The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan just 2 days ago, following hot on the heels of the recent earthquake in Christchurch is sobering. A major tsunami sweeping across the landscape of Japan, wiping away villages and killing tens of thousands, just over 6 years after the last one in Aceh, Sumatra is devastating.
Living where I do, in relative safety from most natural disasters, I cannot imagine the sort of disaster nature can inflict, and the horrors it brings to everyone affected.
But my prayers are with everyone affected by the recent natural disasters. I’m also reminded that few petty things matter in the face of bigger problems and concerns; and perhaps we could all take that away from these recent events.
Nikki has a list of organizations you can donate to and you can also use the Google Person Finder to check up on people you know in Japan. Sometimes, what people need are words of hope and encouragement as they try to build back their lifes. Hope Letters offers such a service where you can send a message and note to those afflicted, and to emergency aid workers who are facing the aftermath of the horror.
God bless everyone.
Paris B
xin says
March 14, 2011 at 1:55 pmgod bless jp and im sure they will be up and stronger in no time! thanks to nikki’s post, i have also done a little for them, although it is really not much, but i hope sikit sikit lama lama jadi bukit!
ParisB says
March 14, 2011 at 2:08 pmI’m sure they will be up too. Their people have certainly impressed me with their calmness in handling this crisis
Foong Jin says
March 14, 2011 at 2:47 pmHi PB, hope you don’t mind me sharing this: http://www.groupsmore.com/cities/multiple/deals/malaysian-red-crescent
It’s a fundraiser by GroupsMore/Groupon for the Japan’s Red Crescent, and GroupsMore will match each RM3 donation with RM 3 of their own up to a total donated value of RM25,000.00. It’s a good way for those who want to help, but don’t know where to go or what to do. Every little bit counts. 🙂
Hope Letters is a great idea, too. Thanks for highlighting it! 🙂
ParisB says
March 14, 2011 at 2:52 pmThank you for sharing, Foong Jin! 🙂
Mari says
March 14, 2011 at 8:01 pmThankfully my friends and relatives in Japan are safe and sound. Since there is a large Japanese community here, we’re all keeping up with the news and wishing for the best. I’m glad to see all the world willing to support Japan in this moment of great distress. It really shows that the countries are finally stepping outside their boundaries to become the united nations that we dreamed of, so long ago.
And as the four-leaf clover goes, I wish the Japanese never to lose HOPE, that they have FAITH in their own power to rebuild their lives, that they never lose sight of LOVE… and may LUCK be on their side!
ParisB says
March 15, 2011 at 10:15 amI’m glad to know your family and friends in Japan are safe. It must have been a very worrying and scary time, waiting for their assurance that nothing had happened. It is a devastating event that none of us wish on anyone, I’m sure. My prayers will be with everyone affected and I pray the Earth will settle down so everyone can get back to rebuilding their lives.
stellarvixen says
March 15, 2011 at 10:36 ammay GOD has mercy for JAPAN!
such devastating tsunami – so many deaths – and many are still missing 🙁
the saddening news won’t subside any time yet
its amazing to see everyone lend a helping hand to that nation!
ParisB says
March 15, 2011 at 2:06 pmThe Japanese themselves are impressing the world with the way they are holding up and handling the crisis. I have nothing but admiration for that.