Information regarding needed volunteers for sorting relief items at the Disaster Response office 4/8

The tents for storing disaster relief goods have been erected.

Today (4/8), on the parking lot of the JAG Central Bible Colleg, Superintendent Hosoi, Pastor Katsuhiro Honda, and a number of Bible college students put up the tents that will be used to store relief goods.

And so now we need volunteers to sort relief goods.

At the moment,  we are making an open call for volunteers to came and work along side the Bible college students, sorting relief items at the disaster response office.
Time: Every week Monday～Friday 10:00AM～5:00PM＊Please inform us what time fits your schedule.

■　Inquires：psalms027@gmail.com　090-7188−8848
Please contact Ken Kubota at the disaster volunteer information desk.

Disaster Response Office  Practical Affairs Committee Chairman  Katsuhiro Honda
    Disaster Response Committee Member  Ken Kubota

[Special Seminar] Caring for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

[Specialist led seminar]

−Caring for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)−

＜In Cooperation with the JAG Disaster Relief Office and Central Bible College of Japan＞

　

Not only did the Tohoku earthquake that occurred on March 11th destroy many precious lives, it also left deep emotional damage (trauma) on the survivors. In the case of disaster induced trauma, it is known that the earlier care is received the traumatic effects will be reduced.
The seminar will be lead by the husband and wife team of Nathan and Beth Davis who have global influence regarding this issue and have trained care givers in the aftermath of numerous wars and disasters. Not merely will you study the physiological angle but also this seminar will teach you the Biblical angle, being encouraged by this spiritual blessing. It will be a full schedule packed with lots of content so please attend if possible. Interpretation of the lectures and the translations of the materials will be handled by Pastor Hiroshi Horikawa. We are taking advantage of this seminar as a replacement for the annual CBC beginning of the term lecture series.

[About the lecturers]

Rev. Nathan Davis:　The eldest son of US Assemblies of God missionaries Dr. and Mrs. Jim Davis, born and raised in Kobe, Japan. He served for 29 years in the Unite States Air Force as a physiologist. He leads practical training seminars on issues such as interpersonal relationships, crisis intervention, spiritual development, and stress management. On top of that he gives one on one counseling to over 150 missionaries a year. Nathan has a been recognized as a counselor by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation（ICISF).
Dr. Beth Davis:　She has worked as a missionary for over 25 years in Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Belgium. She now serves as director of Caring Connection, an arm of the US Assemblies of God which provides emotional care to missionaries around the world. Like her husband she is also recognized by and is a member of ICISF.
Dr. Hiroshi Horikawa：　Pastor Horikawa, who will oversee the interpretation of this seminar, is certified as a clinical psychologist studying at Hiroshima University School of Engineering, graduating from Central Bible College of Japan, studying at Vanguard University Graduate School, receiving a master’s degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and completing a doctorate (in clinical psychology) at Yasuda Lady’s University. He is currently the pastor Mitaki Green Chapel (Hiroshima Christ Church) as well as contributing to the community as a chaplain and school counselor.

[Seminar Schedule]

Date & Time: 4/18/2011  1:00PM ~ 4/20/2011 4:00PM
Place: Central Bible College Chapel
 170-0003 Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Komagome 3-15-20
(JR Komagome station 10 min. by foot) There is limited parking
Audience: Ministers, church members, Bible school students *limited to 200 people
Cost: Free (donations will be accepted)
Lodging: Please apply individually for lodging

For those who would like to attend, please FAX or email your name, telephone number, email address, your affiliated church and position (pastor, believer, Bible school student, etc.).
FAX　03-3918-0474
Email　japanaog@ag-j.or.jp

Report from Toyomi Sanga of Koriyama, the morning after the big aftershock 4/8

Last night the shaking was rather intense.
Even after the quaking died down my legs were still trembling as I had memories of March 11^th. After the quaking stopped we contacted church members in Koriyama, Sendai and Ishimaki and confirmed that everyone was fine.

　Today is the opening ceremony for my daughter’s high school.
We woke up at 5:30AM, checked the train lines and found that they were not running, so we prepared a sack lunch and got ready to go by car.

　Just before leaving my husband mentioned, “Why don’t you call and double check with the school?” so I called and they said, “Students who would normally commute to school by train do no need to attend the ceremony today.”
Waiting at the door ready to leave my daughter moaned, “Well that’s just a big let down! I was all ready to go and everything…”
She enjoys having a day off but she seemed sad to not be able to get back to school. She seems to be appreciating the blessing of attending school.

　Previously at 7:30AM. Pastor K from the Tokyo area sent a large number of school backpacks for the evacuee children that have been moved into the Nagamori Elementary School near our church.
Oddly enough, yesterday a flyer came to the house reading “To All Parents of Nagamori Elementary School Students”. Last month my son graduated out of Nagamori Elementary and to I thought it strange that they still sent me a flyer… maybe it was God?

　This morning at 9:00 I am planning on delivering the backpacks and some other school goods.
It is a small elementary school with about 190 students, 68 of whom have just transferred in as evacuees.
I am so thankful that God will continue to give us opportunities to interact with others.

(Urgent) 4/7 Tohoku district report strong level 6 aftershock in Miyagi Prefecture

▼Aomori Christ Church (Pastor Shibuya)

Last night’s quaking was intense but only strong enough to topple small things, so we were protected. We lost power and water but as of this morning the water is back. We are still without power. Because of last month’s earthquake everyone was rather frightened.

▼Hachinohe Church (Pastor Galbreath)

Not yet able to make contact. (*Once contact is made their status will be posted ASAP)

▼Akita Fukuin Christ Church (Pastor Hamasaki)

No power at the moment.

▼Yamagata Shinsho Christ Church (Pastor Fuse)

There is no power. Water and propane gas is fine. Yamagata city is entirely without power, traffic signals and trains are not working. It is projected to take a few hours to have power restored.

