5 Years Ago This Week

Five years ago this week Russ had his stroke. We rejoice that against all odds Russ is alive and getting along amazingly well. He walks around the house with a cane and is able to do many things on his own. He continues to go to an adult care center three times a week for therapy. I'm going to get in big trouble for posting this picture with chocolate smeared on Russ' face after licking the beaters. But doesn't he look content...or is that sheepish?

Strength and Hope

This morning I opened God's Word thirsty for refreshment. These words in the Phillips Paraphrase spoke peace to my heart.

Hebrews 6:18-20b
So that by two utterly immutable things, the Word of God and the oath of God, who cannot lie, we who are refugees from this dying world might have a source of strength, and might grasp the hope that he holds out to us. This hope we hold as the utterly reliable anchor for our souls, fixed in the innermost shrine of Heaven, where Jesus has already entered on our behalf...

There are still thousands of Japanese in shelters due to the Tohoku earthquakes. They've lost so much. These refugees live in a dying world. To have someone come and offer them strength and hope must be amazing.

God offers me that same strength and hope today. Though not a tsunami refugee, I am physically and emotionally tired. I'm taking God up on His strength and hope offers and finding fresh joy for this day.

In addition to the treasure I read in the Bible today, strength and hope came in the form of carrots. Russ' therapist brought us fresh carrots from Kiyose (neighboring town). They are beautiful, reportedly sweet, and not contaminated. How like God it is to bless us with both an abstract and a tangible display of His care for us.

A New Normal?

Saturday a friend said it was the first day since the earthquake that it felt like a normal day for her. The next day another friend said the same thing. Today was my first day for things to feel a little more routine. I rode public transportation that ran according to the posted schedule, I passed a gas station that was open but didn't have a line of cars waiting to buy gas, and I even saw toilet paper for sale.

But then tonight I received a phone call from someone asking a favor of me that would require several hours of time. It felt like an overwhelming request even though it wasn't something difficult for me to do. Under ordinary circumstances I would have just made the time to do it, but tonight I hesitated and said I'd get back to her.

I've realized that even though we are not in a hard-hit area, we are all affected deeply by Japan's pain. Every time I think about how cold it is for late March, I think of those up north struggling to keep warm with snow and no heat. The young woman staying with us while she helps with the relief effort is working so hard. Stress is really exhausting.

This week is Spring Break at the school where I work. Please pray that each of us (staff and students) would be refreshed.

How to Pray

You could help me celebrate my birthday today by praying for Japan. Here's a list of prayer requests from CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope).

http://www.crashjapan.com/crashjapan/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=315

If you're wondering how old I am, I'll give you some clues. My age is equidistant between two prime numbers. I'm too old to be a mere 50, but too young to be 60. I hope this won't keep you from praying. Sometimes I just need to think about something other than disasters.

Wise Words from Jeannie

We appreciate everyone's concern for our well being. Yesterday I asked the Lord to in His mercy cause the temperature to rise and the radiation level to drop. Though there is a chance of snow tonight, we had a good hour of beautiful warm sunshine today. That was a huge blessing! The radiation level found in Tokyo water has gone down well below the safe mark. Thank you Lord!

Many foreigners have left Japan in the last two weeks. Some of our friends here have people begging them to leave Japan. We are thankful that our mission, friends, and family have not put that kind of pressure on us. We are counting the cost and believe that until God leads us differently we should stay here. We certainly have no desire to be foolish. We do want to listen carefully to God's leading. He is the only one who knows all the details including what is yet to come! What a privilege it is to rest in His all-knowing leadership.

We live just three kilometers from my brother Tim who is also a missionary here in Japan. I asked my sister-in-law if I could share her thoughts in my blog today. I think she's "spot on" as my Australian friends say.

I have slowly been developing my own Biblical perspective on the fight or flight tension. I've come up with the decision that it is so important for each one to stay very close to God to hear what He is saying to him/her individually. God may give one command to one and a different command to another.

In the Bible, Jacob's family left Israel for Egypt in the famine of Joseph's day, Paul fled from Damacus in a basket, and Jesus himself was carried out of Israel to Egypt by Mary and Joseph. On the other hand, Paul stayed in the Philippian jail rather than running away at the time of the earthquake and Jesus stayed and endured the cross to the finish.

