Sunday, March 27, 2011

March 25 - Earthquake (10)

"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7

Hope is on the Way
We appreciate the many of you who have expressed your prayer support. We're reading those email, we just can't respond.

These are unusual times in Japan. Even as the nuclear reactors continue to belch mysterious smoke and strong aftershocks rattle us daily, we are trying to make plans and move ahead with things. Our strength is in His promises to us.

There has been a tsunami of tragedy, but there will now be a tsunami of Christian relief and hope flooding the area in the days to come. Our church, and many, many others across the country, are hurriedly working together to gather needed items, and holding prayer vigils for this historic time in Japan. Volunteers are organizing into teams, setting up base camps, sharing resources, and enlisting support. Sleepy Japanese Christians are being awakened anew in their faith.

Next week I will be going into the tsunami area on the coast (near Shiogama) with a few other missionaries to get an idea of needs and begin to help with the cleanup. It will no doubt involve a lot of mud. The area is safely outside the evacuated zone around the nuclear reactors (no worries, mom). I hope to take some needed supplies and equipment up as well. We will be making a church our "base camp" and moving out from there. Without running water, food, bedding and little heat, it will be a rustic camping experience. I hate the idea of any form of camping, but I sense God pushing me out. I simply can't stay put here in "safe" southern Tokyo, while people I care are dealing with this tragedy alone.

How to Help
Let's get real practical. Kids of tsunami families need items replaced to get back to school and "normal" life again: school supplies (pencils, erasers, paper, etc.), gym wear, backpacks, athletic gear, etc. Tsunami families that have not lost their homes need supplies for major cleanup: work gear and work clothing, boots, tools, buckets, towels, etc.

If you would like to give toward that specific need please let us know and we will facilitate that for you.

Remember this special 2-minute appeal for prayer from our church is downloadable here, and now also posted on Facebook here. (FBusers, please share and like).

I know churches/groups want to collect these items, but...
Please let us buy these above items locally as it helps the local economy recover and fits the standards for things that Japanese use.

Alternative collection idea for church/groups/individuals
You really want your church to touch this need directly. You need a project. We get it! Easter is April 24. By that time short-term needs will be met, but despair will still be a daily reality. Wouldn't it be great if families and kids could hear the resurrection hope that Christ brings? Wouldn't it be great if they had Easter craft items and resources sent from Christians in America in the love of Jesus that churches could use for outreach? Items such as Easter basket building material, candy, craft material (particularly with Christian symbols), coloring kits, games and prizes, giveaway items, picture books (Easter story), etc, etc. These are items not available in Japan. I'd love to take such items (combined with a few locally bought items) to the affected areas on your behalf. This is a possible idea for churches/mission committees. Please let us know if you intend on doing this so that we are not inundated.

How to Pray
1) for safety as I travel north next week with a few other missionary volunteers
2) for wisdom to organize and utilize resources effectively in the Christian relief effort going on
3) for opportunities to bring encouragement and Christian witness to those we meet in the tsunami area
4) for physical strength and health, and spiritual and emotional strength and health. We know the scene we will go into will be shocking.
5) for a quick and safe resolution by the Fukushima Fifty to the nuclear power plant crisis
6) most of all, for Japanese to turn their hearts toward God, place their faith in Jesus, and find rest from their heartache in him

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March 20 - Earthquake (9)

Sunday Renewal
What do you preach after an unspeakable tragedy? After the tsunami, Noah and the flood might at first seem to be dicey choice. But Genesis 8, the account after the flood, is a picture of God's healing grace, renewal of the earth, and firm promise. Pastor Kondo has been preaching through Genesis the past few months. As it worked out, this Sunday was scheduled to be on that very passage. Pastor Kondo preached tenderly and powerfully of the promises of God that carry us through the worst of disasters. It was divine timing and a message of great healing for distraught people.

Thank you for praying for our church today. We were able to hold a service at Cozy Hall as usual. There was no power outage.

I've often been frustrated that the rental hall we have is in a triangle between the police station, fire station and hospital. The constant emergency vehicles with sirens blazing can be unnerving during our services, particularly for newcomers. However, it seems that being in this triangle of necessary emergency services has resulted in us being spared from the planned rolling blackouts. Did God know we needed this location to meet at after such a disaster?

