Doing cleanup work with CRASH Japan isn't what one would usually refer to as "a day at the beach". But, on this particular day, it literally was. Our team of volunteers, most of whom came from New Jersey, traveled from the CRASH Japan Ichinoseki base to the nearby coastal town of Rikuzentakata. Much of the town had been completely wiped out and may not be rebuilt. In stark contrast, areas just beyond the wave’s reach seemed totally unaffected. There was little "middle ground", and not many structures were only partially damaged, as had been the case in Kesennuma.
Soon after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters struck Japan in March 2011 the first 24/7 Prayer team came to Japan. These teams have been working with pastors and churches to bring hope and healing to the survivors of the disaster-affected region. In this video, several leaders of the 24/7 Prayer movement discuss their vision to bless Japan through prayer. CRASH Japan is pleased to have been a program partner with 24/7 Prayer.
Well-known Christian author Philip Yancey (What's So Amazing About Grace) recently returned to Japan to visit pastors and survivors in Tohoku, and to honor the 1-year anniversary of the earthquake. Philip graciously provided CRASH Japan with an interview, in which he discussed his thoughts on the Japanese people and their response to the tragedy.
In the past twelve months, CRASH Japan's disaster response has implemented the relief phase (meeting physical needs) and the recovery phase (meeting emotional needs). The Partnership Phase will commence on April 1st lasting until September 30th. Our mission continues to be serving the local church by mobilizing Christians to bring help and hope to the survivors of the disaster. During the first twelve months (relief and recovery phases) we embarked on an ambitious plan to mobilize thousands of Christians throughout the entire disaster area through five regional bases. Over 2,388 Christian volunteers (some are
repeaters) have now been deployed through those bases.
In reviewing the statistics for what CRASH Japan has accomplished in the year since the March 11 earthquake, it's clear that God is still in the business of performing miracles like he did through Jesus in John 6.
"Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, 'Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?' He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, 'Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!' Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up. 'There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?'
'Tell everyone to sit down,' Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted."
Within hours of the giant earthquake in Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011 CRASH Japan president Jonathan Wilson announced a meeting to organize a response. Over one hundred people showed up eager to help but -- like the little boy in John chapter 6 -- none of us had much to offer. Frankly, we were a bunch of "amateurs" who knew little about disaster relief work. What we did have was a core group of deeply committed people who believed that God wanted us to be his "hands and feet" on the ground here in Japan. We offered what we had, that is all we could do.
After Dr. Brian Stiller, Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), visited the disaster zone late last year he wrote, "In the middle of these sad and hopeless communities, Christians have set about to do what most would never have believed they could do. They were considered too small to do much."
We are all weak human beings. The church in Japan is very small. However, God has blessed. God multiplied what CRASH Japan started with. As you watch the video marking one year since the beginning of our "Love on Japan" campaign we invite you to give thanks to God. Please keep praying for Japan!
