Plans Changed...

I received an email last week from some people we met at church. They have a ministry much like mine and they were recruiting for another project. After postponing the England project and filling out my paperwork to join the next team, I will be leaving October 24th for Japan returning November 21. Yes that's right, a month long trip. I will be going with Stepping-Out Missions who are working with Samaritan's Purse on this project.


Background Information

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred off the east coast of Japan. As a result of the earthquake a deadly tsunami was triggered that caused numerous fatalities, injuries, and extensive damage along a 310 mile stretch of coast line.

“A total of 196,559 buildings were destroyed or damaged. Around 27,000 people were killed. More than 460,000 were made homeless and sought refuge in shelters. This included 150,000 in Miyagi Prefecture, 47,000 in Iwate Prefecture and 130,000 in Fukushima Prefecture. In the first three days after the disaster Japan’s Self Defense Forces (the Japanese military) rescued 66,000 people, many of them stranded on hilltops, rooftops and among debris. Because reaching them by land was so difficult many had to wait to be retrieved by helicopter, which could carry only a few people at a time. Thousands of others evacuated their homes due to the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.”(“Facts and Figures” article on Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.)

In addition over 14, 000 were listed as missing and are presumed dead. The debris created by the tsunami in the northeast region is equivalent to the refuse generated by the entire country in a quarter of a century. This disaster is the greatest challenge the country has had to face in the past 65 years.


Samaritan’s Purse’s Response in Japan

Immediate Response

• 93 tons of emergency supplies were airlifted from North America immediately after the earthquake/tsunami.

• A Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) was deployed to Sendai, the closest major city to the disaster zone.

• During the first five weeks emergency supplies were distributed to those in need through a large number of churches, Christian organizations, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and individuals. In addition to the imported supplies a large quantity of materials were purchased in-country for distribution.

• Mudout kits and 11 small trucks were given to local churches and pastors who were engaged in volunteer supported clean up operations.


Continued Response

• On June 20 the Rebuilding/Repair project was launched. This project will see the coordination of the International and National teams working to assist homeowners living in damaged residences. The goal is to complete as many as 300 homes prior to the winter season which begins in December. The focus of the operation is to conduct mudouts, rebuild and repair the main floor of homes inundated by the tsunami, provide beneficiary support as requested and to share the Gospel with all those encountered.

Prayer:

• Pray for the team of men that I will be working with that we will be united in one spirit and ready to work together to accomplish as much as we can.

• Pray for the Japanese people who we will be helping, that they will trust Jesus Christ as their savior.

• Pray for my wife and kids as I leave them for a month. It will be just as hard for me as it will be for them. I hate leaving them but the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is way too important for me not to go. I am honored that God would allow me to be a part of the work He is doing in this world.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."     John 4:34-38

I will keep you all posted as best I can on the progress of the work while I am there but internet access will be limited so I will post about the work when I get back home.

Gary