March 29, 2011
Rev. Stan L. Sniezek, senior pastor of New Life Alliance Church, West Palm Beach, Florida, and lead chaplain for the Lake Clarke Shores Police Department, was recently awarded an Exceptional Service Commendation. Chaplain Stan serves his community with the highest degree of professionalism. “Anytime you receive formal recognition from a government agency, it means a lot,” says Stan. ”The reassurance that you are doing an exceptional job is invaluable. This award spurs me on to continue to fight the good fight.”
Stan’s duties include-but are not limited to-counseling police officers, offering guidance to other members of the department and townspeople, making death notifications, visitation of the sick and hospitalized, and providing assistance to victims of trauma or crisis incidents, as well as offering invocations/benedictions at special events. Also, Stan is in the process of establishing CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) for the community. He will recruit and train local residents to join CERT.
“Being an Alliance chaplain with the police department has offered me a chance to minister to others outside the church,” he says. ”I have another congregation that I am involved with. I am a pastor not only to my church but also to the community.”
Learn More
Read about other Alliance chaplains who are impacting their world for Christ.
What You Can Do
Pray for Alliance chaplains, who are called by God to respond daily to lost and hurting people.
When you give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries, you enable Alliance workers to shine the light of Jesus into spiritually dark places.
Escalating violence—fallout from Côte d’Ivoire’s failed November political elections—has resulted in hundreds of deaths and an estimated 200,000 people having fled the country’s capital, Abidjan, where West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC) is located.
In the wake of increasing violence in Abidjan, FATEAC canceled classes Monday and Tuesday of this week (March 28–29). “Pray for God’s protection and provision for the whole FATEAC family,” said the school’s international team leaders Laura and Jeter Livingston this week.
The Livingstons are one of three couples comprising the international FATEAC team, which is presently relocated to Dakar, Senegal.
“We are very thankful that the whole team was able to finish the first semester and start on the second, leaving work to do while we are gone,” the Livingstons said. “In light of classes resuming on Wednesday (March 30), pray for us, and for the Harrisons, as we seek God’s face about a possible return to FATEAC on April 2.”
Political Backstory
FATEAC team members Cynthia and Matthew Cook described conditions in Abidjan. “The most recent exodus was started when the government asked young Ivoirian men to enlist in the military; these are militant, undisciplined supporters of Gbagbo, who has continued to hold on to power since losing last fall’s election.
“Opposition leader Ouatarra is supported by the United Nations, the African Union, and the United States as Côte d’Ivoire’s duly elected president, but he lives in a hotel and has no actual power in the country. Meanwhile, Gbagbo retains control of the government, army, and police. He refuses to step down. Thus, the followers of these two men continue to fight on the streets,” said the Cooks.
“Pray for FATEAC teachers and students to have wisdom in making decisions that will impact many lives. Pray for their safety. Pray for Peace!”
One More Thing You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance international workers—like our teams in Africa—to share the good news of Christ’s reconciling power with those desperate for hope.
Learn More
Read more background information about Côte d’Ivoire’s November elections and the FATEAC team’s response.
March 25, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from a communication received from Harry and Jane Landaw, field leaders for Japan, March 25, 2011.
Thank you for praying for us as we had the joy of passing out cookies and a small card with John 3:16-17 written on it to many evacuees today. Understandably, we were not allowed into the sleeping area where the 1,200 evacuees are living but were allowed to be in the area where they came to pick up their lunches.
It was a joy to say time after time, “Would you like a homemade cookie?” It was God’s blessing and placement that we were in the area where Starbucks® was giving away cups of coffee! And a cup of coffee needs a cookie, right? So, as people picked up their coffee, many accepted a cookie and the Word of God. We knew doors of opportunity opened up because of your prayers. From children to senior citizens, we handed out cookies as quickly as we could, along with the verses.