▼Yonezawa Fukuin Christ Church (Pastor Okubo)

No problems to report.

▼Izumi Fukuin Christ Church (Pastor Ito)

Currently, there is no power or water. Pastor Ito’s cell phone is also not able to receive service. Please pray for that the volunteers that were on their way to Izumi would arrive safely.⇒Thank God, the volunteers arrived safely.

▼Sendai Shinsho Christ Church (Pastor Kawakami)

This earthquake had strong lateral shaking. Since this earthquake was shorter that then last month’s earthquake the only effects were that a few things fell off of the bookcase.　

▼Fukushima Chuo Christ Church (Pastor Ito)

Thankfully the church is fine. The shaking was rather strong but the only effects were that some books and dishes fell off of their shelves.

▼Koriyama Christ Church (Pastor Sanga)

There are no injuries. A bookshelf and dresser fell over and it seems that some cracks from last month’s quake have widened slightly. We have not lost any utilities.

▼Makiba no Asa Christ Church (Miss Sato)

No problems to report.

▼Iwaki Assembly Church (Pastor Okuda)

There seem to be no problems. In fact this morning was the first that the water has worked since last month’s earthquake.

▼Morioka Fukuin Christ Church

Not yet able to make contact. (*Once contact is made their status will be posted ASAP)

▼Shin-ai Christ Church (Pastor Yokoyama)

No problems to report. Because of the earthquake it has not been possible to do snow removal from the roof and so roof tiles and a few window panes have broken and will need to be repaired.

＜Information complied by Pastor Yoshio Sanga of Koriyama Christ Church＞

A report from Toyomi Sanga of Koriyama Grace Garden Chapel (Koriyama Christ Church) 4/7

I give thanks to God for protecting us and keeping us safe, and I also thank all of you for your continual prayers.

Last week, Mr. S, the owner of the hair salon I go to contacted me, and said, "Mrs. Sanga, I knew you were up to something! Is there anything I can do to help?"

So, I talked to Mr. H, a city officer who is in charge of relief supplies at "Pick Palette Fukushima" where I've been volunteering to help with their kids program. He gave us permission to set up a tent for a haircut service, and so we gave people free haircuts on Tuesday the 5th.

About 105 people requested haircuts. Mr. S and another stylist (an owner of another beauty salon) came even though it was their off-day, and they started giving haircut at 8:30 am.

The tent was facing north, away from the sun and it was very cold in there, but once we started, people (evacuees) kept coming in. A little after 10 am, three more volunteer hairstylists from Yokohama showed up, so we had five stylist working for free. The five stylists kept on working until 4 pm, and 79 people were able to get their haircut that day.

In the afternoon, an elderly lady was brought in a wheelchair. I went to her and said, “You are going to be pretty! It feels good, doesn’t it?” and she became teary eyed.

A high school girl R (a church member), Y (a volunteer) and I worked as receptionists and assistants. We also babysat for moms who were getting their haircut, and played with the children who were waiting their turn.

Some other ways we ministered to everyone was to play worship songs such as Hillsong all day long in the tent, as well as praying.

Little by little, we are moving forward.

We will do this again with Mr. S next Tuesday.

A report from Pastor Hiroshi Ito of Izumi Fukuin Christ Church 4/5

Praise the Lord. Thank you for your prayers.

In the afternoon of the March 3rd, we visited a shelter where evacuees from Kawamata-cho, Date-gun were staying and had a church service there. After the service, while we were having conversation, one lady came up to me and said with a grievous look, "My watch completely stopped on March 11th." We had no word to say to her. All we could do was to lay our hands on her and cried with her and prayed for her. Nevertheless, she told us at the end, "I am from Buddhist family and my father is a priest, but I would like to start going to church and read the Bible."

I am assuming that we will have a water baptism for the man in his 50's who has made the decision (he is a worker of Fukushima Daiichi reactor) next time we see him, though I don't when and where it's going to be... All I can say is that it wouldn't be the same shelter, because they are going to move again for the 5th time.

It is so easy to be overwhelmed in the face of this catastrophic reality and lose sight of what we should do, what we can do. Nevertheless, I can't help but worship the Lord because I am daily experiencing God's marvelous work and presence in the midst of the pain and sufferings of this massive disaster, tsunami, and radiation threat. I am hoping to collaborate with other local churches in Fukushima, and reach out to people who have become evacuees due to the plant accidents and bring them the light and hope of the Gospel and the love of God. Again, thank you so much for your continual prayers. We really need them.

A report from Pastor Hiroshi Ito of Izumi Fukuin Christ Church 4/5

Praise the Lord!
We are always thankful for your prayers.

　On the afternoon of Sunday the 3^rd we had gone to Kawamata-machi to have a worship service with those at an evacuation shelter in that area. After the service, while mingling with everyone one lady said with a sad look on her face, “My wrist watch completely stopped working since the day of the earthquake.”

We did not know what to say to here, so the only thing that we could do is lay hands on her and pray and grieve with her. Just before leaving that same women said to me, “You know, my whole family is Buddhist but I’m going to start going to church and I want to read the Bible too.”

　As soon as we can, we hope to baptize the middle aged man (who is a Tepco employee at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.) that declared before everyone that he wanted to receive baptism (It is unclear when we will see him next, probably not at that shelter since he is about to be moved for the 5^th time.).

　Faced with the reality of this disaster, we are often unsure how we should proceed or what we should be doing at the moment. But I praise the Lord because each day we experience the awesome works of God amid the suffering cause by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident.
We hope to continue partnering with all the churches in Fukushima to bring the Light of the Gospel, hope and the Love of God to all of those affected by the nuclear accident. We still need everyone’s continued prayers.