A2 Stories via Mission Network News

Effects of Japan tsunami still spreading

Mission Network News — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:22 -0700

Tsunami impacting hearts, Japan, now North America

JAPAN (MNN) ― The effects of the 2011 Japan tsunami and earthquake are even more widespread now than they were 14 months ago.

Reminders of that fateful day remain for miles in Japan, deeply embedded in the hearts of survivors, and stretching as far as another continent.

Debris has been piling up on the coasts of Alaska, the state of Washington, and British Columbia for weeks now. Although most cannot be confirmed to be from the tsunami, many items have Japanese writing on them and include things such as building insulation, shoes, and soccer balls. A motorcycle with Japanese license plates from the tsunami hit area even washed up in British Columbia.

It's proof that the tsunami effects have now spread to North America.

Within the nation, debris removal, home repair, and open space where buildings once sat serve as daily reminders of a tragedy that occurred over a year ago.

There have been large efforts with debris removal, says Asian Access (A2) missionary Takeshi Takazawa. He says most major items have been removed. "If you come and stand in the tsunami-hit area, you will see the vast space without anything: foundations here and there of leftover buildings," notes Takazawa.

The open space is a credit to the debris removal teams, but a painful reminder to tsunami victims. Not only are their cities wiped out, but the spaces of nothingness where buildings and houses used to stand also indicate the large number of people still without permanent homes. Thousands of survivors—originally estimated at 320,000—remain in temporary housing.

The housing situation, in particular, has added to another set of problems. Although the first year of post-tsunami care was about keeping people alive and safe, says Takazawa, "Now a majority of the survivors are in temporary housing. They struggle with a sense of loss of possession as well as loved ones, families, relatives, friends. At the same time, they struggle with the loss of their hometown."

Emotional wounds cut deeper and deeper as days of loss pile on. Suicide has become increasingly prevalent in Japan; suicides are up to five times more frequent in Japan since the tsunami hit than the national average of years prior, says Takazawa.

A2 has been able to step in with removal, rebuilding and physical aid, but especially after a year of aid, their focus is increasingly on emotional and spiritual health.

"The most important thing about rebuilding is rebuilding of the community, rebuilding of the people's heart, way more than the physical space of buildings," explains Takazawa.

A2 is accomplishing this inner rebuilding in large part through consistency. A2 missionaries, in partnership with other organizations and churches, have been visiting survivors in their home on a regular basis, building relationships, committing to just listening to the residents, and praying if they feel comfortable.

This sort of consistent contact even helps in suicide avoidance. Takazawa says since the likelihood of suicide increases as people are isolated for long periods of time, and depression sets in, A2 partners mobilize teams to visit often.

The results of this compassion have been notable. The tsunami-hit region of Japan was one of the least evangelized areas in one of the least evangelized countries in the world. People were closed to the Gospel, and therefore little Gospel work was being done there.

But as A2 and other believers have reached out to the area, a radical change has taken place. People are exceptionally more open to the Good News of Christ and have come to see the church in a completely new light.

"They see the Christian church as something that they need in their society and in their life," says Takazawa. "God has opened receptivity in these communities."

God continues to create beauty from the debris of tragedy, and A2 is serving an integral role in His work. To help A2 in Japan, click here.

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Japan's hope grows as the nation recovers from tragedy

Mission Network News — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:09 -0800

One year after destruction, Japan's cherry blossoms announce a growing hope

JAPAN (MNN) ― One year ago this Sunday, a huge earthquake -- the fifth-largest ever recorded -- ripped through the seabed about 40 miles off the coast of Japan.

At magnitude 9.0, the quake shifted Honshu Island 8 feet to the east and made the Earth wobble on its axis. It also sent tsunamis crashing into the coast, tearing a swath of destruction six miles inland and wrecking the nuclear power station at Fukushima.

From that disaster, a meltdown--releasing 600 million times the energy of the Hiroshima bomb--occurred. 15,000 people are known to have died; thousands are still missing a year later.

President Joe Handley with Asian Access says the repair task was daunting. "86 communities were completely washed away. People lost their homes, lost their jobs, lost their loved ones." Yet, rebuilding quickly began, and the picture of Japan today is painted amidst the hope of the cherry blossoms budding now. "Out of ashes of this disaster, we've seen hope on the rise."

As word of the scope of the disaster spread, so did the number of people who wanted to help. "The Japanese Self Defense Force were some of the first up in the region bringing help and hope, then believers across Japan--Japanese churches in particular--have been the unsung heroes. Then, believers around the world came to rally."