Share this Video
The mood was a bit weary and heavy at the beginning of our time together on Sunday morning. But gradually people were encouraged by each other and the time of worship. After the message, the Holy Spirit open floodgates of emotion bottled up in people's hearts. Many tears as we closed our time together, and then prayed together in small groups.

Many of you have a close investment in our work here. I want to show you a bit of that. I took a video of some of our church members to help you remember their greatest need for prayer. As you can see, by the time church was finished, people were back to smiling. Please look at it below.

CHURCHES & MISSION TEAM MEMBERS: Please show this 2 minute video to your church if possible to encourage their prayer support for Japan at this time. View and download video here.

How to Pray
1) for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas where 30 of our churches are located
2) for that the current nuclear problems would be resolved soon. The wind is changing direction toward Tokyo.
3) for a "lifeline" to be reopened to the north areas allowing transport of essential items and help
4) for many people in the area that STILL have not yet been heard from by friends of ours
5) most of all, for Japanese to turn their hearts toward Him and for opportunities to witness and comfort
6) that the surging yen would weaken, and the dollar strengthen. It has been going the opposite direction for some time.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

March 19 - Earthquake (8)

After the Triple Punch
The 9.0m earthquake and 40ft. tsunami double punch killed thousands (7500 and counting) and left a half million homeless. But then the knockout punch: the nuclear crisis began. The fear that has gripped people has done at least as much damage to the Japanese psyche as the earthquake and tsunami. No, I am not writing this from a fallout shelter. The Lavermans are watching, waiting, praying, planning, but also trying to go about life and ministering to distraught people, albeit in unusual circumstances. The scheduled power outages and lines for many things has made the dark, quiet environs feel a bit like a bad edition of "Survivor Tokyo." (We have a single light on in the house). But Japan is pulling together. Our church people are uniting in prayer. GOD IS AT WORK IN A BIG WAY. Keep praying please! We suffered through Friday (Mar 11), but Sunday is coming for Japan!

On Pastor's story
I want to share with you a testimony from our own Pastor Sato, of Fukushima Daichi Seisho Church. His church is one of the larger (150 members strong. That's big for Japan.) in our association and only 5 miles from the nuclear facility having so many problems. As you might know, the area has been evacuated and is currently a ghost town. Please read it to move you to prayer and praise. Here are his words:

I give thanks for your prayers. On March 15th at 1 in the morning, my wife and I, having joined a truck which was full of relief supplies, stopped at a local store, taking anything we could get our hands on from shelves, buying it all and filling our trunk and back seat area with these supplies we headed north straight for Fukushima. Though on the way we saw sink holes in the road and houses that had partially collapsed we moved smoother than we expected, yet we also heard about another explosion at the nuclear power plant and the leakage of radioactivity and added to that we heard reports of the enlarging of the evacuation area, prohibitions regarding entering the evacuation are and the like, so though perplexed we chose the inland road. It took 10 hours, but finally we arrived safely in Aizu at the refuge shelter (a church) at 11o’clock in the morning. Hallelujah!
About one-third of the 60 church members came from near the nuclear power plant, the radioactivity contamination testing not yet done they then joined us in the afternoon. At that time when we immediately started with a worship service, I began to hear their sobbing voices and I realized just how much each had passed through upon arriving here. In the evening we went to a nearby hot springs and shared the joy of bathing for the first time in five days. We were deeply touched by the kindness of the Aizu Church. One by one, trembling with emotion, I saw them call out and embracing each other saying “You alive!” and the flow of tears fell to flowing again.

And all that to realize, they have just started a Gypsy like wanderings, no longer having a home, and I ask these who left with just the clothes on their backs, “Do you need to launder anything?” and when they answer “We have NOTHING to wash.” I cannot find the words to respond to them. When I ask, I find that some of them have had nothing to drink or eat for 3 days; others had spent those days numb with cold. This drifting lifestyle has just started with the pressing need to secure gasoline and a place to stay. This large family of 60 people trying to live together, and making matters worse this is a nationwide emergency in which it is hard to make decisions, so we have decided to head north preparing to establish ourselves, anticipating a protracted situation. Perhaps as a result of exhaustion, there are those who have received I.V. in the hospitals, both the old and the small children, even as God’s people after the exodus, it looks like we will be traveling in the “wilderness”. Will we ever be able to return to that town? Will it become ruins? Will be able to return in 2 or 3 months? When will we again be able to open our front doors to the church and our homes? All seems to be a drift, in the midst of feeling our way we unite our strength guided by the pillar of fire and cloud, no other option but to wander.

