Asian Access responds as misery compounds

Japan (MNN) — “When it rains, it pours.” In other words, when something bad happens, more trouble is right around the corner. Such is the case in Japan.

Earlier this month, a typhoon brought record-breaking rainfall to southwest Japan. Last week, flooding caused by the rainfall triggered massive mudslides and left people stranded on rooftops. Now, says Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access, a heat wave is complicating recovery efforts and the death toll keeps on climbing.

More than 200 people have perished so far. Many of the deaths have occurred in three prefectures: Okayama, Hiroshima, and Ehime.

“Just like the tsunami that happened seven years ago, the flood came rather quickly,” says Takazawa. “[There were] many people who couldn’t move quickly to the higher ground and also it was early morning, so people couldn’t leave the home, and they were swallowed by the water.”

In response, Asian Access is coming alongside its network of local Japanese believers and churches “to share Christ’s love, along with disaster relief.”

As stated here, Asian Access prioritizes its response based on the three types of people/organizations involved in disaster relief:

• Nationals and residents who live there, have been through the disaster, and will stay. Asian Access listens first, and well, to these nationals and residents
• People and organizations with a previous connection to the region and the people
• People and organizations who are involved because of the disaster.

“We come alongside local churches to reach out and help disaster victims,” Takazawa explains. A decade of natural disasters and partnership has sharpened the response of local believers to community needs.

“Disasters [are] a horrible thing to experience. But, each time, our (partner) churches in Japan are getting quicker and [finding] better ways to organize ourselves in a national network and churches [are] coming alongside together…to reach out to the community.”

There’s a role for you to play, too.

“This is not a short-term thing…so please continue to pray that local churches can be able to act as the hands and feet of Christ.”

Please pray for the surviving family members of flood victims. Ask the Lord to comfort them in this time of grief. Pray for flood survivors in the disaster zone; more than 2,000 households have no access to clean water.

Finally, pray for Asian Access and Japanese Christians as they put God’s love into action.

“[Prayer] is the call from God, who cares for every people group, every person on this earth. He mobilizes the global Church, including YOU (listeners/readers), to pray for this disaster response.”

Asian Access is also coming alongside churches and leaders in the disaster zone to help with developing strategy and providing physical, professional, emotional, and spiritual resources as God permits. If you’d like to give to the Japan Disaster Relief Fund, click here.

“Give financially, or give time and energy by joining one of our reconstruction teams,” Takazawa suggests.

Today, “we are still getting more numbers on people who lost their lives because of mudslides or the flooding,” comments Takazawa.

“It is sad and it is [a] crisis, but this crisis is almost like a call to respond in a tangible way to show Christ’s love to the victims.”

Please pray for flood survivors as they reconnect with loved ones and seek temporary shelter. Pray for Asian Access and local believers as they share the Gospel in word and deed.

“This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” Takazawa says. “After [the] water goes down…it will take a long time to recover.”

Visit Asian Access’ website for the latest details about their response. Along with prayer, consider giving and going as the Spirit leads.

“[When the time comes] we will come alongside of victims’ homes and…help them to rebuild the community. So, if you can come, please come.”

You can help Japan now!

Give Now to the Japan Disaster Relief Fund