This whole crisis is an exercise in listening carefully to what God is saying to me personally. I love John 21 when Peter was trying to get Jesus to give a cookie cutter response regarding the future of John and the other disciples. Jesus replies to Peter, "If I want him (John) to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

God's Mercy in Spite of Tainted Water

The big news yesterday was that they found radiation in Tokyo's water supply above the recommended limit for infants. We live in the outskirts of Tokyo that has a different water supply from downtown. As adults we are presumably not in danger at the current levels even if we lived closer to the center of the city.

This is little comfort since we personally know many precious young children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers in the affected areas. Already the radiation levels have dropped, but as an extra precaution they are encouraging using only bottled water for infants. The stores shelves where bottled water used to be, are bare. The city is distributing water directly to families with infants.

As each new difficult development comes, I've realized anew how the only sure thing is God's character. I'm seeking to focus on Him–the unchanging One–in the midst of the unpredictable.

Today I've been thinking about God's mercy. The 9.0 quake did horrible damage, but if the epicenter had been farther southwest, it could have been even worse. In our suburb the water has been fine even when radiation was found in other places. We've escaped all the power outages characteristic of other suburbs. I was able to buy one liter of milk today. Our trains are even working again. Maybe God is sparing us because CRASH's command center is right here in our neighborhood and He wants this ministry to be able to carry on in the relief effort. I don't know why He has spared us so much, but I do know He is merciful.

Tonight I am appealing to God's mercy and asking Him to bring warmer weather. It's supposed to be in the 40's (Fahrenheit) tomorrow. That's difficult for the many Tokyoites who have no power for several hours each day, but even more brutal for the homeless in Tohoko cramped in cold shelters. Usually by this time the cherry blossom trees are beginning to bud. Spring feels late this year. Lord, please let the mercury rise, but keep the radiation down.

It's hard to complain when...

Many good things are happening, but uncertainty is stressful. Ordinarily it comes pretty naturally for me to see the bright side of life. I think when God created me He put in an extra happy gene. But even happy people get tired.

Today I felt grumpy. Not all day, but I had my moments. I sprained my foot, but it's hard to complain about a little foot pain when I'm married to someone whose entire right side is paralyzed and he's not complaining. At school we're cutting down on electricity by not using heat. I got so cold in my office today I could hardly type and my throat started hurting. But it's hard to complain when people up north don't have an office or home to go to.

We're thankful that today Russ' adult care center resumed service so that he was able to get a warm bath and therapy again. I was able to go to work fully confident that he was well cared for. This step towards our normal routine was very comforting.

My brother reports being able to purchase gasoline today here in Tokyo without a long wait.

More teams from CRASH are being sent into Tohoku with supplies. Since we are not holding regular classes at school until after spring break, our dining hall is temporarily being used as a gathering place for donations.

We are about 250 kilometers away from the struggling nuclear power plant. Radiation levels are reportedly not a problem for adults at this time in our area. We are not overly concerned for ourselves, but do pray for God's mercy.

Tonight our house guest fixed supper for us and did the dishes. That was lovely. It's just plain hard to stay grumpy when we're so spoiled.

Ten Days after the 9.0

I'm cheered by these happenings...

• My sister-in-law rode over on her bicycle and brought us two liters of milk. I haven't seen any for sale for a week, but they sell it in her neighborhood grocery.
• One of my co-workers and her husband spent almost five hours yesterday talking about God and the Bible with a long-time friend, an air traffic controller from the Sendai airport who escaped with his life but has lost everything else.
• God has given the school where I work incredible administrators who are competent, resilient, and innovative. I so appreciated meeting with them today to discuss where we go from here.
• A missionary friend who lives near the nuclear reactor says the last ten days have been the most amazing days of their ministry. They have been difficult to be sure, but also offered unprecedented opportunities as their church has turned into a rescue center.
• I was able to hook up two women who share a native tongue. The younger woman has temporarily relocated near us and needed to debrief with someone in her heart language. The other young woman is mature in her faith and eager to let God use her.

Sunday in Japan

Russ and I appreciated our pastor's sermon this morning. He talked about how God graciously takes what is evil and redeems it for good. We're all conserving gasoline so I was surprised to see the church full. As we walk through this time of crisis in Japan, we have this desperate need to live in community.

This afternoon I had a little rest before cooking for relief workers and then attending a seminar on emotional care for those who have been traumatized. At the seminar I sat by a missionary friend on one side and a sign language interpreter on my other side. The room was filled with Japanese from different generations as well as other Christians from many nations and mission organizations. It is amazing and deeply gratifying to see the church of Japan working together.

