When the Earth and People Quake

When the earth and all its people quake,
It is I who hold its pillars firm.
~Psalms 75:3

As you already know, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck near the main island of Japan and caused a devastating tsunami and nuclear plant problems. Looking back over my time here, I can see that God has been preparing His people for “such a time as this.”

In February the church I work with, Tokyo Urban Church, sent our youth pastor to Singapore to study at City Harvest Church’s School of Theology. While in Singapore, I was privileged to visit two of the largest churches in Singapore. I came back to Japan excited about what God is doing in Asia and what He wants to do in Japan.

On March 11, our campus ministry team had no idea that this year's training seminar would be so unforgettable! About 15 minutes before we were supposed to start the 2-day seminar, the big earthquake hit! We were all out on the street several times waiting for the shaking to stop. Because the trains were all stopped, over 30 people ended up having to spend the night at the student center. People were crammed everywhere, and we didn't have enough bedding. However, many pastors and students said the training seminar greatly impacted them, and they caught a new vision for campus ministry.

Missionaries and Japanese Christians believe that the recent events are an occasion for the Church to arise and show God’s glory to the hurting people of Japan. Churches and Christian relief organizations are already taking needed items to evacuees using the local churches as conduits of compassion ministry. It’s said that it will take years for Japan to recover and rebuild.

We A/G missionaries and Japanese pastors are all safe and are coordinating relief efforts with the Japan A/G and other relief agencies like Convoy of Hope. As business manager for our field office, I will be distributing the relief funds sent from the US. Also, as the official blogger for our missionary fellowship, I am daily updating reports at www.japanagmfrelief.blogspot.com.

Personally, I feel strength although I am being stretched. Although recovery will take a long time as we synergize with God, I expect to see an unprecedented move of God in Japan. Continue to pray for Japan!