Ministry Updates:
1. JAPAN - Baptist Global Response - Japan Disaster: Opportunities to act include:
- State DR Network partners involved in training and equipping aspects of empowering Japanese partners in feeding programs.
- State DR Network partners involved in training and equipping aspects of empowering Japanese partners in grief counseling/chaplaincy programs
- More funding/distribution projects through Japanese partners
- CRASH has tentatively offered us one of their potential five (5) distribtution sites. However, this is still very tentative. CRASH does advertise having distribution points but in reality, we have found out that these are only “potential” sites.
- Pray:
* Peace for the survivors.
* Ability to purchase fuel, secure goods in bulk, etc. Basic logistics.
* Safety for missionaries and workers.
* Working with and through Japanese partners such as the Japan Baptist Convention, Tokyo Baptist Church, Japan Baptist missionaries, etc.
* There is openness to the gospel in Japan that comes with crises. Continue to pray for our teams to have wisdom and knowledge as they seek to help and to proclaim.
* Ability to purchase fuel, secure goods in bulk, etc. Basic logistics.
2. SOUTHERN CROSS BIBLE DISTRIBUTION:
(Story from mReport.org)
Cardboard boxes sit half-opened in the back of the truck. An elementary aged Chinese boy sneaks away from his grandparents in the long line of tourists to take a peak.
The sign leaning against the boxes states the books inside are free. He glances around to see if anyone will help him. The volunteers, however, scurry around setting up their distribution spot for the night. No one sees the little boy, so he reaches his pudgy arms into the box and grabs a Bible and red packet of literature.
The satisfied smile on his round face is quickly wiped away when his grandfather grabs him by the arm and demands that he give it back. The boy refuses to let go of the Bible, engaging in a tug-of-war. Through clenched teeth, he tells the older man that the book is his now because it’s free.
“No one gets anything for free,” the older Chinese man says sharply, wrestling the Bible and packet from the hands of the young boy. “People don’t do things for free. They expect something in return.”
The man hands the items back to the volunteers. They explain that the gifts are free. The man shakes his head, herding the boy into the restaurant, chiding him along the way.
Volunteers from First Baptist Church watch the scuffle. Aghast. Sue Smith (not her real name), a six-time Southern Cross Project veteran, knows what to do. She bows her head and prays.
“God, bring that boy back and let him get a Bible,” she prays. She also prays for the man, asking God to change his heart and bring him back.
The moment she says “Amen,” the boy, followed by his grandmother, emerges triumphantly from the restaurant. He walks to Smith and holds out his hands to receive a Bible. Dumbstruck, she hands it to him. His face beams as he walks back into the restaurant, holding the packet as if it were more precious than gold.
“That was awesome. I’ve got chill bumps – I mean, glory bumps – just thinking about it,” Smith says. “That was a quick answer to prayer.”
Before Smith can even finish her thought, the grandfather emerges from the restaurant and approaches the volunteer team.
“I want one,” he says, beckoning to the Bibles.
Stunned, another Southern Cross volunteer hands him the Bible.
The grandfather slowly walks through the parking lot, reading the Bible on the way to his tour bus. A Taiwanese volunteer falls in step with him, explaining the ultimate free gift – eternal life through Christ. He listens intently, holding the Bible in his wrinkled hands and looking at the pages as she talks.
“Okay,” he says, his face crinkling into a smile. “I will read it.
“Thank you for this free gift.”
Prayer requests:
- That God will use these efforts far beyond man’s expectations and that many will come to know Him by having His Word in their hands to read.
- That the Lord would send new volunteers to distribute these materials.
- For your own consideration in going!
