A2 Blog Centre

Asian Access Receives $1M Matching Opportunity

Asian Access

Help us match $1,000,000 to bring hope to Japan, as they rebuild . . .

As we near the first anniversary of Japan's March 11 Triple Disaster, Asian Access has just received a $US 1,000,000 matching opportunity to bring hope and healing to the country.

While we were devastated by the horrific disaster that hit the country nearly a year ago and have grieved with our friends and the country, we are also encouraged by the hope that has birthed out of the ashes of destruction. The Lord has turned a tsunami of destruction into a tsunami of love, and Japanese leaders have reflected on the similarities between this situation and the reality of the pain in the cross of Christ and the corresponding hope that came three days later through the resurrection.

The spiritual healing that is occurring across the affected regions is profound as believers have served as the hands and feet of Jesus bringing hope and healing to the country. This is indeed a "kairos" or God-moment for the Church in Japan; what many have called "Japan's Hour for the Hope of Christ"!

With this, Asian Access launched a strategic sending partnership with SIM USA to help meet the needs. For the first time in my 30 year cross-cultural ministry career, I've heard local pastors asking me to send hundreds of missionaries to help them in Japan and this partnership will help us meet the need.

With this matching gift, you can help us meet the need to bring hope and healing to the country. Please join us by prayerfully considering a gift to help meet the match; consider whether God might be calling you to Go to Japan; and to pray for the people of Japan following the triple disaster that so deeply affected them last year.

To give toward the match, either send a check to Asian Access marked: "$1M Matching Gift" or give online here. If you indicate "$1M Matching Gift" on your check, your gift will be doubled!

Please join us in praying and in giving to help the people of Japan in the midst of this enormous challenge and opportunity!

Joe Handley, President
Asian Access

P.S. - to find out more, go to our web page for this matching gift:
http://www.asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Matching-Gift.html

A Progress Update on Japan Disaster Relief

Asian Access

What’s been happening 9 months after March 11

By Takeshi Takazawa

Evacuation Sites Closed

For better or for worse, government-registered evacuation sites have now all been closed in northeast Japan. Out of the 330,00 former residents, over 75% moved to temporary housing; the rest had to move in with friends or relatives or completely outside of the area. Temporary housing is a pre-fab apartment, equipped for basic living. However, these units are small—one bedroom for a family of four and share a wall with another unit. Also, residents need to do everything on their own (e.g., feed themselves, do laundry and cleaning, shopping, etc.), in many cases, without transportation. Nearly everyone lost their cars in the disaster, and the location of the temporary housing units are not convenient for shopping.

In order to maintain equality, residents are assigned to certain units by drawing. As a result, many people separated from their families and communities, are isolated and feel lonely. Furthermore it costs money to live in these small units, but these folks do not have jobs or income. Winter has begun to set in and it’s becoming very cold. Currently, warm blankets, space heaters and jackets are being distributed by several relief organizations that have purchased these goods locally to help the economy.

Entering the Rebuilding Phase

Meanwhile, the majority of debris has been removed from most of the cities. Personal homes have been cleaned and refurbished by organizations and volunteers such as Samaritans Purse, Food for the Hungry and CRASH/Japan, and others.

We are now moving out of rescue and transitioning into the rebuilding stage. In order to rebuild, they need to replace walls and floors. Many of the first floors need to be completely redone because of the mud and salt water. This task requires many volunteer workers since people do not have money to rebuild. When the cleaning out and rebuilding is complete on a house, Christian volunteers pray for blessing for the family and the house. People are often moved to tears when this happens.

Faith & Fatigue

Churches have been very active in this rebuilding stage, just as they have in the previous relief stages. They visit door-to-door both the temporary housing units, as well as disaster victims staying in damaged houses. As soon as they learn of what is needed, they provide for those specific needs. They see the openness toward the gospel in people to whom they minister. Those who have developed genuine relationships begin to see people come to faith. At the same time, most church leaders have been involved non-stop in this work for the past 9 months, and some of them are experiencing fatigue.

A Story of Collaboration & Partnership

One of the Conservative Baptist house churches had been damaged by the tsunami, but with the help of insurance and aid, this family was able to move to a near-by community and re-start their house church. Through God's orchestration, they loaned their damaged house to a church planter who was seeking to start a church in the afflicted area. This church planter cleaned and restored the destroyed first floor and they just had their grand opening with volunteers and the new believers in their neighborhood. They will celebrate this Christmas with a Baptism Service for those who accepted Christ after the disaster. Out of this disaster, there are now two churches where there was only one before. Not only that, but this Mennonite Brethren Church was started in partnership with the Conservative Baptist Church. This is just another example of the denominational wall being knocked down by this disaster. It is not an exaggeration to say that all churches are coming together to lift up our Lord’s name in the disaster-affected areas.

Missionaries & Funds Needed!

As for Asian Access, we hope to continue to deploy missionaries in this region to serve in partnership with the national churches, where the needs are great. Working alongside Japanese believers, missionaries could make a lasting impact. There is plenty of room for many to come and serve. And with our strategic partnership with SIM USA, we also have increased capacity to mobilize more missionaries.

GO: If you or anyone you know is interested in serving in Japan, please go to: http://www.go2japan.org

GIVE: For those of you who wish to give to the Japan Tsunami Relief Fund, you can still do so at: http://www.asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Tsunami-Relief-Fund.html

Thank you very much for your interest in the people of Japan and for your ongoing partnership in His kingdom. Please continue pray for Japan in this critical time. May God’s grace and peace be yours.

About the Photo: Standing with Pastor Koji Kumada, the Mennonite Brethren pastor of the church, originally planted by the Conservative Baptists.

Japan Relief featured on the Frank Pastore Show

Asian Access

Pastors to share about Japan and Asian Access

On Wednesday, December 14, two pastors in Southern California will be interviewed on The Frank Pastore radio show in Los Angeles in order to highlight ongoing relief efforts in Japan. The Frank Pastore Show is aired live from 4:00-7:00 PM (PST) on KKLA 99.5FM, as well as live on the internet.

Pastor Cliff Asai
Westlight Church

Pastor Danny Furukawa
Shepherd of the Hills / Westside Church

These pastors are familiar with Asian Access and have indicated they will encourage listeners to give toward Asian Access' tsunami relief fund. Furthermore, they are requesting our readers to listen and to call in during the broadcast with questions or comments. The more interest there is in this particular topic, the more likely they may schedule follow-up interviews about Japan and the relief work there. Perhaps even Asian Access would be invited to share in future episodes.

So please call in!

This is a tremendous opportunity to share about the awesome work God is doing in Japan and build further prayer and financial support in reaching the country for Christ. May the Lord be glorified and Japan be blessed through this broadcast.

KKLA FM Radio - The Frank Pastore Show

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 from 4:00-7:00PM PST

Radio: 99.5FM (in Los Angeles)

Listen live on internet: http://den-a.plr.liquidcompass.net/player/flash/audio_player.php?id=KKLAFM&uid=103
Interact on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/frankpastoreshow

Telephone line: 1-888-995-KKLA (5552)

Japan Tsunami Relief Fund:
http://www.asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Tsunami-Relief-Fund.html

What are Japanese pastors crying for... and why are they crying?

Asian Access

The latest about the ongoing relief efforts in Japan

I just returned from Japan, where Asian Access collaborated with Churches Helping Churches to put on another pastor's retreat in the disaster zone in northeast Japan. While there, I was interviewed by Mission Network News (12.05.11) about the ongoing relief efforts—how they're impacting the community, as well as the pastors who lead this work. You can read the MNN article here...

I am posting my full interview here so that you can be more informed as you pray. Here are a few of the things you'll hear:

Why are pastors crying? And what are they crying for?
Why did we invite a pastor from Sri Lanka to share with Japanese pastors?
Why are pastors key leaders in the relief work? And why do they feel guilty?
What do Japanese government leaders really think about local churches and pastors?
What are Japanese people desperate for?
Why did a woman give up her wedding ring?
Why are some 'roadblocks to faith' being removed? Why are their hearts open like never before?
How did a church in hard-hit Ishinomaki experience tremendous growth?
Why hundreds of new missionaries are needed and what will they do?
How can we be praying for Japanese pastors and people?