Here's the irony, says Handley. The hardest-hit region was also "the single least-reached region of Japan. Japan is known as one of the largest unreached people group in the world, and this particular region is the single most unreached sector of Japan."

The walls of disinterest in the Gospel began to give way. "Out of this situation, people have been asking, 'Why would you do this? Why would you care for us so much?' and, 'Why are you the ones that are helping us through these emotional situations when many others are doing nothing?' Because of that, many are coming to Christ."

Asian Access mobilized 30 tons of aid with the help of a $1 million dollar matching grant last year. That aid has gone a long way to spiritual healing. "The churches have been at the forefront of providing relief. So, as people have really faced the emotional and the spiritual trauma that has hit them, the Church has really risen to the occasion to meet people's needs."

Asian Access launched a strategic sending partnership with SIM USA to help meet the needs. Handley remarked that for the first time in his 30-year cross-cultural ministry career, "This pastor was asking me to send hundreds of missionaries. I've never in my life seen local pastors from a country practically begging me to send hundreds of missionaries. It wasn't just one pastor. It was a few."

It's just the beginning. Asian Access hopes to continue to provide funds and also missionaries to support them in this work. "Pastors think we have about a two-year window to really invest in Japan, spiritually. This is a unique time for Japan. Some have called it a 'kairos' moment, or a 'God' moment, for Japan."

The good news: A2 just received a second USD$1,000,000 matching opportunity to bring hope and healing to the country. These new funds allow A2 to continue to bolster the strategic partnerships created over the last year.

Handley explains, "We continue to invest in key pastors and leaders throughout the region, developing community centers that are centers of hope, centers for transformational and church planting efforts, even investing in small businesses that have been completely devastated."

"It's cherry blossom season," Handley says. In Japan, cherry blossoms symbolize clouds, besides being a metaphor for life. In this case, A2 teams have given life meaning through the Gospel. "Through this season of hope, this million-dollar matching opportunity will help us come alongside key churches and send more missionaries to help them share the love and hope that lies within us."

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

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South Asian nation struggles to shape itself

Mission Network News — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:15 -0800

Church and ministry leaders asked to be part of draft body

S. ASIA (MNN) ― Drafting a new constitution is impossible without peace, as one nation in South Asia (unnamed for security reasons) is discovering.

The country has been dealing with contentious political wrangling over the shape of the government even as missed deadlines threatened to erupt once more in a deadly rebel insurgency.

This week, a former government leader encouraged reconciliation between the government and the rebels, and at the same time tried to woo fringe parties to be a part of the drafting process.

Joe Handley with Asian Access says the opportunity for church leaders and A2 country directors to help shape the future of this country is unprecedented. "They've been invited in to speak into the constitution for probably what is the first time for the church. Pray for wisdom as these leaders work with the political apparatus of the country to draft things that work well for society, work well for the government, work well for the people, but also empower the church."

However, Handley notes that at the same time, "The challenge is that this is also a threat to many of the groups that are involved in this particular country. Many of these groups have been known to burn down churches and actually kill pastors. The leaders of Asian Access in South Asia have received a threat for ransom."

Pressures on Christians are immense, but so is the hope. Getting in on the ground floor would enable them to create a safe haven. "This is a new era, and we're praying and hoping that they can help influence this constitution in such a way that the church would stand stronger and have not only their rights, but also be able to practice their faith in freedom."

Handley says, right now, the oppression and harassment against believers is severe enough that church leaders have had to take some precautions. "When they're meeting with folks and people show an interest in Christ, and they're about ready to get baptized, they go through this list of seven questions. It's a very delicate situation. They're quite open, but they're really hoping that this is going to be the birth of a new era in the country."

It's an examination, of sorts, to assess the level of commitment. It also serves as a reality check.

1. Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?

2. Are you willing to lose your job?

3. Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them, and share the love of Christ with them?

4. Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord?

5. Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?

6. Are you willing to go to prison?

7. Are you willing to die for Jesus?

If he or she is willing to answer "Yes" to all of these questions, then A2 leaders invite the person to sign on the bottom of the paper that of their own free will they have decided to follow Jesus. If they refuse, it's more likely that they may be operating as a police plant.

The risk: If a new convert signs and is caught, it's three years behind bars. The one who did the evangelizing faces six years in prison.

The country is predominantly Hindu, but over the past few decades Christianity has grown in popularity -- especially among poor and tribal peoples, attracted by the opportunity to escape the rigid caste system. Says Handley, "It's one of the fastest-growing regions of the church for the last 10 to 15 years, but it's growing under these enormous pressures. Right now, there's a unique opportunity to influence the direction of the country by the redrafting of this constitution."

