Global Mission Japan

Jim & Carol Sack

Jim Sack teaches pastoral theology at the Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary and Japan Lutheran College in Tokyo. Over the years, some 3,000 people have participated in programs of the Personal Growth and Counseling Center, a research and educational center, which he directs. These people, both Christians and non-Christians alike, are bound by their desire to be a listening ear in their workplaces, neighborhoods, and churches.

Carol Sack, a music thanatologist, offers palliative care through harp and voice at the bedside of the dying, going weekly to a hospice for the homeless in Tokyo. She now trains others in the discipline through courses in harp, voice, and theological reflection . . . and has been invited to participate in post-earthquake/tsunami healing events.

Jim and Carol’s work provides cutting-edge education and service to Japanese society.

You can help us support Pastora Dana Nelson & family in Peru and Jim & Carol Sack in Japan by signing the Missionary Support Charts in the narthex. Each space represents a pledge of $30.

Contact: Pastor Dale Howard, dale@normluth.org or 952-929-1697 ext.17

News from Jim and Carol Sack in Japan.

Dear Normandale Members:

I want to let you and the people of the Prayer Shawl Ministry know how much I appreciated the contribution of 20 prayer shawls from the Normandale Center for Healing and Wholeness. Please convey our gratitude as possible to the Prayer Shawl ministry members.

On December 13 I'll be bringing the shawls to elementary and junior high students in the coastal fishing village of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture. This village was completely washed away in the tsunami~ homes, schools, everything. I assume that many of the kids lost their family members. They are now studying in a make-shift school set up in a gymnasium with cardboard boxes as dividing walls. As I understand, all of the students (elementary and junior high) plus their families will be present on that day and I have surprisingly been invited to offer prayer-through-music for them. The principals of these public schools informed my friends who have been arranging this that they have turned down numerous offers of professional entertainment, but they realize that this, "prayer" itself, is what is most needed. What a privilege for us to be invited. I am astounded. We will meet in that gymnasium, in the cold, and light 50 or 60 block candles to have a quiet time of "soaking prayer" (so to speak) through harp and voice. I can't imagine the stories that each child and family member must be carrying in their hearts. Leaving a tangible item like a prayer shawl will let them "feel" the touch of many prayers in the midst of their unbelievable losses, for months or years to come. Please do ask the Prayer Shawl ministers to pray that the shawls will serve to touch them powerfully with God's love and grace.

I encourage all of you to take a look at a few of the news sites regarding Ofunato Village on and after March 11. This will give the prayer shawl knitters an informed image of the need and blessing of their prayers. You can just search "Ofunato tsunami" on Google, or here are a few to see for example:

www.channel4.com/news/tsunami-japanese-fishing-town-of-ofunato-in-ruins

www.youtube.com/watch?v=T39LJJgjExk

Again, my thanks. Please keep us in prayer as we go to Ofunato on December 13, as we desire to bring God's Light into the darkest and coldest time of the year, that the Lord would truly bless those gathered with the warmth of unconditional grace as they receive prayer through music and the prayer shawls.

Gratefully, your partner in Christ,

Carol Sack
ELCA Missionary to Japan

November 2011

Dear Supporting Congregations:

It has been a few months since our last contact with you and we wanted to update you in regard to our lives.

We are doing pretty well these days in Tokyo, though with the contrasting reports of the nuclear situation we do live with unseen and unknown anxieties. We can't help being a bit concerned about what it means to have Jon's Miho ten weeks pregnant when the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster took place, and also what it means to have a wee little one come into life in this city at this time. Please see the pictures of our new granddaughter, Kaya Evelyn who was born on October 21.

We hear conflicting reports about Tokyo's safety. And we can't fathom what it all means for tens of thousands displaced from their entire existences up north. WHAT A MESS. Even though we are nine months past the earthquake and tsunami the consequences of that huge act of nature continues to affect all of us living in Japan.

