2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

6:00 P.M. – Sedley Baptist Church held a Yard Sale, Fish Fry, and Bake Sale. At its conclusion, all proceeds were wired to Calvary Baptist Church in Japan to aid in their relief efforts. Sedley's former pastor, Armand Jalbert, is currently serving in Japan.

Please Pray for Japan
Virginia Baptists are asked to remember the Japanese in your prayers and send funds to continue assisting the local Baptists in responding to their communities.

Make an Online DR Donation

Mail in a Donation
Make checks payable to “Virginia Baptist Mission Board” with the designation “Disaster Relief” on the memo line and send to:

Disaster Relief
Virginia Baptist Resource Center
2828 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA 23294

Contact Jeannette Hildebrand for further details.

5:30 P.M. – Virginia Baptists have always shown their generosity in times of disaster and this has continued following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11th. 

Disaster Relief leaders have sent letters and prayers on behalf of Virginia Baptists in addition to $20,000 to aid both the Japan Baptist Convention and the Japan Baptist Union as they respond to the thousands of people living in shelters and those who are trying to rebuild their lives in their damaged homes.

Aftershocks continue to rock the island nation which simply adds to the confusion and fear in which the Japanese people are living.  Radiation, food and fuel scarcity and lack of adequate housing are still rampant throughout the country BUT, we are encouraged by the reports we are receiving from Baptists who are in country and the work they are accomplishing.

There are currently no plans in place to send volunteer teams but that could change in the near future.  We are in daily communication with our partners on the ground and we will respond with volunteers as soon as we are requested to do so.

NGO and Relief Supplies
The Japanese government has asked all Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and International Aid agencies to refrain from sending volunteers until the situation has stabilized.

With Regard to Relief Items
“"The Government of Japan has received offers for relief goods/material from many countries, international organizations, NGOs and private sector. The Government is identifying the needs and establishing a mechanism for storage and transportation to affected people. Therefore, it is recommended not to send any relief goods without coordination with the Government and local governments.”

Concerning Offers of Assistance by NGOs
The Government of Japan states that, “Search and Rescue operation phase still continues in the affected areas at this moment and the access to those areas is strictly limited to rescue workers. It is also reported that there is temporary shortage of petrol in the affected area. International/foreign NGOs are recommended to wait until the situation improves so that those NGOs are able to conduct their activities in a self-sustainable way.”

For more details, download the latest Situation Report.

2:00 P.M. – As written in Psalm 46:1-2:

“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, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

We ask that you and your church continue to keep the people of Japan in prayer.

• Pray that during these days of disaster, doors may open for a clear presentation of the gospel and spiritual awakening to occur.
  Buddhism and Shintoism are the dominant religions in Japan. Less than 2% of the nation is Christian. Pray that God would grant favor to Christian leaders and response teams as they work with government officials.
• Ask God to give wisdom and direction to Baptist bodies of Japan.
  There are approximately 450 Baptist churches in Japan related to four different bodies: Japan Baptist Union, Japan Baptist Conference, Japan Baptist Convention, and Okinawa Baptist Convention. Each is seeking to minister.
• Pray for Eiji Osato who is diligently keeping us informed of the happenings
  as a missionary from the Japan Baptist Union who has served in Indonesia and is currently studying in California.
• Pray for safety in travel and discernment for those with Pastor Makoto Kato, the leader of the Japan Baptist Convention, who is currently making his way to the disaster area with needed supplies.
• Pray for the 14 pastors and congregations with the Japan Baptist Convention in the disaster area. Seven have been either damaged or destroyed.
• Pray for the six pastors and their families related to the Japan Baptist Union who have not been heard from since the earthquake and tsunami.
• Pray that physical needs can be met quickly in the cold of northern Japan
  where basic necessities are needed, including heating oil, heaters, water, food, batteries, and safe shelter.
• Ask God to provide comfort and peace for those traumatized by this disaster, who continue to live in constant fear of more tremors and tsunamis.
• Pray for all missionaries serving in Japan that God will use them to reach out to a nation in crisis through them. The International Mission Board has affirmed that the 31 families serving in Japan are safe and accounted for.
• Praise God for His continued protection of the people of Japan.

Lastly, we ask that you pray for how you might respond as an individual or a church. Avenues for response will be available soon. For now, our best avenue of response is prayer and financial contributions. Your gifts will be used directly on the field to bring assistance to those who are in need.

4:23 P.M. – We ask that you and your church pray:

• For those who are at the nuclear reactor trying to bring it under control
• For the millions who are without heat and power
• For those who are unable to leave the devastated area
  and who have no food, water or medicines. 

8:06 P.M. – Advance Notice Special Edition Launched
Virginia Baptists Respond to Japan Earthquake and Tsunamis

Virginia Baptists grieve with the people of Japan as the effects of the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunamis are becoming more apparent.

VBMB's Executive Director, John Upton, has spoken with several Japanese Baptist leaders, has been apprised of their situation and has informed them that they are in our prayers and that we stand ready to respond once they are able to identify their needs.

Your financial gifts are the best way to address needs for this disaster.