[3121] PCT channels aid to struggling Japanese students and churches in devastated areas of Japan

PCT channels aid to struggling Japanese students and churches in devastated areas of Japan

Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan

Written by Lydia Ma

Months after a disastrous earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan on March 11, 2011, aid to struggling Japanese people and churches continue within the PCT, especially in hard-hit areas such as Miyagi and Fukushima. Through partnership with Rev. Lin Mao-hong from Kyoto International Shalom Church, the PCT managed to travel to Sendai and Ishinomaki to deliver supplies and offer scholarships. For the next 3 years, the PCT will offer scholarships to struggling students to help them complete their studies. It will also offer financial aid to small, family-run companies to help families get back on their feet.

For Lin, nothing compares to personally visiting and offering aid when it comes to relaying concern. Hence, he arranged PCT officials to make a personal visit and deliver these supplies and financial donations in person, The visit became a good opportunity for the Japanese to experience God’s love through Christians.

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11 led to mass displacement of people in places such as Miyagi and Fukushima and many residents there are still living in shelters or temporary housing units. PCT was among the first of churches to reach out to Japan because of its close partnership with the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) and other local Christian organizations. With the help of Lin, who had lived in Japan for more than 50 years, PCT officials met many local Japanese pastors and this led to more face to face encounters to coordinate relief efforts.  .

When interviewed, Lin said it is wonderful that so many organizations are giving financially to UCCJ. However, he added that he also hoped to put a face to some of these organizations that were so generous in helping others and this could be done via personal visits to local churches. He underscored the encouragement local people feel when someone personally visits a struggling parsonage or church to lend a hand with rebuilding efforts.

Having lived in Japan for so many years, Lin is well aware that Japan’s spiritual soil is still very hard, and evangelism among Japanese people is much like sowing gospel seeds on rocky ground. Japanese schools reject religious groups from entering their premises. However, “it’s God who stands before us and leads our way. We need only to follow and obey God. Though we can’t sow seeds, we can at least soften the soil!” said Lin.

After much effort from Lin, Miyagi Prefecture’s board of education finally approved his request to let PCT enter some local schools and help struggling students there. The final arrangement was that school officials would each choose one student from their own school who qualified and needed a 3-year scholarship.

On November 29, 2011 another opportunity arose when PCT officials were allowed to visit Ishinomaki City High School for Girls and the school’s principal not only greeted them personally but also allowed them to pray a prayer of blessing over the students. On that day, 15 students received scholarships from PCT. In return, a student representative of the school wrote a thank-you note on behalf of everyone and also expressed interest in starting an exchange program with high school students in Taiwan.