However, on the surface things seem to be pretty much back to "business as usual." In the past half year we did see many good things, like people truly taking care to conserve electrical energy, even through the hottest summer months, and a huge increase in volunteer helping spirit~ also an increased consciousness to not take our food and water and gasoline etc for granted. It is curious and a bit unfortunate that as we get more complacent, we also lose those senses of gratitude and meaning.

What is it about humans that does that we wonder? Why are "comfort" and "ease" generally so blanding to the soul?

Well, one other factor we must mention is that we do almost always keep in mind the fact that the earthen plates under our feet have shifted in epic proportions. So the thought of the possibility of a big quake in Tokyo is never too far from our minds. We keep supplies in my car and always wear good walking shoes when any distance from home. Carol carries a backpack with energy bars, water, flashlight and Swiss Army knife etc; a bit inconvenient, unless of course they are needed some day.

Nevertheless, we would say that we are mostly back to normal here. We went up to Sendai again in August, and we were surprised at how much had been cleaned up since we were previously there in April. Still mountains of mangled things like cars and gas stations and so on. At least much of the debris had been put into piles, whereas before it had just been scattered willy-nilly over miles and miles of land. So there is progress. We were actually amazed at how much had been accomplished.

Yet, needless to say, the scars in the hearts cannot be so clearly put into piles and cleaned up. After the functional life-support lines of infrastructure have been restored, lost memories, lost communities, lost jobs, lost meaning, lost hopes and lost family members may take years or lifetimes~ and indeed may never be restored. Only through loving care can the losses even hope to be transformed into new depth of purpose. We cannot lose faith that this is possible even in the seemingly worst of scenarios. (That is the power of the Cross.) March 11 was one of the worst scenarios anyone could imagine (though we know there are examples more horrendous going on in unnamed places as we speak.) But we choose to hold onto blessing!

Fall brings the busiest part of the year for us as we continue our ministries in music, counseling and teaching. It is such a privilege to be allowed to do God’s work in a culture other than our own. Not only do we sense we are making a contribution, but we are also being stimulated by the Japanese and their own understanding of God and how God works in this culture.

May the Grace of Christ accompany you each day this Advent,

Jim and Carol Sack
Tokyo, Japan

Previous news

Dear Partners in Christ:

We wanted to send you an update on what has been happening in Japan recently. We are now a little more than 4 months past the horrific earthquake and tsunami that took place on March 11. However, the repercussions of the event are still very evident throughout the psyche of this country.

A scare over radiation-tainted beef in Japan spread recently as more cows from farms in the Fukushima region were shipped across the country after eating contaminated straw. As you can imagine, this kind of event spreads anxiety and fear. Thousands of people remain evacuated due to radiation fears. At this time, over 100,000 people are still being housed in refugee centers. Here in Tokyo, companies and ordinary people are expected to cut electric consumption by 15%. This has led to a number of deaths, especially of older people who are not turning on their air conditioners.

We remain busy with our various ministries. Jim is involved in a project with what is known as "Child Fund Japan," which has translated "A Manual for Caregivers: Remembering September 11, 2001" into Japanese and made it applicable for caregivers after the March 11 tragedy. The Japanese version is now being put back into English for non-Japanese speaking caregivers that are trying to assist in Japan. The faculty of the Clinical Psychology Department at the Japan Lutheran College has also been taking turns going up to the affected areas in Northern Japan and giving lectures and workshops to scout leaders, kindergarten teachers, and others directly relating to children. Jim’s next assignment in the disaster area will take place in October.

Carol has been asked to lead various congregations in musical prayer for those suffering or in memory of many who have died in the Tohoku triple disasters. Some seventy prayer shawls have been sent from churches in the US since March. Carol brings these shawls along and asks the participants to put on a shawl while listening to the music and to pray for the person who will end up receiving the shawl. She has been invited by a public school that was washed away by the tsunami in one of the hardest hit areas to offer prayer through harp and voice for 124 elementary and junior high students and their families on December 13 (happens to be Santa Lucia Day). They are now holding school in a converted gymnasium. We are praying (and fully expecting!) to have one prayer shawl for each of the 124 children on that day. (If any of you reading this feel the calling, please add your prayer shawl to the harvest! Please send by November 1.)

