As CRASH Japan moves towards its second year of serving survivors of the March 11 disaster, there are still plenty of opportunities for volunteers. CRASH is taking measures to ensure the safety of volunteers, including the recent addition of safety chief Nathan Williams to the headquarters staff. Among many places in the disaster zone, Nathan recently visited a temporary housing site in Fukushima City where he measured environmental radiation levels. CRASH Japan is committed to mobilizing volunteers safely and effectively. Please pray, give, and/or volunteer today. For more information on radiation safety in Japan we recommend the following site: http://xkcd.com/radiation/
Written by John Houlette, World Venture missionary
It was Thursday night in Folsom, California. I was in the midst of leading a Japanese Pastors' Tour, and we had just finished a presentation on short term ministry to a group of on-fire college students at Lakeside Church.
Several stayed after the service to pray and talk about pursuing ministry in Japan. Blessed but exhausted, I returned to my host family's home and sat down to watch the 10 PM news. What followed changed my life forever.
CRASH Japan continues to meet the needs of survivors in Tohoku. "You keep coming back," is what CRASH volunteers often hear from survivors as they interact with survivors in temporary housing communities. The ministry of Christian presence is bearing fruit in relationships being formed between survivors and volunteers. This (English) donor report covers the months of September to December 2011. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.
-CRASH Japan President, Jonathan Wilson
With the one year anniversary of the March 11th earthquake quickly approaching, the needs of the Japanese are changing. CRASH has been responding to questions and concerns regarding radiation by bringing in specialists. CRASH Safety Chief Nathan Williams has been working to ensure the safety of CRASH volunteers, and to bring comfort to Tohoku survivors. Also appearing in this video is Dr. James Lindgren, a highly qualified MD who came to CRASH HQ in Tokyo to present on radiation safety. Dr. Lindgren has many years of experience in disaster relief work and has the following credentials:
Chairman, Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission
As we move into the second year of our two-year disaster relief response plan CRASH Japan is committed to mobilizing volunteers safely and effectively.
The following report describes how three skilled musicians from Tokyo worked alongside a local church, CRASH Japan staff, and volunteers to set up a concert for a small group of survivors. "Was it worth it?" In an economy of numbers and concrete results the answer is clearly "no". Even in church circles many will dismiss a small event like this as a failure. In reality, an intimate setting like this where there is music, food and warm human interaction is a fantastic opportunity to connect with people at a level that just can't happen in large venues. Eyes meet. Food and drinks are shared. Survivors are aware that someone cares enough about them to go to all this trouble. Lives are touched.
We seem to so easily forget that Jesus went way out of his way to love one woman at a well, one man in a tree, and one world in need of hope.
