Deadly Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan: In Our Prayers – On my Mind…
“I’m heartbroken by this tragedy. I think when you see what’s happening in Japan you are reminded that for all our differences in culture or language or religion, that ultimately humanity is one. And when we face these kinds of natural disasters, whether it’s in New Zealand or Haiti or Japan, then you think about your own family and you think how would you feel if you lost a loved one, or if your entire lifesavings were gone because of the devastation.” President Obama (News Conference this morning)
Deadly Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan: Natori City fires Image by Yasushi Kanno/Yomiuri Shimbun via Associated Press
Deadly Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan: Tsunami by Kyodo News via Associated Press
The terrible tragedy of the last 18 hours has left many dead and much devastation in the wake of an 8.9 massive earthquake that triggered a tsunami in an area north east of Tokyo, Japan. In Sendai, a ward in Miyagi Prefecture, 300+ bodies were found, in Natori City and Kesennuma City fires raged, and Minanisoma, Ichihara area and many communities in the Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures, the death toll will undoubtedly rise as the ships, cars and homes we saw washed away by the roiling tsunami, on TV, are searched for those who last occupied them. My heart breaks as we watch the news updates and send prayers and healing blessings to the people of Japan; a country I love dearly. Google has initiated its Japan People Finder to help those looking for friends and family in what is being assessed as the 6th deadliest earthquake to date; earlier today reverberations were expected in many countries on the pacific coastal line.
I think of Megumi, Yuko, Akiko, Mika, other friends and classmates, bloggers, everyone really, and pray that all are safe. It is still hard to reach people and our collective heartfelt wishes for safety and survival goes out to all in Japan. The earthquake and subsequent Tsunami hit Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures causing horrendous damages in many communities in those areas. I kept imagining how enormous the tremors must have been for people to experience the scary aftershock in buildings, stores and homes in Tokyo and elsewhere. Tokyo has lots of skyscrapers, huge hotel and shopping edifices and a complex, highly efficient underground train system. I can’t imagine how frightening it must have been to be underground at the Shinjuku Station, in Tokyo Tower, or in any of the affected areas in Miyagi, Fukushima and throughout Japan.
Less than a month ago, I had a post about tough times around the world; written after the Christchurch earthquake and with the ongoing political upheavals in North Africa. At the time, I had added a picture of what I had termed an impending Tsunami and so, in a sad and haunting way, the events in Japan remind me again how precarious life is and how nature continues to howl and rage at us; against man. Why?
The New York based Japan Society.Org has created a dedicated page for donations and information. The Red Cross has initiated a relief fund with similar updates. Causes Exchange compiled a list of 10 non-profits offering aid. As I suggested in that post on February 22nd, I hope we find comfort in the Serenity Prayer (see below) and in the collective global community effort to support Japan at this difficult time… I believe the President spoke eloquently for us all.
“Just as the right hand comes to dress the wound on the left hand, we should see another person’s sorrows as our own and come to his or her aid.” Mātā Amritanandamayī Devī
Deadly Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan: Tsunami tossed planes and cars by Kyodo News via Reuters
Deadly Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan: Tsunami in Natori by Kyodo News via Associated Press
God, grant us the…
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your Love for us and our love for each other and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.
According to ongoing Kyodo News, AP News, NYTimes and BBC news reports, millions of homes lost power, four trains are still missing, a ship with 100 aboard is missing, fires rage in Natori City, in Kesennuma City in Miyagi, and in an oil refinery in Ichihara, a dam burst in Fukushima, 1800 homes were destroyed in Minanisoma, others were swept away, explosions occurred at a petrochemical plant in Sendai, and 3000 people have had to leave the state of emergency area near Fukushima nuclear power plant. Sadly, the death toll will rise as the debris and destruction is cleared away… This is an incredibly sad day. Please hold the people and nation of Japan in your heart and prayers… We truly are all one. Please share/add your comments and thoughts below. Thank you!
Positive Motivation Tip: In tough times, we get to see the character of man and the resilience of the human spirit. See the humanity in others.
Related Articles
- Pics of Japan Earthquake-Tsunami (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)
- Japan Earthquake,Japan Tsunami,Japan Quake,Miyagi prefecture (socialdiets.wordpress.com)
- Japan earthquake and tsunami: The moment mother nature engulfed a nation (dailymail.co.uk)
- Killer Tohoku temblor tops scale (mccannexposure.wordpress.com)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos on aftermath of Earthquake/Tsunami in Japan via Kyodo News, Associated Press & New York Times
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
This is such a great post and must be Freshly Pressed~ I admire that you were able to gather ALL the important information. I do not own a tv and my video does not work. So this has been the best update for me. I was getting my nails done when I heard all of this earlier today. It’s like 9-11 all over but in a different way. I am seeking Gods comfort for myself and thankful for another day. I am in awww and devastated as this has touched so many lives. I ask Why God? WHY did this happen? I will say our prayer and Elizabeth Obih-Frank know that I pray for you and your family as this cannot be easy to report on this horrific day of events in our history. May you be blessed.
My prayers are with them too… It must be a harrowing experience to be in such a situation… I pray for all that lost their lives and all that remain…
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Urghhh! Will change the mood of these smiley faces next time I log in… Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. Our hearts and prayers are with Japan and her people at this time.