Earlier in July the two of us were asked to give a program for the board of directors of the Japan Federation of Christian Churches, an association of Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant Churches in Japan. At the request of the organization, we gave a presentation that included a lecture about love and healing, healing music from the harp, and a slideshow presenting the wonders of nature in God’s world. We were honored to be able to put on this presentation. We ask for your continued prayers for the people of Japan as they try to adjust to a new reality. We especially ask that you pray for those in the affected areas. There are still thousands of people who do not know where their loved ones are. No doubt they have died, but they do not have the knowledge of how or where they died. At the writing of this letter we are also now experiencing a strong typhoon that is bringing huge amounts of rain to parts of the country. In one location they have already received 1,116 millimeters of rain, which is almost 44 inches, in the last three days. We also ask for your prayers for the various ministries that we are privileged to be part of in Japan.

Many blessings to you all,

Jim and Carol Sack, Tokyo, Japan

You can help us support Jim and Carol Sack’s ministry in Japan by signing the Missionary Support Charts in the narthex. Each space represents a pledge of $30.

From: Sack James [mailto:jsack@luther.ac.jp]
Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 12:36 AM
To: James Sack
Subject: Sacks in Japan- Newspaper Article about Manami

May 6, 2011

Dear Family, Friends and Sponsoring Congregations:

It has been some time since we last wrote. I am guessing that the news about the earthquake and tsunami here in Japan in no longer seen much in the United States. At the same time, the reality of that huge event is just now beginning to sink in as many people still do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones. The chances of them being dead are almost certain. They estimate that it will take over 3 years just to clear the land of the massive amounts of debris. The shock of the event is still very much alive, but now the need for supplying emotional, mental and spiritual care will increase. This need will remain for quite a while.

We are sending on to you an article that was in the Daily Yomiuri on April 1. This kind of story is what many many Japanese will now face. We also attach the two pictures that went with the article. There are hundreds of thousands of Japanese t faced with the painof losing a loved one and all that they own. This is only one of those stories about a 4 year old named Manami. May she receive comfort and support at this time.

Please see the article and pictures below. We continue to ask for your prayers for the very many who are still suffering from this disaster.

In Christ, Jim and Carol

“Longing for her mother / 4-yr-old girl pens heartbreaking letter to missing parent”

MIYAKO, Iwate--"Dear Mommy, I hope you are alive. Are you well?"

This is the heartbreaking letter written last week by 4-year-old Manami Kon. The girl's mother, father and 2-year-old sister have all been missing since their town was devastated by a tsunami March 11.

Manami is one of many children whose parents have died or remain unaccounted for since tsunami struck coastal towns in the Tohoku and Kanto regions 21 days ago. Children in the towns have been seen looking at the sea, apparently in the belief they will be reunited with their parents some day.Some smile more than usual, as if trying to drive away loneliness.

Manami's father grew seaweed in the Chikei district of Miyako, a small fishing village near the easternmost cape of Honshu. Manami was at her nursery school when the violent quake struck on March 11.

Her mother picked her up soon afterward and they went to their home, located on high ground overlooking an inlet. As their house stood next to a local primary school, designated as an earthquake evacuation center, it was thought to be safe. After they returned home, however, the massive tsunami struck. According to a local disaster management headquarters, the wave reached a height of at least 30 meters, apparently pushed higher by the narrow inlet. Manami's parents and her 2-year-old sister were carried away by the receding waters. Only Manami is known to have survived.

According to relatives who rushed to the house after the tsunami, Manami was probably saved because the nursery school bag on her back became tangled in a fishing net. Manami was taken in by other relatives in Chikei. For four days, the district was cut off from surrounding areas as roads and bridges were made impassable by the tsunami. When her grandmother Shizue Neki finally saw Manami one week after the tsunami, she was worried by the change in her usually lively granddaughter's appearance. "She looked so sad and said nothing. I thought she'd forgotten how to speak," said Shizue, who lives in an inland area in Miyako.

