the present for anyone over 1.  There are aftershocks, supply interruptions, etc. especially in the Tokyo area and north.  I heard today that some areas built on reclaimed land in the Chiba area are having trouble with sewage disposal due to the earthquake and cannot flush their toilets, etc.  Chiba is quite far from the devastated area but it was rocked pretty good.  The Tokyo Narita Airport is in Chiba as is Japan's Disneyland.

One bank (actually today I heard several banks) in the devastated area was destroyed but its vault survived.  Power failures or malfunction caused the door to open and a half million dollars were stolen.  By and large, this is an exception.  There are not a lot of reports of looting although according to one person I talked to it is happening.

I, like you, listen to the cries and heartache of a mother who lost her child or that of a husband who lost his wife.  In some instances they watched them being swept away and blame themselves for not being able to save them.  My heart cry as I listen to these stories is, "Jesus, heal their hearts, heal their memories."  The psychological impact is beyond description.  Pray!

Volunteers are flooding the area.  One area asked for 60 and got 600!  Other areas, however, are still lacking volunteers.  I've talked to some who have gone in.  Unspeakable destruction!  Yet recovery and reconstruction is in full swing!  Please pray for strength, wisdom, physical and mental healing, and recovery!  Please pray for the heroes working to stabilize the nuclear reactors.  They and many others are heroes beyond description.  Through all the horror and devastation may Jesus be lifted up and may many come to know Him!

My heart is broken for the people in the Tohoku area.  There are so many immediate needs and there will be many long term needs.  Your ongoing prayers are appreciated!

Thank you for reading and for praying!

Darryl Fast, Destiny International, Nagoya

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

HOW OUR PEOPLE ARE PRAYING & WHAT OUR PEOPLE ARE SAYING & DOING

“Well, I'm off on Saturday to Tokyo…….. Pray especially as we seek to build a coordinated prayer strategy in partnership with key ministries, churches and leaders.  It won't be easy, but it is paramount for Japan's future.”  Jon Petersen, Colorado

“The US has made a huge contribution to the relief effort but gets little coverage, that's ok though.” Tom Nielsen, Guam

"So much going on!  The nuclear reactor situation, rebuilding in the devastated area, lack of food and water in many areas, the ongoing search for those missing, the climbing death count, contaminated spinach and milk, etc.  Yet in the midst of it God is doing good things!" Darryl Fast, Nagoya

“….meet with the leadership of CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope) on Wednesday. We have been told there is a critical need for us to come and join them in preparing the growing number of relief teams and workers in going out… As one of the staff member said, "The situation is going to get much worse in dealing with people and their hearts before it begins getting any better." Jim Nielsen, Toyoake

“I am experiencing this feeling of desperation like I did when I was a 13-year-old boy and B-29 planes dropped bombs on my home city” said Ozaki, an HCJB Global radio producer who continues to do programming at age 78.”

“Here's why few of us from the Kanto plain north have gotten much sleep the past six days, especially those suffering without heat as a cold snap hit the main islands yesterday” http://www.japanquakemap.com/   Joel Ingulsrud, Tokyo

“Our hearts are heavy for the country & people of Japan.  Thanks to all of you for your prayers & showing interest….. I am still considering my own response but as my father has taken a turn for the worse I will be “staying put” to tend to family matters for now.” Paul Gizzi, Orange County

A Benefit Concert for Japan ~ Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30pm Location: Eastern University” Jamie Nielsen, Pennsylvania

“Thank you so much for the link! I have been watching NHK World in English via the Italian state television channel, simultaneously interpreted into Italian, -- at times very confusing with Japanese at the back of the English narration, with the Italian voice-over, all three audible. But Ustream provides an elegant solution. I had never known its existence.” T. Taneda, San Diego

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING

Monday, March 21, 2011

Japan's relief effort intensifies


Japan's relief effort intensifies

Japan (MNN) -- Japan's earthquake damages will be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. For many survivors of crises, the most immediate concern is not the future, but the present need for food, shelter, clean water and heat. Asian Access estimates that nearly 300 churches were in the tsunami-impacted areas, and they've set up a relief base to provide help. Other churches are serving as shelters. A2 also has a million dollar matching grant right now, multiplying the impact of donations dollars. We've got more online.