I hope you enjoy listening to my interview, conducted by Greg Yoder at MNN. Thank you so much for your interest in the Japanese people and our work among these wonderful people.

Joe Handley, President
Asian Access

p.s. - If you don't see an audio player, click here...

Pastors providing relief in Japan, but tired

Asian Access

Hundreds of missionaries needed for Japan, along with community centers

JAPAN (MNN) ― More problems plagued Japan's damaged nuclear power plant over the weekend. According to reports, 45 tons of highly-radioactive water leaked from the Fukushima power station into a gutter that leads to the Pacific Ocean. This was the result of cracks in the runoff container's concrete wall.

While this is another setback in the March 11 devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami, the work of Japanese Christians is ongoing. Their ongoing care to the disaster victims in the region is nothing short of amazing. This hard work may be what propels the church into future outreach.

President of Asian Access Joe Handley is in Japan. Speaking to us through Skype, he told MNN's Greg Yoder that Asian Access went into the disaster zone to host a pastor's seminar/retreat. It was held for those who lived through the triple disaster but who have also been at the forefront of the relief efforts. "We wanted to go encourage them, strengthen them, come alongside them, and provide counsel."

Asian Access invited Adrian DeViser, national director of A2/Sri Lanka, who experienced the Asian tsunami in 2004.

Handley says these pastors have not only provided the initial relief, but they're doing all sorts of things: "anything from small business creation, to providing aid, counsel and grief care when necessary. But they're tired. They're really worn out."

Handley says because of the efforts of the church, they're now more trusted in the community. The city of Ishinomaki is just one example. "The city governing officials were touched by what the church was doing. They told them, 'You know, there are a lot of people providing relief, but you guys really have a heart, and we want to help you.' So the walls between community and church have completely fallen."

However, the churches are now in a situation where they need their space to handle the incredible growth, while also continuing to help the needy. Handley says they've "started to establish centers for hope. And they're hoping to construct some buildings that will be dormitories and relief centers so they can move out of the churches being the centers to actually having a relief center."

Asian Access is raising money for this purpose.

These centers could be instrumental in seeing many turn to Christ. Handley says, "This is a new season in Japan. Pastor after pastor said to me, 'Joe, we need hundreds of missionaries to come to Japan. This is the hour.'"

Because people are searching for hope, Handley believes there's an openness to Christ. "These pastors say we only have a small window here to invest. And that window is anywhere from two to three years. They say, 'We're desperate. We need help.'"

Just one example of the hunger is a church that had a congregation of 10 people. It now numbers 50. "Ten of those people have now been baptized. And all 50 of them have said, 'We so love these people and this church we're going to invite three people to come on Christmas.' "

If you're interested in becoming a missionary to Japan, supporting the work of Asian Access, or simply want more information, go to http://www.go2japan.org.

Listen to the MNN broadcast...

(4 min.)

Photo: Pastor Adrian De Visser speaking at a pastors' retreat in Japan. (photo by Joe Handley)
If you don't see an audio player, click here...
This story was originally published by Mission Network News. Read online here.
See other A2 stories covered by MNN.
Read Joe Handley's staff profile.

3 Waves� 3 Walls: Reflections following Japan's Triple Disaster

Asian Access

And the walls came a tumblin' down!

The last few months I've been listening carefully to pastors from Japan share their reflections post 3/11/11. Their learning is profound because their reflections are deep.

As you know, Japan was hit by a triple disaster on March 11, 2011 with three distinct waves:

The 9.0 earthquake which did relatively little damage given the size and scope of the quake and following aftershocks.
The tsunami which brought the most devastation, wiping out over 86 entire communities and destroying homes, businesses, churches and families.
And finally, the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear facility.

As many have reflected on the spiritual condition of the country following the disaster, the following themes are surfacing. There are three distinct walls that have fallen:

The separation between church and community: Churches across Northeastern Japan have been the center of providing shelter, relief, and supplies. Most notable are the voices of children heard in various regions saying: "Grandma, Jesus is coming… Mr. Christ is holding a BBQ… Jesus brought us food… Jesus brought us clothing!" Prior to this disaster the church was a fairly mysterious entity in the region but now it is known as the place where help is coming from.
The walls between churches: Now denominations have banded together to work for the common good of the people and to share the hope that lies within. One church whose attendance has sky-rocketed and seen 10 new baptized believers has people attending who are so touched, that they have pledged to invite 2-3 people each for Christmas celebration. This includes mostly people who have yet to put their full trust in Christ. This same church cannot afford to purchase the land they lease so three different denominations have banded together to raise the funds and purchase the property. Praise God for this Brethren Church and the Evangelical Free and Presbyterian Church of Japan for rallying together to help one another. The common pledge across the denominational spectrum is 'we commit to work together and not build walls between us'.
The wall between Japan and the world: The global church has rallied to Japan's side following this horrific disaster and the community and bonds that have been established will continue for many years. Of particular note was the work of the Haitian Church. In the midst of their own pain and loss, they raised about $3,000 to help the people of Japan – one lady even went so far to sell her wedding ring to stand by her sisters and brothers in Japan. What a powerful story of the community of Christ rallying behind one another… Rich and Poor alike, saying we are committed to helping one another through crises.

Finally, the point of greatest reflection: the cross of Christ.

As one looks at the pain Jesus bore on Calvary, in human terms one cannot imagine something good resulting. Everything we know of the cross is bad: pain, torture, agony and ultimately death. The same can be said of the tragedy that hit Japan.

However, there is an unseen story behind both the cross and the triple disaster in Japan. Hope rises from the ashes as Jesus brought life from his death on the cross. Today millions of people have been helped and influenced by the model of Jesus and countless souls will live for eternity because of His great love for us. So too, Japan's triple disaster is now showing signs of hope and life following the horrible affects of the devastation. As seen in the stories above, churches across Japan and across the world have rallied to be the church and bring new life from mounds of destruction.

Thank you this Thanksgiving season for rallying behind Japan during their hour of greatest need! Please continue to pray!

Joseph W. Handley, Jr.
President, Asian Access

p.s. - The first photo was taken in Miyagi about 2 weeks after the tsunami hit. The second photo is of Pastor Minegishi and his wife, who left their church in Kesennuma for higher ground just 18 minutes before the wave destroyed their church and home. But the wave didn't destroy the church's cross or their hope.

Japanese church seeks help with rebuilding plans

Asian Access

The Daily Herald, a Chicago suburb newspaper covered one of Pastor Sato's "Exodus Church" presentations. Here's an excerpt from Deborah Donovan's informative article "Japanese church seeks help with rebuilding plans" . . .

"It was very difficult to get food for the 70 people at once. We had no gas. The mountain road was not very well paved and icy. We thought we were going to die if we slipped," said the minister [Pastor Akira Sato] . "It was a drama like a movie."

Eventually, the 70 [Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church] congregants ended up at a retreat center owned by German Christians near Tokyo. Each family has a room in a building similar to a dormitory, and they will be allowed to stay until April.

The congregation has been able to buy land in a town called Iwaki outside the evacuation area but still in Fukushima prefecture, or state.

They are raising money to build a church, but since rental housing is so scarce in the area, they also purchased a small apartment building for members to live in. Ironically, many of the jobs that congregants lost were at the power plants.

"I was surprised the church never died because of this," said Sato, adding that the disaster has strengthened the ties among its members. "We became an everyday church, not a once-a-week church."

Aside from fundraising, he traveled to the area also to talk with a publisher about producing an English translation of his book about the catastrophe and his vision for recovery. The volume, "Exodus Church," has already been printed in Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

He compares the congregation’s journey to Bible stories of the Israelites being forced to go to Babylon and Moses wandering in the desert for 40 years after leading his people from Egypt.

Citing the simple pleasures of a mattress after sleeping on the floor for five days, warm food after days of cold meals in the winter, not to mention the joy of a shower, he said, "We realize that there’s not many things that we need in order to live."

Sato said a good thing about the March tragedy is that it tore down walls: walls between the few Christians in Japan and the Buddhist majority, between the different Christian denominations, and between Japan and the world that came to help. "We lost everything and we receive many things," Sato said. "We are very happy people."

The church can be reached at its website, f1church.com.