Christian leaders have also been demanding that the government formally recognize their status. As for church leaders and A2 staff, he adds, "They're desperate for our prayers. They have asked us over and over again recently, 'Please mobilize troops for prayer for South Asia.'"

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Pastors providing relief in Japan, but tired

Mission Network News — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:37 -0800

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.

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Photo: Pastor Adrian De Visser speaking at a pastors' retreat in Japan. (photo by Joe Handley)
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Partnership to plant 1,000 churches by 2020

Mission Network News — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:12 -0800

Asian Access makes significant partnership just in time for responsive hearts in Japan

JAPAN (MNN) ― The 1st century church shared everything to accomplish Kingdom growth. Why shouldn't 21st century ministries do the same?

A strategic partnership uniting Asian Access and SIM USA was recently formed with the aim of sending more church-planting missionaries to Japan.

"In this unique season, the needs are phenomenal," explains Asian Access president Joe Handley. "We're seeing response rates to Christ like I've never seen in my lifetime. The need for people to go and help plant churches is significant. Japanese pastors across the country, and particularly in the regions most affected by the tsunami and the nuclear plant disaster, have huge vision to plant churches, and they've asked us for our help."

Openness to the Gospel has increased since a March 2011 tsunami ravaged one of the least-reached areas of Japan, which happens to be one of the least-reached nations with the Gospel in the world.

Plans for the SIM partnership started long before the tsunami hit, though. Asian Access went through a three-year process of examining organizations' DNA, vision, mission and core values.

Handley says Asian Access felt led to form a partnership with another organization partially for economic reasons, hoping to be better Kingdom stewards. But the ministry also needed someone to help them with a big project: "To establish a church planting network that would establish 1,000 churches across Japan."

According to the agreement--which is not a merger, but a way of truly doing mission together--SIM will partner with Asian Access to recruit and send missionaries to Japan to plant churches. Asian Access will still be the key leader on the field and will manage the work and oversee missionary care.

Handley is confident in the decision. "SIM has been around for many years. It's a very stable organization, and they had the economy of scale to come alongside of us and help us do the very things we were looking for."

Asian Access prayerfully decided on a partnership with SIM, and God blessed their timing. People are more open to the Gospel than ever following such devastation in Japan, and now Asian Access is more prepared than ever to share the Truth with them.

Pray for this new partnership to be a catalyst for Kingdom growth in Japan. Pray that the Lord would guide SIM and Asian Access as they steward their resources to come alongside churches and pastors in Japan. Pray also that the financial resources to establish 1,000 churches by 2020 would come available.

If you would like to get involved in the work Asian Access and SIM are doing in Japan, visit go2japan.org.

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FAQs - frequently asked questions about this strategic partnership
Press Release - Asian Access' public statement
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Japan breathes sigh of relief with Typhoon Roke's near miss

Mission Network News — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:18 -0700

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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Secrecy, spies and suspicion: part of the history of the church in Asia

Mission Network News — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:36 -0700

Though their history reads like a mystery, the church in Asia writes a happier chapter

ASIA (MNN) - Secrecy, spies and suspicion: they are all elements found in a novel or movie of intrigue. You'd expect to see such a storyline unfolding in connection with a mystery, but not the church.

However, Joe Handley with Asian Access says that's exactly what was happening amongst believers throughout Asia. "Because the church was underground--and you had some churches that were sanctioned by the government, and others that were not--there was a sense of ‘Will that person turn me in to the government authorities?'"

Worse yet, "It got to the point where they just didn't know if they could trust another. They were having family members turn family members in, and pastors they thought were pastors who were spies turning people in. That culture of mistrust was heavy."

Seeing a healthy evangelical body emerge from the devastation of this cultural destruction has been a direct answer to prayer. Handley explains, "They started coming together through Asian Access, and over the course of a few years, there started to build unification amongst the pastors and churches in the capital city." In fact, he adds, these pastors are now investing in the lives of others. "Over a ten year period, that now has bled over into many of the provinces where there is a remarkable unity that is building in the country amongst the pastors."

This new crop of pastors have cast off the suspicion, and they are eagerly embracing the training A2 offers. Even better, Handley says, the ministry didn't have to do all the work. "These pastors already have a passion for church planting. They work mainly in house churches, and they want to also finish the task of world evangelism."

A2 chose a man to put feet to the mission who had both business savvy and a loose grip on the ministry reigns. Since he didn't have an agenda, the church leaders he was training and discipling had the freedom to explore their own strengths. As a result, "They have a vision not only to plant churches in their own country, but across Asia, stretching from their country and moving all across the 10/40 Window."

