Pray for Japan
A week ago today, I, along with those on this side of the world, watched in horror as an earthquake with an 8.9 magnitude and a devastating tsunami struck Japan. Those of you on the other side of the world woke up to a world much changed. Because these things don’t just hurt those who are directly affected, they have a reverberating effect throughout the entire world. Most of us feel completely helpless when things like this happen and don’t really know how to respond. But there is something that everyone can do, and it will cost you nothing more than some of your time.
And that is to pray.
I have seen the power of prayer in action, people all over the world are praying for Japan and I implore you all to do the same. I have complied a list of specific prayer requests that you could all keep in your prayers over the next few weeks.
- Pray for the people who are located in northern Japan where the most damage was done. The weather is still bitterly cold and they are without shelter and warm clothes and blankets. What’s more there isn’t a lot of fuel, which means it is difficult to get supplies of food and water to them. Pray for these people that they will be rescued and relocated soon.
- Pray for the 9,600 people who are still missing. Pray that they are found soon! These people aren’t just a number or a statistic, they are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents and children, they are people’s loved ones. And there are many people desperately waiting for them to be found.
- Pray for the rescue workers who are doing everything they can to find those missing people.
- Pray for the nuclear situation and for all of those who work at the nuclear plants who are risking their lives to keep the situation under control.
- Pray for the people who are being relocated near the nuclear reactors. Some of them are unable to move because they are older or infirm, pray that rescue workers will be able to find these people and help rescue them.
- Pray for the missionaries and Japanese pastors to know how to respond and in what ways to reach out to the Japanese people. Pray for all the Christians in Japan to have the strength and courage to share their faith with those who have lost all hope.
- Pray for wisdom for the Japanese government to know how to respond and how to do all that is necessary to rescue the remaining people and relocate them.
- Pray for my parents who have been asked to go up to Tokyo to counsel people affected by this tragedy (both of whom are trained counselors). They may not be able to get there because of the fuel situation and because many of the main roads have been shut down in different areas.
- Pray for the safety of those who are still in Japan, the Japanese people themselves, missionaries, English teachers as well as my parents (in Nagoya) and my older brother (in Nagano).
- Pray that this tragedy would open the eyes of the Japanese people, and they would seek out those in the Church to help them find answers. That the church would respond in a way that shows love and understanding to those who are in desperate need of it.
If you would like to donate money to the cause in Japan, many missionaries are in involved in an organization called CRASH, helping those in the most affected areas of Japan. They are getting food and other aid to those in need through whatever means that they can. The website is listed below if you’d like more information:
http://www.crashjapan.com/
Verses that I have seen a lot in recent days and have been a source of comfort to me are found in Psalm 46. Thank the Lord that there is someone who is control of all things, who we can turn to in times of trouble.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold." -Psalm 46:1-3,7
Below is the update that I had written prior to the events of last week. Since this letter has already been fairly long, I kept this particular update separate so you can read it when you have the time…
Korea Update: January, February, March 2011
“Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord…*”
It’s been quite awhile since I last updated everyone, things have been quite busy and with so many changes, I found it too difficult to sit down and write out what’s been happening until now. I went from winter break to 3 weeks of winter camp, then another brief break, back to school again for 2 weeks, then graduation, 1 week of spring camp and now we are at the start of a new school year! In short, the camps went incredibly well, I am so thankful for that. Students of all levels of English attended and yet somehow we found a way to communicate and have a lot of fun.
The start of the school year is in March in Korea, not only do I have all new classes, many new students, but I also have a new co-teacher. I was quite happy to find that she is a wonderful woman and a great teacher, and what’s more Sang-Eh is also a Christian. We’ve already had some good times and some laughs over coffee, yes, it turns out she loves coffee just like me! What a wonderful blessing to have had two great co-teachers, I am so blessed!
A lot of changes have been happening over the past few months and it has really given me time to think about the One who never changes. How wonderful it is to have a constant and unchanging Heavenly Father! No matter our circumstances he is always there without fail, leading and guiding us, it’s such a wonderful thing to know him! I came across a song recently which said that nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord. Never was a truer statement ever made! My time here in Korea has been a testament of that truth. Knowing God and seeing him work here in the country of South Korea through its people and in the many churches that are already established here, it’s pretty amazing. I have been so blessed with a wonderful church family, believers who are actively living out their faith! I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend church as well as work with other Christians and get to know fellow Christians from such a vastly different culture.
Since my last few updates have been so long, I want to keep this brief. You can see above all the praises that I have for the past few months, so let me conclude with a few prayer requests.
Prayer Requests
l Please pray for a smooth adjustment into the new school year. I have a lot of new afterschool classes that need a lot of planning, none of them have any curriculum or textbooks so I’m really starting from scratch.
l Pray for my relationship with my new co-teacher, she’s already been so helpful and wonderful. But we still have a lot to learn about each other and teaching together.
l I have a big decision to make in the next 3 months about what I’m doing after my contract ends in June, please pray that I will make a wise decision about the next step.
Thank you all for your prayers and support! I am thankful for each and every one of you!
Amy
*Nothing Compares by Third Day