Members of Japan’s Self-Defense Force help members of the Baptist congregation evacuate their homes. (photo courtesy Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church)

A portion of the congregation of the Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church form a prayer circle after its multistage exodus journey out of the evacuation zone. (photo courtesy Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church)

The Daily Herald has several photos, including Pastor Sato's congregation.
More info: http://asianaccess.org/exoduschurch

Christian Post story on Pastor Sato's 'Exodus Church' presentation

Asian Access

Pastor Akira Sato of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church recently shared his congregation's collective experience with several audiences in Southern California and Chicago. The presentation was called "Exodus Church," because his entire congregation was forced to evacuate as a result of the Fukushima nuclear power plant damaged by the tsunami on his 54th birthday—March 11, 2011. He has written a book by the same name, which is currently the best-selling Christian book in Japan.

Pastor Sato felt led to share with Christians all over the world what he and his church have learned over the past seven months. People listened intently to the pastor's honest reflections and seemed to digest the spiritual insights garnered through the biggest trial of his life. As far as I observed, everyone was touched quite deeply by hearing his story. Presentations were often tear-filled, and that includes speaker, translator and audience members.

Pastor Akira Sato with wife Chieko. (photo courtesy Sumi Sellon and Saddleback Church)

Here's one of several verses Rev. Sato shared:

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

The Christian Post covered Pastor Sato's event at Saddleback Church, and it's an article well worth reading. You can find that article here:

Fukushima Pastor Tells Story of Japan's 'Exodus Church'

By Alex Murashko | Christian Post Reporter

Pastor Akira Sato with translator Takeshi Takazawa. (Photo courtesy Don Haynes and Saddleback Church)

Here are a few photos from various events in Southern California...

Evergreen Baptist Church - San Gabriel Valley

Community Baptist Church

Saddleback Church

Takeshi Takazawa who was translating commented that for Pastor Sato, just having ears to hear his story greatly ministered to Sato-sensei and Chieko-san. Let's continue to pray for them during this exodus journey.

See more photos taken at these events...
Other So. Cal. events included Renaissance Church of Norco, Fuller Theological Seminary, and First Baptist Church Oceanside.
More on Pastor Sato and his church:
- http://asianaccess.org/exoduschurch
- http://f1church.com
Earlier stories by Christian Post about Pastor Sato's church:
- Nuclear Disaster Uproots Fukushima Baptist Church (April 3,2011)
- Tokyo Electric Power Company Fails to Plug Radioactive Leak (April 4, 2011)

Exodus from Japan's Ground Zero

Asian Access

Pastor Sato heads to the U.S. to personally share about Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church's experience following the nuclear disaster in Japan!

Meet Akira Sato, Senior Pastor of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church—located just a few miles from Japan’s failed nuclear reactor site. His town evacuated. His congregation displaced. And today, members of Fukushima First Baptist Church are on their own Exodus journey. But their faith? It’s unshaken.

Rev. Sato, author of best-selling book, "Exodus Church," is compelled to share their collective experience with the global Church in North America and beyond, and now you have a chance to hear firsthand what has happened.

Through our disaster relief work, God provides Asian Access with a front row seat to see His goodness and grace in the face of unspeakable disaster.

Join Asian Access in early October in Los Angeles or Chicago for an update from Japan that you'll likely not soon forget. Experience stories from people who understand the situation firsthand in disaster stricken areas.

We saved your seat. Please join us at any of these events!

Attendance at all these events is free, but please RSVP (see below for details).
More Info: http://www.asianaccess.org/exoduschurch
These Asian Access events are held in partnership with other great organizations, such as WorldVenture, Saddleback Church's PEACE Plan & Purpose Driven Training in Southern California, and Churches Helping Churches (Chicago event).

Download Promotional Flyer

Master Flyer [pdf]: All 7 events

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EVENTS

To attend any SoCal. event, please RSVP:

exoduschurch@asianaccess.org ...or... call (626) 914-8990.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2011

Evergreen Baptist Church San Gabriel Valley

323 Workman Mill Road, La Puente, CA 91746

11:30am - Light lunch served
12:00-1:30pm - Pastor Sato shares

Download promo flyer [pdf]

Renaissance Church of Norco

1860 Town & Country Road, Norco, CA 92860

7:00-8:30pm - Pastor Sato shares
Held in partnership with WorldVenture

Download promo flyer [pdf]

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011

Fuller Theological Seminary

135 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182

12:00-1:30pm - Fuller "Brown Bag" lunch, talk with the students
1:30-3:00pm - Fuller Faculty Meeting

Download promo flyer [pdf]

Community Baptist Church

9090 19th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701

6:00pm - Light meal served
6:30-8:00pm - Pastor Sato shares
Held in partnership with WorldVenture

Download promo flyer [pdf]

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2011

First Baptist Church of Oceanside

240 Grace Street, Oceanside, CA 92054

11:00am - Light lunch served
11:30am-1:00pm - Pastor Sato shares
Held in partnership with WorldVenture

Download promo flyer [pdf]

Saddleback Church

1 Saddleback Pkwy, Plaza Room, Lake Forest, CA 92630

6:00pm - Light meal served
6:30-8:00pm - Pastor Sato shares
Held in partnership with Saddleback Church's "The PEACE Plan" and Purpose Driven Training

Download promo flyer [pdf]

CHICAGO AREA EVENT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011

Park Community Church
1001 N. Crosby St., Chicago, IL 60610

7:00-9:00pm
Light meal served before the event.
Held in partnership with Churches Helping Churches.
For more information, contact CHC at: information@churcheshelpingchurches.com or call (847) 398-7024 x 3452.

Download promo flyer [pdf]

More about Pastor Akira Sato

Pastor Akira Sato was born in Yamagata, Japan on March 11, 1957. He became senior pastor of Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church upon his graduation from Japan Bible Seminary in 1982. He led a struggling congregation into a four-campus multisite church. Rev. Sato is also a graduate and faculty of Asian Access' leader development ministry in Japan, JCGI Network. He has been involved training pastors through JCGI Network for the past twenty years.

His latest book called "Rurou no Kyokai" ("Exodus Church") is currently the best-selling Christian book in Japan. Fukushima First Bible Baptist Church buildings are located only about three miles from the nuclear power plant destroyed by the Tsunami. His entire congregation was forced to evacuate from their homes and community, and they are all uncertain when they will be allowed to return home. Sixty church members stayed together and are still living in a Christian camp west of Tokyo. He has been leading them and is working on helping them all relocate somewhere back in Fukushima prefecture together.

March 11—the day the triple disaster hit Japan—was actually his 54th birthday. Pastor Sato sensed the Lord's strong calling and responsiblity to share with the global Church what they have been going through and what God has taught them.

In addition to being a pastor and trainer of pastors, Sato Sensei is one of the most popular Christian conference speakers in Japan, as well as a prolific writer. He and his wife Chieko have three children and three grandchildren.

Pastor Akira Sato: Find out much more (in English and Japanese) at: http://www.f1church.com

"He Reigns Over All The Earth" . . . even Japan

Asian Access

Asian Access announces a song to benefit Japan Tsunami Relief

C.L. Hunter, CEO of "Christ Hu Nterz Productions" (pronounced "Christ Who Enters") recently approached Asian Access to partner with him in promoting a great new song by Fahren Johnson, "He Reigns Over All the Earth."

Hunter shared with us:

"Fahren Johnson will be traveling to Japan this November for a mission trip, as well as ministering song alongside local Japanese music ministers. The song has been translated into Japanese, as well as the You Tube video by one of our precious friend’s who is a pastor in Japan. Fahren will be singing at the Sendai Gospel Festival as well during this trip. CEO Chris Hunter will be in Japan during this time as well to meet with the local volunteers of CRASH JAPAN to share the vision, as well as to support the volunteers, pastors, and organizations in this region."

The group of very talented singers shares such strong interest in helping the victims of the triple disaster in Japan. You can read their story below.

We urge you to download the song from iTunes and enjoy! While there, please consider ranking the song and offering a review. Finally, we invite you to donate to Asian Access’ Japan Tsunami Relief Fund.

Take a look at a video clip with the inspiring song . . .

Here is Chris Hunter’s statement about this exciting project:

Operation Rising Sun: From Seattle to Japan (Seattle Artists United) was birthed as a seed in the heart of C.L. Hunter, CEO of Christ Hu Nterz Productions (CHP) over a year ago. He felt God was telling him to bring the local Christian artists together to do a compilation CD to give light to such a great talent in this area.

