Trucks that have been crushed and piled up on one another like
aluminum cans, homes that had to be pulled down as part of the rebuild, garbage,
rubbish and even boats needed to be dragged away, tons of debris that were
disposed, and images of volunteers who have been working tirelessly to clean up
the mess left by the chaos…these are some of the photos that I took during the
SINTAP’s Tohoku Trip in March 5-8, 2012- a year after Japan was hit by both an
earthquake and tsunami in quick succession- these images gripped the hearts of
my Facebook friends. And they have asked me, “ Elric, what are the people feeling and
thinking right now there?” It is
one thing to at least try to understand what people are feeling at this moment.
I was at my apartment when
that earthquake happened and it really made me very scared although before coming
to Japan we were told that earthquake is just normal in this country. Yeah that earthquake in March 11, 2011
started out like normal. But after
a few seconds it started to get stronger and longer and I knew it was going to
be really very bad. And as I well
anticipated, it indeed caused such vast and huge destructions. And that was the
scariest thing of all. My mind started to play tricks on me. I wondered if
another earthquake is coming. Where shall I go? What shall I do? It may sound
funny, but the next day when I woke up, I really blamed myself for not studying
Geology before coming here in Japan.
And how I wished a friend can come in the evening and give me some
sleeping pills which could be very good against the strong aftershocks.
In
the Book of Matthew chapter 24, as Jesus is describing the period of time just
prior to His return, He said that there will be a marked increase in natural
disasters.
These disasters include
droughts, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons and floods and have been increasing
over the past 25 years. What does this tell us? Revelation 16:8-11 reminds us that such natural disasters or
accidents should humble us, helping us to see our dependence on God to sustain
and deliver us. Philippians 4:7
says it is a necessary sign to turn to God and for us to begin to experience
His Peace that passes all human understanding.
On our first night at Oshima,
when we were watching the news and replays of what happened a year back,
eventually, we saw numbers like “ 10,000 missing”. What we somehow failed to see are numbers like, “500,000
people have had their family, homes and lives taken away and we didn’t get to
see how they are feeling! From minutes and hours of being in the middle of the
tsunami, to the hours and days, weeks and months afterwards, have we felt what
it feels like to be one of these 500,000 people?
One survivor that we happened
to interview was Mrs. Kikuta who said that there are so many emotions running
through her soul now that she can hardly process all of them. One of the speakers that gave us a brief
orientation at the cityhall mentioned that it is only very recently when he
feels such sadness and loss for in the first few months, he had been busy
cleaning up houses and helping others.
Now it becomes overwhelming and sometimes he just had to sit and stare
to nowhere-likely in shock for until now, he still failed to find the bodies of
his father and other relatives. Then he tried to think his way out of it until
it just becomes overwhelming again.
And then the cycle starts all over again. Then I was reminded of the power of the cross and the
purpose of Jesus’ death in bringing reconciliation between God and his greatest
creation-mankind. Jesus was wounded,
bruised and crushed so we could have healing and peace (Isiah 53:5).
They are still scared, I can
sense that. Their revelations are
saying that if that had happened, then probably another one will happen at
anytime. This time, you wont be able to forecast it. Certainly, a part of you
becomes numb by just simply thinking about it. This is very frightening. And
worse, during the tsunami, if you have people that you have lost, then you are
not sure if you should go look at those bodies or stay away. And if you stay
away, what kind of respect are you showing. Yet, if you go to the bodies, what
can you do?
After a year, realization
begins to set in. They have lost everything including memories. And their emotions
are all over the place. They go from being thankful to be alive to the
realization of what they have lost. And they cry for both. They cry to
themselves. They cry on the arms of shoulders of people around them. They just
cry.
The question to ask ourselves
now is “What can I do to them?” If
you meet someone who has gone thru the said devastation, what can you do? Their needs are changing everyday…so
what can you do? Most have more than the trauma of the tsunami
waves to deal with. So what can
you do?
When
asked what and how can we help them, Mrs. Kikuta surprisingly answered me, “We
don’t want to forget what happened to us here. That’s why we have to tell people what’s going on here” as
she was pointing to her heart. And she added “People need to know why we
survived and why we believe that the darkness is gradually fading now. Please share our stories.” I eventually
asked her what stories or lessons she has learned that she wanted us to tell to
others. She quoted the famous lines from the book of Antoine de saint-exupery’s
Little Prince- “One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is
invisible to the eyes.” By saying these lines, I felt how God transformed Mrs.
Kikuta’s viewpoint about life. I
know she has started to hear and obey God’s voice. Isiah 48:18 says that to
have God’s peace, we need to hear and obey God’s voice. I am positive that Mrs. Kikuta already has
seen the light.
But such process is not easy.