The day before we left, the police gave a special “disaster relief” certification for our car so we were able to get a full tank of gas. Tomorrow the Yonezawa Church will pay a great sacrifice by receiving in their building. We give thanks for their compassion and sympathy, and we can do nothing but kindly accept this means of survival. It is just like living out a scene in a drama, I never thought I would have this kind of experience in my lifetime. O Lord, may you protect this flock that has begun to wander scattered about in various places like the “Remnant” like a people left behind.

Psalms 121 1I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 3He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

ONE FINAL NOTE: Mr. S, is a member of this church. He is currently leading a project team at the Fukushima nuclear facility, helping to restore the power/pumping needs. God has left a witness from this church in the middle of the disaster.

PRAY!
* Pray that we can hold a worship service tomorrow (Sunday). We are unsure with the power outages.
* Pray for Mr. S's witness at the Fukushima facility
* Pray for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas where 30 of our churches are
* Pray for wisdom and calm in making contingency plans for our church and mission
* Pray that the surging yen would weaken, and the dollar strengthen. It has been going the opposite direction for some time.

Friday, March 18, 2011

March 18 - Earthquake (7)

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday." Psalm 91:4~6

We wait anxiously for a resolution to the growing nuclear problem in Fukushima. As foreigners leave in droves from Japan, we wonder what God has for us here. Part of us says to evacuate or flee south, too. But our church and Japanese need the hope God brings now more than ever. We have no intention of being foolishly heroic. We are watching the situation carefully and putting together contingency plans. But we feel safe in His care, covered by His wings both night and day. And there's so much opportunity and work to be done now!

Prayer and Perspective
Today and yesterday we had small group prayer meetings. Many tears, much grief, but also a lot of faith expressed in God. Our baby Christians in the church are really growing up, uniting and comforting each other through this tragedy. It makes this church planter proud to see, but I know it is all the Lord's work in their lives. He is glorifying himself in His church in Japan in a big way right now!

Why the Tohoku?
Can we see God's saving mercy in this tragedy in Tohoku area? There will be much time to reflect more deeply as stories emerge in the coming weeks and months, but let me share just a little perspective that God gave me yesterday.

After WWII, our mission entered Japan and began intense church planting work -- not in heavily populated urban areas, but in the countryside of Japan, Tohoku! Why here and not where the masses were? There the gospel was received readily. Churches were established quickly. We have more than 30 churches in the area devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.

It is no understatement to say that this area (the area of current devastation) has been among the most evangelized by our mission. Just as Nagasaki had the longest relationship with the gospel in Japan (500 years) before the atomic bomb fell, so Tohoku has had the longest spiritual opportunity in postwar Japan. And since then, the church there has really worked hard at evangelizing their areas in the last 60 years. It is even reported that one of the Fukushima Fifty (50 workers left in the Fukushima Nuclear Plant trying to avoid meltdown) is a strong believer and leader in his church. God has definitely left a witness. I believe that part of God's plan with all this was to prepare the Japanese people in that area spiritually for this great tragedy. He sent his workers into that harvest field 60 years go to begin reaping the harvest. As Peter 3:9 says, "He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Click here to see before and after pictures of the area.

In my next email I will share a testimony from the pastor of the church just 5 miles from the nuclear facility in crisis.
I do not want to SPAM or fill your email boxes, but we are truly desperate for your prayer. This is a historic time in Japan in many ways. Please allow us to email you regularly as we go through this crisis period.

PRAY!
Please keep praying! You can impact Japan from your knees right from your home!
FB users, register your prayer support here. PRAY...

...for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas. It is now snowing in the area
...for a quick resolution to the growing crisis in three of the nuclear reactors up north
...for shortages, particularly in the north, to be filled quickly
...for many people in the area that have not yet been heard from by friends of ours
...for wisdom and calm in making contingency plans for our church and mission
...for stress levels on our family and mission family

Additional prayer need: the yen is strengthening (dollar falling) in a big way in the middle of this crisis. This may have long-term impact on many things here. Pray that it will recover to its pre-crisis levels (which was already a major crisis for us missionaries).