It lay dormant until March 11, 2011 when we met with a Japanese pastor at our church Vision Conference. We met with her to pray about bringing one of our artists there to Japan to minister to the Youth. We prayed and asked God to open their hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Little did any of us know that there was an earthquake and tsunami that had just ravaged the Sendai region of that country?

We saw the news that night and fell to our faces. God immediately revealed to us that this was why He impressed it upon his heart to bring the artists together. There was such a bigger plan than any of us could imagine. God wanted to bring unity to a people and salvation to a nation.

We immediately prayed and began to ask God what was next and He shared with us to ask Fahren Johnson, an artist on the CHP label, to write the song. It was literally written in one day and we were in the studio two days later. Many came out to support and so many called and wanted to be on this project, but were unable to at such a short notice. We truly thank them as well, because their hearts were with us, so they are still a part of this project in our hearts.

Great struggles and attacks came from every side, but God continued to show us the way and kept us focused on the vision and what He wanted us to do. We have partnered with a wonderful organization, Asian Access, who will be our "hands & feet" to get these donations to the local pastors in Japan to help with food, clothing and supplies, as well as to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We are so very excited for what God is doing in this country and we are humbled that He would choose us for such a project. He truly has received and will continue to receive all the glory.

The song was made available for digital download at www.christhunterzproductions.com on July 1, 2011. There is also an opportunity to donate to Asian Access, as well as purchase the song download, so please do the very best that you are able. To know that you were a part of God's plan to bring salvation to a nation is an amazing feeling. Share with your friends & family and God bless each of you for your support. Continue to pray for healing, restoration and salvation for the Japanese people.

He Reigns Over All the Earth
Written by Fahren Johnson
Produced/Composed by Derek "DC" Clark for 253 Music Incorporated
Videographer Isaiah Hayes for Latasha Haynes
Photography Published by Christ Hu Nterz Productions www.christhunterzproductions.com

We are also excited for the doors that are opening for this project. The writer of the song, Fahren Johnson, will be traveling to Japan this November for a mission trip, as well as will be ministering song alongside local Japanese music ministers. The song has been translated into Japanese, as well as the You Tube video by one of our precious friend’s who is a pastor in Japan. Fahren will be singing at the Sendai Gospel Festival as well during this trip. CEO Chris Hunter will be in Japan during this time as well to meet with the local volunteers of CRASH JAPAN to share the vision, as well as to support the volunteers, pastors, and organizations in this region.

CHP has slated to host a dynamic outdoor concert in Seattle, Washington in the Summer of 2012 to get all of the artists who participated on this song to come together for a benefit concert. All proceeds will go to Asian Access for the furthering efforts of rebuilding churches and helping out the people of Japan. We have pushed the video out to MTV, BET and VH1 in an effort to gain national/international exposure for continuing donations to the effort. We will be nominating the project for the 2012 Stellar & Dove Awards, as well as many other national & international awards shows. Whatever avenues that we have available to us will be utilized to continue to support the nation of Japan, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of shaping a nation for Christ!

Chris Hunter, CEO
Christ Hu Nterz Productions

Song on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/he-reigns-over-all-earth-feat/id447680503?i=447680641&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Christ Hu Nterz: www.christhunterzproductions.com

Japan breathes sigh of relief with Typhoon Roke's near miss

Asian Access

Typhoon Roke took a swipe at the disaster zone in Japan

JAPAN (MNN) ― It also brought evacuations, flooding and more worry to the country struggling to recuperate from the tsunami, quake and nuclear disaster in March. Although a fierce storm, it weakened on approach to Fukushima as a Category 1 hurricane, before veering off. Japan’s government took no chances. Aside from evacuation orders, the weather agency issued warnings for landslides and flooding throughout the main island of Honshu, with high waves in coastal areas.

Joe Handley, president of Asian Access says their teams will continue to do what they've been doing in response to the crisis. They have a three-phase response they've implemented since the tsunami struck. "The initial stages were just to get a feel for what was happening, provide immediate assistance as much as possible, and then to do a discovery process, finding out what the real needs were on the ground."

Cleanup began and ministry teams established a communications hub in order to developing resources that would mobilize Christians worldwide to help. Relationships have already been established, too. "One of the common stories that's being heard throughout the eastern part of Japan is from little kids, talking to their parents and grandparents when they see the aid workers coming. They've become so well known in their work, that you'll have little kids that say things like 'Grandma! Jesus is coming! Jesus has brought us food!'"

A2 also partnered with Churches Helping Churches, Billy Graham Association and Alpha/Japan in hosting "Oasis," a retreat for pastors and their spouses from the affected regions.

The second phase began this past summer. Handley says, "We're able to take in a number of requests for all the areas and find out strategic ways that we can come alongside the churches in providing for physical and spiritual relief in this hour." Roke's march may provide a setback in Phase Two growth, but that remains to be seen once the storm moves out of the area. IF the network of churches was well-grounded, it may bolster Phase One response.

Phase Three focuses on the future. "The place where Christ's name has not been very prominent all of a sudden is becoming quite the story. Churches are a key force for providing aid. We've come alongside these churches and helped equip them to be the centers for relief in their communities."

Asian Access/Japan is preparing to partner with churches across Japan to be the hands and feet of Jesus and develop a longer-term plan for holistic church multiplication. Within the next three to five years, Handley says, "There's a dream by the local churches and a plan that goes with those dreams to see over 1000 new churches planted in this region, all with the mindset of the holistic outreach center."

Handly goes on to explain that because the churches meet the needs of the community and have proven their commitment, doors are opening in ways never imagined. "This part of Japan is the single most unreached part of the country. So you have not only one of the largest unreached people groups in the world, but within that country and this people, you have the single largest area that has been somewhat neglected by the church."

There's more here.

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This story was originally published by Mission Network News. Read online here.

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Read Joe Handley's staff profile.

Tsunami Update: Asian Access Provides Relief in Japan

Asian Access

Thank you so much for the prayers and support for Japan following the March 11 triple disaster. Below is a brief report sharing what Asian Access has had the privilege of participating in due to your contributions, prayers and service teams.

PHASE ONE: The last few months (Much of this in partnership with several churches and ministries)

1) Helped deliver over 30 tons of relief supplies— food, diapers, hygiene products, soap, toilet paper, bicycles, clothing, blankets, water and bedding. [Our staff purchased and delivered more than 2 tons of supplies the first week after the disaster alone.]

2) Even larger amounts of relief supplies have been facilitated in cooperation with major international Christian aid organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse and Food for the Hungry.

3) Facilitated several advance teams totaling over 100 volunteers mobilized into the disaster areas doing assessment, delivering supplies, shoveling mud out of homes, performing light demolition work, engaging in emotional care, praying with exhausted pastors, and countless other acts of simple kindness.

4) Helped coordinate more than 300 volunteers involved either part-time or full-time at CRASH headquarters answering phones, receiving and shipping relief supplies, preparing counseling resources, establishing communications channels for remote teams, updating the website, developing media resources to mobilize Christians worldwide, cooking meals for workers, etc.

5) Help launch regional bases for volunteer operations have spanning from the north to the south of the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear reactor zones;

Partnered with Churches Helping Churches, Billy Graham Association and Alpha/Japan in hosting "Oasis," a retreat for pastors and their spouses from the affected regions.

PHASE TWO: This Summer

1. We are looking to assist the work of several regional bases run by local churches throughout the summer months. These bases include the following key churches and networks:

Iwate Prefecture

Rev. Yoshiya Kondo
Morioka Bible Baptist Church

Iwate Network - http://311.ichurch.jp/

Miyagi Prefecture

Rev. Yukikazu Otomo
Shiogama Bible Baptist Church

Makito Matsuda
Oasis Chapel/Rifu Christ Church

Rev. Nobuyoshi Nagai
Tohoku Central Church/Kakudai Institute for Mission/Gospel Town
Pastor Nagai is also the leader of Alpha/Japan

Be One/Hope for Tohoku

Asian Access Missionary Staff and Summer Teams

2. Sending relief teams from churches around the world. These teams are currently serving primarily in Ishinomaki where some of the greatest needs have arisen. They will be in Tohoku over the course of the summer. For a terrific overview of what our Asian Access missionaries are involved in, go to this fantastic 9-minute video.

