This past Friday, Japan experienced an 8.9 magnitude earthquake followed by a tsunami with a 30 foot tidal wave. Recently, a nuclear plant had an explosion and another earthquake is predicted to hit. Below are updates from dear friends in Japan.
From a fellow missionary serving in Japan
March 10 at 11:21 pm – “Very scary earthquake.”
March ll at 1:57 am – “We’re okay. I was home (actually, over at church with Kaneko-san and Tanaka-san) and the children were at school – were evacuated to the field. The quake was verystrong and went on for a long time. I went out during one of the aftershocks and the car was actually rolling back and forth. Now we’re all safely home – still feeling aftershocks, though, kind of like being on a rolling ship.”
March ll at 7:54 am – “Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, everyone. We are very thankful for God’s protection today. Two of our boys are feeling some anxiety this evening, but they have fallen asleep now.:
March ll at 1:18 pm – “So thankful for everyone’s thoughts and prayers. We’re continuing to have some pretty strong aftershocks – I haven’t slept much, but the children are managing to sleep through. [My husband] will be home Tuesday.”
March 12 at pm – “We had a large tremor just as I was tucking the children into bed last night, but we all slept through any nighttime activity. The children and I read Psalm 46 last night, and I keep returning to those words. We are anxious for [my husband's] return on Tuesday. He’s in …. today and flies to Hong Kong late tonight.”
March 13 at 1:18 pm – “A little update – school is cancelled for tomorrow, although the teachers are going in. The rolling blackouts are starting. We’ll be without power from 6:20 until 9:20 in the morning and again from 4:50 until 7:50 in the evening. The grocery store shelves were pretty depleted today. The kind manager apologized to me, but was thankful he had enough milk (he knows me as a purchaser of many liters of milk.)”
From a Japanese Lutheran pastor
March 11 at 5:02 am – “Please pray for people here for safe night. No light, water, electrich system, no lights on crossing, no phone. Mito city is just stock. But my family is fine.and some church member near by are ok.”
March 12 at 8:33 am – “Up date from Mito. Now electric, water, gas are back to personage. but many house not. some house totally broken, many house was broken a part and walls, many places of roads cave in. some bridge was broken, most of stores have no water and food and gasoline. Still many people escape to school or public places. I can not contact with some church member yet especially who lives Hitachi and Hitachinaka or more north.”
March 12 at 8:37 am - “Another crisis is a radiation burn from nuclear station. We hope “No rain” after a while. Church building it self seems Ok so far. roads are very very busy, it took 1 and half hour to get Shion to Kindergarten. Or to visit a church member took 1 hour usually it takes just 5 min. I spend most of time of today to find and keep water.”
March 12 at 8:41 am – “We still have intermittently earthquake every 30 min. (last night was almost every 10 min)
May God bless our church service tomorrow. God mercy on people in suffer. God’s grace on people who don’t know their Savior .Thank you for your messages and encouragements and prayers!! Please keep it in your prayer!”
March 13 at 10:20 am - “Update from Mito on Sunday. We had the Sunday service, a few people came. Most of stores have gave out food and waters. and gave out gasoline!! but life line is mostly back to Mito area. We asked Tokyo church to help some relief goods. because Tokyo and Saitama is working. Mr. Kakuchi and family bought many things for us and brought to them to Shimodate. I could see Mr.Kakuchi and received them. We will face to power cut for 4 hours purposely in Kanto area to save a electric energy from tomorrow. I am not sure it is good or bad idea. any way I need to go to gas station tomorrow. I can not go to south to buy food anymore because of lack of gas. I heard that another earth quick will come in 3 days, which is as big as the last Friday one. Please pray for people who still have no lifeline, and no damage any more.”
From a Japanese former English student
March 13 at 3:54 am - “I am now in Taipei,Taiwan from March 7 for a change of air and an escape from hay fever. As you know, Japan has suffered incredible catastrophic disaster by earthquake and Tunami. Especially, the influence by Tunami is a great loss. There is worse to tell. It is reported that a part of the atomic power plant exploded and radioactive material leaked to the atmosphere. I am not sure but it is said that more than 10,000 people were killed. Fortunately, my family are safe. however, my wife told me that shabby house was shaken violently. After knowing such a catastrophic disaster, I could not enjoy my trip. I am going to return to Japan on March 17.”
From a Japanese friend from Ashikaga (currently living in USA)
March 11 at 6:54 pm - “I was able to talk to my family on the phone. They are well and they are very scared. Many many after shocks. I am praying for every one over there. AND thank you very much for all the prayer. I wish I were there to help people. Love you all!”
March 11 at 10:26 pm - “There are many many after shocks, said my brother. My brother is a hair dresser and he was able to open his business today. How lucky I am to hear that!! I feel sad… death toll is getting higher and higher… saw some small children’s names on the list…. I held my children very tight and promised that I will protect them no matter what.”
March 12 at 8:57 am -”Morning everyone. Things are well with my family. They have a house, things to eat, electricity and mostly their family. My fathe’s oldest brother lives in one of the most effected areas and we can’t get hold of him. My father believes that he will be fine. Again, thank you very much for thinking about us.”
March 12 at 4:45 pm -“Called my parents. They were still sleeping (sorry mom and dad for waking you up). While I was talking with them, they felt another earthquake again… and again…. They are hoping that it will stop, completely stop soon. It was very nice to hear their voices.”
March 13 at 10:45 am – “Ashikaga didn’t get much damages compare to northern part of Japan. They still fell after shocks often.”
Please keep the people of Japan in your prayers that they may come to know Jesus.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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