On the afternoon of March 22, Manami announced she would write a letter to her mother. She opened her notebook on a kotatsu, took up a color pencil and began writing in the hiragana characters she had just learned in school.

Over the course of nearly an hour, she wrote:

Dear Mommy,
I hope you are alive.
Are you well?

Soon afterward, she fell asleep.

Manami has begun to smile again, but she will not go near her house. Everything on the first floor was washed away. Looking down the inlet that has changed so much, a look of pain sometimes flashes across her face. Shizue wants Manami to stay at her house due to the fear of aftershocks. But the girl will not agree, saying: "I'll wait here [in Chikei] until Mom comes home."

Cell phones are not yet working in this area. "Will Papa call me?" Manami asks, holding tight to her father's silver cell phone, with the power turned on.

From:Sack James [jsack@luther.ac.jp]
Sent:Sunday, March 27, 2011 6:50 AM
Subject: Sacks 3/27/2011

Dear Sponsoring Congregations, Family and Friends:

We are still here in Tokyo while the radiation crisis is not going to go away all by itself. At this point the official death toll has gone past the 10,000 people mark and those who are still missing number about 16-17,000 people. We are not experiencing as many aftershocks nor are they as strong as they have been during the first two weeks after the major earthquake.

Carol and I continue to be amazed and dismayed at the images that we see of the damaged areas. What a totally massive and destructive force that was unleashed at the time of the earthquake. We continue to ask for your prayers! Please pray for those who are now living in refugee shelters that may be many miles away from their homes that no longer exist. If you can imagine that in just a 10-second span everything you every owned was ripped out of your hands and disappeared, that is what the majority of these people experienced on March 11. They have nothing. All of their possessions have been removed from their grip.

At the same time, we have seen a great deal of compassion and genuine love expressed by many, many Japanese as they take in refugees and send supplies up to those who have been so greatly influenced by this disaster. Everyone in this country has been touched by this triple disaster: earthquake, tsunami, and radiation. It is gratifying to see such tenderness by people who are reaching out to their fellow Japanese who have suffered so by this event.

Witness by "withness"

One thing that we were very surprised by was the number of comments from Japanese when they see us remaining in Tokyo. So very many foreigners fled to other countries after the earthquake and all. When we attended the annual meeting of the East District of the JELC (Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church), we were told by a number of people that they really appreciated seeing us there. Comments like "seeing you remain with us, gives us strength," "thank you for your presence with us at the annual meeting," and "you didn't leave us, thank you!" These kinds of comments were totally unexpected, but they gave us a sense of how important just "being there" can be at a time of stress and panic. We were appropriately given approval by Global Mission of the ELCA to depart for other safer places within Japan if we sensed that our lives were endangered by the radiation or aftershocks.

Since Tokyo was still considered rather safe, we decided to stay here; however we did prepare our bags and other emergency items in case we needed to quickly make our departure. We were genuinely touched by the sincere expressions of gratitude a number of people expressed to us. I was reminded of the "body of Christ" through these encounters with grateful people. Sometimes I wonder why I am here in Japan. But to have so many people thank us for our presence (actually the presence of Christ through us) here in Japan, we have been encouraged to be better witnesses of Christ in Japan. We have rolling blackouts throughout the Tokyo area to help conserve electricity. Many stores and homes are using only a fraction of the electricity by shutting off unneeded lights. It is refreshing to see so many people cooperating to help conserve. May that last long after this disaster has ended.

I had an opportunity to preach today and the text was from John 4, the woman of Samaria at the well. I have to tell you that I was challenged to grab ahold of the meaning of "living water" as I prepared for the sermon. In recent days we have experienced the "water of death" in the form of a huge tsunami. As I searched the Bible for texts on water, I found that about 719 references to "water" can be found in the NRSV Bible. Many examples of "water of death" as well as the "living water" can be found. Noah, Moses, as well as Jesus had profound experiences with water.