PHASE THREE: The future

Pastor Chida, who serves on our board in Japan, has shared some keen insight into how God is calling the Church of Japan to move toward an Acts 8:1 ministry philosophy: a scattered rather than a gathered model of church planting. He is highlighted in this video report praying for revival: "A Tsunami of Love"

Asian Access/Japan is preparing to partner with churches across Japan to be the hands and feet of Jesus and developing a longer term plan for holistic church multiplication. Various church groups are thinking of planting several churches:

Pastor Nagai (listed above) wants to see 100 new churches in the affected communities.
The Conservative Baptist Churches, inspired by Pastor Hiroshi Kawasaki – director of our work in Japan – JCGI Networks, is hoping to plant 50 new churches in the region
Pastor Kondo (listed above) is hoping to see churches planted in the essentially unreached coastal areas of Iwate
Pastor Masamoto Higa of International Family Church in Takasaki wants to see a church for all 86 communities that have been completely washed away.

Soon, we will be sending out a summary of what God has been doing in Japan but for now, we wanted you to know how much we appreciate your prayers, your support and the teams you've sent.

This is indeed a unique moment for the Church to rise up and be the hands and feet of Jesus during Japan's crucial hour of need. For ways to get involved, join us here.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the Japanese people.

Joe Handley, President

An Oasis From The Storm

Asian Access

Several weeks ago, I was introduced to Thomas Kim from Churches Helping Churches. From the moment we met, we knew there would be great synergy and collaboration. Why? Because we share the same ideas about ministry. We are both committed to coming alongside of pastors and churches in the midst of the chaos they face following a disaster; which in this instance is the triple disaster that hit Japan on March 11th, one of the worst disasters in world history.

Currently, we are partnering together to provide an Oasis – a retreat for pastors and their spouses following the March 11th earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown. The flyers on the Churches Helping Churches website show our partnership with their organization, along with the Billy Graham Association, and Alpha Japan, to provide a place of respite in the midst of the challenges facing NE Japan (the Eastern Tohoku region).

Join us in praying for this retreat and for the people of Japan!

For His Kingdom,

My Japan update interview with Mission Network News

Asian Access

I just wanted to post my full 10-minute interview with Mission Network News. The fine folks at MNN are doing a story to update everyone about the needs in Japan. So they connected with me from Fukushima, Japan via Skype. This is the recording from MNN...

I trust you find the interview informative and encouraging. Most of all, I hope it will motivate you to continue praying for the nation of Japan and the full gospel's advance among the Japanese people.

Listen to my interview with Mission Network News...

(10 min.)

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The resulting story was originally published by Mission Network News. Read online here.

See other A2 stories covered by MNN.

Church growing in Japan, relief continues

Asian Access

Asian Access reports churches are growing in aftermath of tsunami

JAPAN (MNN) ― It's been nearly three months since Japan was torn apart by an earthquake and tsunami. The billions of dollars in damage sent the country into a deeper recession as many jobs were lost, businesses were left crippled, and in some cases--destroyed by the disaster. While it was bad news for the economy, the tragedy has given the church a boost.

Joe Handley is President of Asian Access, a ministry that supports the local church in Japan. He's in Fukushima, Japan now getting a good look at what God is doing through the church post-earthquake. He says of all the relief groups he's seeing in the region, the greatest response has come from "Japanese churches from all over the country -- Okinawa, Tokyo, Hiroshima. It's just unbelievable the amount of love Japanese churches have mobilized to reach out and help clean up at this time."

In talking with them, Handley says churches have a new desire to plant churches, especially in areas where there we no churches. "One of these areas, Iwate, is one of the least-churched regions of the entire country of Japan, and yet pastors have a real heart to reach out to them at this time of need."

Handley says one denomination wants to plant 50 new churches in this area, while another group wants to plant churches in the seaside villages that have never had a church.

Before the disaster, church growth was on the decline. This is really a new season for the church," says Handley. "Networks are forming that are brand new -- churches from across denominations that are saying, 'God is calling us for such a time as this.'"

Immediately following the quake, there was a spiritual awakening. Previously taboo, the Japanese were now open to talking about spiritual things, including the Bible. Handley says that continues. "As missionaries, Japanese pastors and congregants are delivering aid, more often than not they're getting questions: 'Why are you doing this? Why would you come up in these affected regions? Where is God in the midst of all this?' This is truly a new hour spiritually, and it could change the shape of the spiritual climate of the entire country."

Handley says one congregation in the devastation zone has had many opportunities to share Christ. "They've lost their own homes. They have no food. They have no clothing. But, they are having spiritual conversations with people and I have heard countless stories of people coming to Christ through that church and other churches."

Handley is asking you to pray for Japanese Christians working their country. "They're overwhelmed with the need. And they're overwhelmed also, to some degree, with the groups that are coming in that they're trying to facilitate. So pray for great grace for them and wisdom as they receive teams."

Also, Asian Access has a $1 million matching grant. About $500,000 has already been raised, but your support is needed now to meet the rest of it that will allow them to provide spiritual and physical relief in this crucial time.

There's more detail on the matching gift fund here.

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This story was originally published by Mission Network News. Read online here.

See other A2 stories covered by MNN.
Read Joe Handley's staff profile.

Tsunami victims still in great need physically, spiritually

Asian Access

Relief work slow, but significant

JAPAN (MNN) ― Two months after the tsunami and earthquake that devastated Japan, relief work is ongoing.

An Asian Access (A2) missionary says some areas have seen significant developments, including the restoration of electricity and shorter lines at the gas station.

But other regions have not been so lucky. A2's Kent Muhling says some are still without electricity and running water, and many remain in evacuation centers with no homes to return to.

Asian Access has a great deal of work in Japan and has been helping with relief where possible. Recently, Muhling and another A2 missionary joined a church in distributing aid from the back of a truck. They distributed goods to regions where neighborhoods are still in ruins.

In the midst of the ongoing sorrow, however, Asian Access has been able to preach the hope of Christ to many.

In a recent Facebook Note, Muhling reflected on an encounter with a woman whose life had been turned upside down in the tsunami. Interestingly, her kindergarten Bible had also shaken loose in the disaster and became the first thing the woman saw when she opened her storage shelves.

The woman was not a believer but agreed with Muhling that God may want her to read the Bible. Muhling was able to pray with her and share Christ's love.

In a separate account, a team member had a dream, or vision of sorts, of a particular man in a particular city. When A2 was working in that city, they came across a man just like the one the missionary had seen in his dream. They were able to share the Gospel with the man and provide him with food and a bicycle.

Relief work of the landscape and of the soul is slow going, but throughout Muhling's musings, he points out the purpose of it all:

"When one considers the magnitude of the disaster, handing out a truckful of supplies to only a few dozen people, having a five-minute conversation and a short prayer with one woman, or giving a man a coat, a bicycle, and sharing that 'Jesus loves you' may not seem like much. But to those few individuals, it had great impact."

You can help provide physical aid and spiritual sustenance for survivors of the Japan tsunami. Learn more about A2's work in that area here.

This story was originally published by Mission Network News. Read online here.

See other A2 stories covered by MNN.
Read Kent Muhling's staff profile.

Fair Wind is Good, Adversity is also Good

Asian Access

Pastor Akira Sato and the First Baptist Church of Fukushima

by Jeffery Sonnenberg

Pastor Akira Sato is a pastor, faculty for the Asian Access JCGI Network leadership development program and author. His most recent book was written before the earthquake and published just days afterward. It is entitled, "Fair Wind is Good, Adversity is also Good."

The day of the Tohoku earthquake (March 11), Pastor Akira Sato was in Tokyo for his son’s university commencement ceremony. Pastor Sato's church, the First Baptist Church of Fukushima, is located less than 10 km from the Fukushima First Nuclear Power Plant. The people living within a 20 km radius of the power plant were all evacuated after the nuclear power plant accident. Pastor Sato was unable to return to his home or the church building.

Some of his church members were evacuated by bus, others by car. One member actually swam to safety after the tsunami hit. The church members were scattered to different evacuation centres and homes. A group of ten church members ended up at the Keisen Christ Church Aizu Wakamatsu Chapel. This church and others in the Keisen network are deeply involved in the JCGI network. The Aizu Chapel building would swell beyond its capacity as more church members gathered outside of the evacuation zone. Their first post-tsunami service was marked with tears.