We pray especially that many Japanese would turn to Christ through this crisis. Our God is eager to save! We are hearing reports of spiritual decisions!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

March 17 - Earthquake (6)

Now what?
That's been the question it seems each day, and sometimes each hour for places north of us. After the quake came landslides, then the tsunami, then the traffic and transportation problems, then blackouts, then the shortages of essentials, then the nuclear crisis, now the snow and freezing temperatures. One Japanese man interviewed on TV today asked, "What did Japan do to be punished like this?

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lam 3:21-24

In my next email, I will communicate a bit of perspective I gained today of the Lord's great faithfulness leading up to this great tragedy.

"What are you standing in line for?"
Today we had a special prayer meeting with church members. I reminded them of how prayer for Japan is now a global movement in the church. They are not alone. They have Christ, and they have 2 billion Christian brothers and sisters praying for them. This is an important reminder for Japanese who suffer from a bit of a minority complex (only 0.5% our Christians.)

At the prayer meeting one lady told an interesting story. The shortages (particularly of gas and some basic food items) have created a bit of panic buying. I took the picture at left yesterday. When I say panic buying, for Japanese that means standing in a very orderly but determined way, even hours on end, until items are completely gone. At a particular store there was a long line that twisted down the block. When our church member asked a shopper toward the end of the line, "What are you standing in line for?" The shopper responded, "I don't know! But everyone else is in line." The people in the middle of the line didn't have any idea either. From the front of the line came the answer: toilet tissue. (Let me assure you that we are well stocked with toilet tissue. Please don't send us any -- this means you, too, mom...I know what you're thinking.)

Our pastors in the news
Three of our church association pastors were in California with a fellow missionary visiting churches and gathering ideas when the quake struck. A local news service did a human interest interview on them here. This is not the circumstances they would want to be interviewed under. They have since returned safely to Japan and are ministering to their congregations.

Pray for our church association with nearly 30 churches in the affected area. One of our flagship churches is only 3 miles from the nuclear facility in Fukushima. Click here to see the video interview.

PRAY!
Please keep praying! You can impact Japan from your knees right from your home!
FB users, register your prayer support here. PRAY...

...for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas. It is now snowing in the area
...for a quick resolution to the growing crisis in three of the nuclear reactors up north
...for shortages, particularly in the north, to be filled quickly
...for many people in the area that have not yet been heard from by friends of ours
...for wisdom and calm in making contingency plans for our church and mission
...for stress levels on our family and mission family


Additional prayer need: the yen is strengthening (dollar falling) in a big way in the middle of this crisis. This may have long-term impact on many things here. Pray that it will recover to its pre-crisis levels (which was already a major crisis for us missionaries).

We pray especially that many Japanese would turn to Christ through this crisis. Our God is eager to save! We are hearing reports of spiritual decisions!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

March 16 - Earthquake (5)

For such a time as this
The events of the past several days, as surreal as they seem, have gradually permeated the atmosphere of everything in Japan. The nonstop tremors, rolling blackouts, emergency alerts and shortages have all created an air of constant emergency that is wearying to body and soul. But we rest in God's goodness and protection. We know that God has a purpose for the events and for us.

Some of you have expressed concern for our safety and asked if we are leaving Japan, particularly with the current nuclear crisis. Thank you for this concern. We are quite safe, and feel secure in God's will to stay put and minister as He allows. There will be much work to do in the coming weeks, months and years, even after the immediate crisis has settled. Troubled times are certainly opportunities to speak into the hearts of Japanese that have been tightly closed. "And who knows (Kevin) but that you have come (to Japan)...for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Close Call
One of our church members was shopping with a non-Christian friend at the warehouse club, Costco, here in Machida, Tokyo immediately before the quake struck. She was leaving the building and headed up to the parking, but her friend decided she needed a free refill on her drink for the ride home. Moments later the quake hit. The ramps of the parking garage pancaked on top of each other, trapping cars underneath (photo above at right). This is one of the few structures in Tokyo that received enough damage to make the news. Both were likely spared by the "need" for a refill (the hand of God). he non-Christian friend was pretty frazzled. She has been to our church. She told me in December when I gave an invitation to receive Christ's forgiveness at our Christmas service that she "wanted to put her hand up too." Pray that this close call would urge her to that spiritual decision.

