CRC Ministries Still Helping in Japan

While worldwide media attention has turned to other stories, Japan continues to work on restoring areas still dealing with the devastation from what is being called the Great East Japan Earthquake.

More than 18,000 people are confirmed dead in the aftermath of the disaster. Several thousand remain missing. At least five more years of work will be needed to rebuild homes, buildings and other structures damaged or destroyed by the disaster, say Japanese officials.

Lawrence Spalink, Japan Team Leader for CRWM, says in a report to CRWM that he has been devoting much of his time “with earthquake/tsunami response matters,” including helping to develop a response project in one of the areas hard-hit by the earthquake and tsunami. He also helped in hands-on rebuilding efforts in Sendai, the largest city located near the epicenter of the earthquake.

Other CRWM missionaries and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee representatives continue to take part as well in the relief, reconstruction of infrastructure, homes, buildings, and of lives. Back to God Ministries International also has personnel in the country and is ramping up its programming to the northern part of Japan.

“There is much to be discussed and much yet to do, as so many still face very difficult circumstances (in the area affected by the disaster),” says Spalink in his report.

Spalink also passed along an update, translated from Japanese, of the proceedings of a recent meeting of the Reformed Church in Japan Diaconal Action Committee, which has been involved in much of the emergency response.

“RCJ presbyteries have engaged in various support activities… many people have been on the move, and we are aware of many face-to-face encounters and prayers to the Lord made with people in the disaster area,” says the report from the RCJ diaconal committee.

“The circumstances continue to be very difficult for people in the disaster zones, and we urge you to continue to support them with your prayers.”

The RCJ still isn’t certain when Japanese officials will announce plans for rebuilding to begin in some of the areas in which the denomination has ministries.

But it is clear that the RCJ Sendai Church will be undergoing emergency repairs by volunteers … “and as circumstances permit, they will make plans for a major construction project.”

Meanwhile, the volunteer center in Sendai under the oversight of RCJ members “is being blessed by your prayers and financial support and carrying on their activities,” says the report.

The Northeastern Presbytery of the RCJ – an area that experienced widespread destruction -- held a special meeting in late August and drew up the “NE Presbytery Reconstruction Plan,” a blueprint for the restoration and rebuilding of the presbytery.

A used building has been purchased to serve as a base for reconstruction activities in that area. At the same time, discussions have gone on between several church groups on how best to meet the needs of the people living in that area.

Taking part in these discussions have been the Christian Reformed Japan Mission, Orthodox Presbyterian Mission, Mission Japan (the mission program of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa in collaboration with other South African Reformed churches), the missionaries of the Korean Presbyterian Church (Koshin), and representatives of the RCJ’s NE Presbytery.

The RCJ Diaconal Action Committee and the RCJ Committee for Mission Cooperation and International Ecumenism have also been involved.

“Up to this point, the missionaries have actually carried the initiative for this project, but as this goes forward, they desire a much more involved role of the Reformed Church in Japan” – an issue that the RCJ will address at its upcoming General Assembly, says the RCJ report.

The RCJ has taken in through its initial fundraising efforts more than 36 million in Japanese currency to help respond to the disaster. Another fund-raising effort is about to be launched.

“The second-phase campaign will begin by building on the gracious gifts that have already come in,” says the RCJ report.