A prayer request.
Hi guys,
My name is Paul and I’m a long-time reader of CMR. Right now I’m living in Japan, where, as you may be aware, a massive earthquake struck earlier today. I live in the Kansai region near Osaka, which is pretty far south of where the epicenter was located. Even so, we felt it here. As of now there are at least 200 reported dead and tens of thousands missing. I would be very grateful if you could encourage your readership to pray for the victims and to donate to the upcoming relief effort if possible.
Thank you,
Paul Schuble
www.jadij.com
We should all take a few moments to pray for the victims and pray for the safety of those preparing for trouble.
Michelle Malkin has news and video and is also asking for prayers.
From Japan2 |
From Japan2 |
From Creative Minority Report |
March 11, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Thanks, Matt. Things are still pretty troubling here, even where there was no damage. I suppose one small mercy is that although a great deal of debris is visible in the photos and videos that are circulating, I haven't yet seen any bodies. It seems a lot of people were able to evacuate, at least away from the coastline. The loss of life still remains to be seen in the coming days, though. I'm especially afraid for the people in northern Japan who have had their homes washed away and must spend the cold night in what must be horrible fear. From what I'm reading, the aftershocks and tsunami waves aren't necessarily finished. They're still in a great deal of danger and can use all the prayers they can get.
March 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm
Offering up all my prayers and sufferings of this day for the people of Japan
March 11, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Prayers were offered up at Mass today, and will continue.
March 11, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Hi Paul, and Blue Shoe,
This morning, I have encouraged who follow or visit my blog to pray for Japan and the entire world to give everyone hope on this tragic day.
They can go to: http://vitalexpressions.blogspot.com/2011/03/prayer-for-japan-and-world.html
Our prayers are with you and all the people of Japan and encouraged everyone to help according to what they are able.
God bless,
Victor B.
March 11, 2011 at 5:35 pm
I have a friend there with her two daughters. I am worried sick.
March 11, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Sue,
Do you know where in Japan they are? I may be able to tell you if they live in an affected area.
-Paul
March 11, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Been praying the moment I heard the news this morning
March 11, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Paul,
Hitachishi,Ibaraki is where she lives. I don't have any idea where that is in relation. Thanks Paul. Prayers your way!
March 11, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Sue- I wish I could reassure you, but google maps has Hitachishi between the quake and Tokyo.
Google has A bunch of resources including a people finder.
It was daytime, and with two kids I'm sure they would run instead of stopping to look.
March 11, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Blue Shoe-
Fox was reporting that local officials estimated 200-300 bodies washing up on the shore; there's also at least 100 dock workers missing in the nearest town, a cargo ship with 80 is missing and a whole passenger train is missing.
All military accounted for, though.
March 11, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Foxfier,
Thanks for the link. She is not listed there yet. I know it doesn't look great (where she is from). She has two little girls, I just hope that since it was the middle of the day she had some warning and was able to get to someplace safe.
March 11, 2011 at 8:33 pm
May God have mercy and comfort those affected.
March 11, 2011 at 8:35 pm
All military accounted for; ships stationed in Japan that weren't around are headed back ASAP, and there's a decent number of ships in the base near Tokyo to help with water, medical, power.
March 11, 2011 at 8:36 pm
My nephew/godson lives in Chiba. He is fine… so far. We continue to pray for the people in Japan. We live on Kauai and evacuated to high ground last night. Our islands are fine, thanks be to God.
March 11, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Sue-
I'm no expert by any means on earthquakes or tsunamis, but it's looking like the horrifying videos were all both closer and a straight shot across water from the quake's center; your friend's town looks to be at least 100 miles south, and there's a small out-cropping of land between her and the epicenter.
The area of the town was pretty shaken up, but they build for that– it's bad, but not as bad as it could be.
Carol-
Glad to hear some good new!
March 11, 2011 at 9:18 pm
@Blue Shoe – if you are still around… I have dear old friends who also live in/near Chiba. Not far from that tall pagoda thing (tall one with the spike on top) if I remember correctly. I can't recall the exact location.
One is an elderly lady living alone. I am so worried about her especially and have seen pictures of the refinery fire. Do you know anything about that area? Do know where I am talking about? Sorry. There is rice paddy near by so it is on the edge of a somewhat less urbanized area.
Worried sick here.
Thank you SO much and MANY prayers are with a for you and all in the area.
Franklin
March 11, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Naritasan Shinshoji Temple?
It looks to be pretty far in land; I can't find a good map of where the refinery is, but google maps has the only "cosmo oil" refinery actually on the waterfront in the harbor.
March 11, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Thanks Foxfier, formerly…
And thanks so much for looking that up.
No that is the wrong temple. It is like a multi-stage pagoda with maybe 10 separate stories on it so that it almost looks like some kind of multi-deck rocket ship.
I am concerned more about the earth quake damage itself since Chiba is mostly sheltered from a direct ocean hit from northern Japan although I've no doubt that the water would have risen there too. Thanks again!
March 11, 2011 at 10:55 pm
@ Foxfier, etc…
Correction: I was wrong. You found it! That IS the one. (Just a strange angle and it's on a hill so I always picture it with more stages.) Thanks. So yes that is the area within a couple miles.
I hope Paul, blue shoe, comes back when it is day time there.
March 11, 2011 at 11:02 pm
All the people I might worry about are accounted for– best I can do is try to help.
You may want to add her to the google people-search– I highly suspect that folks on the ground are going to start using it to get ideas of where to look.