Joe Handley

FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Stories from Joe Handley, president of Asian Access

And the walls came a tumblin' down!
3 Waves 3 Walls: Reflections following Japan's Triple Disaster

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:

  1. The 9.0 earthquake which did relatively little damage given the size and scope of the quake and following aftershocks.
  2. The tsunami which brought the most devastation, wiping out over 86 entire communities and destroying homes, businesses, churches and families.
  3. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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'.
  3. 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.

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

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!

Joe's blue web signature

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.

 

3 Waves 3 Walls: Reflections following Japan's Triple Disaster3 Waves 3 Walls: Reflections following Japan's Triple Disaster3 Waves 3 Walls: Reflections following Japan's Triple Disaster3 Waves 3 Walls: Reflections following Japan's Triple Disaster

Read original post...

All Stories

How Not to Teach Middle School

Throughout the week, I share the story about my faith journey A LOT. As a mobilizer with SIM, I’m one of the first conversations people have with us as they seek to discern God’s calling for them in His kingdom work around the world. An important part of every conversation is getting to share my journey and inviting the person on the call to share theirs.

A favorite line I like to share in my story is “If you don’t have a firm sense of your identity in Christ, and you don’t have a firm sense of His calling on your life, then you probably shouldn’t try to teach middle school English!”

Read more...

Dear Brothers and Sisters at Asbury University

…and beyond: encouragement from a big sister

I first heard about what God was doing on your campus on Friday, February 10. At the SIM USA sending office, we take our motto By Prayer very seriously. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, we come together corporately for a chapel service to pray over each one of our fields and our missionaries. On Mondays and Fridays, we do the same, but this time we gather in smaller groups by our departments. One of my coworkers brought up what God was doing on your campus, and we began to pray for you. 

Read more...

New, But Not: Our Journey to Japan

By Linda Koyama

Hi, I’m Linda. Nice to meet you. I’m currently writing from Yamagata, Japan, where my family is partnering with a local church. You’ve probably never heard of Yamagata. Don’t worry, neither did I until it was presented as one of the potential prefectures we’d be serving in. 

So where exactly is Yamagata? Think north of Tokyo about 200 miles (300 kilometers), or a 4 1/2 hour drive by car. It’s in the southern part of the Tohoku region, closer to the Japan Sea side (rather than the Pacific Ocean side). It’s definitely not one of Japan’s hot tourist spots, but this region is known for its ski slopes, onsens, and delicious fruits.

Read more...

It's a Different World...

By Tia Blassingame

Okay, if you look like me you probably started singing that song title and know exactly where I got it from. Perfect, because it has been playing in my head all week! This is truly a different world. Right now, I am at a homestay with my onēsan (pronounced ohnay-sahn) and her family. That term right there is already different vocabulary for you I’m assuming. Onēsan is “older sister” and a “homestay” is when you stay overnight (or more than one night) with a family. In basic “Tia terms” (that’s me), I’m at a sleepover with my sis and her fam. Let me backtrack a bit...

Read more...

Counting the Cost 3: The Shape of You

Leaving what I’ve found:
You helped me find my true self.
Wishing you were here. 

During one of my first annual Asian Access retreats in Japan, Dr. Sue Takamoto led all of us first-term missionaries through a special training specifically designed for our experience. One of her warm-up exercises had us flexing some of our creative muscles: we were to write haiku that showcased our experiences during our first term. I wrote the above haiku for my church family back home in St. Louis.

Read more...

Living a "Relevant Life"

Rethinking how God's Word is "relevant" to our lives and ministries

By Kent Muhling

I sometimes pray Psalm 143:8 at the beginning of my morning devotions. It reads, 

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, 
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, 
for to you I lift up my soul.” 

Read more...

Asian Access takes new name as ministry expands to the Middle East and beyond

International (A3) — Asian Access, known widely as A2, is expanding its ministry into some of the most dangerous and volatile parts of the world.

Read more...

And Our New Name is...

February 3, 2023

Friends of Asian Access,

I am thrilled to announce today that Asian Access has a new name. I have been waiting a long time to tell you, and I have simply been bursting to get this out there!

Read more...

2023... New Name and Encouraging Developments

This week Asian Access will be making a significant announcement and we want you, our friends, to be the first to know.

February 3 (2.3.23) is the day we have targeted to share the news of the ministry's expansion which is also driving the moment for a new name for the organization. I think you'll agree it's a wonderful connection to the past and a bridge to the next era of ministry to which we're called. Stay tuned for this exciting news!

Read more...

Making sense of Urbana and your own personal journey

Because Urbana '22 has just concluded, we thought it would be especially helpful to repost an article written after a previous Urbana by Asian Access missionary Sue Takamoto, who first attended Urbana '84.

Decision-Making and God's Perspective

  • "Oh no… It's been several weeks since Urbana, but I haven't signed up with a mission agency yet. Am I out of God's will?"
  • "How will I ever decide?!"
  • "I think God and my parents have very different ideas about what's best for my life…"
  • "Urbana still doesn't make sense to me."

Read more...

Follow this Site

Get new posts by email:

Login