Mennonite Mission Network workers have not reported any injuries in Japan tsunami

ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network)—Mennonite Mission Network reports that as of Friday afternoon none of its workers or associates in Japan had indicated being harmed in the tragic magnitude 8.9 earthquake that struck on Friday, triggering a tsunami that has reportedly killed thousands of people in northeastern Japan.

Mission Network has one worker and four families of mission associates living in Japan. Mission associates are workers who relate to Mission Network, but do not receive financial support from the organization.

Two mission associate families are located in the northern inland cities of Yubari and Asahikawa City. One family lives in the southern city of Kobe, and another in Tokyo. The Mission Network worker lives in the northern city of Obihiro. Mission Network is withholding names until all families have been accounted for.

Teresa and Michael Sherrill
with children, Jeremiah, Sophia and Isaiah, and Grandma Juanita (Sun City, Ariz.)

The family in Tokyo—Mike and Teresa Sherrill, and their children Isaiah, Jeremiah and Sophia (Upper Milford Mennonite Church, Old Zionsville, Pa., and Southside Fellowship, Elkhart, Ind.)—report that they are safe. However, because communication has been negatively impacted by the disaster’s aftermath, others have not yet been heard from. More reports are expected in the coming hours and days.

“We’re grateful that we have so far not heard of injury to Mennonite related workers,” said John F. Lapp, Asia director for Mennonite Mission Network. “We pray that the destruction would be limited to the coastal areas and that the emergency response efforts can reach as many of the suffering people as possible.”

Mission Network partners with the Japan Mennonite Christian Church Conference and the Tokyo Area Fellowship of Mennonite Churches. According to the Mennonite World Conference website, there are nearly 3,000 Mennonites in Japan.

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