A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On!

Dear Friends and Family,

Things are sure shaking around the Ring of Fire! On Sunday, April 3rd, there was a 6.9 magnitude  earthquake centered off the coast between Fiji and Vanuatu. If you remember, we have established Pacific Hope in Fiji and our hearts have been there since 2012. No damage was reported, but people there felt the shaking. April 6th there was a 6.0 temblor South of Java, in Indonesia, a place we have been invited.

A major prayer and worship event, Azusa Now, was staged in Los Angeles on the 9th, and since then there has been increased activity around the Pacific Rim. On Wednesday, April 13th a 6.9 quake struck Myanmar not too far from its shared border with India. Because the quake was deep, damage was minimal. You may know that we have been working in Myanmar just in the last year. At this point I felt that God was trying to get my attention. I began praying for the people and the land in these regions.

On April 14 there was a 5.9 jolt in Mindanao, Philippines, where we are in the pre-planning stages to make a strategic visit — possibly in July. Because I was already praying over the earthquakes, this came as a confirmation of purpose, and another pinpoint on the map outlining where we are working or where we are being sent. There was some damage reported in Mindanao, but few injuries.

However Kumamoto in Kyushu, one of Japan’s southern islands, did not fare so well. With a 6.2 earthquake on Thursday April 14th, and a 6.0 on Friday April 15th we were already praying. But finally there was a 7.0 on Saturday, April 16th. Our friends there report constant aftershocks, and they have all been moved to disaster shelters for safety. These shakers come to me as a surprise reminder that we had been invited by a Pastor to come and help establish a House of Prayer there!

God’s ability to speak to us through otherwise random geologic events points up the fact that God is on His throne, and that He is the unseen mover behind events here on earth. Many might see earthquakes as terrible events, but we have come to view them as indicators of increased spiritual and angelic activity in a region. When Paul and Silas were worshiping in prison there was a major earthquake, the cell doors swung open, and there was an angel standing there to lead them out. In the book of Revelation angels throw down their censers full of fire and incense, and earthquakes break out on the earth. When Jesus gave up his last breath on the cross there was an earthquake and previously dead people rose up out of their graves and walked around! We as servants and ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven have no need to fear the action of the Hand of God. When we see earthquakes we ask God what He is doing. These things are signs to us — indicators of Heavenly activity. They become divine invitations to participate in God’s purposes for cities, countries and regions… in prayer, by reaching out to help, or by heeding His call to go!

So this recent series of earthquakes is a call to pray for Japan. First responders in Kumamoto are still in the rescue phase of disaster response operations. This is an old area of Japan with many traditional houses and buildings built in remote locations— many of which are not built to the stricter codes found in more urban centers such as Tokyo or Osaka. Please pray for safety for the people of Kyushu Island and Kumamoto in Japan. Pray that God will reveal Himself to the people of Japan. You can be praying for me — I will be planning a trip to Kyushu Island soon to re-connect with our friends there and pursue God’s purposes for the people and the land.

Today, April 17th, I see news of an earthquake in Ecuador, and remember an invitation we were given years ago to come… Things are shaking throughout the areas in which we work. God is trying to get our attention. Will you pray with us for the people and the land in Fiji, in Myanmar, in Thailand, Cambodia, India, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Canada, Ecuador and everywhere around the Pacific Rim? Will you pray that God will continue to support and equip us for our work of bringing education, outreach and House of Prayer communities into tribal areas around the Ring of Fire? You can find out more at www.throughtheveil.net!