Thanks all for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and concerns on this disaster with us, Eliz.
Life is precarious. It pays to enjoy the NOW.
This definitely is a reminder to appreciate the time we have, and make the best of it… so terribly sad.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
The serenity prayer is so simple yet powerful … praying for those affected by the days events and their after effects. Let them be guided by God’s grace. Powerful post Eliz… thank you for your words.
Amen and thank you Megan! I have always turned to that prayer in distressing times and it, like Psalm 23 always soothes me…
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
It sounds like you had a prophetic moment. It must have sent chills through your body. We are blessed!
Yes, it did send chills down my back especially because I remember thinking why I wrote that caption back in February. Every time I wanted to go change it, I would forget… God bless and protect us all.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Elizabeth I am so sorry you have friends in harms way. My prayers are with all of the victims of this horrific disaster. I do not see any correlation between a natural disaster and 9/11, but there are innocent victims none the less.
I pray the nuclear plant doesn’t create an even worse situation. My heart and prayers are with the entire region, even as far west as our coast. It is frightening and out of our control. We need to surrender this to God and pray for the best.
Stay well. b
I am concerned about the plant too but for now, it looks like its under control. Most of my friends and blog friends are safe. Thank God! Bu we haven’t heard from everyone and my heart still goes out to all who lost someone and to the people of that lovely nation.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
You have covered the disaster thoroughly Elizabeth, and for people like Jackie who has no TV, this will be invaluable to her.
My heart goes out to everyone affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and they will be in my prayers. It’s all we can do at the moment – and leave it in God’s hands.
Thank you Barb! I wanted to get as much information together to help make sense of the magnitude of this tragedy. My heart still hurts for Japan and her people. It is an incredible disaster. I realize the smiley face above is not the appropriate one… will change the others.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Our hearts go out to all those affected, directly or indirectly!
Thank you, Eliz, for a post full of information and heartfelt emotion…the Serenity Prayer was my mom’s absolute favorite, so it is close to my heart also.
It remains a favorite prayer of mine too… It has been a year of great suffering… Prayers are needed everywhere.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
sometimes we wish to live high above on a mountain top – or we wish we could save all souls on earth in a boat like Noah did …
Yes indeed and sometimes, I wish the pain and disasters would just go away… Life is hard enough without the devastating events…
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/japan-earthquake/
thanks, Eliz, for the photo documents you’ve collected, I’ve set a link to your article …
Thank you for your contributions Frizztext. Much appreciated.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
Thank you for sharing this powerful and heartfelt post. I send my prayers and condolences to those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis.
My condolences go to them too. Glad to see you here Wyletter. How is the move going? Hope you are getting some rest in-between…
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Your words are the first I have read since this happened. My mom was taken to the ER yesterday afternoon. She is very ill. As I waited in the ER, I saw bits and pieces of the devastation on the TV screen in her room with no sound. It was a horrific accompaniment to a bad day on a very different level.
Thank you for putting together such a thorough and informative account of these events. I have a very close friend in Japan who lives in Tokushima and is safe. She will be helping others today. My prayers go out to all the victims of something completely outside of human control.
There is nothing more fitting than the Serenity Prayer at this time. Thank you for your post, Elizabeth.
Karen,
I am so sorry to her about your mom and I wish her a speedy recovery from the current situation. I read up on it via your blog and send hugs to you and your dad too… It must not be easy.
I’m saddened by the tsunami in Japan and send my prayers to all who are suffering there too. I’m glad your friend is safe… most of mine are too. We all need prayer and I’ve always loved the SP.
Thanks for taking a moment to leave a word.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
So terrifying and tragic… seeing those images on TV all day yesterday was just surreal…
Yes, surreal is a great word because the extent of the tragedy was unfathomable… Our prayers are with them; even as life goes on in other areas and people are regrouping.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
This is a terribly sad event and my heart, love and prayers go out to all in Japan; especially to all who lost someone.
We are all affected by events around the world in some way and to pause and pray is very impt in this time.
I know how much you care about Japan, your travels there, your friendships, your children who speak the language and all.
May God’s comforting love and grace fill their hearts and give them solace
May you and yours be blessed too.
B
I agree completely; to pause and pray is very important during this time and really for the rest of the year… So much change is in the air and those winds are not all divinely driven… May God’s grace and divine hand protect us all. Hugs and prayers are needed.
Yes, my kids love Japan and everything about it and their enthusiasm rubbed off on me too. Once we visited, my love for the culture and people doubled… Blessings to all!
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
During these times, there is not enough words to express our sympathy and our thoughts. My prayers go out to each involved, may God give them peace and some hope for understanding. Thanks again Eliz for putting some inspirational thoughts in the minds for all to endure and continue our faith and hope in HIM-who holds all the answers and love in abundance.
Words are not enough Penny, that is accurate. I was so upset for everyone and the words were not and will never be sufficient for those who lost everything… It is heartbreaking … just like the President said.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth
Thank you for great post.
Positive Motivation is important.
I am sure that we will come back in the future.
Cocomino,
I am glad you and your family are doing okay! It’s good to hear from you and others who were safe and out of harm’s way. Your posts on the situation were excellent and it was good to see how things were beginning to get back to some form of normal life again. You and all are still in our prayers.
Thanks for stopping in! 🙁
Elizabeth