September 2011 Bulletin Insert Format [PDF]
Septiembre 2011 en español

God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for God’s sake in serving the saints, as you still do. Hebrews 6:10

Global Ministries missionary, Jeffrey Mensendiek and his family are long-time residents of Sendai, Japan. Since the devastating earthquake and tsunami Jeffrey has been ministering to the displaced, grieving and broken. Jeffrey’s sister, Martha Mensendiek also a missionary who lives and works in Kyoto, has been translating Jeffrey’s daily journal entries so that Global Ministries can post them on the website. This is one of Jeffrey’s recent entries: I took part in a meeting attended by Buddhist and Christian religious leaders. The purpose was to organize a common ministry to serve the spiritual needs of the public in Sendai. The government and various organizations can address the material needs of the people.  But there definitely is a spiritual need which only the religious community can address.

It is important that the Buddhist and Christian community join together at this time in a spirit of respect. It shows the public that we are not here to compete, but to serve. The spiritual needs are so deep. Many people are afraid of religion, and believe that religious people are aggressive and self-serving.  Not so for those of us gathered on this night. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones; those who cannot return to the place where they lived for fear of the memories which might return to them. Many people are still not accounted for. The suffering continues. The religious community is ready to serve at any time, but for those who have lost loved ones, the time may not yet be right.  Humility is an important part of Buddhism. Waiting, listening, emptying oneself, letting go of desires are all important values. When my father first came to Sendai 60 years ago, he visited a blind man in a small fishing village near Ishinomaki.  He witnessed the desperate poverty and asked; "Is there anything that I can do for you?" The man replied; "Desire is endless." There is so much to learn from the wisdom of the Buddhist tradition.  On this forty-ninth day I bow my head remembering that many of my Buddhist friends are praying for peace and healing.

Let us pray for strength for the suffering and those who minister to them.

Jeffrey Mensendiek, serves the Council on Cooperative Mission. He is assigned to the Emmaus Center in Sendai, Japan, where he now works as director of recovery response.