I've been so touched to hear how my former students are stepping up to the plate and doing what they can. They've stood on street corners collecting money for relief and offered to pray for people. One talented young adult was just laid off from her job and immediately started using her skills in the relief effort. Our kids are praying. They're volunteering their time. They are doing just what the mission of our school aspires to–Equip students to impact the world for Christ.

Encouraging Signs

As I walked to the grocery store today the sun shone brightly and the fragrance of daphne plants added a spring to my step. I was asked to help cook Mabodofu for the relief volunteers tomorrow so I headed into "Marufuji" with three things on my list (tofu, hamburger, and seasoning). I came out with the very three things I hoped for.

Yesterday I had a different experience. The store that usually is so bright and cheery looked like a third world grocery. Everything looked drab inside with minimal lighting (we're all conserving energy) and many shelves were bare. By today I was already used to the new look and they are restocking some supplies.

I read a message from the Tokyo electric company. Apparently everyone is doing such a good job of conserving energy that many planned blackouts have been canceled. They even encouraged us to protect our health and not be too stingy with our heaters. Since Russ is paralyzed in half his body, it is difficult for him to have the house cold. That encouragement to use our heat was very welcome.

I am well aware that farther north things are much more difficult. I can only report with authority on what I see firsthand. I do have it from a reliable source that supplies are beginning to get through to those in need.

We keep praying about the nuclear power plant. We are concerned for the workers there and those who live nearby. We are well out of the 50-mile radius ourselves, but millions are not.

Tonight we have a couple coming for supper that are temporarily living near us. They were not comfortable in their own apartment. We pray that we will minister to them as we get acquainted and welcome them to our home of peace.

What can I do?

When we hear tragic news such as the earthquakes and tsunamis here in Japan, we want to DO something. I've been wondering what God would have me to do. With Russ' disabilities I'm not free to spend hours volunteering at CRASH, but each of us can do something. Today I figured it out. This is what I can do...

• Pray
• Donate money to CRASH (http://www.crashjapan.com)
• House a CRASH volunteer for the foreseeable future
• Encourage the people God has brought into our lives
• Carry on with my usual responsibilities/ministries

Today that meant helping my sister-in-law with a storytime for preschoolers, having friends in for lunch, making strawberry shortcake for our neighbor, and living this day in hope.

Live Your Life Normally

We are attempting to carry on with life as normally as possible. A number of things make that challenging. Russ' care center doesn't have enough gasoline to pick up patients so he is home all week. The school where I work has switched over to virtual schooling with some activities for students who live close enough to walk or bike to school. I have my work computer at home and am trying to keep up with things as best I can. Tomorrow we plan to have a storytime for preschoolers on campus.

We get news from the American embassy once or twice a day with updates on the nuclear power plant situation, aftershocks, and additional tidal wave possibilities. I feel these reports are a more reliable source than the media. I believe we are not out of danger, but are not necessarily in danger either.

I was walking along outside and heard myself say, "Just live your life normally." I am not in the habit of talking aloud to myself. Did the Holy Spirit prompt me to say those words to speak to me? I think so. We know God does not mean for us to live in fear. We choose to trust Him and believe He will guide us to make wise decisions.

Just as Esther was in the king's household "for such a time as this," we feel God has called us to minister here in Japan at this time. (Esther 4:14) We need your prayers. It's beautiful to see missionaries and Japanese Christians working together for His glory.

CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope) is making good progress in their efforts to equip churches in the hardest hit areas to be centers of help and hope. The organization is currently headquartered next door to school and able to use some of our classrooms since we are not holding regular classes. Our students and staff are volunteering. We're housing a volunteer from Hokkaido for an indefinite period of time.

Why is it we have earthquakes whenever I write this blog? Maybe we're getting used to them. I didn't even go stand in the doorway for that one. In the past, one that strong would have sent us for cover. In comparison, it felt quite weak. The Lord willing, we won't get too complacent.

Signs of Life

Everyone is under stress. There is so much uncertainty. The ground keeps shaking. We all react differently to stress. My way of coping is to look for signs of normalcy. This is what I found today.

The daffodils in front of our house are beautiful.



Our city is sprinkled with little farms that have roadside stands. Even with the shortages found in grocery stores, there was produce available at this unattended booth. I plunked in my hundred-yen coin and with great delight carried home a bunch of spinach. Spinach isn't in short supply right now the way other things are, but it was symbolic to me of life as we knew it before the quake.

As I walked by the grocery store this morning a man was speaking to the crowds ready to enter as soon as the doors were opened. He was pleading with them not to run. While many are panicking about food, my spinach lay there placidly waiting to be purchased.