I was struck how the sacrament of baptism is a combination of the "water of death" and the "living water." Not only is baptism a literal and symbolic cleansing, but also a dying and a finding of new life at the same time through the same action of being completely immersed in the water. The old self is put to death as the new spiritual self is brought into the glorious experience of new life. Even though we die, we live through Christ and what he has done for us by dying on a piece of wood. Two weeks ago so many people were overcome by the raging "waters of death." I pray that they also meet the source of the "living water."

I would like to pass on what a former missionary to Japan and a professor here at the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Dr. Olaf Hansen, said about Philippians 1:21 ; "For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain." Dr. Hansen changed that slightly and said "For to me, living is Christ and dying is more Christ." May we all encounter the Jesus that met the woman at the well. May we all be submerged in the water that will become a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.

May God radically bless you all this day as he offers us a cup of "living water."

Peace to my brother and sisters in Christ,

Jim (and Carol) Sack

From: Sack James [jsack@luther.ac.jp]
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2011

Dear Sponsoring Congregations:

We are still in Tokyo at this time and continue to pray for the many Japanese who are suffering greatly at this time.

Who could imagine suffering a 9.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a huge tsunami ( up to 10 meters ) in many areas.

We have seen images of the water reaching up to the fourth floor of buildings. After that the prospective of absorbing radiation from the nuclear power plants has become a daily concern. Right now there is snow falling on the people who suffered the worst damage from the earthquake and the tsunami. The temperature is below freezing. They do not have access to kerosene that would be used to power the heaters they have at the places of refugee. They do not have access to gasoline that would allow them to visit the hospital or to flee from the unimaginable nightmare they are living. Those who lost their medications in the floods are forced to go to a refugee center and wait many hours just to receive a one day dose of medication. Those who have heart disease or asthma or other major illnesses are stressed out by this reality. Many others need to receive dialysis for renal failure a number of times each week.

While they are trapped in their situation many others are now fleeing the country. We have a friend who was able to secure airlines tickets out of the country but that is not until the 24th, a full week from this time. The government of a number of nations have told their citizens to leave Japan. The airports at both Narita and Haneda are filled with people intent on getting away from this nightmare. When we go shopping we are confronted with numerous empty shelves of ordinary products like toilet paper, kleenex, batteries, flashlights and basic food like dairy products, rice, bread, bananas, etc.

Since the amount of energy needed to supply the country is not sufficient due to the loss of the nuclear reactors in the NE part of Japan where the earthquakes took place, even in Tokyo we have rolling blackouts to ensure that supply meets up to the demands. However right now with the very cold weather we are experiencing, there is a fear that there will not be enough energy to meet the demand for heat and a more widespread blackout may occur.

We continue to experience aftershocks a number of times each day. In fact we just had a good shake about 5 minutes ago.

Please continue to pray for this country and the great number of Japanese who are under great duress on an ongoing basis.

If any are so led you can go to the ELCA web site (https://community.elca.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=631 )and make a donation*. Over the years Japan has continuously sent people and donated to other nations when they suffered from natural disasters. Now is the time that Japan in in great need of help.

Carol and I continue to prepare for whatever road lies ahead of us. We are at peace ourselves at this time. Of course there are many tense moments and times of anxiety and fear, but we remember the promises of our Lord. We have no idea what tomorrow will bring but remember what is found in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make straight your paths." Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy!

May you all receive the peace of the Lord that passes all our understanding.

Jim and Carol (late evening Thursday the 17th of March--Saint Patrick's Day, the day we got engaged.)

*The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America can be found at www.elca.org, from there you can find more information regarding ELCA Disaster Response where 100% of your donation will be used in response to this disaster.

From: Sack James [jsack@luther.ac.jp]
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 7:53 PM
Subject: Sunday morning 3/13 in Japan

Dear Supporting Congregations:

I wanted to update you about what is happening here in Japan. Yesterday I sent an email to the churches but to make sure that you saw it, I am re-sending it again now. That email is below at the bottom and is in Green.

Now to report what is happening now Sunday morning Japan time ( Mar. 13).

