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Japan’s anxious future opens hearts to Christ

Before Japan’s March 11, 2011, earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster, missionaries Nobumasa and Beverly Tajima distributed 10,000 tracts and invitations to a church event. Their labors yielded perhaps two responses.  After the shaking that the Japanese people have taken not only physically but also spiritually, the peoples’ responses are changing.

 

In a presentation given November 4, 2011, at Baptist Mid-Missions’ Home Office, the Tajimas spoke of their work in three areas where nuclear evacuees are housed. Meeting with people in 200 temporary housing units, the Tajimas saw five responses to their tract distribution. Five may not seem like many, but in this traditionally Shinto and Buddhist culture where self-reliance is valued, the response is a sign that cracks have opened in peoples’ hearts to consider Christ’s redemptive message. Many of the Tajimas’ contacts are elderly. These older people have lost hope and have grown bitter. Yet they now listen with interest as the Tajimas speak of the hope found in Jesus.

 

The Tajimas, along with their other BMM coworkers—Joe and Noney Mita, Joyce Oshiro, and David and Melody Yoshida, plus Rick and Becky Enterline (on furlough during the earthquake—are praying and laboring for an increase in the Lord’s harvest in Japan. They have given meals and encouragement, and with the help of World Relief Funds, four churches and a camp are being repaired.

 

Tough choices in hard-hit areas

Rick and Becky Enterline served with Pastor Koga in Iwaki. After the radiation danger became apparent, Pastor Koga and his family had to make a quick decision—stay in Iwaki or leave for the safety of Mrs. Koga, who was pregnant, and their small child? They did leave briefly but later returned to shepherd their small congregation. Iwaki is 28 miles from the damaged Fukushima nuclear reactors. Although this area is categorized in the safe zone, the city is still uncomfortably close to this hot spot. Three church families left, cutting the Kogas’ personal income in half. World Relief Funds are helping to make up for this loss.

 

Daily decisions such as food purchases (Are these vegetables really safe to eat?) and children’s recreation needs make life complicated and stressful even for the Christians. Three cities with BMM-affiliated churches—Iwaki, Nihonmatsu, and Koriyama—all have significant radiation contamination. Parents either keep their children inside or greatly limit their outdoor playtime; the parks are all closed. The Japanese government has lifted fees on toll roads to make it easier for people to leave the affected cities to find safe parks for children’s play and adults’ much-needed respite.

 

Your prayers make a difference for the Japanese people

Will you pray with us that the Lord would touch hearts in a significant way? The Japanese people need to be pointed to the true source of hope in the Lord. Pray for Pastors Koga, Shibata, and Takahashi. These men pastor congregations in radiation-affected areas. They need much strength and provision from the Lord and wisdom for their churches’ future plans. Pray also that our missionaries would have the resources and wisdom to help and counsel hurting people.