Catastrophe in Japan
Over the past few days, most of us have watched in unbelief as widespread devastation has unfolded in Japan. On March 11, an 8.9 earthquake hit this nation. It is being called the fifth worst earthquake in the world’s history and the worst in the history of this country.
This hard-to-grasp geological event triggered a massive tsunami that bore with it a 25-foot wall of water. It struck Japan’s northern coastline with such fury that it instantly killed hundreds of people and washed away entire villages and cities. Hours after this major earthquake struck, aftershocks continued. Many of the people of this nation are completely devastated and left feeling hopeless and afraid. Many cannot find their loved ones. Others have been killed or seriously injured.
Millions of people as far south as Tokyo, which is 170 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, have been left without power and transportation. One of the major concerns of the Japanese government is the country’s nuclear power facilities located along the northern coastline. These have been affected by the tsunami.
One of The Worst Disasters in Japan’s History
The Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan called this crisis, “The most difficult for the nation since World War II.” The death toll is closing in on 4,000 and officials say that number will increase rapidly. In fact, Japanese media have estimated that the death toll could soar to an inconceivable number of more than 20,000.
Literally, thousands of people have been left homeless and without adequate food, water, and shelter. On top of this, temperatures in Japan at this time of the year generally fall to freezing overnight. The further you move north into the quake zone, the colder it becomes. U.S. relief agencies have bolted into action along with many Christian ministries.
My heart goes out to the Japanese people, and I’m sure after reading this update, you will understand why. My prayer, and my burden, is to find a way to help this devastated country in the aftermath of this horrific disaster. I believe God can and does use tragedy to draw us closer to Him. He is not the author of sorrow, but when it hits, He steps into our mangled set of circumstances to offer peace and security unlike anything this world can offer. He is our strong tower and those who run to Him find safety, emotional shelter, hope, and healing (see Psalm 19).
A Word of Survival
I opened an email from one of our ministry partners in Japan, who works with BJapan—a broadcast ministry in that country that works with church planting and outreach projects. I was grateful that he was unharmed, but I also sensed urgency for us to ask God for His mighty intervention.
Our partner writes, “Churches in northern Japan are usually very small. They often struggle to keep going, especially outside the major urban centers. Over the years, one of BJapan’s ministries has been to offer practical support to these small churches. In many cases, they do not even have a pastor. The area where these churches are located received the most damage as a result of the earthquake.
• Please pray for the people in this area. That many will be rescued and that they will find their loved ones.
• One of our main cooperating “on-air pastors” and his church are very close to a stricken nuclear plant that is in the news. Please pray for the safety of this pastor and his congregation. Up to this point, we have been unable to get through to them to hear how they are doing.
• We ask for prayer for our faithful listeners in this area. Pray for their safety and for special grace as living conditions will be terrible for the foreseeable future.
• Please pray for the salvation for the people of Japan. The stricken area is the most unchurched of this nation.
• Church congregations are few and average only 19 members. Pray that as these Christians deal with their own loss, they will shine with the love of God and be salt and light to their fellow citizens in these very difficult days.
Another Way You Can Help Japan
Nations for Jesus (NFJ) is seeking ways to send aid and support to Japan, and I’m asking for your help. Will you commit to pray for the people of this country? Japan’s principle religion is Shinto. It is as old as Japan itself and means “the way of the gods.” It is the indigenous faith of the Japanese people. Buddhism is the second largest religion. Followed by Confucianism, Christianity, and Islam.
BJapan, our ministry partner, is committed to helping us get aid to the people of the smaller churches in this northern region. It would be wonderful for us to help these churches not only to recover, but also to become a light of hope and salvation to a very spiritually dark nation.
Will you join with me in prayer and will you give whatever you can for the immediate relief efforts for this country? We believe that God has called Nations for Jesus to be on the frontlines of the battle offering help to the churches, and hope to the hopeless, especially right now to these people in this stricken area.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ratna Sajja, D. Min
www.nationsforjesus.org