Positive Answers to Japan Crisis
Written by Fax Congress on March 25, 2011, 07:17 PM
Althought this is filed under "Fax Congress," this AMERIPAC ALERT is Focused On Christian Relief Work In Japan -- please read and share.
Billy Graham was the first full-time evangelist of Youth for Christ International (YFCI). The movement was founded in 1946, and is made up of tens of thousands of indigenous people in over 100 countries, giving every young person an opportunity to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
When the earthquake hit Japan, YFCI was there. They are still there today, helping rebuild their lives, their missions, and the lives of those so tragically affected.
This special alert outlines what YFCI is doing in the damaged areas of Japan, and tells you how you can help those who are suffering. Please take a moment to read it.
Sincerely,
Alan Gottlieb
Chairman, AmeriPAC
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"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."
- Psalm 46:1-2
Thirty children between the ages of 8 and 12 sit at Kama Elementary School in Ishinomaki, Japan. The school has no running water, electricity or heat. The children are waiting patiently, reading books or playing cards.
The teachers don't know what to say to them, because the children are waiting for their parents to come get them after the March 11th earthquake and resulting tsunami. But so far, no one has come. It is expected their parents are among the thousands missing in this town of 160,000, 50 miles northeast of Sendai.
As in all of the 100+ countries where we bring the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Youth for Christ International is ready to provide relief to the victims in Japan. We are on the ground and prepared to provide care and compassion, because we do it every day.
No new relief workers are being allowed to go where things are the worst in Japan; but that does not impact YFCI, because our teams already live there. We have not needed to find any translators to bring into Japan because our people speak Japanese already... they are Japanese.
Youth for Christ is made up of tens of thousands of indigenous people in over 100 nations each seeking to spread God's message of hope to the young people of their nation. Because we already have workers in Japan, we are able to provide unique support to those affected by this terrible incident.
The March 11th earthquake was the 5th strongest in the world since 1900, and Japan's worst. The tsunami that followed, and the meltdown at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant have combined to create a devastating catastrophe.
Japan's population is 127.6 million. Across the country, approximately 434,000 people have been made homeless and are living in shelters. Thousands are dead and missing; the exact number is not known.
Now, the governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, says he fears the Japanese people were being "punished."
Spirits are low. They are too proud to ask for help, and too decimated to take action themselves. They are struggling with grief, loss, dangerous conditions and fear.
Now, more than ever, it is vital that Youth for Christ International staff and volunteers get into the street and talk to people, calm their fears, and soothe them with the word of God. Now is the time when our message, and our assistance, can reach the greatest number of people in need.
We want to send bicycles and tents to the affected areas, so the people can get around and not be stuck within the ruins. They need access to shelter, clean food, and water. They need to find their loved ones. (The bikes also have carriers to bring in supplies and carry people out---some for medical care). You have not heard it on the news, but it is a critical need. Many of our YFCI workers have other jobs and volunteer or received a small stipend---but there is no work now, and we need to continue to send them support.
Our National Coordinator in Japan has asked for a special financial appeal. He sees two major needs that are currently not being given full attention. Bikes and tents are critical because:
 Bicycles---Due to a major fuel shortage and damage to the roads and train tracks, people are unable to travel by train or cars in the affected areas. Youth for Christ will purchase a number of bicycles that have cargo capabilities to be able to transport the sick and injured to clinics and hospitals regardless of the condition of the roads. They will also provide people access to food and water.
 Tents---Many people have been displaced from their homes. The majority have been relocated far from their place of origin, families and work places. You can purchase a tent and help those who find themselves homeless or those who have been relocated but would like to be situated much closer to their work or families. The tents purchased with your donations come with sleeping bags and cooking facilities.
Youth for Christ National Director, Kazunori Endo Reports from Nagoya, Central Japan
Our country, Japan, got hit by a large earthquake on Mar 11. I was working in my house and then felt a small but very long shake. Soon I remembered the quake in Kobe (app. 5000 died) in 1995. We Japanese citizens get use to experiencing earthquakes every year and we have been trained to do appropriate actions since childhood. But we have not imagined such a big one.
I was afraid for our team members' family and friends in the area. But the telephone and traffic system are totally paralyzed and I did not know what had happened to my friends there in the afternoon. Most information could be taken from the twitter site of my friend. She was hit by the quake in the train, and got out of it; it took her two hours to walk back home. On the way she tweeted from time to time with small pictures. TV & radio is OK, but they cannot cover our friends and families.
We are having new information more and more. Atomic power plants are damaged, with more than 1,000 times the normal levels of radiation, which is leaking, causing nearby residents to take refuge. Some villages were washed away by tsunami in a moment. Fires are still going in some places. Some people were saved from the tsunami on the rooftops of the office buildings and it is still very cold over there. Electricity and gas supplies are stopped in the up-north area. |
We ask you to open your hearts and your wallets to comfort those in need. Please find it in your heart to send a generous donation so we can help the afflicted.
Our Prayer Requests are:
- The rescue of the people still in the disaster area (especially for the activity of our defense force, fire station, and police officers)
- Care for the people who have been hurt, injured and traumatized by the quake
- The united work of our government and political parties
- The spiritual needs of the people
- Local churches' cooperation
The Japan earthquake was 9.0 on the Richter scale; the Haiti earthquake was 7.0. The devastation is even greater now that radiation is affecting food and water; this is a situation that is quickly spiraling out of control after bad weather in the area has hindered rescue efforts.
It is a misconception that because Japan is a prosperous country, the damage is not as severe. That is simply not true. The earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown and inclement weather have all combined to bring incredible suffering to very good people.
Youth for Christ International is currently there in Japan, in the midst of the terrible crisis. We ask you to open your hearts and your wallets to comfort those in need. Your gifts will go to our people who live in Japan, and they will see to it that help reaches those who need it most. You will not only be sending rescue to the people of Japan, but also Youth for Christ, who are citizens of Japan and live among the afflicted. Everyone in that area needs help. Please find it in your heart to send a generous donation so we can help the Japanese get back on their feet
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? I John 3:17
Please help us with our relief efforts in Japan.
Warmly,
David Wraight, President
Youth for Christ International
http://www.yfci.org
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P.S. - When you send a donation, you will not only be sending rescue to the people of Japan, but also Youth for Christ workers, who are citizens of Japan and live among the afflicted. Please find it in your heart to send a generous donation so we can help the Japanese get back on their feet.
When you donate, you will be transferred to Youth for Christ's trusted partner, Conservative Donations, to ensure the security of your financial information.
Your contributions are a sacred trust. Youth for Christ International is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. You are welcome to view Youth for Christ's financial report.
If you would like to make a donation by check, please send to:
Youth for Christ International
Department Code 1721
PO Box 4555
Englewood, CO 80155
"Youth for Christ reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other likeminded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ and commitment to social involvement." |
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