There were still cookies left at the end. A worker approached us and told that we were allowed to give out homemade goods because we were foreigners and wanted to encourage the evacuees, but that we had to stop. She said she would make sure the remaining cookies were made available at today’s suppertime.
We asked if we could come back tomorrow or next week, and she said no. We had been allowed the window of opportunity today, and we give God glory. Thank you so much for joining in prayer! Please pray with us for the power of God’s Word to bring eternal results. Also, pray for the evacuees in these uncertain days.
And, thank you to so many who are sending e-mails and assurances of prayer for the people of Japan in the aftermath of tragedy. We continue to believe that these are days of harvest as we ask God to push back the darkness so the Light of Jesus can shine in.
What you can do:
Read now » Read news from the field as it becomes available.
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By Don and Hazel Schaeffer, serving in Japan
The Alliance has seven Core Values that flow out of our passion for Jesus—the motivation behind our mission. In the formative years of our movement, the Holy Spirit instilled within A. B. Simpson a passion to reach people with no knowledge of Jesus Christ. That passion still lives in The Alliance today and is our first core value: Lost people matter to God. He wants them found. The following adapted excerpt from the Schaeffer’s recent prayer letter illustrates how it is never too late to reach out to lost people with the good news of Jesus.
In our fall update, we told the story of the conversion experience of Mrs. Yoshida’s mother just before she passed away. Her husband has a similar story. Takashi Yoshida had been baptized, but his bitterness toward his father, who had abused him, was so great that it hampered his spiritual growth. Takashi did everything in his power to please his father, but it was never enough.
Takashi’s father suffered from diabetes and long-term neglect of his body. In January, the call came to the church, saying that his days were numbered. Kouichi Motonomi, a seminary student, went immediately to the hospital and shared the gospel with the older Mr. Yoshida. A change came over him as he understood the good news for the first time. By looking at his father’s face, Takashi knew that a transformation had taken place.
Two days later in the hospital room, the senior Mr. Yoshida was baptized. Before his dad died, Takashi sat by his bed and said, “Arigatou, arigatou, arigatou”—“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Mr. Yoshida’s funeral was held at the church and deeply impacted the many unsaved relatives who attended. Praise God!
Learn More
Check out our work in Japan.
Read more about Alliance Core Values.
What You Can Do
Pray for Alliance international workers as they seek out lost people and introduce them to Jesus.
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with overseas workers, like the Schaeffers, to introduce lost people to Jesus.
March 24, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from a communication received from Harry and Jane Landaw, field leaders for Japan.
Pray for us as we minister to 1,200 earthquake evacuees, Thursday, March 24 (Friday in Japan). In partnership with a volunteer from CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support & Hope), we are distributing cookies to the displaced people from the quake region who are temporarily living at the Saitama Super Arena. Each individually wrapped cookie is accompanied by the verses John 3:16 and 17.
Pray that God will miraculously open all doors and lead in this ministry. We are not yet able to go to the immediate areas of the earthquake and tsunami because of the nuclear reactor problems, but God has brought 1,200 evacuees to a huge stadium just about 40 minutes away from where we are. They will be there for only a short time (about two weeks). We want to redeem the time and reach out in love and care.
Our dear friend and CRASH volunteer, Edie Town, says, “Please pray that God’s Word will be sown and reap a full harvest in the hearts of these dear people, who are taking all of this so graciously, caring for one another, polite as always, but nonetheless completely LOST WITHOUT JESUS.”
What you can do:
Read now » Read news from the field as it becomes available.
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March 23, 2011
By Steve and Debbi Clouser, serving in Burkina Faso
Earlier this month, Steve Clouser, pastor of the Ouaga 2000 Church in Burkina, led a seminar on spiritual warfare in the Republic of the Congo. It coincided with the Sangu ya Mbote (RSM) radio station’s 10-year anniversary celebration in Pointe Noire, Congo. Read about his fruitful trip in the following adapted excerpt of the recent Clouser Update.
