For Dan, from Sara-Beth Iverson Noll and Maggie Iverson, a collaborative effort.
1. Donations: Moved with Thanks for the Love and Care We Have Seen for Japan.
2. Nuclear Plant and Radiation Situation
3. MTW teams Have Completed 33 Truck Loads of Supplies! We Continue to Send Teams North: The Lord has Abundantly Supplied Safety, Gas, Supplies, and Wonderful Reception with Each Trip.
4.Praying for Wisdom for a Long Term Plan and Presence in the North: Praise the Lord for Pastors and Churches With Whom We Can Partner!
1. Donations: Moved with Thanks
As some of you know, most days, Dan usually writes a quick summary/journal of his day. He usually includes thoughts from the scripture he read that morning as well as a basic schedule and a list of things he needs to do, emails he needs to send, et. Until March 26, the last time he wrote in this daily journal was March 11. This is over two weeks of surviving, little sleep and utter dependence on the Lord. In it he writes:
” What a two weeks! How I need the Lord’s strength, wisdom, power, for what lies ahead. How much I need day off Monday. On bullet train to Nagoya [for the graduation ceremony of one of his church members from CBI seminary there]. Cried a little on the train as I read notes from donors for minute man fund…”
Please know, friends, prayers partners, supporters, that your encouragement does not go unread or unappreciated. Of course there is no time to respond at present, but please know that the Lord is using you all to encourage a nation wrought with devastation, fear and darkness and through you, he brings light. Thank you so much.
2. Nuclear Reactor
Psalm 56:1 “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Granted, here the context is fear of man, but of course it is a biblical idea that all our fears, from fear of man to fear of a nuclear reactor, are nothing when we put our trust in God! Many Christians in Japan are clinging to this promise during these uncertain times.
The jury is still out on the short term and long term effects of the radiation, because they still do not know the extent of the damage in the surrounding areas. In many areas, food has been contaminated. Some days, water is contaminated, other days they deem it fine for consumption after consistent testing. Christ is over this. Please pray for belief and protection.
A Story of Praise: When radiation goes out from the source (in this case, Fukushima Daiichi), it doesn’t distribute evenly. Some places close by may have hardly any traces or elevated levels, while other places far away may have a LOT. Recently, the newspaper published a chart depicting all the cities in Fukushima prefecture and their radiation levels: The city with the second least amount of radiation was Iwaki prefecture, one of closest of all the cities tested and the prefecture where we, our team, has been working most heavily! Praise the Lord! Your prayers are powerful–please keep praying!
3. MTW teams Have Completed 33 Truck Loads of Supplies! We Continue to Send Teams North
Praise the Lord for his provision in all areas as we have sent truckload after truckload up north to help with aid. Our teams have been able to serve and love so many hurting people in the name of Christ. Those who have participated in serving and loving have been so blessed too. We see the Lord at work in the hearts of his people in Japan, and anticipate how He will grow his church in this needy place. If you haven’t been following, please take time to read some of the first hand accounts for our missionaries on the MTW website.
4. Praying for Wisdom for a Long Term Plan and Presence in the North
As the government turns its energies from search and rescue efforts, many towns now have running water again and are receiving more of the supplies they need. Still, the needs are GREAT. While the shelters usually have adequate supplies, many people who have returned to their neighborhoods to clean up their homes and to avoid the spreading disease in the shelters have nothing. Stores are closed and the lack of fuel prevents supplies from reaching most of these neighborhoods in the north. There is so much cleaning and rebuilding that needs to happen, and there are so many hurting from lost loved ones, lost homes, lost jobs. The task before the church in Japan is enormous and we need wisdom as we seek to know how the Lord would have us serve. These are the early stages of planning whole new ministries. Dan is realizing that he won’t “get back to normal”, but there will be a new normal in their ministry in Japan. The Lord continues to bless and build great partnerships with other missionaries and Japanese churches. Even in the midst of this devastation, God is working and we eagerly anticipate what he will do.
We also have many teams coming in the near future. So many who love Japan have responded to this disaster by coming and bringing others with them. Please pray the Lord would lead the long term missionaries who welcome and direct these teams, and that these teams would be used to full capacity for the glory of God in Japan.
Thank you for reading this far!
Blessings,
Maggie and Sara-Beth for Dan
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