A Whole World Away

While we are safely tucked away in our office confines here in America, across the Pacific lies a country that is in peril. Unless you’ve lived in a coma for the past week, you know about the unreal devastation that is taking place in Japan.
It was hit by a 8.9 Richter scale earthquake, which then triggered a tsunami, that overcame sea barriers at a nuclear plant in northern Japan causing it to go into chaos. As of yesterday, a third explosion has been recorded at the facility and workers were there still trying to cool down the fuel rods that are melting. This could turn into another Chernobyl incident if it gets any worse.
So what can we do about this, other than sit thousands of miles away and observe? One way we can help, obviously, is through prayer. But I believe prayer also needs to be paired with action. We need people on the ground there to reach those without anything to hold onto (including their senses of dignity and hope).
Which is why I was encouraged to hear about Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization, going over to Japan to help the people there. Even better when Water Missions, a group out of Charleston, SC, announced they are sending over 10-14 water purifying system with them.
Not only are they going to be able to remove contaminants from normal everyday supplies, but they will also bring 6 reverse osmosis units that can make salt water drinkable! How cool is that?
This is a wonderful example of how the worlds of ministry and technology can join together to meet a need!
Please continue to keep the nation of Japan in your thoughts and prayers! In fact, put it on your church’s prayer list this week.
Maybe take up a special offering to help the relief efforts that are underway.
When we get involved, the distance between “us and them” becomes a lot less noticeable.