April 29 , 2011
| Dear Precious Friends, | |
Thank you so much for praying for Japan. The Lord has opened a door for me to serve in the disaster-hit-area this summer. I plan to leave Minnesota in mid-May for 2 months. I will work with other staff volunteers in the Sendai area where The Navigators has had ministry over 20 years. We will distribute supplies, provide emotional care, and do whatever is needed for the local people who suffered tremendously. Even after the relief team leaves, two staff families and other believers will continue to minister to them. |
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This is a trip I never expected to take, but I sense the Lord's prompting to aid and reach victims of the massive earthquake/Tsunami. Now I'd like to ask for your help! Would you prayerfully consider joining me in this work by giving and praying? Gifts of any size ($50, 100, 500 or more) will be needed and greatly appreciated. And of course I would appreciate your prayers too. Thank you for considering helping the people of Japan during this crisis time! Yurika |
PS: To give, (1) please go online at www.navigators.org. Select "Donate" from the top menu and type "Yurika" OR (2) make a check to The Navigators and mail it with a separate memo "Staff: Yurika Hasegawa, Account # 21548045" to The Navigators, PO Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934.
Hello from Tohoku, Japan! Last two days I joined a team to do some work in Ishinomaki, one of the hardest hit areas by Tsunami. Devastation was still there: most of debris including tons of cars has been left untouched since March 11. Part of the city didn’t have running water yet. With the help of one local family, we distributed food and did some clean-ups. This family was very open and helpful to us and probably the key people in this neibourhood. The mom shared with us her traumatic experience of Tsunami. We plan to go back there next weekend. Please pray that we may become agents of hope and healing to this family and their neibours. Thank you so much for all your support in finances and prayers!!!
Blessings,
Yurika
PS: Phone & internet hasn't recovered where I'm at, so my communication may be short and limited. I appreciate your gracious understanding.
Hello from Tohoku, Japan! Thank you for praying and please continue! The photo was taken last week in Ishinomaki with a local family and a team from Tokyo. I have gotten to know this family quite well, who suffered from Tsunami tremendously. I believe they are a key family in this neighborhood. I paid a personal visit to them last weekend and deepened our friendship. I will do more work in their neighborhood next week. Also, I'm having more opportunities to meet and serve people in the Sendai area too. Please pray that the Lord may spread the aroma of Jesus through us everywhere (2 Cor 2:14). Thank you! Yurika
Dear Precious Friends,
I'm leaving for Minnesota tomorrow. I was sad to say goodbye to the family (middle in the photo) I've gotten to know in Ishinomaki :( The mom said to me, "I lost a lot from Tsunami, but I also gained a lot. The new friendships I gained are precious to me." It was rewarding for me to hear that, as I often felt what I could offer was very small compared to the huge need they had.
Tohoku still needs a lot of help. It will take YEARS to rebuild the towns damaged by Tsunami. The biggest need right now may be clean-ups of smelly gutters. Because all kinds of stuff are rotting, an abnormal amount of flies fly around. Many places smell bad. It's unusually hot summer, but the people of Japan have to reduce the use of electricity due to its shortage. Many farmers lost their business from radiation scare and feel hopeless. Please pray for the people in Tohoku who are facing a lot of challenges. Pray for the Japanese government too to make good decisions for rebuilding. Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!!!
Love,
Yurika
