Look for the video “Japan Earthquake Relief “ (5:30) at http://www.internationalministries.org/podcasts

Over $433,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing funds has been received by American Baptist International Ministries (IM) for relief efforts to help Japanese Baptists who are recovering from the powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit northwestern Japan on March 11, 2011.

The General Secretary of the Japan Baptist Union (JBU), Rev. Makoto Tanno shares, “The generosity of American Baptists has enabled us to find hope in the midst of what will be a long and arduous recovery.” 

A portion of the relief funds were used immediately for lifesaving items like food, blankets, flashlights and clothing. Another portion funded transportation to send goods and services and Japanese volunteers to the devastated areas. Now monies are being used to repair church buildings and schools.  In good Japanese tradition, early “get well” offerings where provided for each affected JBU-related church and school to be used as needed.

“Our first priority right after a disaster was to help meet immediate needs--food, water and shelter,” commented Lisa Rothenberger, world relief officer.  “Now six-months after the tragedy our role shifts to the future.  We are now working closely with the Japanese Baptists to lay out a plan for the recovery and rehabilitation that will extend into the next 3 years.  It is because American Baptists have been so generous in their response that we are able to provide for those longer-term needs.”

Rev. Stan Murray, IM’s Area Director for Southeast Asia and Japan and his wife, Marty, served in Japan for 22 years as IM missionaries.  At the end of this month, Stan will travel to Japan to see first-hand the affected area.  He will also be meeting with Baptist aid agencies from around the world who are gathering to work with the JBU and their partner the Japan Baptist Convention (JBC) on a three-year recovery plan.

“It’s great to see God at work through Baptists who have agreed to pool their resources to have the most effective and efficient plan for recovery.  Bringing our resources together will enable us to address larger needs that any one of us could address alone,” commented Stan

Please pray for Stan and our Baptist partners as they endeavor to serve God through this experience. We know that God continues to open doors for us all to be engaged in bringing recovery and Christ to this great nation.

Donations for recovery and rebuilding efforts are still needed and can be made on the IM website. Go to http://www.internationalministries.org/places/japan and click on GIVE or write a check made payable to “One Great Hour of Sharing – Japan Relief” and give to your church, or mail to:
International Ministries
P.O. Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the General Board.  The Committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

To read additional journals, prayer requests, news updates and how to give to Japan relief, go to http://www.internationalministries.org/places/japan

 

American Baptist International Ministries, organized in 1814, is the first Baptist Mission organization formed in North America. We serve more than 1,800 long and short-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in more than 70 countries to tell the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.