水曜日。

Where do I begin?

I'm currently sitting in my half-lit office in the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, wearing my coat.  The hallway is dark and quiet.  Few students are on campus today.  I've already finished my work and NHK hasn't updated the news since before lunch.  So, here I am in Japan.

I could say a lot of things.  I could talk about the fear on every face in the train, or the escalating nuclear situation, or the shock of the initial earthquake - but even with the rolling blackouts, the aftershock, the food flying off the shelves at the grocery stores, and the irregular train schedules, it is so important to put life in Tokyo into perspective compared to that of those living in the Tohoku area right now - those who have nothing left at all, and as the Chi Alpha team in Tokyo has said many times to one another, some don't even have hope to hold onto. 

In the midst of chaos, there is a peace that passes all understanding.  Even when the earth shakes, and it might take an hour or so to convince your body to get out of "flight mode," there is a peace inside that seems impossible.  Trust in the faithfulness of God, and the hope that is found in Him and Him alone, sustains us and we continue to try to give the overabundance of that peace and hope to those around us.


It's now Wednesday afternoon. I didn't finish this blog yesterday, sorry. I got busy at work.  Anyway, here are just a few of the things you can pray for:

-The survivors in the Tohoku area, and those still missing.
-For the families how have lost loved ones in the M9.0 quake and following 33ft tsunami.
-For the Japanese government and the rescue teams as they work diligently to aid the stricken areas.
-The Fukushima Daichii and Daini Nuclear Power Plants - for stability and safety over those working around the clock to stop further damage to the plant.
-For the pastors and churches in these areas as they try to contact all their members and begin to help in the relief efforts.
-Aftershocks are still happening everyday - and the possibility of more earthquakes is very real - pray for peace of mind over the people in Honshu.
-Most importantly, pray for the revelation of Jesus Christ to flood this land - and with it, hope, peace, joy, and restoration.

And again, if you would like to get involved with the relief effort,and I really request that you pray about giving, see my last post for Convoy of Hope. 

Until.
Amanda