Tag Archives: Japan

Fire destroys evangelist’s home, family escapes with clothes on back

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Fire destroys evangelist's home

Remains of gutted home

MITO, Japan (BNc) — The house of Yoshiya Noguchi, evangelist with the Ochanomizu church in Tokyo, was destroyed by fire Sunday morning, Nov. 4.

Yoshiya, his wife Emiko, their children Hannah (8) and Aito (6), and Emiko’s mother escaped with only the clothes they had on. Everything else was destroyed.

One report said that Yoshiya’s brothers searched among the remains, looking especially for a car key. They found half-burnt passports and driver’s licenses, but no car key.

Emiko tried to re-enter the house to get something and got a minor injury to her throat due to smoke inhalation.  She was hospitalized briefly. Continue reading →

Joe Cannon dies, served ‘the most unloved people I could find’

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Missionary Joe Cannon

Joe and Betty Cannon, May 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (BNc) — Joseph L. Cannon, former missionary to Japan, Papua New Guinea, and the Ukraine, died early Thursday morning, Oct. 25.

He had devoted more than 60 years of his life to missions, celebrating his twenty-first birthday on the ship to Japan.

He was living in Memphis with his second wife at the time of his death. He had been honored May, 2011, by the Highland church for their many years of service. Continue reading →

American and Japanese churches feed disaster victims

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ISHINOMAKI, Japan (BNc) – A group from the Mito and Park Avenue churches fed over 100 people housed in temporary shelters, following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11.

The group provided lunch outdoors Nov. 8. The goal was to serve a hot meal to these people and encourage them.

Temporary housing has been erected in various parts of the town. These are generally 2-3 rooms with a kitchen, bath, and toilet. They are fully furnished and are connected together in rows of about 8 apartments to each row. Continue reading →

Donations fall for Japan relief

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japan church of ChristMEMPHIS, Tenn. (BNc) – The Park Avenue church has received close to $600 thousand in donations for the Japan relief fund, according to Dwight Albright, missions worker with the congregation, in emails sent to BNc today.

These donations have come from 41 states, 4 foreign countries, and 1 territory.

From April to May, contributions fell almost by two-thirds, according to figures Dwight furnished to BNc. He assumed a gradual decrease in donations, but was hesitant to attribute it to needs arising from the destruction that occurred in the U.S., from tornadoes and flooding. Continue reading →

Have we forgotten Japan?

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Japan relief aidSENDAI, Japan (BNc) – Teams continue clean-up work in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan Mar. 11, and funds still arrive for people to put their lives together, but the question bears asking if many have forgotten the enormity of the disaster in Japan in the weeks following the tragedy.

Hundreds have died in recent weeks from tornadoes and floods in the U.S., but in Japan the toll runs to over 15,000 confirmed dead and 8,600 missing. The total number of dead may top 20,000. Destroyed buildings number 125,000. Continue reading →

JAPAN: ‘Ongoing desperate need for funds’

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IBARAKI, Japan (BNc) – After a visit to the most affected areas in Japan, Joel Osburne, missionary with the Mito congregation, reports an “ongoing desperate need for funds” in the country.

Dwight Albright reported yesterday that the Park Avenue church in Memphis, Tenn., had “received contributions from 35 states. Alaska and North Carolina were added to the list yesterday [Apr. 13]. Contributions are approaching $300,000.”

That amount pales, however, compared to the crushing need that continues in Japan. Continue reading →

Park Ave. church collects $240k for Japan

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MEMPHIS, Tenn (BNc) — The Park Avenue church has collected $240,000 for disaster relief in Japan, as of Mar. 18, wrote elder Paul Goddard.

“We have received contributions from 33 states and the territory of American Samoa,” Paul said.

Paul also shared information sent by Dwight Albright, long-time worker involved in the Japan and supported by Park Avenue.

“I received three calls yesterday from elders in as many congregations wanting information about us receiving funds and where they will be sent. I anticipate more contributions and am astonished at how the word has gotten out about our involvement,” he said. Continue reading →

JAPAN: Preacher plans visit to disaster center in Sendai

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by Masa Nonogaki, Yokota church

YOKOTA, Japan (BNc) – Thank you for your prayers and support. It has been known Japan is a land of earthquake.

At least once a week we have a earthquake we can actually feel. This is beyond what we have expected. Things are slowly moving forward.

I plan to do the following things if the Lord wills. Continue reading →

JAPAN: Mito tallies emotional, spiritual damage

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by Atsushi Tsuneki, Mito, Japan, church of Christ, in email sent Mar. 29

MITO, Japan (BNc) – Two weeks after the earthquake have passed. We now start to realize not only the physical damages, but also how much our own members are damaged and affected emotionally, spiritually, and in their life. For example:

* Richardson family had to make a very difficult decision of moving back to the States after spending their 13.5 years in Japan. They just left Japan March 28. They were very busy last week, packing, closing their business, and cleaning their house. Many of our members helped the Richardson family and volunteered to clean their house and English school last Thursday through Sunday evening. Not enough time to mourn and say good-bye. We need to move on, but this is very sad. Continue reading →

JAPAN: Missionary plans trip to worst area

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Editor’s note: The earthquake and tsunami damage to Japan was so great, that we are sharing a series of stories, emails, and reports. All can be localized under the tag Japan. Following is an email from Marlin Ray, at Ibaraki, sent this morning.

IBARAKI, Japan (BNc) – We are doing well. It is clear and cold in Ibaraki with temperatures near freezing or lower at night and about 45 during the day. We still get aftershocks all the time, probably eight or 10 big ones everyday. I am getting used to them at night so that I usually sleep through most of them. Continue reading →