We would like to thank all of you for praying for my ministry trip in Congo. The Lord blessed in remarkable ways—more than we expected. Our efforts were not without resistance but, through your prayers, we prevailed, and the Lord’s Name was glorified.
The first obstacle was my visa. A man had been paid to do the paperwork so the visa would be ready for my arrival in Congo, March 6. Well, the man took the money but he didn’t do the work. After many SOS prayer requests, and a number of trips to the immigration office, my visa paper suddenly appeared, duly stamped and signed. I got to the radio station in Pointe Noire a day late for the seminar.
Hundreds Attend Seminar, Celebration
Since I couldn’t appear the first night, the group had an evening of praise and intercession—something the Congolese Christians do very well. ”You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32) was the seminar’s theme verse. We saw approximately 350 people each night; about 400 attended the last night; but it’s impossible to know how many heard the Word, since some portions of the seminar were broadcast over the radio.
A meeting hall that seats approximately 600 people was rented Saturday night to celebrate the radio station’s 10-year anniversary. Many more people stood outside of the building. I was asked to give an inspirational, evangelistic message. Although the indoor audience was predominantly made up of Christians, many standing outside the facility prayed to receive Christ when the invitation was given.
Jesus’ Name Is Glorified
Many sought appointments for prayer during the week. We formed a team comprised of field workers Wyman and Carma Nelson and the radio director and his wife (Nicaise and Fabienne) to receive people and assist me in praying for them. Nicaise and his wife were invaluable in helping us to understand some of the cultural issues behind what people shared during the prayer sessions.
We prayed for 40 people in Pointe Noire and saw some dramatic change in people’s lives. We tried to avoid demonic manifestations during these prayer sessions, but sometimes, in the course of praying with people, these manifestations occured; when this happened, we cast the demons out. One woman rejoiced over her seven- or eight-year-old daughter. “I can’t believe it!” she exclaimed. “My daughter is delivered! We tried many times and no one could do it; all this man did was pray in the Name of Jesus!”
In Brazzaville, Congo’s capital, I gave the same seminar on Monday and Tuesday. Of the 40 people who attended—pastors, Bible school students, and laypeople—we prayed for about 10. On the second night, some of the people we had prayed for testified that they were set free in the Name of Jesus.
This is the fruit of your prayers: Not only were people saved and delivered from demonic oppression, but Jesus’ Name was glorified in the Republic of the Congo. Thank you for praying!
What You Can Do
Give to the Great Commission Fund. In doing so, you partner with international workers, like the Clousers, to share the peace and freedom found in Christ with those who are desperate for hope.
Learn More
Read another article by Steve and Debbie Clouser, “Won by Joy,” which describes exciting ministry returns in Burkina Faso.
March 21, 2011
“We wanted to share an e-mail we received on March 14, 2011, from a Kawaguchi (Alliance) Church member,” write international workers Don and Hazel Schaeffer in Japan. “We will let her words describe what many are feeling and experiencing after the 9.0 earthquake that has resulted in 18,000 deaths, with thousands missing or displaced.”
Thank you for your prayers. My relatives in Miyagi Prefecture are all fine and have been accounted for, and Kawaguchi Church members are all safe. I am so relieved and thankful. Pastor Aizawa has not been able to contact people from his former church in Sendai. Keep praying.
Yesterday, David Kindervater’s message from Psalm 46 caused us to think and reflect deeply. These last several days, my heart has cried out even though I know I should calm my heart. Sorrow, anger, and other emotions flow.
However, we know that God loves each person in this stricken area more than we can ever love them. When we are calm, we long for this to be a land that looks only for God’s glory.
At the moment, electric power is lacking in our area. Suspension of electricity has been planned in regions and is having an effect on stores. Most stores have “sold-out” signs where basic foods have disappeared. Even gas stations have lines, and gas sells out rapidly. But we are trying to be wise and cope by using smaller amounts and putting some away.
My relatives from the stricken area sent an e-mail saying that they don’t have electricity and water, so they are using candles and well water. They said they won’t give up!
