Japan has experienced the largest earthquake in it history, along with a powerful tsunami and over a hundred after shocks. There is dangerous radiation leaking from one of its nuclear power plants at Daiichi, and the death toll expected to be in the thousands. My 
heart goes out to the people of Japan.
My family and I spent five years stationed at Misawa Air Base, Japan. My youngest son, Philip was born there. It was the early 90’s and the United States Air Force ordered my family and I to relocate to this gentle town in northern Japan. We were unsure of what to expect and how to raise a family without our own family nearby.
The beauty of the country and the kindness of the people soon made us comfortable with the strangeness of living in a new country. The first time we experienced the cherry blossom festival was a wonder to our young eyes. The delicate pink flowers covered the many trees and it seemed that the world was bright and cheery, we tasted new foods at the many vendors booths and soaked up the sights and sounds of a proud people.
I made it a priority any time we had the time, to pack up the wife and kids and a cooler of soda and food and just get lost on purpose. The advantage of living on an island nation is that even in getting lost you can find your way back. We would see the wonders of a land created by volcanic eruptions. The first time I saw the lake that filled an extict volcano and covered in green majestic trees and the many streams that ran from it forming the most breathtaking waterfalls, I was awestruck. The way they cared for God’s creation with such care and precision left an impression I still carry to this day.
I know that America will pour out its renowned generosity in great and small ways. We always do. My hope is that as we do provide the requested help, that the Christians involved will be light to these wonderful people. One thing that struck me while we lived in Japan, was the terrible lack of the gospel. The great idols of Buddha and temples dedicated to this false god were numerous. I made it a point never to enter such a place, not even the largest of them located not far away.
Pray for Japan and its people during this awful time. Pray that many of the missing people are found alive. Pray that the Lord will send many to minister effectively in helpful ways that lead many to Christ. Pray how you can be used.