The Armagost Family in Japan

 


John writes: “How deserted lies the city once so full of people…. All her people groan as they search for bread… This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears.”(Lamentation Chapter 1)

I just got back from a trip up to a small part of the earthquake-tsunami area. First impression was that there was less structural damage caused by the earthquake than I expected in this area, but where the tsunami hit it was heartbreaking. It was too painful to take some photos.

Our main task was to make contact with pastors in the area to assure them that we are praying for them, preparing support for them and to assess their needs. Because of the shortage of gasoline, we had to limit our trip to the Sendai area, while the whole area affected by earthquake-tsunami covers more than 300 miles up the coast from Tokyo.

We received a warm greeting from Rev. Yamada when we stopped at the “Holy Light” kindergarten, which is part of the Shiogama Church ministry. Rev. Yamada and his family moved from the parsonage to the kindergarten so that they could keep in contact with the 300 children and families who are part of the school. The kindergarten had some small damage from the earthquake. Water from the tsunami however reached the front steps of the Shiogama Church, leaving a coating of mud on the parking lot, but doing no damage. Even if it had been destroyed, as so many other buildings were, it is still just a building and can be replaced. It is the people we were concerned about.

Here is what we know so far. All of the Japan Baptist Union pastors are safe. While buildings did suffer damage none were lost completely. We also know there are church members still missing, and some are confirmed dead. We still have limited contact with several churches in the more rural areas farther north.

Finally, you know of the concerns over the nuclear power plants. It has become disaster upon disaster with the ripples spreading across Japan. It is both heartbreaking and frightening. However listen to these words of Jeremiah, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam.:22-23)
The Lord is able and willing to work through the church here in Japan, and through you and your church. Your prayers are important! Thank you.

Please know that we Armagosts, while hurting for others, are safe and far from the disaster areas. Your prayers help sustain us. Please keep the Hwang family and Roberta Stephens, our fellow IM missionaries, in your prayers. They are in Yokohama and are feeling some of the ripples from these disasters: shortages of food, rolling black-outs, and lines for gasoline.

The Armagost Family are American Baptist Missionaries in Japan. To learn more, click here.

Pray for Libyan Refugees

From Samaritan’s Purse International Relief

More than 302,000 people have fled the fighting in Libya in the past month, crossing the Egyptian and Tunisian borders in a desperate attempt to escape the mounting violence in the embattled country. Transit camps are housing thousands, some of them women and children, who are in need of food and other assistance.

With the vote to impose a no-fly zone over northern Libya, an international coalition launched air strikes on Libyan Government forces. The UN Refugee Agency estimates that only 15-20 percent of Libya’s migrant workers have left the country to date, but they expect that to change in light of the recent military activity.

Samaritan’s Purse is working alongside local partners, providing meals and other aid, and bringing desperately needed help to thousands of people.

Our staff in Tunisia reported that the population of the refugee camp there continues to decrease and is now at approximately 5,500 people. We continue to serve more than 3,800 breakfasts daily. To date, we have provided some 53,200 hot breakfasts.

Samaritan’s Purse partners with an organization to provide meals and love in a camp along the Tunisian-Libyan border

In Egypt, the team has distributed over 21,500 parcels containing food and clean water, and 800 kits with hygiene items and baby food. Refugees going across the Egyptian border have reduced dramatically in the past two days and the majority of those crossing into Egypt are not being detained at the transit camp. Our partners continue to monitor the situation and remain ready to respond if necessary.

Rebels are fighting to oust long-time Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi from power, inspired by protesters who toppled authoritarian rulers in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt. The Libyan uprising, however, has already proved much more violent. Since Saturday, the United States, Britain, France, and allied nations have taken military action to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya and to protect civilians from Qaddafi's forces. Witnesses report that intense fighting continues in the country, and Qaddafi has promised a "long-drawn war."

"This remains a fluid situation, and it is possible that we could see increased numbers cross the border," said a Samaritan's Purse partner in Egypt. "Please pray for those who are still seeking refuge from the volatile situation in Libya, that they would make it safely to the border."