Enough
Some of you have asked what we need. For now, we have enough. We are well supplied! Different areas are struggling with shortages, particularly in the hard-hit Sendai area. Gasoline has been a problem for many. Most stations are closed or have long lines and very tight rations. I had filled up the car several days ago. I grumbled about the gas prices that have steadily crept up above $7/gallon. But now I am thankful to have paid that! Stores have also been selling out of many food items, but we have enough and expect supplies to be restored soon. The rolling power outages throughout Tokyo have not yet affected us. We have running water and gas. The weather is fairly warm. We have all this...and Jesus too!

"We survived the quake & tsunami, but..."
"...but we may not survive the cold and lack of medical care." In stark contrast, there are very serious shortages mounting north of us. Medicine, heating oil, gasoline, food and drinking water, emergency radios, baby items, underclothing, even toilet paper are all in short supply. My personal frustration is to see the desperation of the survivors, and be able to do so little from here.

Tranport service is stopped. Roads are cut off. Nothing gets through. My heartfelt instinct is to grab a shovel and supplies and head north. But I'd soon be a liability myself. There will be time for this type of response with organized teams when the situation stabilizes. The needs in the area will continue for some months (and years) to come.

On top of the disaster and growing humanitarian problems in the north, it is now snowing there and temperatures are below freezing. The gasoline shortage has hampered early relief work. BUT, help is slowly getting into the affected areas. AND a relief effort is being organized by mission organizations here, with the support of many Christian organizations in the States. We expect to be able to tell you more about this in the days ahead. Take a look at one of the planning meetings at left in our mission building here.

PRAY!
We know you are praying. Please don't let up! Double up your prayer time...

...for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas
...for a quick resolution to the growing crisis in three of the nuclear reactors up north
...for shortages, particularly in the north, to be filled
...for many people in the area that have not yet been heard from by friends of ours
...for Japanese to turn their hearts toward Him

We pray especially that many Japanese would turn to Christ through this crisis. God has purposes.

Monday, March 14, 2011

March 14 - Earthquake (4)

The Search Continues

Slowly information has been coming in from the Sendai areas. The search continues for nearly 10,000 people still missing or unable to be contacted in the hard-hit areas around Sendai. Whole towns simply disappeared in the tsunami. Many of the missing were likely swept out to sea along with vehicles, houses, and everything else. You need to understand that this is not exactly next door to us. As you can see by the map below, Sendai is quite a distance from Tokyo, nearly 150 miles away.

For Kaori and I, the distance makes the devastation no less easy to bear. Now that reporters have gotten into the area, the information coming out steadily is absolutely heart-wrenching. To see the constant unspeakable images of the Japanese people we love suffering (and understand what they are saying), to know (and have visited) the places where the tragedy occurred, and to be able to do SO little from here is particularly emotionally draining. We feel a sense of powerlessness and grief for the incredible humanitarian need just north to us. Yet, we don't dare turn off the news for long periods of time as there is information we do need to know (and much we wish we didn't).

Our situation
Our situation is far more secure and comfortable than many. We have all basic services. Food and water is also readily available. However, rolling blackouts throughout Tokyo have begun today. Japan has been strictly told to do all it can to conserve electricity (b/c of loss of power plants), and so we're heating and lighting a single room (our prayer "command center"). We are told we'll be without power tomorrow for part of the day. We're eating through our perishables in anticipation for blackouts, but have plenty of nonperishable things to keep us going a long time without shopping.

Today I was out for a bit in the shopping area of our town to get an idea as to the mood of things. People are very polite, but there is a general sense of concern and emergency permeating things. Many of the stores were closed. There were lines for many things. Grocery and convenience stores were very busy. One was virtually stripped bare except for some candy and ice cream. Today at least there obviously is a little bit of panic buying in light of the blackouts. I was happy to see that some cereal (which Japanese generally don't eat) was left. It had my name on it so I happily brought it home.