The growing numbers necessitated a move to a larger space, so a large group travelled in convoy to the Keisen church in Yonezawa, Yamagata. As a church, they cooked together, studied the Bible together. They held a graduation ceremony, complete with handmade certificates, for students whose schools’ are closed in the disaster. They are a model of the New Testament church, sharing everything and living in community. People have lost their livelihoods and cannot get back to their homes; there is stress and fear, and yet the people declare that their God is a wonderful God.

Though they fled with only the clothes on their backs, their lives parallel Elijah in the wilderness. God has provided food and clothing from believers and churches all over Japan.

Several church members are part of the team that is involved in the on-going efforts to bring the nuclear power station reactors under control.

Most recently, a core of 50 people have moved to a Christian retreat centre on the west side of Tokyo. The diaspora continues. Though visibly tired by the experiences of the past months, Pastor Sato feels that he was chosen to be a pastor for this time.

Pastor Sato wants to say thank you to the church in Japan and around the world, thank you for your continued prayers.

Above: Pastor Sato shares his earthquake/tsunami experience with leaders from A2/Japan's JCGI Network, who prayed for him and his church.

Would you rather push or be pulled?

Asian Access

by Dorrie Takazawa (with Takeshi Takazawa)

Would you rather push or be pulled?

Without knowing the context, I would have to say that the image of being pulled is much more appealing than the image of pushing something! This is true if we are taking about little red wagons or stalled vehicles. It is even more so if the subject is water skiing!! All that is required of me is to trust the one doing the pulling and make sure I keep on course. This concept can be applied to the current context of Asian Access disaster response as well.

We desire to respond to the pulling of the front lines of the devastated areas. To this end, we will listen directly to the needs from those who live and minister there, so that we can respond to what they actually want. We want to be careful not to push what we think is needed―no matter how creative or how good our ideas or intentions may be or how good it may make us feel. This concept of pull and push is very well known in Japan since it is part of the "Toyota way." Pull refers to the needs or wants of the customers determining the supply. Push refers to suppliers pushing what they have to the customers. In order to have a just-in-time delivery system, Toyota asks itself, "Is this pushing or pulling?"

This question is also very powerful when it comes to providing disaster relief. Our desire, as those who are outside of the area, is to come alongside and support those who are in the area in the most timely and effective manner. We want to provide the help that is "pulled" by the pastors and churches there. We don’t want to push. So we must go and listen to the needs and listen to the visions. We must listen in such a way that the pastors understand that we are serious about our commitment to them and are willing to support their plans and ideas rather than our own agendas.

God placed those pastors there before March 11. It is part of his plan that they are there at this time for this service. It is our desire to please God by serving those He placed there in ways that respect and honor them.

We translated an article from the Japanese Christian Newspaper which speaks to the need of listening to the pastors at the disaster sites. That article "Listen to the Voices: Warning Against 'Self-Satifying' Relief Work" can be found here for your information.

Please pray for Joe Handley and the team that is interviewing the pastors and churches in the disaster areas to listen and be pulled into our next phase of disaster relief.

Listen to the voices � warning against �self-satisfying� relief work

Asian Access

Listen to the voices – warning against 'self-satisfying' relief work
by Yoshitomo Takahashi

JAPAN (Christian Shinbun) It has been one month since the disaster hit East Japan. The reconstruction work continues. There are many churches and Christian organizations involved in the relief and reconstruction. However in some cases, outside relief work has become a burden to local churches in the disaster-affected area. The following is gathered from the visitation of churches in Iwate Prefecture that are involved in relief work and is a report on their actual conditions.

It takes about two hours driving through the mountainside from Morioka City to the costal city of Miyako via the winding national highway. There is traffic on the highway and the damage on the mountainside by the highway is not that severe. However, when you reach the area by the ocean, rubble and some pillars that remain from where buildings used to be is all that meets the eye. There are piles here and there of debris that were created during the initial clean up.

We visited the Miyako Community Church (Pastor Kazuo Iwatsuka). A team sent by the church plays with the children in the evacuation places in the city. They also visit the houses in the area one by one to deliver food and other daily necessaries. They listen to the victims. Pastor Iwatsuka says, with a deep sigh, "There are nonstop calls and visitations of relief offers from organizations both inside and outside of Japan. I cannot take any rest or even do what we planned to do."

Even though the intentions of these people are good, they can be a great burden to those on the receiving end. Pastor Yoshiya Kondo, (Morioka Bible Baptist Church, Coordinator of 3.11 Iwate Church Network), who partners with Pastor Iwatsuka in Miyako City, appeals for understanding:

"Please don’t be 'a selfish service.' Please listen to the needs of the victims. Please don't push what you want to do."

He mentions that there are pastors who are already very overwhelmed with corresponding to people. He suggests that the first thing is to really listen to the hearts of the pastors that the pastors themselves may not be able to express directly through words. Coordination helps to deploy teams to do various activities. Pastor Iwatsuka says with concern, "The churches without a coordinator have to deal directly with many relief organizations by themselves and it must be very tough." When we asked Pastor Iwatsuka about the long-term plan for relief activities, he replied with a troubled face, "It is very hard to answer. I am listening to the request of the victims day after day to my best ability. I cannot have a long perspective. I have no idea how long this situation would even last." However, ongoing relief work is needed. "When people forget about it, it will be very hard. Victim local churches cannot do this alone," Pastor Iwatsuka added.

The care for these local churches, which are engaged in relief work, is also important. We listened to Pastor Kodaira, (Pastor of Nishinomiya Church, Christ Brethren), who was a victim himself of the 1995 Kobe Awaji Disaster and who led the church, which was a hub for the relief work during that time. "As time passed, victims noticed the difference between recovery levels. It is just like people fighting an illness together in the hospital. One by one people recovered and moved on. It was a joy to see someone become well, and we celebrated with them. At the same time, when we looked at all the continuing needs, we felt despair and wondered if we would personally ever recover. In this current disaster, there might also be some pastors who may be discouraged by seeing that much of the support is being concentrated to the churches that are known through media or they may feel that they are being blamed because they are not following the same model as those who are deemed to be ministering 'successfully.' "

Pastor Kodaira also shared some further concerns. "Sometimes there might be a gap between the pastor's desire to help and the church members' desire to go back to normal, especially when your church is accepting the non-stop flow of materials and volunteers." Also, there is a concern about being forgotten by others. Pastor Kodaira continued, "The public attention moved on two months after the Kobe-Awaji Earthquake when the Sarin Gas Terrorism attack happened." The sorrows and fatigue from non-stop relief continues. We must listen carefully to the voices of the victim-pastors. We must work to hear their needs as we continue to support them.

More Information:

Translated by Takeshi Takazawa with permission

Original Japanese article published here: http://jpnews.org/pc/modules/xfsection/article.php?articleid=2078

From small beginnings, big things will grow

Asian Access

by Kent Muhling

It's good to be up here in Touhoku again! Much has changed; much has not. Gasoline is no longer a problem -- stations are open, no long lines. The highways are open tot all now, not just emergency vehicles. Electricity has been restored in many places, most stores have reopened, and Sendai city no longer looks like a ghost town. Slowly life is returning to normal -- for some.

For others, though, little has changed. There are still some places without electricity or running water, there are still people living in houses where the first floor was destroyed, and there are still many living in evacuation centers, with nowhere to go.

Another A2 missionary Erik Boehme and I met up with his friends from a Japanese-speaking church in Oregon, and joined them in their deliveries of relief goods. They were with a young man from a local ministry, who had a large truck at his disposal and who knows the area quite well. He took us to several evacuation centers and places where little pockets of houses yet remain in damages areas.

Their method has been to open up the truck and set up a little street-side bazaar, so people could come and take whatever they needed.

Toward the end I got to talk with a woman and told her we were Christians. She in turn told us that she had gone to a Christian kindergarten as a child and had been given a Bible, which she still had, though she had not seen it in a long time -- that is, not until the earthquake hit!

Some time after the earthquake was over, she opened the doors of one of her storage shelves, which of course were a shambles. When she opened them, the fist thing she saw was her old Bible, which had tumbled out of place and was sticking out right in front of her. Not long after that she met us. She somehow wondered if it meant anything.

