Avoidance

JAPAN

Can you even believe these pictures?

They look like something taken out a movie.

Oh, yes, an old Godzilla movie,

after all, this is

JAPAN.

Please forgive my sarcasm.

It is being used to cover my

grief

and

shock.

I found another picture that made me burst into tears...

it was a hand sticking out of the rubble.

I'm of Japanese descent,

1/2 third and 1/2 fourth generation,

have never been to Japan,

but have cousins there.

I would be considered

"faux"

Japanese.

Too Americanized...

But, I cannot help but feel a personal pain in my heart for Japan

and especially the

26,000

who are either

dead or missing....

I have totally avoided watching any news about the tsunami,

it's devastating..

overwhelming...

almost nauseating...

But...there is HOPE.

The Japanese are doing what they do best,

working together,

helping each other,

supporting one another.

This is an email my mom sent me:

"For those who wonder how JA's were able to 'gaman' and live through what happened to us as U.S. Citizens during World War II, 'On the Ground' by Nicholas D. Kristof describes it very well. Trust you will agree.

But the Japanese people themselves were truly noble in their perseverance and stoicism and orderliness.

There’s a common Japanese word,

“gaman,”

that doesn’t really have an English equivalent,

but is something like “toughing it out.”

And that’s what the people of Kobe did, with a courage,

unity

and common purpose that left me awed."

"This stoicism is built into the Japanese language.

People always say “shikata ga nai” – it can’t be helped.

And one of the most common things to say to someone else is “ganbatte kudasai” –

tough it out,

BE STRONG.

Natural disasters are seen as part of Japan’s “unmei,” or fate –

a term that is written by combining the characters for movement and life.

I remember reading an ancient account, I believe from 16th century Jesuit visitors, of an earthquake devastating a village,

and then within hours the peasants began rebuilding their homes."

In the midst of this disaster, the Japanese people have come together.

But, I'm still praying for the Japanese.

For strength,

for perseverance,

and

most of all,

for their

souls.

85% of the Japanese are Buddhist.

Less than 1% are Christian.

Please pray for the Japanese...

"I will build them up and not tear them down;

I will plant them and not uproot them.

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.

They will be my people,

and I will be their God,

for they will return to me with all their heart, "

(says the LORD.)

Jeremiah 24:6-7

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our

troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any

trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Let him who walks in the

dark,

who has no light,

trust

in the name of the Lord

and rely on his God.

Isaiah 50:10