I felt like it was time for a new post yesterday, but I couldn’t write. Throughout the day, I spent every free moment checking the news, following the situation in Japan. Friends in Japan were posting messages, photos, and videos on Facebook about their experiences in the earthquake and all that followed. The scope of the disaster is overwhelming. Confronted with so much suffering, I was speechless. I couldn’t think of a single thing to blog about. Trying to take this disaster and turn it into a language lesson seemed ridiculous. Maybe later, but not now.
If you would like to help with relief efforts, I recommend that you contact CRASH Japan, a disaster response network. The letters C-R-A-S-H stand for Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope. A friend of mine writes:
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.
My heart goes out to all the people of Japan at this difficult time.
「たとい、山々が移り、丘が動いてもわたしの変わらぬ愛はあなたから移らず、わたしの平和の契約は動かない。」とあなたをあわれむ主は仰せられる。
ー イザヤ書５４：１０（聖書）
[photo: Reuters via The Big Picture]
