Good morning on this Saturday, March 19th. Many of you have been asking about the well being of our missionaries serving in Japan. I'm happy to report that they are all safe and doing well. I received e-mails from the Kings, Smiths, and Zemkes this week. Because of Ellen King's surgery, the Kings have been in Florida for her recuperation. Their daughter, Ruth, also a missionary in Japan, is serving in their church/school in a location approximately 10 hours from the epicenter of the earthquake. The Smiths are located about four hours from the quake site and have reported that all is going well with their family. The Zemkes are on furlough and will not be returning to Japan for several months, and the Piatts are also in the states completing their furlough. The Smiths reported that there are two sister churches located near the nuclear power plant in Fukushima and that they are monitoring the situation in those congregations. A special fund has been established by the Baptist Bible Fellowship International Missions Office to meet the needs of those in Japan who are struggling because of the quake, tsunami, and nuclear reactor meltdown. Manna Worldwide has also begun a fundraising effort to assist the suffering Japanese Christians with their needs and to minister to those affected by these terrible tragedies. These relief efforts are trustworthy vehicles for those of us who want to give money to this charitable cause. Special envelopes are in the pews at church for use by those who want to give to the Japan Emergency Fund. You can rest assured that 100% of what you give will go toward meeting the needs in Japan.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Are You The Man God Is Searching For? I hope you'll be able to attend.
Mel Brown