In response to the refugee crisis, Samaritan’s Purse quickly mobilized personnel and resources, and dispatched staff to Egypt and Tunisia to serve with our local partners in the relief efforts.

Please pray for the people who are suffering along Libya's borders, especially that they will come to know the Savior through our acts of love. Pray for the safety for our staff and partners, and for God to direct us to people most in need of help.

(Samaritan’s Purse is also helping people in Japan, Haiti and Northern New Jersey. Click here is you want to help.)

Japanese Flee Nuclear Cloud

Janet Chismar and Trevor Freeze, Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade

When Ken Isaacs got on the train from Tokyo to Osaka last week, he couldn’t find a seat. Thousands of people were fleeing the city in fear of possible nuclear fallout. On his return trip, the train was virtually empty.

As the Vice President of Programs and Government Relations for Samaritan’s Purse, Isaacs is working closely with BGEA Associate Director of Asian Affairs Chad Hammond in a joint effort to bring help and hope to hurting people following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Reporting by phone Thursday, Isaacs said that the nuclear cloud was keeping him cut off from his team to the north in Sendai.

CNN reported that close to 200,000 people living within a 12-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant – the hardest hit of several nuclear plants affected since the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami – had been evacuated. Authorities banned flights over the area.

According to public health officials in Japan, the nuclear fallout can cause both immediate and long-term health problems, including radiation poisoning and cancer. FOX News reports that low levels of radiation have been detected well beyond Tokyo, which is 140 miles south of the plant, but hazardous levels have been limited to the plant itself.

With emotion choking his throat, Isaacs spoke about the hardships the Japanese people are currently facing. “The nuclear disaster is consuming the nation,” he said. "We are in uncharted waters.”

The 747 cargo jet carrying 93 tons of disaster relief supplies that left Charlotte, N.C. at 1 p.m. (Eastern) arrived at Yokoto Air Force Base at 5:30 p.m. Saturday (local time). The U.S. military unloaded the plane in less than an hour with the items being warehoused overnight before being flown into Sendai on Sunday.

“A couple of hundred churches dot the northern part of Japan,” Isaacs said. “The average congregation is 20 people. The churches themselves don’t have the capacity to do distributions, but they are strategic in terms of Kingdom building. This effort is building their reputation and respect.

“People will never forget that the Christians came.”

Supplies will be given to displaced people living in public shelters, said Isaacs, who has led recovery efforts for approximately 25 years and described the damage as worse than Haiti in some ways.

Nearly 13,000 people are dead or missing and several hundred thousand have been left homeless from Friday's earthquake and tsunami. Cold, snowy weather in parts of the Asian nation further heightened the hardship of a nation facing what its leaders call its biggest disaster since World War II.

Isaacs is calling on the Christian community around the world to continue to pray for the recovery efforts. Here’s some ways you can pray specifically:

• That Japan’s military will be able to assist the team from Samaritan’s Purse and BGEA transport 93 tons of supplies that arrived Saturday from the airlift.

• For wisdom from the Holy Spirit in all decision-making.

• Continued favor with Japan government officials.

• For much-needed fuel (for trucks).

• For protection from radiation.

• For the people of Japan, who are very fearful and anxious.

• That people will come to see God’s love in spite of their suffering and in the midst of their suffering.

"Despite the challenges our team is facing in Japan, we have much to be thankful for,” Isaacs said. “Please join us in praising God for the help of the U.S. military, Japanese government officials, and local Christians. Thank Him that our charter flight arrived safely in Japan. Thank Him that our team has remained safe and healthy."

Prayer for Japan on Facebook

Donate to Samaritan’s Purse Japan Relief Fund

Crash: Disaster Relief in Japan

Tokyo, Japan – March 21, 2011 – As relief efforts to help local communities and churches intensify more than one week after the quake, hope is still strong for survivors and their loved ones as fresh news of rescues and reunions filter through. Okamoto Hiroshi, pastor of Ishinomaki Bible Baptist Church in Sendai, was feared lost when contact was cut following the tsunami. “No one had been able to locate him,” said Tim Cole, a missionary in Japan whose parents planted the Ishinomaki church. “The tsunami decimated the area they were living in.”

