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.