I then asked her if she thought it was merely a coincidence, then told her that we Christians don't usually talk about coincidence, since we know that God is in control of everything He has made. I said I thought it was no coincidence, but God's leading -- and she agreed that it probably was!

I then asked if I could pray for her, and she readily agreed. Again, as in past opportunities, she had tears in her eyes when we were finished, and she could not bow often enough to us in gratitude.

Finally we said that since God had brought her Bible out where she could see it, she should read it!

Please pray for Mrs. O, that she would really read her Bible and that God would speak to her though it.

Then today I witnessed another incredible moment. The other car with the Oregon team suddenly stopped on the roadside and they got out. There was an older gentleman there with a teenage girl. I later found out that Kenji, the team leader from Oregon, had a kind of vision or dream about an older man, bald, wearing a dark jacket, standing amid the wreckage. And the town of Minami Sanriku came to his mind. He felt that God as telling him to find that man.

Well, as they were driving by that man took off his hat, and when they saw his bald head and realized he was wearing a dark brown jacket, they immediately stopped. He was looking through the wreckage for anything he could salvage -- oh, and did I mention that we were in Minami Sanriku that afternoon?

You can imagine how excited the team was to stop and help him! They gave him some warmer clothes, one of the bicycles they had bought, some food, and the message that Jesus loved him and had chosen him to be blessed by their help.

When one considers the magnitude of the disaster, handing out a truckful of supplies to only a few dozen people, having a five-minute conversation and a short prayer with one woman, or giving a man a coat, a bicycle, and sharing that "Jesus loves you" may not seem like much. But to those few individuals it had great impact.

I was reminded of the parable of the mustard seed (Matt 13:31-32). From very small beginnings big things will grow. God does not ask me to change the world, or meet the needs of masses of people. He asks me to love my neighbor -- singular, neighbor -- and so we are trying to do that, often one neighbor at a time. Whomever God places in our path as we go, whomever He allows us to find as we search.

If all God's people do that, we will change the world.

There is more to write, but I'll stop here for the night. Tomorrow will be another long day, but I'm excited to be going back to the evacuation center where I stayed the night.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Erik and me, for our families, and especially for the people in the Touhoku region of Japan.

Love in Christ,
Kent Muhling

Eric returns to Sendai

Asian Access

by Sue Takamoto

My husband Eric has returned to Sendai, working with Be One/Hope for Tohoku, which is organized by a group of house churches and missionary friends in the Osaka area. Since the earthquake first occurred, they have worked tirelessly to coordinate relief efforts in our area. Twice a week, they send up a truck and van load of supplies and have a great network up in the worst-hit areas for distributing these things and helping where the needs are still so great. A local resident who was touched by the group's help offered his karate gym for all the team members to stay during their time up there.

Eric drove the twelve hours (from Osaka to Sendai) in a large rental van with two passengers up to the karate gym filled to the brim with vegetables, cup ramen, underwear and socks, portable stoves, and other necessities. The day before he had gone shopping at costco for many of these supplies. He said it was fine until he had to buy three large bins of women's underwear, and then he waited till no one was looking! Here is a photo of Eric and his two traveling companions ready to leave. More here on our blog.

He will spend three days with the other team members distributing these goods and helping clean out homes that have been damaged and filled with debris by the earthquake. Many of the large apartment buildings in these towns are still filled with families, despite having no water or electricity. Can you imagine living for over a month in these conditions, with snow that is still falling? They cannot do wash; they do not have fuel or transportation to go out and go shopping. We are praying that God will show the team today where the greatest needs are, as well as continue to be the ears and hands and feet of Jesus as they work, love, and listen to the many, many who still have such huge needs.

We will continue to write posts on our blog and shorter updates on Facebook. Thank you for praying for Eric and the team; for safety and for divine encounters along the way. Two of our other Sanda colleagues, Kent and Erik, are also up in Sendai ministering with a Japanese church. We anticipate continued trips like this, and are tentatively planning to have a small team from our Sanda church go up during Golden Week, a week-long holiday in early May. The needs are great; we don't know what they are reporting still in North America but there are cases of near-starvation and rioting as people are desperate for basic food and necessities.

Thank you for your prayers.

Sue Takamoto

Update from Rikuzentakata and Minami Sanriku

Asian Access

by Erik Boehme

Fellow A2 missionary Kent Muhling and I traveled to Rikuzentakata with a team from JIBC church from Oregon. Thankfully gasoline and food is available now in the outlying areas. Some roads and bridges are still destroyed but access is apparently becoming easier.

When we arrived we set up a roadside bazzar to give away supplies. The word quickly spread and many people flocked to see what we had. The first things to go were the kerosene containers we brought. I wish we had brought more. But diapers, socks, t shirts, vegetables were all needed. It was a blessing to see how thankful everryone was to receive these things. I could tell that God had prepared the way for us. Kent and one of the JIBC team were able to pray for a lady that had attended a Christian kindergarten. She said that the Bible was the first book she saw coming out of her bookshelf after the earthquake. She was so thankful to meet us and receive prayer.

After this we went to a evacuation shelter where we gave out more supplies. There were many children there and they were happy to receive snacks and the small simple toys that were brought.

We met with many people but one family in a hard to reach area was glad to receive vegetables from us. They had been in contact with a friend of Kent and thanked us for the lights and batteries he had brought. Later we returned with a generator that the JIBC team had brought. When we gave it to them they were just overjoyed. Now the kids don't have to do homework with flashlights.

Minami Sanriku Evacuation Center

We also went to an evac center in Minami Sanriku, one of the harder hit towns along the northeastern coast, in order to deliver supplies and to minister to heart level needs. The Evac center is in a high school gym hat was up a hill just above the destruction. Incidentally, pictures indeed do not communicate the scale of this. If you've seen the grand can yon you know what I mean.

People here are living in an open gym with their small personal space separated by cardboard. I was able to share meals with people and listen to their stories. Since everyone is going through the same things it is encouraging for someone to really care about their individual experience. We also played with some kids and met their families. It must be so difficult to raise small kids in this situation. Please pray for the Sato family I met today. The husband's job is construction and he goes to work every day but they have to live in this shelter for now.

We are sleeping in the open room at the Evacuation center tonight. Tomorrow we will help a church do some acivities for the people here.

Thank you for your continued prayer for our efforts and the people to whom we are trying to minister.

Until the Whole World Hears,
Erik Boehme

Touhoku, here we come... again!

Asian Access

by Kent Muhling

On the road again! missionary colleague Erik Boehme and I left a couple hours ago, heading back up to the Touhoku region of Japan for another week of disaster volunteer service. Erik bought a roof rack for his car so we could carry a bit more supplies (though still not as much as that minivan I hope to buy!). We asked friends for donations, bought more ourselves - clothes, diapers, and food, mostly - loaded up this morning and, after praying together with our families, headed out.

This trip is just two of us, Erik Boehme and myself. We'll be joining another team, four men from a Japanese speaking church in Oregon, and friends of Erik. We'll spend the night at my friend Pastor Nakazawa's house, then meet up with the team in the morning. Oh, I almost forgot! Remember that Pastor Nakazawa came to the evac center where I spent the night? Well, since then he has been going back to that evac center 3 times per week, ministering to the people there. Apparently our staying the night really helped cement a solid trusting relationship with the manager of the center and the residents as well. I was so encouraged to hear that!

In case you're wondering, I'm typing in the car on my new iPhone (with a little help from a mini wireless keyboard) so I should be set for communication on the road this trip.

I look forward to telling you about this week's work as it unfolds. Please pray:

That God would lead us to the right people at the right places, those who need the supplies we brought;
that we would be able to serve those in need well, whether it be shoveling mud, cleaning inside a building, or simply talking with people for their encouragement;
and for opportunities to witness to Christ also. Thank you for sharing in this ministry together with us through your encouragement and prayer!

Love in Christ,

Kent Muhling

Japan Disaster Relief Trip: Looking back, looking forward

Asian Access

by Kent Muhling

Now that I've had some time to reflect on my first trip to Touhoku, the north part of Japan that got devastated by the tsunami in March, I wanted to share some of my thoughts:

Reflection

1) First, I felt like God was confirming to me the way He made me and the kind of ministry He has suited me for. I really felt in my own element up there. What I mean is, I am not naturally a good organizer, I can grow bored with routine, etc. but I do respond well in crisis situations, when unexpected problems arise or situations suddenly change. As a volunteer relief worker, every day was different. Each day found us going to different places, meeting with different people, facing different challenges, etc. Didn't know until the night before what the next morning's mission was, and sometimes the plan changed the next morning anyway. Would have driven my wife absolutely crazy(!), but I really enjoyed it.

