Vision Challenge:
a Companion in times of Suffering
A man sits among the debris that was once the district of Shizugawa, in the city of Minamisanriku
August-September 2011
The city of Ishinomaki, in a neighborhood that got flooded by the tsunami.
VISION CHALLENGE: A COMPANION IN TIMES OF SUFFERING In Revelations 1:9 John writes from the island of Patmos to the seven churches in Asia minor, that he is a brother and companion in suffering and patient endurance that ours in the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians we have been called to bear and strengthen each other in the Lord, so that we may overcome our circumstances, cease the moment and continue the gospel mission. The world has seen calamities of different kinds from the earliest records of history. Earthquakes, floods, tsunami,
fires, pestilences, famine are not new and have occurred in every age and generation. In each instance, the consequences are so severe that permanent scars are left behind. In such dire circumstances, Christian mission organizations have often been among the first and persistent in bringing relief and supporting the affected people. Such mission work goes beyond boundaries of denomination, religion and other divisions in society. They are characterized by the presence of a group of committed and prayerful Christian individuals who embrace the suffering and practically testify the love of Christ. There are numerous stories of such individuals and mission groups who have worked tirelessly in calamity affected areas. Christian mission groups
have in the recent past brought immense relief to the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat (2001), Indian Ocean Tusnami (2004), famine in Somalia and East Africa (2011) and most recently in the Tsunami in Japan. Through these events, the Lord has used mightily such individuals who were willing to set aside their comforts. And as a result, many souls have seen, heard and received the good news of salvation. The vision challenge in this issue is to become a companion in suffering and patient endurance with those who are affected by calamities, so that they may realize that this is but for a moment when seen in the light of eternity!
Delivering relief supplies to an evacuation center in Minamisanriku
Eric Takamoto and Kent Muhling at Kessennuma Baptist Church and Kindergarten (unloading hygeine kits for the school childrens' Inside Shizugawa High School evac center (in Minamisanriku), with the families) Sato family
MISSION CHALLENGE: MINISTRY IN TSUNAMI AFFECTED JAPAN It is with great pleasure that V2M reports on the ministry of Kent Muhling, particularly focusing on the relief work in the aftermath of the Tsunami of 2011 in northern Japan. Kent along with numerous other Christian and secular organizations reached out to the victims there. V2M had the privilege of speaking to Kent and learning of the work in Japan following the Tsunami. Kent is a full time worker of the Lord, from the United States and
is based in Japan. He was a naval pilot for over 9 years and has committed himself to the ministry. Kent lives with his family (wife Yuko and three children – Caleb, Sophie and Joshua) in Sanda near Kobe-Osaka, in southern Japan.
Some of the Christian brethren drive as long as 12 hours every week bringing supplies till today, 7 months on. Slowly but surely people are seeing the light of the Lord in these works and turning to him for eternal security.
Following the Tsunami Kent has participated in the relief work at the northern areas that were flooded and vastly destroyed.
We were greatly encouraged to hear that Kent and His family have prayerfully committed to settle down and minister in these areas. They testify that their calling is to suffering and sacrifice and not personal safety – as to die is gain but to live is for Christ!
Through our discussions we understood that these are severely damaged areas and it is likely that some settlements may never be rebuilt given the scale of destruction. The communities there continue to live in fear and uncertainty marked by a composed silence. Christian relief mission groups have made a recognized impact by being among the first to reach the affected settlements and continue to be of service.
Let us uphold Kent, his family and the ministry, as well as the people of northern Japan at the throne of grace. Let us also remember and pray that the Christian works in these tsunami affected areas will not be wasted but will speak to the suffering souls there!
Near Kessennuma port
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Praying with the director of the Shizugawa Elem. school evacuation center in Minamisanriku
Preparing to give out supplies to residents in Ishinomaki. Â They lived for weeks in their apartment building without water, heat, electricity or phone, and with no way to get supplies on their own (all cars, bicycles, etc. had been swept away by the tsunami, and there was no public transportation operating).