Japan: “The number of typhoons to strike Japan [in 2004] is the highest since Japan started keeping records in 1551,” said a news report. In Niigata and Fukui prefectures, extreme weather in July damaged well over 34,000 homes and other buildings, including a Kingdom Hall and 60 homes belonging to our brothers. Hundreds of Witnesses from neighboring congregations rushed to help. The Kingdom Hall was fully restored within two weeks.

The brothers also helped to clean and disinfect the homes of non-Witnesses who lived close to the hall. A man who had been opposed to the Kingdom message wept with gratitude. The local government even sent a letter of appreciation to the relief committee in acknowledgment of the brothers’ efforts.

When two typhoons swept across Japan in September and October, flooding and landslides killed one brother and one sister and caused hardships for about 100 other Witnesses. Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture was inundated. Even though his own accommodations were flooded, the circuit overseer helped to organize relief work.

After several feet of muddy water subsided from a pioneer sister’s apartment, local publishers scrubbed it clean. The owner, not a Witness, was deeply moved. The sister said: “I’ve heard of the relief activity of Jehovah’s organization, but this time I experienced it firsthand. I’m very proud of our God, Jehovah, and of his organization.”

Also in October, a major earthquake shook northern Japan, taking 40 lives and forcing over 100,000 to evacuate their homes. No brothers were injured or killed, although over 200 families were affected and one Kingdom Hall became unusable. The tremors began while the elders in the circuit were gathered to prepare for a circuit assembly. What did they do? In conjunction with direction from the branch office and the local Regional Building Committee, they immediately began to organize relief. “We were reminded to view these events as spiritual people would,” says one elder. The circuit assembly was held, and even those affected by the quake attended.

“The earthquake shook my husband’s heart,” relates a sister whose mate is not a Witness and whose house was damaged. Having seen Christian love in action during the relief work, the husband attended a congregation meeting for the first time in his life. “I can trust your organization completely,” he said. “It will never let us down.”

[Picture on page 20]

Cleaning a flood-damaged Kingdom Hall in Niigata Prefecture, Japan