It could never happen at home: Reflections on Japan.

Humanitarian aid. Relief agencies. State of emergency.  These are not things I have ever associated with modern Japan as I know it.
To be brutally honest, there's a part of me that believed that humanitarian disasters only happen in so-called 'developing countries' or places of tumult and war; places where non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have set up shop: World Vision, Oxfam... and MCC.   But a humanitarian disaster could never happen at home.  And for me, Japan is my second home - where my parents grew up, where my wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents still live, where I worked and played for three years after university.  Japan is a stable, prosperous, modern society; moreover, one that has invested more than most nations into preparing for just such disasters.

In my mind, Japan was off-limits to humanitarian crises.

And then I woke up on the morning of Friday March 11 to see on the news what we all saw.



By the end of the day our family knew that our loved ones were OK; most live far enough away that they weren't devastated by the initial quake and tsunami.  But I found my life touched by something that millions in the world have lived with before - the uncertainty of not knowing whether my loved ones were safe, not being able to reach them, to DO something.  Helplessly watching the horrifying footage over and over, praying, pleading with God that my people were safe while knowing that for hundreds of thousands their equally fervent hopes would be in vain.

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What got me started with these thoughts and motivated me to get it down on paper was the beautiful prayer that was posted earlier "Invitation to prayer for Japan" from MCC. Written by Angelika Dawson of MCC British Columbia, it is an especially touching prayer for our family.  It was with filled spirits that my parents together translated that prayer into Japanese for our friends and family back in Japan so that they would know that people all around the world are praying for them.

Thank you to everyone who continue to pray and to stand in solidarity, grief, and compassion with those you don't know, who are not uncles or aunts or grandparents or cousins, but still count as brothers and sisters. 

An invitation to prayer for Japan:

God of healing and mercy, we come before you with our hearts filled with grief as we see the devastation in Japan.

We pray that your presence would be felt by those who are grieving, who are injured, who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

We pray for wisdom and safety for those who are responding to the people in need.

We pray for wisdom and safety for those who continue to deal with the many challenges left by the earthquake and tsunami, particularly those struggling to contain damaged nuclear reactors.

We pray for the church in Japan, that it can be a light in the darkness, a witness to your compassion and care for all who suffer.

God, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. For this we give you thanks and ask that you hear our prayers for the people of Japan.

Amen
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In Japanese:

日本のために、祈ってください。


癒しと哀れみの神様、私たちは　日本の大災害をみて　悲しみに満ちた心であなたの元にまいりました。

これらの悲嘆にくれている人々、傷ついた人々、家や暮らしの手段をなくした人々のために祈ります。　神様、あなたの存在が　これらの人々に感じられますように。

知恵と安全が　救済に携わる人々に与えられますよう祈ります。

そして、この地震と津波のために困難の中にいる多くの人々に　知恵と安全が与えられますよう祈ります。　特に原子力発電所での打撃をコントロールしようと力を尽くしている人々のために。

日本の教会のために祈ります。　　教会が、苦しんでいるすべての人々の為、　暗闇の中で光となり、　あなたの哀れみと愛の証しとなりますように。　

神様、あなたは私たちの避け所　又　力です。　苦難の時の助け人です。　
私たちはこのことを感謝すると共に、日本の人々のために　この祈りを聞いてくださるよう祈ります。

アーメン


Ken Ogasawara