Mrs. Kikuta said, “I tried hard to step forward. It may be 3 steps forward one
day, and 4 steps backward the next day..and sometimes I don’t know which
direction is forward.”. I eventually translated her words as a wish for “peace”-
without peace, these people won’t be able to survive. This is the kind of peace
which is the climax of the priestly benediction in Numbers 6:24-26. Summing up, it would seem the best one
can expect from God.
One female volunteer who had left
her home and school and opted to stay in Oshima said, “ It is too soon to think
about the future but we have to do this while the will is there.” And she realized that indeed there is a
lot of ways to help the survivors. Her statements reminded me of Isiah’s description of the
coming Righteous King, providing for Christians one of our favorite titles for
Jesus: Prince of Shalom as a symbol for all that is good. Without a doubt, the
vast devastation incidence can be very terrifying but, at the same time, one of
the most inspiring. To know how
people help others in their time of needs is the full meaning of peace that is
summed in one Hebrew word: Shalom.
It is the kind of peace given to us by God that never ends and only those
who live under His government can know this peace.
I can feel that despite their
smiles now, the survivors are still struggling. I discern they are not psychologically and emotionally well
yet. Their stories have given me the viewpoint that there are hurting people
all over the world that have a miniature window of time called life, who need
to hear the Gospel. I can’t wrap
my mind around how people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ can manage
with the loss of a family member or a friend. They need to have Jesus –the SON of God. For my 4-day stay there in Oshima,
before going to bed, I was praying to a supreme God as an intercessor for
people I just met because it’s the least and the most I can do-It’s who I am-
I’m a Christian.
The Lord is not willing
that any person should die or perish, but that all men would draw closer to
repentance and have a chance to get hold of salvation and eternal life. For
this reason, it brings us into an understanding that there is an eternal God
who orders and controls this universe. Ezekiel 37:26 sums up God’s Promise of a
blessed future with : I will make a covenant of shalom with them; it shall be
an everlasting covenant with them; And I will bless them and multiply them.
To my SINTAP (Service Initiative Network for Tohoku Action Project) family, thank you very much for this wonderful
opportunity you have given me to be part of this noble undertaking. I am leaving Japan sooner soon but
SINTAP has given me one of the most meaningful experiences during my 2-year
stay here in Japan. These are the
inspiring experiences of people I met in Oshima and the people I worked with in
this magnificent mission.
Together, we will continue to share these stories. It is time for other
people to know how powerful this covenant of shalom is and how important to
listen to God’s Voice and obey His will. Remember
what Jesus said before He left this earth, “My Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you” (John 14:27).
Finally, I don’t really know
all the reasons why God brings or permits specific calamities or why particular
people are made to suffer by them.
However, I must trust that in God’s omniscience and fundamental wisdom,
He knows how to work out what is most excellent for each one in the end. This reminds me of the powerful words
Mrs. Kikuta told me. “Every time I
wake up in the morning, I consider it as a miracle to be with my son
again.” Being part of a family
is a wonderful thing. We know that
we can always call home, or go home, and be at peace knowing that we have
someone there for us. In this day
and age, we never know what is going to happen. Life can end in a split
second. The words “I Love You”
don't have to cover anymore than those 3 simple words. They just need to be shared daily with
each family member to remind them that we are there for them, that they are
important to us. I will close this journey of self-contemplation with a simple
question for everybody. Even if it
is only by phone or from heart and memory, have you told your family today that
you love them?
Prayer
Let us Pray, Almighty God our
Father, In faith we recognize your paternal care over us, your children. In hope, we trust in your divine
intervention of giving us wisdom and courage as we deal with the challenges in
life. Bestow perpetual peace to those who lost their lives. Cuddle in your arms the children who
died in their innocence. Help
those who are hurt and cure those who are sick. Encourage those who suffer the destruction of their homes
and properties, and to once again stand up and rebuild their future. Remind them of the salvation and peace
thru the blood of Jesus our Mesiah on the cross. Bless all those who reach
their helping hands to those in need of food, shelter and clothing, who share
their time, talents and resources with others like Jesus who was wounded and
crushed so we could have healing and peace. Inspire more people with the stories of
the survivors to be men and women for their neighbors, convince that thru your
covenant of peace, the more they are for others, the taller they stand before
you. Spare us please from other natural disasters and devastations if this be
according to Your will and for our own spiritual growth. We turn to You, our Loving
Father, and ask for forgiveness for our sins. We plead You to motivate and encourage us all into trustworthy
stewards of Your creation, and bighearted neighbors to those in need. In Jesus name, Amen.
Note: This piece was delivered in May 15, 2012 at International Christian University, Mitaka Shi, Tokyo, Japan during the Chapel Hour.
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