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Category: Japan Earthquake
Half a Paper Cup of Miso Soup
NHK, a popular tv broadcasting company in Japan has for the past week been only playing news on the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. All regular TV programs have been put on hold. As I watched yesterday’s news highlighting this one shelter that now houses many victims, children and adults, who have lost everything, I was very moved. Food has been very sparse because of the high demand all across the country. Since the victims arrived at the shelter, every morning, breakfast consisted of 1 bread roll and half a paper cup of miso soup (broth soup made with miso paste), a comfort food for many Japanese. The soup also hits the spot because the weather has been really cold, with some parts of Japan still packed with snow. The highlight of yesterdays news that from starting that particular day, a full paper cup of miso soup had was to be served. The most touching part, all those who received the soup said they are more than grateful and feel very fortunate to have received what little they were given.
Even in the Midst of Darkness…Help Will Come
News of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan still fills our minds from tv, radio and every other media avenue we can think of but the people of Japan are on a mission. A mission to do whatever they can do to rebuild and help their country and those in need. Stories that are less highlighted are those of people helping each other, going to extremes because they just can’t sit around doing nothing. It just brings joy to my heart to see all those who have come together because they want to help. One article I came across writes… Along the arteries that connect Tokyo with towns that are most in need of supplies and assistance, travelers encountered mudslides and fuel shortages, even less than 100 miles north of Tokyo. The shelves of the Family Mart convenience store in Kagamiishi, Fukushima prefecture, were wiped clean, save for alcohol and condiments. At the store, Miki Arai packed what few supplies were available into a cardboard box. Arai had scheduled a vacation from his job as an IT engineer in Tokyo when the earthquake hit two days earlier. He left the city Sunday morning hoping to help in Sendai however he could – a one-man rescue team. He took trains as far north as he could, then rented a motorbike. As he latched the box of supplies to the back of his bike, Arai explained that he had given up on Sendai. “It’s too far, there’s no gas to get
The Dedication of the Japanese
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Japan at this tragic, dark time. I know it’s cliche to say I’m praying however, last night I prayed that God reveal himself to the people of Japan and that they see there is a purpose. But even in the midst of the Japan earthquake and the tsunami and tragedy that will carry on for the next several months, I have to say that the Japanese are a hard working, dedicated bunch. They care about their job, their family and country. Perhaps we all do because to an extent we have to but if you take a look at this video, you will understand. When we panic, we tend to only think about ourselves and how we can protect and save ourselves. I don’t know that I would even think to save merchandise. Even in the middle of the earthquake, the Japanese hold true to dedication. Hats off to these workers and hopefully they are safe.