What has been only “news” up to this time has changed into multiple individual “stories” from individuals. Since the tsunami waters have stopped and/or receded, we are able to get a closer view of what has happened. The devastation is very broad and horrific. It truly is incredible to see footage of how quickly the ocean levels rose up and inundated city after city. At this point estimates of the dead and missing run around 1,800 people. Of course we still have no idea where that number will stop.

We are saddened by the lose of precious life! And now we are hearing the stories of people who have survived, but are in dire circumstances. For many of these people they do not know where their loved ones are; whether they are alive or not. Many are without a home and have no place to go. Refugee centers have been set up and many people are now going there or are being brought in. At the same time there are thousands of people who are still stranded in buildings or other locations. Rescue crews have not been able to reach these locations because of the huge volumes of destructed materials all over the ground. Cars and huge boats were literally flushed away in no time at all and are scattered everywhere.

It is heart breaking to see people standing on the rubble, calling out the name(s) of loved ones and hearing only silence as a response. Even if family members are still alive there is a great deal of difficulty trying to locate them. These are the stories we are now hearing one after another. Those who have survived will now face the difficult task of trying to go on with life when literally everything has been taken from them.

Finally this morning Pastor Fuji from the two churches in Sendai ( see below in firstt letter) was able to call and relay that the two churches have survived. One church even has electricity now but not the other. At the second location they are seeking food, and have no toilet facilities because there is no water or electricity. The pastor is safe but he still does not know of the whereabouts of the members. At this moment they are having worship and hopefully he will get more news at that point. Even in our technologically advanced society communication is difficult. Even here in Tokyo where destruction is limited cell phones are spotty. Up north there is very little ability to communicate.

The next big concern is with 2 or 3 nuclear power reactors. There is fear of a meltdown since they are having difficulty with the cooling systems. As you can imagine, this could be a potentially huge issue. Please pray for this!

So we ask for your prayers!! Thank you. Pray especially for those who cannot find loved ones. Here in Tokyo we have been greeted by a warm and sunny morning. It feels like such a paradox to have that when hundreds of thousands of people are in a state of shock or despair just a couple of hundred kilometers away. There still are many aftershocks every hour. Some of them are still quite strong, in the magnitude of 5 or 6. They still think for the next month that will continue and even a magnitude 7 aftershock is possible.

Hopefully this will give you a little idea of what we are facing. Of course you get news as well. We can only say “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”

Carol and I thank you for your prayers and concern!

God’s blessing on you all,

Jim

Here is what we passed on:

Dear Friends and supporters in the States:

We have received numerous calls and emails from those of you back in the States and we thought it would be good to just send a brief update about the situation. We are sending this out at about 9:30 pm Friday night 3/11( CST). It is 12:30 pm on Saturday here.

It still has not been 24 hours since the first major quake of m8.8 we had yesterday afternoon. However as you already know there has been very major damage in much of Japan. Of course the earthquake did a lot of damage but the damage from the tsunami has been really unbelievable. At this moment they have a count of about 400 confirmed dead and around 1000 still missing.

Even here in Tokyo, some 250 miles or so from the epicenter we had very violent swaying. It seemed to go on for a long time (3-4 minutes) Since that time the aftershocks just keep coming one after another. Fortunately for our family, we are all safe. The one exception is that our son Jon's wife Miho was stuck at Tokyo Station in downtown with millions of others. Luckily she was able to find a place to sleep and will attempt to get home today ( Saturday ). (She has now made it back safely.)We had some broken dishes and books fell off of the shelves, but that was all.

We would ask you to pray for the many people who have suffered and are still suffering loss and devastation of their property and the loss of precious life. I am sure it will take a considerable amount of time to recover from the horrific damage done mostly by the water and tsunami. The church office has received word from our Lutheran Churches up in the Sendai area that the buildings and those related to the church and the kindergarten are all safe. We are thankful for that.(This had to be revised and there has not been a report from those churches.) Still, much work needs to be done to find those missing and to start a clean up.

Thank you for your concern and prayers. This experience helps to show just how precious each day is in our lives. May we all live with the meaning and joy that the Lord offers us. At this time we are grieving with those who grieve.

Blessings to you all,

Jim and Carol