Pray for Japan
De’Etta Goecker (Asia Region President)
My daughters and I had planned a PWOC Adventure to Korea, but God had other adventures for us in March. Many of you heard I was driving from Misawa to Tokyo for the Tokyo Area Retreat when the earthquake hit. We left Sendai 40 to 60 minutes ahead of the earthquake. It took eight days for me to get home to my family. It was 20 hours before I heard from my family. Our children were alone during the earthquake. It is not a time I want to relive, yet I wouldn’t trade the lessons I learned during the week of March 11th for the world. Someday, I’ll share.
It is no accident that Asia Region was formed 1 ½ years ago. As we’ve focused on this year’s theme, “Shine in the Light of His Glory,” and as we’ve prayed for revival in Asia, I believe God has been preparing us for this season. Light shines brightest in darkness. We are poised to SHINE in Asia (both to frightened military spouses and to a beloved land which has lost so much). I’m eagerly anticipating the kingdom business God will do when we all meet together in Tokyo for the First Annual Asia Region Conference in November 2011. God has been setting things in motion for revival in Japan. I know this.
We so appreciate the outpouring of love, prayers and offers of assistance from across PWOC. You’ve often moved me to tears.
Please continue to pray for the nation of Japan, the rebuilding process which will take years, the HOPE of JESUS to be seen and embraced in Japan, and for your fellow PWOC sisters in Japan. You’ve heard about the voluntary departures, the shortages, and the continued worries. I’m sure as you place yourself in our shoes (crocs), the Holy Spirit will guide your prayers. There are challenges for both those who chose to leave and those who chose to stay.
Japan has been called “The Graveyard of Missions.” While I don’t believe God caused the earthquake, I DO believe He can bring great good from terrible disasters. Our God is in the business of redemptive restoration. As I prayed about this in the days after the earthquake, I believe God directed my prayers in a clear direction. Please join me in praying for the cultural narrative in Japan to change. Previously, it was considered dishonorable to accept a gift which you could not repay in kind. I believe as Japan begins to understand there is no dishonor in accepting a free gift you cannot repay, it will create a new bridge for the gospel of Jesus to speak into this culture. Pray for missionaries and Christians who will invest their lives in crossing that cultural bridge to bring the Hope of Jesus to Japan. We dare not miss this opportunity.
I continue to choose joy in Misawa, Japan!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...