Ongoing Needs in Japan’s Touhoku Region

[Kaori]

An acquaintance of mine recently volunteered for a few days in Touhoku (Japan’s northeastern region), near Sendai, and took some video footage. My information is only secondhand, but I thought I would share this video, as well as what I’ve heard about the situation up there, as a reminder to keep the people of Japan in your prayers.

http://youtu.be/XkFfg59qGXg

Physical needs: I think the video pretty much speaks for itself. What you see is a place right next to the coast; this whole area is still completely devastated. That pretty much goes for Japan’s entire northeastern coastal area, because it was the whole region that was affected by the tsunami, not just an isolated spot. A few buildings are still standing, and there are a few businesses that were well enough off to be able to rebuild right away, but other than those few buildings that are standing, this area that used to be full of buildings has been completely wiped out. There is rubble everywhere, some of which has been sorted (metals in one pile, etc.), but not much else has been done with it.

Spiritual needs: Because Japan’s government isn’t equipped to be able to rebuild rapidly after such a large-scale disaster, there is a window of opportunity for Christians to come in with relief organizations. There’s a great need for volunteers right now. Also, what I’ve heard from people who have been able to go volunteer is that the Japanese people are desperate for hope, and as a result, they are open to hearing the gospel. Christians in Japan are few and far between, so existing Christian organizations are being stretched, and it’s easy for the full-time Christian workers who are there to become worn out trying to meet such an enormous need. So, please pray for continued strength and boldness for those Christians who are ministering in the area; that the Japanese people would be receptive to the gospel; for more people to go into the field; and of course for the ongoing relief efforts and rebuilding process.

[Nanao]

Definitely will still be praying for them. That video is so sad. Thanks for posting. It gives me a better idea of what to be praying for specifically.

[Rusty Claymore]

I may be volunteering near Sendai at the end of this month, so now I can put some pictures to my prayers, thank you.

[Yuki-Anne]

Thanks for posting. Touhoku is forever in my heart...