My heart is so heavy.
Also, sometime this week, they are expecting a large aftershock to hit. We will still be in an emergency mode both at home and at school for a while. While things are settled, we will try to get done the things that we can. Please continue to pray that public peace and order will be maintained.
We are encouraged by the prayers of our Christian brothers and sisters overseas.
Thanking God,
Michiko
“We want to express our thanks to many of you who are praying for the crisis in Japan,” Don and Hazel add. “Prime Minister Kan says that this is the worst crisis to hit Japan since World War II. In many ways, the country seems just like that—a war zone. In a situation that continues to seem hopeless, pray for many to find HOPE. We are trusting God that not only will many Japanese come to know Him through this crisis, but also that the faith of Japanese believers will be strengthened.”
What you can do:
Read now » Read news from the field as it becomes available.
Give now » Make an online donation at on camaservices.org
By Dr. Brett MacLean, serving at Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children, Mali, West Africa
In the following adapted excerpt from the MacLean’s recent newsletter, Dr. Brett speaks to the power of Matthew 11 in the context of Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world.
“‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
—Matthew 11:2b
Lately, this passage from Matthew 11 keeps coming into my head. John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Christ for whom the people of Israel had been waiting for so very long.
Rather than responding with a “Yes!” Jesus answered: “‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.‘”
Over the last few months, we have been blessed to see time and again how the Kingdom of God has come to the people of Mali and how He is actively working among them. He has proclaimed Himself God Most High in word and deed to Malians who have been suffering for so long and in need of physical and spiritual healing.
“The Lame Walk . . .”
Aminata had severe pain and swelling in her ankles and wrists for two years, to the point that she could no longer walk. Her family traveled to the hospital from more than an hour away, and we were able to diagnose the eight-year-old with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. After some steroid injections into her joints, and a few other medicines, she is up walking again—and always smiling.
Skin Diseases Healed
Eczema and psoriasis may not be leprosy. But after years of suffering, unable to walk because of sores on their feet and unable to sleep due to intense itching, patients have come from as far as four hours away for treatment.
What we in the United States understand as common illnesses have all been misdiagnosed here, leading to suffering—physical and financial—for the children and their families. Families are overjoyed with the healing they have seen. And I also want to thank my friend, dermatologist Dr. Scott Crater, in Fort Myers, Florida, who has helped with the cases we see.
Good News Proclaimed
February is dry season. Since there isn’t any work for villagers to do in the fields, it is a perfect time to conduct mobile medical clinics, especially in towns that have never heard of Jesus. The Malian national church has placed a Malian pastor, Simeon, and his family in the town of Tempela; although he has had great discussions with people this past year, he had yet to see anyone follow Christ.
So last month, a team from our hospital made up of Malians and Westerners, including visitors from Christ Community Church in Omaha, went to Tempela to provide free medical care for a day. Hundreds of patients were seen, including three severely dehydrated babies to whom we gave IV fluids, from bottles hung from a mango tree, until we could take them back to the hospital for further care. That evening, we showed a film about Jesus, and the gospel was explained.
As a result of God working through Simeon over the last year, and our work that day, Tempela now has its first 10 followers of Christ!
What You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like Dr. Brett MacLean, to minister healing to the sick and proclaim good news to the poor.
Learn More
Read Dr. Brett’s alife article, “1,000,000 and One, Ministering Christ’s Compassion in Mali,” in the March 2010 issue.
Check out Koutiala Hospital’s Web site. Note: Clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.
March 18, 2011
By Randy and Deanna Harrison, serving in Côte d’Ivoire
Randy and Deanna Harrison teach at West Africa Alliance Seminary (FATEAC), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire—they’re one of three international couples working at the school. Although displaced from the West African nation in December because of political unrest, the team returned to FATEAC in mid-February. The following is an adapted excerpt of the Harrisons’ recent account describing life these days in Abidijan, the country’s capital.
