Dear supporter,

A few days ago – as you are probably aware already – two powerful earthquakes shook South-Western Japan. Meanwhile, more than 500 tremors have caused the inhabitants of Kumamoto region (on Kyushu Island) a great deal of fear and anxiety. And the needs are deepening. More than 1000 homes were totally destroyed, and more than 4000 were damaged.

42 fatalities have already been confirmed, and several missing persons are still being searched for. More than 100 000 victims fled to temporary shelters. There they battle to escape from the trauma and find some rest. But all kinds of disruptions make it extremely difficult. Heaps of rubble are accumulating everywhere and health risks develop sporadically. Many people are spending the nights in their cars or tents, while food and water are still in short supply in many places.

Most trains have not yet started running, airports have closed down, and many roads have been torn apart, making them impassable. All of these factors hamper access to and provision of emergency services in many parts of the disaster-stricken area. Experts have warned everybody to maintain a high level of alertness. At least two active (underground) fault lines have been disturbed, and the likelihood of more earthquakes over a larger area is high.

How can we become involved?

Measured by road we live almost 700km from the disaster area and have not been directly affected, in terms of damage. But our hearts and thoughts have been deeply touched (as in March 2011) by these shocking events. We pray regularly and are also in direct contact with a minister and colleague (Rev. Hajime Nishibori) from RCJ Kumamoto (to whom I paid a visit in October 2015).

RCJ Kumamoto’s church building was damaged. Rev. Nishibori and a small group of church members held their worship service in the church parking lot on Sunday. His family and he had spent the previous nights in their car and are at present in a local shelter (school building).
One of the church members’ home was destroyed by the earthquake, but all are thankfully safe.

The RCJ (Reformed Church in Japan), our partners along with Mission Japan, is busy with in-depth consultations and an investigation to determine the needs of the congregation and vicinity. We are waiting for their report which, God willing, will provide details of a planned outreach to the disaster area. The Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary  (www.krts.net) where I lecture, is considering closing down for a week so that some students might, be sent as volunteers to render support wherever it may be needed.

We request you too to intercede in prayer for our Japanese brothers and sisters who have been struck by this disaster. Please pray for the outreach that the RCJ (which includes us) is now planning. Also for wisdom and protection of many other churches that are already busy with outreaches, that the living Lord will still clearly reveal his grace and hope in this crisis. Please pray also for the leaders of Mission Japan who are prayerfully considering their involvement, in partnership with the local RCJ (which includes the seminary).

God’s Peace in Christ, our Lord.

Stéphan and Carina,
(also on behalf of Carina’s parents, Tobie and Annalie de Wet, who had ministered in RCJ Kumamoto for many years, and are at present visiting us).