Christians may only make up about 1% of Japan’s population but they are becoming more active and more adept at providing their countrymen with the practical and spiritual help needed after major disasters. Asian Access, an interdenominational Christian organization that works with believers throughout Asia to spread the Gospel, is spearheading efforts to bring assistance to Southwest Japan where record-breaking rains have caused widespread flooding and lethal landslides that have left hundreds of people homeless and in peril.
CRASH has been particularly active in providing both practical and spiritual assistance. The organization sent Rev. Tomoaki Yamada to Oso and Seiyo, two different cities that were severely affected by the disaster to bring food and water and help coordinate relief work and volunteers together with Kyushu Christ Disaster Relief Center.
The organization has also sent an initial volunteer team to Kure City to help those who are suffering in the wake of a heat wave that almost immediately followed the flooding and the Kure Christian Volunteer Center is sending more volunteers to the same area as well. CRASH has also sent a team to Ehime prefecture to assess the situation and work with local churches in the area to provide relief for the area’s residents.
There is no doubt that help is desperately needed in various cities and villages in Southern Japan. The affected area has received far more rainfall than normal, setting off floods as rivers burst their banks and overflow. Landslides were caused as waterlogged soil flowed down on nearby areas.
Because the area is rife with steep slopes, there was little time for residents to evacuate before disaster struck. So far, the death toll stands at more than 200 and dozens more are missing.
More than 240,000 homes are without clean running water and two million people have been forced to evacuate the area. While the government and a number of NGOs are working to provide shelter, water and food, rising temperatures combined with large quantities of litter from the flooding could cause widespread disease.
There is also a concern that food provided to survivors may spoil in the summer heat and set off food poisoning. Local hospitals have already had to delay surgical procedures and transfer some of their patients to other facilities.
While those who have suffered from this disaster certainly need practical assistance, their spiritual needs cannot be ignored. Christian aid organizations, unlike non-religious NGOs and government aid agencies, have the ability to offer something that no one else can provide and that is faith, hope and a connection with Jesus that will enable survivors to overcome their grief, worries and fears.
While practical aid goes a long way in helping people get back on their feet, helping survivors learn how to start a relationship with the source of all peace, comfort, faith, hope and supply is an invaluable gift that cannot be surpassed by the mere distribution of food, water, medication and other important goods.
At the same time, Christian volunteers and organizations in the area are providing practical assistance as well, showing people that God cares not just for their spiritual needs but their immediate physical needs as well.
If you would like to help, Asian Access, which specializes in working with other aid agencies, is recommending that donations for relief work in Japan be sent to World Vision Japan and Food for the Hungry. CRASH is requesting that donations for its work in the area be sent via GLINTS.
While not all aid organizations accept foreign volunteers due to the severe nature of the disaster, there are some organizations that do, including It’s Not Just Mud, IDRO Japan and the Japanese Red Cross.
What is more, every single believer can help by praying for those who are on the ground ministering to the millions of displaced individuals in dire need of practical and spiritual assistance. Important prayer requests include financial supply for aid organizations, wisdom and God’s protection for those who are ministering in dangerous areas where landslides could occur yet again and for wisdom in comforting survivors and pointing them to Christ.
It is also important to pray for long-term relief efforts as those who have lost homes, livelihoods and/or loved ones will likely need ongoing care and assistance.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
