By Tina Lin in Japan — Mrs. Sato* looks older than her age, having worked with her husband on their farm all her life. The 2011 tsunami washed away her home and farm but the Satos decided to rebuild. Because of the condition of the soil, they cannot yet cultivate rice so they have converted to growing salt-tolerant vegetables. They purchased a shipping container to serve as their temporary home. Post-traumatic stress disorder from the tsunami and the hard labor of farming have worn Mrs. Sato to a frazzle.

SEND missionaries serving in the region designed a program called “Breathe Deep, Refresh Your Soul Spa Tour,” and invited Mr. and Mrs. Sato as their special guests. During the two night spa, Mrs. Sato shared her suffering and worries with the missionaries. As they listened, they invited her to give those burdens to Jesus. She agreed and prayed with them to accept Jesus by faith.

Now the missionaries face the challenge of discipling Mrs. Sato. She is unable to put aside her farming and join the weekly worship meetings at the local church. So believers from Tokyo churches have been coming to the tsunami area to help work in their fields. After the work, everyone sings some praises to God together with her. In the rural areas of the disaster area, church planting sometimes looks a little different.