The three-fold disaster that swept Japan in March of 2011 was like no other diaster Healing Hands had ever faced. The need was great, but Japan is a developed nation and a proud people. The question we found ourselves facing was this, "How can we use the resources given to us in the most effective way to show the love of Christ to these people?" A usual, God raised up the answer to our question. Marilyn Holland, one of our staff members in Ft. Worth, TX, knew of a missionary named Chad Huddleston already living in Japan. Chad and his family have lived in Japan for twelve years. They know the language, the culture and the people and they had already begun to try to help those who were suffering around them. The one thing that Chad and his team lacked was financial support. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, that was what Healing Hands had to offer and a beautiful partnership was formed.
One of the greatest needs for this team was a facility to house relief workers and supplies, so HHI helped fund the purchase of a house and sent staff member, Jim Pounders, and board member, Burt Nowers, to help renovate this facility for use. The team began by traveling into communities and setting up relief distribution sites. They provided items like diapers, clothing and bottled water, but they also began offering hot meals to those who came. At first, many of the people in the communities were hesitant to receive help, but the smell of a hot meal being prepared drew people to their sites by the hundreds. Soon, the team was playing with the children and listening to the stories of people who had lost everything. This became the platform through which the team has been able to form relationships and show the love of Christ.
Many of the people the team has met needed help repairing their homes and businesses and the team was able to fill that need. Some just needed someone to listen. Recognizing the need for someone to listen, Healing Hands has partnered with Missionary Resource Network to put together a team of licensed counselors that will be traveling to some of the hardest hit areas in November 2011 to try and heal some of the emotional wounds these people are carrying.
