HOPE FOR JAPAN

"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 42:1-2
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.