After repeated attempts to make contact, Pastor Okamoto was located by a CRASH Japan relief team. “They went and found him,” explained Cole. “Miraculously, his house was one of the only ones in the area not affected.” Acting quickly at the time of the quake, Pastor Okamoto was able to drive around the houses of his congregation and rescue those living in low lying areas. Taking any who needed help to higher ground, Okamoto’s church, which stands on a hill, is now home to both his family and his congregation. A third team left from the CRASH Japan command center in Tokyo today, ready to deliver assistance and support.

CRASH Japan team members were also present to witness survivors being pulled from the wreckage of their home in Sendai. Attracted by the shouts of emergency workers and those trapped in the house, Ken Ito and others saw Sumi Abe, 80, and her grandson Jin being rescued despite days trapped in the freezing wreckage of their family home. “We’re working with local pastors and I personally went round local houses asking what they needed,” said Ito. CRASH Japan’s sustained efforts to reach those most in need continue, with resources still desperately required to help relieve the crisis unfolding in Japan.

To Learn More...

Worshipful Music from Japan

Japanese English Christian Worship. Jesus Lifehouse Church, Tokyo Japan.

Pray for Japan

CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope) volunteers in Tokyo are mobilizing to provide aid to victims of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck the northeastern coast of Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:46 PM.

The earthquake was the largest in Japan’s recorded history, resulting in a series of tsunami that reached heights of up to 23 feet and caused widespread damage. The Tohoku region was hardest hit in the coastal cities of Sendai and Fukushima, where hundreds are confirmed dead, and thousands are still missing.

CRASH Japan, working closely with JEMA (the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Association), has a large network of experienced volunteers who know the culture and language. CRASH Japan’s 24-hour fundraising goal is $100,000. In the last few years, CRASH leaders have coordinated relief efforts in China, Haiti, Indonesia, New Zealand, and other major disaster areas.

Missionary Phillip Foxwell recently returned from CRASH survey work in Takayama, Sendai, where he grew up. Foxwell spoke of the disaster: “All I can say is there is devastation beyond anything I've ever even imagined…Absolutely everything is wiped out—every single building, every single home.”
Foxwell added that “the situation is so much worse than the news is even showing. It’s like being in a warzone, and I can’t wrap my head around it. There are a few years of work to do here.”

CRASH team reconnaissance from Iwaki and Ibaraki confirmed that there is still a great need for water, even though many relief groups have already supplied it. Stores in many areas of Tokyo are completely sold out of bottled water due to panic-buying.

Millard and another person are departing again Tuesday night with a van and $9000 in supplies: fresh fruit, toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, batteries, a butane stove, diapers, baby milk, etc., and another group will follow on Wednesday. “We’re trying to get a truck tomorrow,” Millard said.
If there is enough gas, Millard and his team hope to make trips every few days.

To read more…

Christians Mobilize to Help Japan

The strongest recorded earthquake in more than 100 years struck off the coast of Japan on March 11, causing horrific damage to the nation’s northeastern region. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake triggered a massive 23-foot tsunami that washed away homes, cars and ships and triggered dozens of fires. The city of Sendai bore the brunt of the twin disasters. Government officials say the estimated death toll reaches into the tens of thousands.

Another concern looms as two nuclear reactors exploded in Fukushima Daiichi and Daini after cooling pumps were destroyed, sending clouds of white smoke into the air. Officials declared a "nuclear emergency" amid fears of radioactive fallout. Some 200,000 residents are evacuating as a precaution. Authorities are also distributing potassium iodide tablets to help protect against thyroid cancer from radiation exposure, officials said.

Christian organizations based in Japan are using social networking sites coordinate relief efforts. One Christian group led by Jonathan Wilson has activated a team of volunteers using Facebook. Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope (CRASH Japan) is working closely with JEMA (the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Association), to coordinate a large network of experienced volunteers who live in Japan and are familiar with the nation’s culture and language. Leaders are currently setting up a command center in Tokyo with bases in affected areas.

Continue Reading…