Explaining our circumstances is . . . complicated. The situation in our country of service, Cote d’Ivoire, is complicated. It became complicated when we ended up with two men claiming to be president at the same time a few months ago; it certainly hasn’t gotten any simpler since then.
Even the changing phrases describing what is going on in Côte d’Ivoire infer the increasing complexity of life here. First, everyone talked about “La Situation”; then it became “Le Conflit” (The Conflict). Now folks are openly saying “La Guerre” (The War).
Moving
It is hard to imagine that it has only been about a month since we arrived back in Abidjan. So much has happened and is happening. We’ll try to explain, but bear with us. It’s complicated.
The first order of business after arriving in Abidjan was to pack up our stuff and move out of our apartment. Although we felt safe there, the 30-minute drive from our apartment to the seminary, where we teach, winds right past the university, which is always a hot bed of political unrest. We also pass the United Nations’ (UN) camp, where you can almost be guaranteed excitement in the way of demonstrations, protests, sit-ins, UN tanks, or tear gas being used to disperse crowds.
Before and after the UN camp, we encounter various official and unofficial roadblocks manned by soldiers, police, members of the youth militia, and various and sundry self-appointed neighborhood “peace keepers.” Some are semi-pleasant, some are downright scary; they search cars, check identity papers, ask for money—the process has kept our stomachs tied up in knots.
Our colleagues, Matt and Cindy Cook, decided to finish up their classes in concentrated, modular units and relocate to Senegal. Their lovely home is only a 10-minute walk from FATEAC, and they very kindly invited us to move in with them and then to take over the house when they moved to Senegal earlier this month. So far, our new neighborhood is calm (although we can sometimes hear shooting in the distance), and commuting to work is 100-percent less complicated.
Complications in Daily Life
We wish we could say the same for the whole city. Thousands are fleeing certain neighborhoods where the fighting is most fierce. People are stuck in their houses, unable to venture out into their streets, which have become battlefields. In the “calmer neighborhoods,” people are taking in the displaced; one of our students was telling us that his family now has 14 extra relatives living with them.
And we are putting clean sheets on our guest bed. As colleagues find it more and more challenging to get to work, we have invited them to weather the storm with us here.
In the meantime, there are even more complications. Shortages are everywhere—gas is completely unavailable, and rumors are that the diesel supply is about to run out. That, of course, affects public transportation. We also can’t find propane gas, which we use for cooking. Major banks have closed, making it challenging for the seminary to pay teachers and for students to receive scholarship moneys. The only reason we have personal cash right now is because we brought some with us from Senegal. Of course, that can’t last forever.
But our problems are minor compared to those of our African brothers and sisters. Because of money shortages, the economy is breaking down. Salaries aren’t being paid, schools are closing, and food prices are soaring. Every church service and prayer meeting seems to be centered on praying for the country, for victims of the war, and for peace.
Amazingly enough, in the midst of all of these complications, second semester classes at FATEAC have started. Although some students haven’t been able to make it to class due to adverse circumstances, the majority are showing up and making a huge effort to study and concentrate despite very challenging circumstances. We are busy trying to make up the classes we missed from last semester as well as getting started on this semester’s work.
Grateful
In an effort to share honestly about some of the complications of life in Côte d’Ivoire, we don’t want to give the wrong impression. Although grieve for, and are in constant prayer for, the difficult, complicated circumstances and countrywide suffering, we are nonetheless grateful to be here.
We are grateful for finding a home within walking distance of FATEAC. We are grateful for the Cooks’ kind hospitality. We are grateful that our team leaders, Jeter and Laura Livingston, are nearby. We are grateful for the appreciation that our students and fellow teachers have expressed at our return. We are grateful to be able to continue to teach at FATEAC and to be here for the students during this difficult time. We are grateful that our presence can be an encouragement to the school’s faculty and staff.