I saw some seniors walking along the road picking up trash. I thanked them for their service in the midst of uncertainty. Our conversation went right to the proverbial, "Where were you when the quake hit?" They were picking up trash and clung to a pole to keep standing. Here they were again picking up trash. We have a beautiful clean city thanks to people like that. It felt so normal to walk behind them...and good.

Thank you, Lord, for my encounters with the familiar today.

Four Days after the Earthquake

It's been four days since the big earthquake, but we continue to have aftershocks. They are strong enough to awaken me in the middle of the night, but not as strong or long as Friday's quake.

Questions run through my mind. Is this another big quake somewhere or is it just weaker this time? Are the same people receiving the brunt of it again or is the epicenter in a new location?


We've been spared in many ways, but life is far from normal here in Tokyo. We have canceled school for at least the rest of this week. The adult daycare center my husband attends is also closed. There is a big shutter down at the train station. With the trains not running people can't get to work or go to school. The bike rack next to the station that is usually full of commuter bicycles, is empty.


There is still food available, but the shelves that used to hold disposable diapers, toilet paper, instant noodles, water, bread, and milk are bare.

Gas stations have long lines and run out of gas to sell before noon. Sunday the gas gauge on our little car was registering on empty. I thought I had enough to get home, but when the light started flashing we started praying. I couldn't find regular gas, but when I found premium gas for sale I pulled in behind a luxury car and had my budget car filled up with premium gas. We were thankful to make it home that night. Until the situation lets up a bit, I don't plan to drive anywhere if I don't have to. I always keep a good supply of food on hand anyway and I can continue with most of my school responsibilities from home via computer.

We continually get announcements about power outages but so far have had continued service. We don't know when to expect them since they haven't come on schedule. For a highly structured society like Japan, this feels out of character.

Each time I walk past the bicycle shop, it is full of customers. Bicycles are common transportation at any time, but especially now that gasoline is in short supply.

I tell you about our lives here in Tokyo, not because our lives are difficult. We are only inconvenienced. We cannot say that about thousands of others.

I heard a lady on a Japanese newscast say she lost everything except her life. She added that she wasn't sure it was a good thing that she lived. Please pray that we'll know best how to offer hope. I'm trying to contact our friends one by one.

Better sign off. The ground is shaking again. Wow. That was a big one.

A Reliable Relief Group-CRASH

CRASH is run by personal friends of ours. Missionaries and Christians are working together. They have set up emergency headquarters next to Christian Academy in Japan. This is the organization we will be working with to bring relief to the thousands of suffering people in this land we love. I'm sure there will be many fine organizations trying to help. I am totally confident that this group will use 100% of the funds raised for relief.

Flossie

DONATE FOR JAPAN!

Many of us are wondering how we can best respond to the devastating news of the earthquakes and tsunami that have hurt especially Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate ken. As the computer and television screens pour out images, we can pour out our hearts to the Creator of the Universe to take care of the great nation of Japan.

CRASH Japan, a non-profit established for just a time as this, exists to help victims of disasters. We have experienced people who know the culture and language on the ground ready to assess the situation and then take appropriate action. Please consider how YOU might be able to help right now by giving a donation that will “kick start” our Tokyo based disaster relief initiative.

CRASH Japan is strongly endorsed by JEMA (Japan Evangelical Missionary Association) and comes highly recommended by Dale Little, JEMA President. http://crashjapan.com/

24 HOUR FUNDING GOAL: $100,000 (send a donation using one of the following options)

Donate via Horizon Christian Fellowship web site (tax deductible receipt provided):
https://www.horizonsd.org/donate/index.asp?purpose=japan_earthquake_relief

Donate via PayPal (no tax deductible receipt): http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php/component/content/article/57-feature-article/500-japan-tohoku-quake-relief-donations

Donate in Japan via the JEMA postal furikae account:
Account#00130-4-180466 (Please specify "earthquake relief" in the message box.)

We have hope

It's easy to sing songs in church without concentrating on the words. Not so yesterday. As we sang "The reason I live is to worship you," I was struck again with God's mercy to let us live through the earthquakes while so many did not make it. Later we sang, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness...my anchor holds within the vale..."

We have hope, but we're surrounded with people who do not have hope. Missionaries and other Christians in Japan are rallying. We were expecting this (though as a "someday") so were ready in many ways. This could be the hour where many Japanese turn to the only sure foundation.

