Thank you for helping us match the $1 million challenge for Japan. By November 1, the deadline for the matching grant, you helped us not only match the goal—you went above and beyond. We're still calculating all the funds to know exactly where we stand, but we now know that we've exceeded the match. We are so grateful for God's provision.

Thank you for standing with the "Unsung Heroes" of the disaster, the pastors and church families who continue to be engaged in providing hope and healing to the Japanese people. We are humbled to have tremendous partners, through which these relief efforts are carried out.

Sadly, I just read an LA Times article yesterday ("Billions for Japan tsunami recovery went elsewhere, reports find") about government misspending in Japan relief. Here is an excerpt:

Billions of dollars meant to help Japan recover from its devastating tsunami went to government projects that had little or nothing to do with the disaster, a new spending review shows.

Japanese politicians have questioned why millions went to a factory that makes contact lenses, or why money was spent to fend off  environmental activists opposed to whaling, or other projects in areas far removed from the tsunami. Local media have dug up numerous  examples of dubious spending, from renovating government buildings outside the disaster zones to job training in prisons.

All in all, government documents show roughly one out of every four dollars budgeted for reconstruction went to unrelated projects, and more than half has not been allocated at all, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. An outside analysis by recovery expert Yoshimitsu Shiozaki found the same pattern of spending on projects outside the disaster zones.

In contrast, we want you to know how A2 has invested relief funds thus far; please download our September Japan Disaster Update.

We consider you to be one of our heroes for standing with these heroic leaders in Japan through your prayers and support. Your ongoing prayers are still very much needed.

Thank you for helping during Japan's greatest hour for the hope of Christ!

Joe Handley

Downloads

A2/apan Disaster Report [4 single pages]

A2/Japan Disaster Report [tabloid layout]