Aftershocks are continuing, a few more than 6 magnitude. We are told to expect a 7 magnitude in the next few days. We have flashlights,blankets, Bibles, earthquake kits (CHECK BLOG HERE FOR INTERESTING STORY ON THAT) ready at the door if we need to leave in a hurry. But at this point it would be unlikely even with a 7 magnitude quake. We are also too far inland to be easily affected by a tsunami.

The real concern remains with the nuclear power plants along the coast up north. It seems that a meltdown may have been averted, but the situation is still fluid and somewhat sketchy. A worst case scenario might have a radiation leak turning the surrounding area (we have a flagship church right there) into a ghost town, and perhaps affecting areas as far south as us. This is highly unlikely, but the surreal events of the week remind us that nothing is beyond imagination at the moment. It's great to know that God's got us covered regardless.

Keep Praying
We as humans live a weak, frail existence. We depend upon a great God, the only One to cling to when the foundations of this world shake. This week reminded me anew of this. And so we need your prayer.

1) for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas -- it is expected to snow up there tonight
2) for a "lifeline" to be reopened to the north areas allowing transport of essential items and help
3) for many people in the area that STILL have not yet been heard from by friends of ours
4) for three churches in our church association in the area that STILL have not been heard from
5) Most of all, for Japanese to turn their hearts toward Him and for opportunities to witness and comfort
99% of Japanese are without the hope and eternal life Christ gives. We have prayed and sweated for this country's revival a long time. Could God be allowing an answer in this way?

Sunday, March 13, 2011

March 13 - Earthquake (3)

Still All Shook Up

We are still shaking here in Tokyo. Sometimes it's us. Sometimes it's the ground. The aftershocks keep coming, continuing to unnerve people here. Thank you for praying.

When the quake first occurred we knew it was severe, but had no idea as to the scope of things. I had been sneezing from spring hay fever and joked lightly that my sneezing just now was powerful enough to move the earth. Slowly, however, as information has come in the gravity of the situation has dawned on us and the nation. It is a truly awesome disaster. We would not wish this upon the country that we love, but God has some purposes even at this time. We rest in His arms.

The quake has been revised to a 9.0 magnitude, the largest in Japan and fourth largest in recorded history.
You need to see some of these photos to understand. They are absolutely apocalyptic.
It is important to realize that this is, for the most part, these are more than 150 miles north of us.

What's next
As if the massive quake, tsunami, dam breaks, and landslides didn't cause enough destruction, the nuclear powerplants along the coast are struggling to avoid a meltdown. We are also expecting some acid rain tomorrow from the massive fires at the oil refinery in Chiba.

Due to the power plant disasters, the prime minister of Japan has just come on TV to tell of rolling blackouts from tomorrow (3/14). We are not sure if we will always be able to communicate with you (don't worry mom, we will be fine!).

We have been warned that there is a 70% chance of a quake (aftershock?) of greater than 7 magnitude in the next few days.

Water and gas (and internet) services are all working for us here in our neighborhood. This is not the case for all Tokyo. Many of our colleagues in ministry are roughing it. I was out earlier this afternoon to do some shopping. Although there is a little bit of panic buying (batteries, bread and some other staple items are sold out), for the most part there is plenty of food and water and everyday items. The atmosphere is solemn and quiet, but we also see some people having their hair done and eating out.

Justen's adventure
Justen was at school at the moment of the earthquake. There was some slight damage to the building. Because the train system had come to a halt (large parts of it still are), the teachers tried to return kids by car, but quickly became stuck in the massive traffic jam caused by everyone having the same problem at once for more than 3 hours. Finally, one of the teachers stayed behind in the vehicle while another walked with the children -- a 3hour walk -- back to that teacher's home in Tokyo. There the kids spent a restless night with a few more adventures thrown in. Justen returned back home safely on Saturday. He was worn out in many ways (and so was his mom).

"Yes, Jesus loves me!"
In spite of all this, thirty people and ten kids gathered at our church plant, Denen Grace Chapel, this morning (3/13). I shared a message of hope from Psalm 23. We had a time of singing, prayer and communion. In the middle of communion twenty-some cell phones went off warning us that an aftershock was imminent. It was quite an unexpected special number!

