My friend who is a missionary from OMF wrote this to keep her and Japan in prayers... let us pray that Japan will be opened to the Jesus after what has hapenned..
NZ we might not go Japan soon... sigh..i know u wanted to bring the bb there one day..my hb say if we go to us end of the yr we will not transit via japan... sigh all i ever step into japan is the airport that i transitted in 2007.
Dear everyone,
Thank you for all your smses, calls, prayers and concern. You must have been worried. Sending emails was hampered apart from a quick post on facebook that I'm fine.
I'm alright and unhurt by the earthquake. Some things fell, crockery and books, but they are just things. I wasn't able to use my computer in this room, and is constantly on the alert due to the frequent tremors.
When the earthquake happened on Friday, I was at home seated in front of the computer in this room. I was about to send you my newsletter and write up entitled "Resistance". (I will send that next time).
But some laundry needed to be hung, so I opened the sliding windows. Just then, the partition doors in this room vibrated non-stop. I thought to myself, "Wow, the wind today is super strong."
Soon, I realized it was not the wind. I had to grab onto the veranda as the house shook for quite a while. When I could steady myself, I quickly turned on the TV, and saw the map of Japan, with different color codes of a big tsunami warnings in many areas, including Tokyo. Every channel reported the imminence of a BIG tsunami. Even the newscasters were in their helmets and emergency suits. Announcements to evacuate, news flash of the magnitude of the next tremor, came repeatedly. Soon after, the first horrifying video of the tsunami waves, the second, the third...then the night fires in Miyagi, followed by the panic around Tokyo as trains ceased operations. Many walked home in the cold for hours.
I left the TV on the entire night for the next alert and slept little, found myself hiding under the table when the next strong shake came or when the TV sounded another alert. I rearranged the furniture and packed my emergency bag.
Then came news about the status of nuclear power stations. Such news continue.
Yesterday morning was possibly the saddest worship service at church. Many were crying as we prayed for God's mercy on this land, for the Tohoku area. Unanswered questions, speculations, anxiety over the nuclear stations, the weather or the next big aftershock to come, can be seen on the faces.
"LORD, the people you love so much are hurting." "Lord, help!. Lord, please stop the waves from coming."
"LORD, what is your will?"
Words were few. Desperate prayers. No long lists except for His mercies.
Prayer Requests
Do continue to pray for the people of this land, undoubtedly every person is affected to different degrees, by the loss of family members, property, sense of security. Today, power supply in many areas, including Tokyo, is rationed.
Uphold the workers at the nuclear power stations in Fukushima. A few lives have already been sacrificed.
That God will be merciful to save those stranded, trapped and still unnoticed by rescue workers. I'm praying that GOD will manifest His presence and reach them personally.
Hundreds of thousands at the Evacuation Centres - as water, blankets, stoves, medicine, food are lacking.
Thanksgiving:
That God is still in control. And we can trust His character, His will, His sovereignty.
For saving the thousands and enabling them to evacuate to the centres/higher grounds, though undoubtedly hundreds did not make it.
On a personal note, I want to thank God for the love shown by the Japanese towards me even in the midst of their sadness. Several were worried about my safety after the earthquake happened, thinking that I must have been really scared since Singapore doesn't experience much earthquakes. (There is an aftershock now. . . thank God for His protection over the many smaller quakes since Friday night). Two of my shopkeeper-friends in Sapporo called yesterday and were so relieved to hear I was alright.
Thank God that all our OMF colleagues are safe. God protected our colleagues and their houses in Sendai and Aomori (areas within Tohoku)
That God is good, we cannot forget that. He is loving and just.
To all the Singaporeans, I want to convey a message to you from a Japanese man I spoke to at church today. He said,
"Thank you so much to your country for sending your people to help us during this difficult time."
Do pray for wisdom to deal with the volatile situation and safety if God wills. As of today, my area is not affected by the temporary stoppage of electricity and gas supply but that may change as the days go along.
