Ten days ago, the cherry blossoms (sakura) were in full bloom. The sun was setting and I had a few moments before prepping dinner to catch the blossoms. The power of cherry blossoms attracted me to capture their beauty (before the wind and rain blew them away).

Yesterday, we watched and read the power of nature had hit Japan in the southern city of Kumamoto. The government and volunteers are doing all they can to help the survivors. Some are still trapped and need rescue.  Some 41 are dead, ~1900 injured after the second earthquake, which was a magnitude 7.3. Please pray for the survivors and rescue workers!

There are seven affiliated Baptist (but non-Japan Baptist Union (JBU)) churches in the area. All were undamaged after the first quake, but we are waiting for reports after the second quake. Please pray for the churches and their communities! Thousands are without power, water, and gas at this time. Please pray that God would use this opportunity to bring revival to Japan and provide for the needs of the survivors.

Thanks for your prayers!

May the Lord continue to richly bless you!

With Thanks and much Love,

Gordon and Lee Ann Hwang

P.S. We are happy to announce a Matching Gift Opportunity between April 15 and June 15, 2015. Gifts to IM from new individual donors (or existing donors that give above their regular pledge) will be matched and doubled until June 15, 2015 or when the Challenge Fund (currently $150,000) is depleted – whichever comes first.

To give online using your credit card, go to the Matching Gift page on the IM website or paste this link in your browser http://internationalministries.org/drives/35. 

To give by phone using a credit card, call Donor Services at 800-222-3872, ext. 2323, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., EST.

This is a great opportunity.  Please consider helping with the Lord’s work around the world.