Groundbreaking Service for new CRASH Warehouse in Nasu

On Friday, May 6, CRASH leaders from Nasu base camp and headquarters, the owner and staff of a local construction company, and Pastor Hideo Kondo of Nasu Kogen Church gathered at the construction site in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture to hold a groundbreaking service for the new CRASH Japan warehouse.

It’s Not Only About the Tsunami

CRASH Japan Volunteers Helping at the Asian Rural Institute

Located on a six hectare (fifteen acre) farm in the hilly countryside of Tochigi Prefecture, the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is a Christian ministry that conducts annual training courses for rural community leaders from throughout Asia, Africa and the Pacific region. The training is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ and focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices through organic farming techniques, community building, and leadership development.

“Maybe I Should Become a Pastor,” said the Buddhist Priest

When Tim Cole, who grew up as a missionary kid in Japan, first found 100 people evacuated to a Buddhist temple in Onagawa on a CRASH needs assessment trip, the priest was hesitant to receive any help. But as they talked, they realized the priest had gone to the same kindergarten Cole had attended as a child.

by David Sedlacek

On March 11, 2011, 25 of the 30 members of a Little League baseball team in Onagawa, Japan lost their homes to the tsunami. But not only their homes―their baseball equipment was washed away as well.

In the nearby town of Rifu, a friend of one of the team's baseball coaches called Oasis Chapel for help. Could the church replace the team's baseball bats and gloves? Pastor Makito Matsuda posted the need on Facebook.

The crew inspected the Sendai base at Morigo Christian Center in the early afternoon, and moved on to the weekly meeting of pastors in Nasu in the evening. They will visit the base in Tono on Friday.