We don’t know what the future holds. We suspect that our lives may get even more complicated. But we are at peace that, for now, we are where the Lord wants us to be. And that’s the simple, uncomplicated truth.
What You Can Do
“There has also been looting of stores owned by foreigners and increasing rhetoric inciting anger against foreigners,” writes Dr. Chris Braun, Alliance Regional Director for Africa. “Prayer is desperately needed for Côte d’Ivoire.”
Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like the Harrisons, to ensure that the message of God’s healing grace and reconciliation continues to be proclaimed to people desperate for the good news.
Learn More
Read an article about how God has provided for the FATEAC family during this crisis.
March 17, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from a communication received from Harry and Jane Landaw, field leaders for Japan.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us here in Japan. At this time, all members of our Alliance team are safe. Our hearts are deeply troubled with the suffering of those in the northern part of Japan, where the tsunami destroyed entire towns and villages. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost everything.
The Alliance has thirteen U.S. international workers and four Canadian workers, serving from Hiroshima in the western part of Japan to here in the Tokyo area, which is considered eastern Japan. The devastation from the tsunami took place about 130 miles north of where we are living (Tokorozawa is about 19 miles west of downtown Tokyo), along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Although Tokyo was not hit by the large tsunami, there was major damage here from the earthquake, which is now reported to have been of a magnitude of 8.0 in our area.
We continue to feel many aftershocks and tremors throughout the days and nights. Tuesday night at 10:30 p.m., as we were preparing to go to bed, an aftershock registering 7.0 occurred on the other side of Tokyo, moving toward Hiroshima. For the first time in our lives, we slept with our jeans and sweatshirts on. These aftershocks are expected to continue for quite a while yet.
Gasoline is basically impossible to purchase, and electricity is more and more limited. Most items at the supermarket are available with the exception of certain products-rice, milk, toilet paper, and the radiation masks that we are wearing these day. People are trying to stay indoors as much as possible because of the nuclear threat. The radius around the reactors is now at a 50-mile evacuation. We are about 90 miles away from that perimeter in our area.
The weather has turned quite cold, and it is snowing in the region of the epicenter of the earthquake. There are nearly 3,000 evacuation centers, and many have no heat or electricity. Food and water are scarce. It is very serious.
It is very difficult to keep our minds focused on anything other than what has happened, what we need to do to prepare for more problems, and how to go about ministering not only to the people in the northern region but also to everyone throughout Japan who is suffering at this time.
The Worse Calamity since World War II
On Sunday night, March 13, the Prime Minister spoke to the nation, saying that this is the worst calamity to come to Japan since the destruction from World War II. His challenge to the people was very moving. The government and the civil defense forces are working hard to get necessities to those who have been rescued, as well as searching for those who might still be alive. Many nations have sent rescue teams to help. What a thrill it was to see our U.S. rescue teams arrive at Aomori Airbase on Monday.
The nuclear reactor situation is also very serious and presents another complex threat to the rescue efforts. The U.S. Aircraft Carrier SS Ronald Reagan has arrived and has been involved in rescue missions. However, after the explosion at the nuclear facility, radiation was detected in the area, so the carrier moved further out to sea. Small amounts of radiation were found on the helicopters used in the rescue mission and on the clothing of the servicemen. Since then, as you have seen on TV, there have been a series of related problems, which have not been resolved. The situation is quite tense, and it is difficult to get accurate information all of the time.
How You Can Help
Many of you are writing and asking, “How can we help?” “What can we do?” “What do you need?” Obviously, the most important thing is prayer. When natural disasters occur, we always wonder why something like this happened and where God is in all this. The only thing that we know for sure is that God is the source of our strength, and His strength is unleashed when His people pray. Please pray for the nation of Japan. Pray for the many who have suffered so much loss. Pray for those in the nation who have lost their loved ones. Pray that Christians and churches can minister effectively to those who are hurting with so many emotional needs right now.
