My Own Personal "Aftershocks", Part 1

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Tuesday, 29 March 2011 04:40

by Nozomi

This morning, April 4th, was the kids’ first day back to school since the earthquake. Actually, for Zack and Ellie, they had not been there since March 9th because we had the Asian Access Spring Retreat in Karuizawa. When we returned to Tokyo from the retreat, we found out that Christian Academy in Japan had to go to an “online schooling” system for the week of March 14th and the week of the 21st. The trains were running sporadically because of the power outages, and CAJ has too many kids who commute using the trains. Plus, there were many families who left the area.The week of March 28th was the normally scheduled Spring Break. So today, April 4th, was their first day back. As we were riding our bikes to school, ...

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Japans relief effort intensifies

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Friday, 25 March 2011 13:53

by Mission Network News

Damage assessments are just beginning, but some areas are so fragile that the assessors can't get close enough to investigate. It is clear, however, that the destruction will rise into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

For some of the survivors, rebuilding is far off in the future, and the immediate concerns involve restoring heat, electricity, running water, and finding shelter, food and communications.

The official death toll nationally rose to 8,277 on March 20, with 12,272 still missing. Nearly 500,000 people are homeless.

Aid is most effective purchased from inside the country, but that often requires an established network for both getting the supplies and for distribution.

Asian Access has that ability. They've also received a $1,000,000 matching gift pledge to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of those who have been impacted the most.

This gift and the funds given to match the pledge will help them achieve their mission for Asian Access/Japan "to unite the church" and "extend the transforming power of the Gospel."

A2 is working with 400 pastors and 1800 churches--approximately 20-25% of the congregations in Japan--to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of several communities across the nation. They're also partnering with CRASH--a ministry of Grace Church which has grown into the largest Christian coordinating agency.

Details are still coming in, but A2 estimates nearly 300 churches were in the tsunami-impacted areas. They've launched a disaster response team for CRASH to set up a relief base in the affected areas. A few churches are already serving as shelters and are receiving those who have been left homeless.

If you can help, A2 has already set up a special Japan Tsunami Relief Fund. This will provide aid to hard-hit areas, delivered primarily through local churches. There may be no greater opportunity for the Gospel's advance in Japan than right now. Click here to learn more.

• You can help by providing funds that will be delivered to hard-hit areas through Asian Access' extensive network of local churches.
• Japan tsunami relief updates: http://asianaccess.org/tsunami-posts
• Want to send a relief team from your church or school? http://go2japan.org/tsunami-forum
• This story was originally published by Mission Network News. Read online here. 
• See other A2 stories covered by MNN.

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Japan's Tsunami: Chaos and Kairos

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Saturday, 12 March 2011 14:54

by Jeff Johnston

by Jeff Johnston 

In a time of chaos, it's a kairos moment.

chaos, n.

• complete disorder and confusion
• the formless matter supposedly present before the creation of the universe.

kairos, n.

• a propitious moment for decision or action; (Greek), literally "opportunity"

I’m borrowing the name of fellow A2 missionary Dorrie Takazawa’s blog, "Chaos and Kairos” because these words accurately sum up this overwhelming situation in Japan.

  Photo: AP

Looking at the news reports, you can see the chaos everywhere.  Though the Japanese government has meticulously planned for and methodically prepared for how to deal with natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, this double whammy is of the scope that it has always feared.

The most powerful quake in Japan’s history has brought a devastating tsunami (tidal wave).  Villages gone. Ships on land and homes on the sea. A nuclear power plant explosion; fires, people stranded and hundreds (probably thousands) of dead and missing.  Aftershocks keep coming to remind us that it may not even be over yet.  With rescue and recovery still underway, rebuilding infrastructure and, more importantly, lives must wait.

There is complete chaos.

Yet, it is my firm belief that we are observing a kairos moment in history—the history of Japan and the history of Christ’s Church in Japan.  It's a God-moment . . . a time of decision, of action, of opportunity.

When I was first trained by Asian Access in Tokyo in 1987, the Japanese pastor leading our ministry here (Rev. Murakami) warned, “We are currently in the 10th month of a nine-month pregnancy!” —meaning that Japan was long overdue for “The Big One.”

Twenty four years later, the quake was finally birthed—late and large. . . and brought an even deadlier twin after it.

We are standing at an historical kairos moment.  This is a time that did not take God by surprise, and a time to which many in Japan have pointed.

With suicide at an all-time high, the economy at a depressing low, family breakdowns commonplace, and the moral compass directionless, Japanese people seem to be without hope.  It’s quite obvious to us living here.  Our missionaries have seen this in the society as a whole, and in individual’s lives.

Now this.  More chaos.

But could this be a kairos moment?  Could this time of disaster be an unparalleled opportunity?  An opportunity for God to bring in a harvest?  An opportunity for Japanese to forget their pursuit of affluence to finally and honestly contemplate the deeper meaning of life?  Could it be an opportunity for a great display of Christ’s love through his Bride, the Church in Japan?

I believe so.  This is indeed kairos moment. . . a propitious time of decision and action.

Will the Church in other places rally to help deliver hope and practical help to the Japanese and do so through the Japanese Church?  We certainly hope so.

If you’re looking for a way to help as you watch the chaos play out on your screens, pray that the Church would seize this kairos moment to show the love of Christ.  Pray that people would be helped and loved in real ways.

 Photo: A2/Jeff Johnston

Asian Access missionaries and Japanese pastors in a strategy session planning how we can respond practically. We will first deliver aid through our extensive network of churches, as well as participate personally in relief efforts in cooperation with C.R.A.S.H. (Christian Relief Assistance, Support, and Hope).

More info:

• Asian Access has set up the the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund (http://asianaccess.org). Gifts will be channeled through various networks of partner churches.  Our own missionaries plan to be involved in actual work, as well.
  
• The church in Sri Lanka knows about chaos and kairos all too well.  I traveled to Sri Lanka 6 months after the Tsunami of 2004.  Here’s what they did to respond to the need following their own natural disaster:
  http://www.asianaccess.org/video/index-tsunami-update.html

Major 8.8 Earthquake in Japan!

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Friday, 11 March 2011 07:50

by Jeff Johnston

We are OK!  Our family is currently in Karuizawa, Japan attending an Asian Access retreat. Information is sketchy for us, but a major 9.1 earthquake has hit off the coast of Sendai, Japan about 3:00pm (JST). There has been a tsunami measuring 10 meters has also hit the coast.  Tsunami and aftershock warnings remain in effect for the entire eastern seaboard of the country.

This is a quick message to tell folks we're okay, and to ask people to be praying for this country.  As we are at a retreat center in the remote mountains, we have no idea about details, so please check your sources for more information.  We will report more when possible.

As always in Christ,

Jeff and Nozomi, Zack and Ellie Johnston