My Cousin Matt had another successful journey delivering supplies. Worth the read. Please pray that we get the Water purifiers ready to go by Monday… It looks like water is a great need.
Here is his story
Yesterday I had the opportunity and blessing of delivering 1000 liters of fresh water and 500 rice balls to the people of Ueda, a small town hit by the tsunami. Ueda, has had electricity but no water for a week now. The government has done little to supply the need as it isn’t one of the worst hit areas.
When we arrived, we were disappointed when we went to a school where only 15 displaced people were staying. They took a few rice balls and water packs and thanked us-not quite the need we were told it was. Then, the head of the group said, “You all have so much, why don’t we announce you’re here to the town over the loudspeaker and let people come get it”. Within minutes people were running with water buckets, bottles, trash cans, anything they could find to collect water in. Our truck was completely surrounded with people teary eyed and grateful to receive whatever we could give. There were many elderly people, so I ended up carrying lots of water directly to their homes and talking with them. They bowed and thanked us endlessly when they heard we were from Chiba-(4 hours away) and part of the Christian church there. One lady said, “It’s so sad…the government says we won’t have water until sometime in April. Everyone has forgotten about us”. I told gently told her “We haven’t forgotten about you”.
As we finished giving out all the water we had, I couldn’t help but think of how Jesus said “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty again”
-John 4:13-15.
People DO need water here, but what they need more is water for their souls that only Jesus can give. People are heartbroken and discouraged over their country, their family, their lives. I want them to have life to fullest and taste of the water like I have, so they may experience HOPE, JOY, and GRACE. Until then I will continue to supply people with water, encouragement, and hope that can only come through Jesus. Please continue to GIVE to, PRAY for, and LOVE Japan with me.
grace and peace from Japan,
Matt and the Chases