Many missions organizations in Japan have received inquiries about assistance from outside of Japan. CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates), the relief and development arm of the C&MA, is partnering with CRASH Japan (Christian, Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope), an organization already on the ground with a large network of experienced volunteers who know the culture and language. CAMA is the conduit by which our Alliance team in Japan will be assisting in ministries. For people from the United States, we are encouraging everyone to contribute through CAMA. CAMA will then send those funds either directly to CRASH Japan or through our Japan Alliance mission account, and we will pass them on to CRASH Japan.
Missions organizations in Japan, along with the national church associations, are partnering with CRASH to minister to the needs of churches and Christians in the areas of the destruction. The goal is then to establish bases of operation at key places in the affected area to do relief and recover ministries. It is important to note that CRASH is not a “rescue” organization. There are many professional rescue groups, including the Japanese Civil Defense Force and U.S. military personnel who are stationed here in Japan, along with more than 90 nations around the world that have sent rescue teams to search for those who are still missing.
Because the situation is still very unstable with many aftershocks and with the threat of a nuclear catastrophe, it is impossible to send volunteers to the area right now. The professionals are there, and they are doing their best to perform search and rescue operations.
Many people are asking, “Can I send you clothing, toothbrushes, blankets, or food to give to those who have lost everything?” The experience of CRASH, in their previous relief efforts here in Japan, has shown them that the Japanese system is very effective in providing emergency supplies; therefore, items such as clothing, blankets, and food from outside the country are not really needed and will just get in the way of the relief effort. There are no places to handle storage or delivery of those things.
Right now, CRASH is gathering intelligence. Teams have been sent to investigate possible sites for setting up relief ministries. CRASH is also gathering information on available resources, such as you. If you are thinking of coming to Japan to assist in some way, I would suggest getting your passports in order and arranging for housing, transportation, food, etc. You would have to make arrangements for travel to and from the airports to the Command Center located in Higashi Kurume, Tokyo. It is important to remember that, for volunteers, there are no funds available to house or feed any of the volunteers who come to help. That would all be at personal expense.
As mentioned in press releases on the CRASH Web site, there is a tremendous need for financial donations at this time. Just the logistics of setting up the Command Center will require a significant amount of funds. None of the volunteers here will be paid, so your gifts will be used to do relief and recovery in the affected areas. You can make contributions through CAMA.
Please understand that even though Tokyo was not hit with the tsunami, those of us living in the Tokyo area are being affected by all of this. There is a shortage of commodities everywhere. Jane went to the grocery store at 9:30 a.m., and all of the milk was gone. Lines at the checkouts stretched from the front all the way to the back of the store. Fortunately, we have enough food at this time, our water situation is good, and we have a roof over our heads. We feel blessed.
A Complex Situation
Because of the problems with the nuclear reactors, the power company has put this part of Japan on a rotating power outage. Every day, for approximately three hours, each area in this section of Japan will have a power outage. This is designed to protect the entire nation from having a blackout. That means that, in certain parts of the area, trains are not running. I have been trying to buy gas for our car since Monday morning but still have not been able to find any available. It is becoming more and more difficult to get around, as different train lines are shut down at various times. If our train line is shut down, and it was on Monday, we would have to walk for miles to get to a train station that was operating. Just “living” has gotten much more complex.
The reason for sharing all this is not to make you feel sad for us. We are blessed because we are alive and have a place to live. However, if you were to come to Japan right now, it would be very difficult for you to get around, and it would be impossible for those of us who are here to get to where you are. It is still not safe. The advice that we are receiving is to have people wait until it can be determined that the earthquake aftershocks have ceased and the nuclear reactor problem has been resolved. Until then, bringing in people from outside the country to volunteer is very dangerous. We appreciate your patience and your prayers while we wait for things to settle down here.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you as you assist us in this relief and recovery ministry.
With gratitude for your faithful support,
Harry and Jane
What you can do:
Read now » Read news from the field as it becomes available.
Give now » Make an online donation at on camaservices.org
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