SpendYourself.org  team member Isaac Knopp (MTW) is headed to Japan for the summer.  His most recent prayer letter is below.  If you would like to be on the team and join him in the relief work he will be doing please fill out this form.

Please pray for Isaac, that God will provide all of His needs and use him greatly for His Kingdom purposes and for Japan’s restoration!

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Many of you already know but what is being called “Eastern Japan Great Earthquake Disaster” ranks in one of the top five largest earthquakes on record in the world. And it was certainly the most powerful to have hit Japan.^[8][10][11] As of today the National Police Agency of Japan has confirmed 14,755 dead 10,766 who are still missing and presumed dead. Many are without homes and living in public shelters that are only poorly supplied. I felt so overwhelmed and compelled by seeing all the destruction when I was there this past March.  That’s why I am going back…

I will be working with a church in Tokyo which is in an area where 250,000 people live yet there are over 2.5 million people who work and travel through that area during the day. It is not only this that makes it a strategic area for the Gospel but also because they have been active for the gospel. The result is that both Christians and many non-Christians have been helping out with the relief work that the church has been doing. It is my privilege to be able to go to help lead and organize teams to go into the affected areas and show the love of Christ through relief work. This will involve both practical and spiritual  service to those in need. (Please check out the video about the Church’s relief work.)

Though we are always witnessing in words to who we are in Christ, often it is more difficult to show the compassion of Christ in deed.  A couple of weeks ago when I was leaving after the two weeks of relief work my Japanese friend turned to me and said, “Isaac please tell everyone how much we need your prayers.” This pastor has been traveling in and out of one of the most dangerous areas which are close to the nuclear plant. He has interacted with so many who have lost houses and family members from the tsunami. It is my prayer that churches around the world will be pouring out their resources and sending teams and people to help in this time of need. For we all know that when we were in a time of need Christ came to us and gave us hope and salvation! Please, be encouraged by these things to pray for hope and salvation for Japan.

I am planning to leave for Japan to join the Lord’s work there on or around May 24. I will be there all the way through August.  I am praying that God would call many prayer partners and indeed many of you are already wonderful partners for God’s Glory. He is the one who calls each one of us and gifts us for good works (Eph. 3:4-8)

I know this is not your motivation for giving but I want you to know that, all donations are tax-deductible and now it is even easier and to be a faithful supporter through donating online. Please consider making a one-time donation or a monthly donation for the three months I will be there.

Stay connected to Isaac’s adventure on his blog: www.knoppmissions.com