Caring for the people of JapanCarla Harding - 22 Jul 2011
Prayer and practical service continues throughout the summer in the disaster struck regions of Japan. Since the devastating earthquake and following tsunami in March, Jon Petersen from 24-7 Prayer USA has been visiting the nation to help the Japanese church to pray and to send teams to serve those affected. Here’s the latest from those on the ground…
“I wanted to pass on two reports,” writes Jon, “first from Andy Meeko who led my wee prayer team into Tohoku. The second report is from a pastor of a church in Yokohama where the team ministered to the youth on prayer.”
"Tremendous trip to Fukushima and Miyagi.” Writes Andy Meeko, a Dr of Psychology who heads up grief counseling in Tohoku with a ministry called Crash Japan. “First time to have prayer team with a kokoro (heart) care team. The blend was marvelous. We ministered at the Azuma Sport Centre in Fukushima shi joining believers from three churches that Ken and I had trained (they regularly minister in the evacuation center now). We ministered to Fukushima residents who were volunteering at the evacuation center as well, ladies were weeping and freely opening hearts. Evacuees wanted touch, even woman with a paralyzed hand and a grandpa with a missing digit on little finger... The prayer team worshipped and prayed around the center all day. We are now also seeing people coming to church from the evacuation center in Koriyama where we also trained local believers.
At Morigo we led impromptu worship for the base team. The prayer team played guitar and prayed while three of us offered massage, prayer, and care for each team member present. Many tears.”
“THANKS FOR VISITING US!!!” Writes a Youth Pastor from Yokohama.
“Got some great reports from the young people on Sunday, even more came in today. One of the high school boys wants to rally all the youth and have an all-day prayer day. Another guy wants to make sure we use the guitar more and have that "settle down and connect deeper" feel in our prayer meetings more often.
Exactly the effect I was hoping for. Kids WANTING to pray, and catching the bug for it!”
The next team is out in Japan later this month. Keep an eye on the blog for an update on how they’re doing and please do pray for them as they give of their time and money to love, care for and pray with people who’s lives have been changed forever. God loves Japan. Let’s join Him in caring for it’s people!
Carla leads on the work and growth of 24-7 Prayer across Great Britain and she is part of the Lectio 365 team, helping people pray the Bible every day. Her life was hijacked by God in 1999 during a two hour stint in the first ever 24-7 Prayer Room. Carla loves prayer and worship, friends and food, a well told story and a challenge to get her teeth into. In her spare time, Carla is an active member of Revelation Family Church, a 24-7 Prayer Community. She lives in Chichester, UK with her husband Steve and their children Jackson and Eloise.
Meet Carla