My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

I just returned from a three day trip up north to Sendai, Japan delivering food, clothes, water, and gas to the local churches, in order to meet the needs of the community. I really can’t express in words what I’ve seen of the devastation to this country and people I love so much. I walked along the beach littered with massive sea containers, and remnant belongings from people’s lives. A single soccer shoe. A stuffed doll. A wedding album. All thrown into the piles of debris that shattered power lines, trees, and houses in half. I stood there speechless, snapping photos, and couldn’t help but weep and pray. Warm tears streamed down my face, not just because people lost houses and possessions, but even more that they lost eternity spent with Jesus. The areas hardest hit by the earthquake, are the least churched in Japan. How many, of the 28,000 dead and missing didn’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Every year, 35,000 Japanese commit suicide because they lack purpose, hope, and joy that can only be found in Christ.

As we drove through what used to be a very wealthy neighborhood, all that remained were the foundations of the previous homes. I talked with one family (pic attached above), that was very kind, and let me take a picture of them standing in front of the foundation of their home. It is all that is left. It reminded me of that hymn we sing sometimes…”My hope is built on NOTHING less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…on CHRIST the SOLID rock I stand, ALL other ground is sinking sand”. More than people losing homes, water and electricity, and sons, is the desperate need for the TRUTH of Jesus Christ. He is their firm foundation, that will not be shaken. Continue to PRAY for God’s kingdom to come quickly here in Japan.

Grace and Peace in Christ from broken but beautiful Japan,

Matt, Carly, and the boys