Japan (MNN) ― A second strong earthquake struck in the Sea of Japan off western Japan, hours after a separate killer quake struck the northwest coast Monday. The quakes injured hundreds, killed nine, and forced thousands to evacuation centers.
SEND International's Rob Pocklington says the quakes struck in an area fairly removed from their ministry center. However, "we have people, church-planting missionaries and others who are very strongly linked to the national evangelical churches in Japan. Anything at all that we do would be through those who are involved in both missionary work and in the national churches."
The Japan Evangelical Missionary Association is not directly involved in relief. However, a JEMA endorsed ministry called CRASH enlists volunteers to serve in the stricken area. The JEMA team has sent an offer to the missionaries in that area for emergency help. Financially JEMA usually funnels its relief funds through the national Church organization JEA which is in touch with the needs of the churches
Pocklington says their team is reminded of similar conditions in 1995, when the Kobe earthquake struck. "Not only was it a physical shaking in Japan, but it also shook up the lives of many people. Therefore, our prayer is that God would use this time to speak into the lives of many in Japan who need to know the Lord."
Please pray for the JEMA Churches of Japan that God will use them in these days to bring the Gospel to many who need to hear and believe. These churches will be helping in some ways to alleviate suffering and to minister in other ways to the victims of this disaster. Click here for more details.