2) Next, I felt confirmed that one of the spiritual gifts God has given me is the gift of helps. It felt really good to simply serve people, driving 3 hours each way just to drop off a van load of needed supplies and see their gratitude. In the past I've mostly focused on using the gift of teaching in ministry.

However I also loved every opportunity God gave me to talk with people, encouraging them, listening to them, and sharing what testimony or witness to the gospel that I could in the given situation. It was very satisfying to be able to exercise both speaking and serving gifts together.

3) I also felt convicted to be better prepared to respond to such situations in the future. This is Japan -- earthquakes are a constant reality, and there will be another big one. The only question is, when.

That means being better prepared to cope if a disaster hits us, and being better prepared to help if disaster hits others. The Lord impressed on my heart that in earthquake prone Japan, this is a necessary application of "love your neighbor as yourself." Are we preparing to help others as much as we are preparing to protect ourselves?

Preparation

Here are some very practical things I've thought of so far:

Keep more canned food and water on hand so we have enough to share if needed.
Practice earthquake drills at home so our children won't freak out so bad if one actually hits.
Take up camping as a family recreation so everyone will be better prepared to "rough it" if our house were damaged, or if we wanted to go help in an area where other lodging is unavailable.

4) Finally, if we are going to commit to being involved in relief ministry in the future, additional tools are needed. Before leaving for Touhoku, the three of us going bought work clothes and gloves, safety boots, hard hats, etc. We also packed camping equipment (that one family already owns) and enough food and water that we could be completely self sufficient for two weeks if needed. As it turned out, we didn't have to live that way this past trip -- but it could be necessary another time.

Equipment

What other tools do we need to be able to minister in time of disaster? Here are two more I've thought of:

1) An iPhone. Don't laugh! So much necessary communication happens online now, that if you don't have internet access you are seriously hampered. Simply having a cell phone wasn't enough. Both our mission (Asian Access) and the CRASH relief network are using email, websites, message boards, and Facebook to communicate. We had to have internet access. But when you're away from home, or when the electricity goes down (as it was in many places where we were working), how can you do that? Through the 3G cell phone networks -- the cell towers were mostly still up, unaffected by earthquake or tsunami.

(And I needed 3G cell network internet access in order to send you my email updates!)

In addition, we made great use of that capability while on the road. Our volunteer teams were using their smartphones to check email enroute, receive and post information on the web, navigate unfamiliar roads (using the iPhone's GPS and Google Maps), mark locations and record contact information of places we visited for others to use (Google Maps again), even pass GPS coordinates to the military for air drops of relief supplies to evac centers!

Oh, and we made lots of phone calls, too.

When we arrived in Japan, in my attempt to be frugal I had opted for the simplest cell phone, with no data or texting plan. Yesterday I went back and got an iPhone (and the necessary data plan for internet access). That significantly increases our monthly bill, and we need to raise additional support to cover it. But this disaster relief experience taught me that it is a necessary tool for the ministry we were doing, and a necessary part of being prepared if we're affected ourselves.

2) A large minivan. Again, when we came to Japan we bought a nice little station wagon, with seats for six, and room enough for our family and luggage when we take a trip. But there's hardly room for anyone else, or for larger amounts of cargo. I was only thinking about my own family's needs, not about being prepared to help others.

Up in Tohouku, many people were (and still are!) using their own vehicles to transport relief supplies. Rental trucks are hard to come by now, and there is no other easy option. The entire second week of my trip I drove a large minivan, borrowed from a pastor in Sendai city. Every day that thing was packed to the gills with people and/or supplies.

You might think, as I did at first, that relief supplies would always come in big shipments on huge military trucks. Of course that was happening, too. But what about the 9 houses left intact on the western edge of Shizugawa after the tsunami hit, for exampl? Those 9 families are still in their homes, without electricity, running water, phone, or gas for cooking. No big military truck will deliver supplies to them. It's a long walk to the nearest evac center to stand in line for food and water, and hard to carry much back home if you do -- especially if you're elderly or sick. And there are other things they need that the evac centers don't provide. What to do?

Enter a CRASH volunteer team with their two minivans full of supplies!

We were the perfect size to meet that need. And there are numerous similar situations I could describe. Plus, every time we made a delivery we did it in Christ's name, often even praying with the people we delivered to.

So-o-o-o, we're praying about the possibility of trading our nice little station wagon in for a larger van. Again, that would mean raising additional support, but I have become convinced that it's a necessary tool for the job.

Or, to frame the idea biblically, it is a very practical application of "love your neighbor as yourself." I want to have room enough in my car to love my neighbor when an earthquake hits. Right now I don't.

The Future

We are meeting with the other missionary families to talk and pray about what we'll do next. I expect I (or perhaps we!) will be going up north again, but we don't know when, for how long, or in what capacity. There's a lot to discuss. We'd really appreciate your prayers about that, even as you continue to pray for the people up in the Touhoku region.

Thanks again, so very much, for your love and support.

Yours in Christ,
Kent Muhling

God has burned in my heart the 86 communities washed away!

Asian Access

A pastor with vision for a church in each of the 86 communities wiped away by the tsunami

The remains of the site of Seaside Bible Chapel: her foundation and her new cross. [photo: Sankei/msn]

Pastor Masamoto Higa of International Family Church in Takasaki, Japan began a fast on March 1st. He was seeking to hear from God. At 2:46pm on the eleventh day of his fast, the 9.0 earthquake hit and minutes later, the tsunami swept in then out, ravaging lives and families, cities and villages. As images flashed across our screens, the nation and the rest of the world watched in utter horror. The devastation was immediate, immense, and incalculable—maybe even hopeless.

Yet we are hearing many stories that the Church in Japan has hope. As I was in Sendai with co-workers Takeshi Takazawa and Jeffery Sonnenberg, we saw this hope bursting forth in Pastor Higa. Listen to the heart and vision of Pastor Higa who shared what God has been teaching him...
[if you don't see a video player, click here or watch on YouTube.]

Pastor Higa said:

"God has burned in my heart those 86 cities and villages and towns completely wiped away—[that they] will have a church in each of the 86 places."

And the work has already commenced.

One month after the disaster, on April 10, 2011, members of International Family Church and the surviving members and the people of Seaside Bible Chapel — 50 people in all — held a joint worship service. It was held on what remains of the site of Seaside Bible Church—her cross and her foundation. Yes, I think that's rather poetic. The service included a memorial service for those who did not outlive the catastrophe.

But the service also included hope of replanting; seeds of hope for churches in this and 85 other communities. Japanese churches are coming alongside of impacted churches to move toward the vision of evangelization of the area by rebuilding the church and starting new churches.

photo: Mainichi Shimbun

Participants proclaimed: 1) We believe in the revival of this place, 2) We believe a special hope in this place, and 3) We love this place. Both Pastor Higa of International Family Church and Pastor Tomohiro Naito of Seaside Baptist Church wrote down these three convictions on the piece of wood and put it up on the site. They believe the new cross tower is built as the symbol of the Hope of the World.

Jesus said, "I will build My church." (Matthew 16:18) And by His grace, He allows us to be part of that work.

"The Church's One Foundation" (1866) by Samuel John Stone:

The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
she is His new Creation by water and the Word.
From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.

Asian Access is called to identify, develop, and release churches to grow and to start churches in the disaster area. We want to help by resourcing Japanese churches and to encourage the Church plant reproducing churches.

Will you be a part of bringing hope to hurting places in Japan?

I'm humbled by the magnitude of work to be done, but inspired by the hope of God's people with vision.

Jeff Johnston (with Takeshi Takazawa)

More information...

Map of Japan with churches in the tsunami-impact zone

A2's Japan Tsunami Page: http://asianaccess.org/japan

Pray Updated: http://asianaccess.org/tsunami-posts
Go / Talk about it: http://go2japan.org/tsunami-forum
Give: http://asianaccess.org/A2-Japan-Tsunami-Relief-Fund.html