The unity this team built was most obvious in its solidarity. Handley says this group made plans to travel to the Capetown Congress (Lausanne) for World Evangelization together. When their government prevented them from attending, their absence not only spoke of their unified stand, but it also unified the rest of the Christians there in prayer for this Asian country.

Building on that momentum has been exciting. Leadership training begins with the emerging leaders of the church body. A select group from the big metropolitan centers gets training from Asian Access. From there, it's taken on its own life. "We call ourselves ‘A2,' for short; they call the secondary level of training ‘B2,' and now the B2 level graduates have actually started ‘C2.'"

The goal: to be a vibrant community of servant leaders with vision, character and competence, leading the church across Asia. As their country director says, "The tide is moving toward more openness, and it's just a matter of time."

Vision and growth are not without challenges, especially in a country that is hostile to Christians. The region is known for the persecution and harassment of believers. Like those who stood with the missing delegation at the Capetown Congress, Handley urges a similar response. "They need us to pray that God would protect them, that God give them peace and sanity in the midst of what sometimes can feel like chaos, and that God would take care of them and open the path."

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Church growing in Japan, relief continues

Mission Network News — Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:31 -0700

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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Tsunami victims still in great need physically, spiritually

Mission Network News — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:00:37 -0700

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.

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Read Kent Muhling's staff profile.

Unsung heroes in Japan: the fingerprints of God

Mission Network News — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:47 -0700

JAPAN (MNN) ― Life goes in the shadow of a disaster.

Japan's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis have shaken confidence in the surety of day-to-day life. However, survivors still need to eat, drink, and stay warm as they begin to wrap their minds around the enormity of rebuilding.

Asian Access is walking alongside the people through their network of churches, the unsung heroes of the catastrophe. They sent a First response team a week after the disaster.

Another team followed on the heels of the First Responders. Jeffrey Sonnenberg was a member of the team that wanted not only to figure out a more efficient resource plan, but also to share the hope stories.

Thousands are still in evacuation shelters with no idea how long it will be before they can go "home" again. On a positive note, the infrastructure is showing signs of improvement. Water is flowing again, and food is making its way into the damaged areas.

Moving out of the early days of the disaster, Sonnenberg says, "People are looking more for clothes and for containers to put clothes into as they're in the evacuation centers. So we're seeing it progress into a different stage."

Local churches are standing in the gap for those too far removed from the urban centers that are seeing the infrastructure repaired. "They were going in to assess and have been very involved in trying to bring relief aid goods to the evacuation centers, especially some of the more isolated communities."

It will take years to restore the damaged communities. However, "We've seen some great examples of churches going out into their communities, helping to deliver supplies to people who need them, helping people to clean out their homes, to get the muck and the junk out of their homes. Pray for the churches as they go out as the hands of Christ."

Naturally, with nearly every headline about Japan talking about the nuclear crisis, the question had to be asked: "Is the radiation affecting the team? Are they safe?" Sonnenberg responds, "Asian Access is very much aware of the radiation issue. There is the ‘no-access' zone that we have not sent people into."

Recent reports indicated that radiation was found in some vegetables grown near the crippled nuclear site. That report set off a panic. Is it becoming a concern for the churches involved with the food distribution? Not really, Sonnenberg says. "Currently, the area we've been working in--Sendai, the radiation is a non-issue there. We're monitoring it very carefully."

While the Japanese have responded with great dignity to the crisis surrounding them, the strain is taking its toll. Their church teams are in place to help. "People are still very much in a state of shock. They're still really trying to grapple with the reality [of] what's going on. People are beginning to question and [they're] wrestling with issues of death and ‘what happens after I die.'"

Mortality questions could be the tool that gets past the traditional resistance to the Gospel. "We are seeing people being more open to hearing about Christ, but to be honest, a lot of the effort, up until now, is just being able to get people the most basic of needs. Now, we'll need to focus a lot more on the spiritual needs, as well."

The scope of the response in Japan is both taxing and mind-boggling. And Asian Access is asking for help. They need prayer support for their teams, as well as wisdom for how they will continue to move forward. They also need funds. Damage estimates are in the hundreds of billions. Immediate survival needs involve food, water, shelter and heat for hundreds of thousands.

Asian Access received a $1,000,000 matching gift pledge to help meet the spiritual and physical needs. Their team is made up of 400 pastors and 1800 churches...and the potential for eternal impact is huge. Effectively, for every gift sent to help A2 and their church teams, the impact is doubled.

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 Jeffery Sonnenberg's staff profile.