Disaster-ridden Japan in store for more trauma

Japan (MNN) -- The triple threat in Japan of earthquake, tsunami, and radiation will likely have significant psychological effects on the Japanese. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety are all expected to inflict a much greater number of people than if only one of the three had occurred. Rich Blanco with Biblica says fear will last for years. "When people experience a disaster like this, often they're not sleeping well, they're waking up scared, and there's the fear of another tsunami or earthquake." The ministry will help people cope with this emotional stress through three post-disaster booklets. The books allow people to work through their thoughts in their own timing, journal, and ultimately cast their cares on Christ. "People who've lost everything are going to really just be seeking how they rebuild their lives, and that's where Biblica steps in with God's Word in very appropriate formats to bring hope to a hopeless situation." Help with this project at our Web site.

Japan pushed to the limit with triple threat

Japan (MNN) -- The nuclear crisis developing in Japan's quake-damaged Fukushima power complex is complicating relief. Jeff Palmer with Baptist Global Response explains, "We've looked at plans for helping in the earthquake areas. The tsunami areas are fairly well closed to private volunteer organizations. The Japanese government is handling that, and [in addition], those are in the radiation areas." Because of this, Palmer says, "A lot of us are focusing our response on those peripheral earthquake-affected areas which are requiring food, shelter, and help for folks who are being evacuated or have left the area." Although there are limitations to where they can help, they've got a long view. "We will respond and help people where they are hurting. At the same time, we will also offer them a hope that is found in eternal hope: a hope that is here and now, as well as later and beyond -- a hope that is found in Jesus Christ."  Read more here….

Earthquake stirs emotion

Japan (MNN) -- The emotional and spiritual effects of the recent disaster are starting to show in people all over Japan. TEAM doesn't work in the region most affected, but everyone seems to be shaken. Ministry Area Leader Steve Baughn talked to us from Japan: "They need to just talk; they're scared. They don't know when the next big earthquake's going to come in their area; they don't know about the nuclear reactor. This is going to have an ongoing effect throughout the nation which...is going to give Christians opportunities to share the love of Christ with people who are going to feel more needy and more insecure than they ever have, possibly -- no matter where they are in Japan." TEAM will certainly play a role in this, but "for the missions, the key is to continue to try to work with the Japanese and the Japanese church to make them the most effective they can be in reaching their own people." As opportunities arise, "The biggest prayer is that we would just be ready."
Read more……

Relief kits needed for Japan

Japan (MNN) -- The grim search for survivors continues in Japan as a half-million people are reportedly homeless. The need for food, water, and other essentials continues. In response, Medical Teams International is committed to help. President of the ministry Bas Vanderzalm says the church is meeting the basic needs for shelter, food, and water. Unfortunately, the needs are great. "There are thousands and thousands of people who need help right now with just basic essentials for life. It's those needs that we're looking to meet with local church groups in Japan." They'll need temporary shelter, such as tents. They'll also need blankets, clothing, and other items to protect them in the cold months of the year. Vanderzalm says it doesn't take a lot of investment. "For $30, we're able to provide a disaster kit to people in an emergency situation like this that would be enough to care for them for at least several weeks. So, even a small gift would make a huge difference." Click on the link at our Web site to help.

Triple threat hangs over response teams in Japan

Japan (MNN) -- Experts say Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami will rank among the most costly natural disasters on record. Peter Howard with Food For the Hungry (FH) says, "It's a modern country, so this is unparalleled for the scale of this disaster in a modern country." It's winter now, and millions are without food, water or shelter. Nuclear meltdown looms. The FH team has a plan that flexes with the needs. "For Food for the Hungry, our niche is really working with the local churches and local church partners throughout the region affected and trying to get supplies in through those churches and basically provide support through those churches and ministries." Keep praying as their team moves forward. "We believe that the church is God's vehicle for spreading the Gospel of love and compassion and the message of peace. We're really hopeful that the Japanese church supported by churches all around the world will rise up and truly show what Christians are all about." Read more here….