But the heart-warming scene that brought tears to this church planter's eyes was standing toward the back and listening as church members sang "Jesus, Loves Me." (I took a video of this and hope to post it soon.) Many of them were unsaved and unbaptized just a couple years ago. To see the change in their lives -- and now in the face of this devastating reality -- crumbled down the walls that stress had built over the past few days. The emotion welled up within me. It was all I could do to hold it down as I preached.

PRAY!
There is so much more we could share. Please follow us on Twitter or friend us on FB. We'll try to put some things there. Please understand that we are really overwhelmed at the moment in many ways. Above all, PLEASE PRAY

1) for the rescue efforts going on in the hardest hit areas -- there is much loss of life, pray for more survivors
2) for many people in the area that have not yet been heard from by friends of ours
3) for three churches in our church association in the area that have not been heard from
4) for Japanese to turn their hearts toward Him
99% of Japanese are without the hope and eternal life Christ gives. We have prayed and sweated for this country's revival a long time. Could God be allowing an answer in this way?

We will set up an account shortly to receive any gifts you would like to give specifically to these devastated churches/people.

March 12 - Earthquake (2)

We're still shaking in Tokyo, both from our nerves and the aftershocks. It's been nearly 8 hours since the big quake here.
The phones are finally working again and we have heard from Justen. He is stuck in a monster traffic jam in his teacher's car. Unfortunately for him school is still in session, but he is safe and on his way back home. It may still take several hours.

At 8.9, this was the LARGEST quake in recorded history for Japan. You may have seen some of the incredible footage of the tsunamis (SEE VIDEO) that have swept through Sendai. I am afraid that many people have lost their families, homes or lives. Boats of people have also capsized. It is now night and quite cold here. My heart is heavy with grief for those affected tragically.

Kaori's family (from up north) and here in Tokyo are all safe. We have been in touch with almost all our Denen Grace church plant family and they are also okay. One, however, had a close call when part of the parking garage at the warehouse club, Costco, collapsed nearby her. We are anxiously waiting to hear from churches in our association that are very near the epicenter of the quake.

Millions are without power. Trains are not in operation. Many people are walking on foot back home from Tokyo. It is quite a sight to see.

On a note of sad irony, the multi-million yen hi-tech system that was supposed to ring cell phones throughout Japan to warn of an imminent severe earthquake has just rung our cell phone...several hours too late. Thankfully, other technology is working and we are very thankful for the fiber optic lines that let us communicate with you by email.

Things are still shaking as I write this email. This experience will remain in the Japanese consciousness and memory for some time. Pray that it brings them seek out God and know the Source of true peace.

Pray
...Justen will return safely from school (ANSWERED!)
...that the loss of life will not be great (WAITING MORE NEWS)
...that people will be rescued safely out of the disaster this has caused up north (WAITING & WATCHING)
...that Japanese people will call upon the name of the Lord who will comfort in this tragedy (PRAY HARD!)

March 11 - Earthquake (1)

Some of you may have heard of the strong earthquake that occurred in Japan today (March 11) about 2:45pm our time. It was by far the strongest that we've had since coming to Japan, lasting several minutes, and chasing ourselves and the neighbors out into the street. The quake was centered in Sendai, more than 100 miles north us. Sendai has had its share of quakes in the last couple weeks.

We are still glued to the news to see what damage and casualties this has caused up north, and among our church association. Tsunamis along the coast have already made quite a mess of things and no doubt taken many lives. We have been watching on live TV as the cameras have shown many cars and vehicles being swept away, and many fires. The hardest hit area is close to one of our church locations, and several others are in the area. A larger tsunami is predicted to come soon.

We ourselves are fine. A few things were knocked to the floor, but that's about it. The phone lines are down, but internet is still up. We are waiting for Justen's return from school in Tokyo. The trains are stopped for now and his return for school will be very delayed.

There have been two strong aftershocks in the last hour (those chased the neighbors outside, too), and a small one while finishing this sentence. We are used to earthquakes in Tokyo. But having everything moving around you is still a VERY unsettling feeling.

The earthquake has just been corrected to be a 8.4 magnitude

Pray
...Justen will return safely from school
...that the loss of life will not be great
...that people will be rescued safely out of the disaster this has caused up north
...that Japanese people will call upon the name of the Lord who will comfort in this tragedy