The whole world is praying for Japan. Please pray for us as we seek to be warmth in the cold, be a light in the darkness, and offer solid hope to the wavering hopeless.

Our electricity will not be regular for some time now. I do not anticipate regular internet accessibility. We deeply appreciate your prayers and concern. Please consult this website for further updates. I will try to write once a day as I can.

I'm off to school to meet in the dark and chill with the other administrators to come up with next steps for our students. Russ will go to the care center. While it would be comforting not to be separated as we anticipate more aftershocks, we are in this country to offer hope rather than for our personal comfort. We are only inconvenienced. We do not feel fear. Our hope is in the Lord and not in the earth.

Reunited!

I made it home and am reunited with Russ!

Each time I inquired about when bullet train service would be restored to Tokyo, the projected time was again delayed. When we heard that the highway opened up, the missionaries I was staying with decided to drive me home. There was little traffic. Who wants to go anywhere when you finally get home? We made it to Tokyo in two hours. Now Landises are on their way back home.

Russ and I are so thankful to be in the same place again!

Gas is being rationed, batteries and food staple supplies are low in stores, and we anticipate planned electricity outages, but otherwise our lives are almost normal. This isn't true for tens of thousands of Japanese tonight. How should we respond? We pray for God's wisdom.

Cell phone working!

My cell phone is working again and I got to talk to Russ! That's the first time since the earthquakes began that I've been able to talk to him. Our missionary neighbor (whose wife is currently in the US) came over and stayed overnight with Russ. I'm grateful!

Still no word on how I'll get home, but having talked to Russ was a a great comfort!

Flossie

Earthquake

Thursday I woke up in the early morning hours with a debilitating migraine headache. I wasn't able to do anything for Russ. He made his own breakfast, put away the laundry, and even took a bag of trash outside for pick-up. Since he is paralyzed in half his body, carrying anything while grasping his cane and navigating the slope outside our front door is quite a feat!

God's timing is impeccable. He knew that the next day we would have a major earthquake and I would be stuck in the mountains far away from home. Russ would be home alone. The memory of what he was able to do without my help on Thursday assures me that God will help him manage. Since the earthquake yesterday I have had no direct contact with Russ but I'm totally confident God is caring for Russ. Russ is only theoretically alone.

Yesterday (3/11) I came up here to Karuizawa to meet with some homeschooling families. As my last consultation was coming to a close the building started shaking violently. We stood in the doorway until we heard over a megaphone that we needed to evacuate the building. Thankfully we didn't have to stand outside for long since the temperature was well below freezing. We gathered in the newest building and had roll call. All were accounted for.

I figured my 4PM Tokyo-bound bullet train would be delayed, but at that time didn't realize the extent of the earthquake damage. I went to the train station and learned that they had no idea when the trains would be running again. Cells phones weren't working so I used a pay phone to try to make calls but couldn't get through to anyone. I decided to get a refund on my ticket and try to get to my friend's house. I appreciate the Landises taking me in. The phones aren't working, but the internet is still up so I read a message on our webmail that Russ wrote to my brother saying he's okay. We don't have a TV so he is likely unaware of the extent of the damage (at this point there are 1000 people dead or missing.)

I was able to go to sleep last night but woke up at 4:30 AM to two more 6.0 earthquakes. I decided it was a good idea to be dressed and ready to evacuate if necessary (though I still don't expect to). Aftershocks continue. What I used to think of as rather strong earthquakes, are frequent.

I have no way to get home. Please pray that I'll be able to talk to Russ and the Lord willing we'll be able to be united. I am grateful to be staying at the warm home of missionaries.

Please pray that God will use this to draw people to Himself.

Flossie

Our lives in pictures

God is with us always! I love this little plate a dear friend made for me with her pottery instructor. The character "tomo" is used in the word "friend." To me the character looks like I'm cuddling up under God's arms wrapped around me. It's a wonderful thing to have Jesus as my friend. He never ever leaves us!


A few weeks ago I saw this sight outside our living room window. It's challenging for my husband and me to live with his disabilities, but there are so many bright spots in our lives–our son's engagement to a lovely young lady we love, the opportunity to share lessons I've learned about God's character at a ladies' retreat Feb.7-9, a successful Arts and Skills Day Feb. 19 for homeschooling families, encouraging interactions with those we seek to share our lives and the gospel, etc.


I am privileged to work with some amazing kids. In this picture you see us preparing lunches for the homeless downtown. I'd venture to say that I was as blessed by their earnestness as the people were happy to receive the food.