Damaged communication keeps status of churches hidden

Japan (MNN) -- It's mostly unknown how Japan's churches have fared in the wake of disaster. Asian Access pastor Hiroshi Kawasaki says, "More than 300 churches are affected." Kawasaki is attempting to contact churches nearly around the clock, but many wireless lines and landlines are down. He has yet to hear from most. Ministry Director for Japan Mary Jo Wilson says unaffected churches are doing all they can to help. "Some other churches have opened up and are supplying some long-term temporary housing. So we see the body of Christ working together." For now, aid and housing are vital for the more than 310,000 people made homeless. Asian Access has set up a relief fund to provide aid. But the church is preparing for another need as well. "Soon after, maybe they need a very, very big spiritual help," says Kawasaki. For now, "Pray that Japan experiences the reality of Christ's love."  Read here….

Christians called to pray for Japan and USA

USA (MNN) -- While the world struggles to come to grips with the devastation in Japan, Ron Hutchcraft says Christians need to pray. He says our prayers need to focus on two areas. First, with only 1% of the population Christian, Japanese people need our prayers. "The millions of gods of Shintoism. The feeling that Christianity is a western religion. All these things have created great barriers, and my prayer now is for the people of God in Japan, that this could be their moment [they share their faith] because of their hope." Hutchcraft says in the United States, newscasters are talking about biblical prophecy. He says when people ask about it, he gives some suggestions on what to say. "You need to make sure you are in the hands of the One who predicted it all, whose coming preceded by it all, and who is the only safe place," which is Jesus. Listen to the full interview on our Web site.

Japan's quake creates opportunity and obstacles

Japan (MNN) -- Japanese seismologists have upgraded Friday's earthquake to a 9.0. The resulting tsunami has caused radiation contamination from damaged nuclear power reactors. We spoke to Howard Plucar with EFCA Reach Global from Tokyo via Skype. He says most of the team is safe, but there is no word from the Furukawa church and their team in Sendai, near the epicenter. "There's going to be immediate need that's going to flow in through churches and through Non-Governmental Organizations, but I think where the church is really going to have its greatest impact is in the long term--helping people rebuild their lives." TouchGlobal Crisis Response is assessing the situation. "As we show the love of Christ, we also declare the meaning of Christ to people whose lives have been turned upside-down and who don't have a lot of hope. So, to weave meaning into the acts of kindness is going to be key for the church." Read here….

God's timing prepares team for quake

Japan (MNN) -- Asian Access> reports that their team survived the quake safely. However, there are several partners who have likely been severely affected, but communications are limited. The team is confident that God will use the faith of these believers to reach out to the hurting in the community. A note of interest: six days ago, the leaders were part of an all-day training to help Christians in Japan be prepared to respond in case of earthquake. Pray with them as they move to respond.  Read here…

SEND International starts earthquake aid fund

Japan (MNN) -- International Director of SEND International Warren Janzen says they have 67 people working in Japan. "We've connected with our people, and everyone is safe--although not everyone is home. There were some people who were stranded in other parts of the city. Others chose to walk four or five hours to get back to their residences. All of our structures are all sound for now." SEND is one of the founding missions of the Japan Evangelical Church Association, and Janzen says they'll be working through that organization. "They are trying, right now, to connect with churches and believers in that affected region. They want to assess what the damage is and then begin strategizing on how to go in an assist." SEND has set up a fund to help. "SEND has created the Japan Earthquake Recovery Project to jump-start our national partners' recovery effort. These gifts are going to go to their immediate needs and the Japan Evangelical Church Association ongoing ministry for both physical and spiritual needs of people in the affected area." Go to www.SEND.org to help.
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