A piece of my heart remains in Japan.
I've lived many places in my life, across the United States and the world. I am an American, and I love my country, but there are lands outside which I hold dear. Taiwan, my ancestral homeland, where much of my family still lives--I love it, and the people there. Germany, once West, where I spent some very formative years of my youth--I love it, and the people there. And there is Japan.
My interest in Japan mostly began in college, starting with the anime club there, where I'd idle a couple hours a week. Soon, I'd taken note of the language, and the food (oh the food), and the culture, and the history during my four years of undergrad. Then I'd decided that I wanted to learn and do business in Japan, and thus I did my Japan-focused MBA program, with the kicker of a three month internship there. And through all of this, from anime to language to food (oh the food) to culture to history to the place itself, I also came to know the people as well. I love Japan, and the people there, and piece of my heart remains.
I have not slept very well since last Thursday night, when I'd heard about the 8.8--later revised to 8.9--shortly before I went to bed. That piece of my heart is broken and keeps breaking. An earthquake, then tsunami, and nuclear reactor meltdowns? Really? Where does it end? I am doing my best not to be distracted at the office, but it is hard. Very hard.
There are also moments where I think to myself, what about Haiti? Or Chile? They suffered earthquakes, they lost much too. What about Indonesia? A giant tsunami which killed hundreds of thousands. I know...how easily I forget. But I am a selfish being; I know this. The places nearer to my heart, I will not forget so easily. If this happened to Taiwan, it would hurt and remain. If something happened in Germany, it would hurt and remain. Katrina, 9/11, they hurt and they remain.
I've sent money. Is that enough? I want to send more money. Will that be enough? I want to go there and help somehow, with my skillset that is unsuited for search and rescue, unsuited for rebuilding, unsuited for cleaning up nuclear radiation. Would that be enough?
I'm praying. That will, in its way, have to be enough.
Lord, Father God in heaven, show mercy to the people of Japan. In this time of crisis of despair, let them know there are people who care about them, who want to help. But most of all, Lord, let them come to know you. Let them know that there is more than this fallen world, the suffering that is present. Let the people understand that they need a savior, and that Christ is the one who saves, that he has done all that is necessary, that through him they may come to know the Father. Let the believers who are there be a light in a dark land, a beacon of hope and truth, that we would serve them not only physically but spiritually as well. This world is temporary, but you are eternal. Grant the nation of Japan and its people your grace, Lord.
In Jesus' name, amen.