On a Wing and a Prayer

Legend has it in Japan that a prayer can be answered when a 1000 origami paper cranes are folded and strung together.

So today, on the 8th anniversary of 311, in community centers, temporary housing and public schools throughout northern Japan, chains of a 1000 origami cranes are displayed, the tedious effort of hundreds of fingers.

Their prayer is simply this: "Recovery, restoration, and return to normal life again." The March 11, 2011 triple tragedy took so much. They want it back.

Aren't you glad to know that God hears prayer and answers us without all that needless "paperwork" ?! Would you pray Japan today?

True recovery and restoration in post-311 Japan is only possible when the 99% turn their hearts toward God and place faith in Christ.

(Video footage taken during 311 relief work in March 2011.)

Here's How to Pray for Japan on 311

1 - Pray for the many churches and volunteers continuing to minister to those in temporary housing areas and communities throughout northern Japan. Pray God's love would be displayed through them.

2 - Pray for the families of the nearly 20,000 who lost their lives. Pray as they memorialize their loved ones today that they would learn of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life.

3 - Pray for the other 99% of Japanese to turn their hearts toward God, place their faith in Jesus, and find rest from their heartache in Him.

P.S. - Not only origami cranes, but also construction cranes used in post-311 re-construction also remind us to pray. See this quick video of the construction of our church plant's Mizonokuchi mini house/church facility, and watch the zoom in at the end.

Ready?

I'd been putting it off. Although I knew it was important, taking inventory of our earthquake and disaster gear just wasn't getting done. Japan rests along the "ring of fire" in the Pacific ocean, a stretch of area that is particularly vulnerable to earthquake activity. And so having a backpack of essentials by your door to grab on the way out is, well, essential. But mild earthquakes in Tokyo have become such a rather regular part of our lives that we've let our guard down a bit. We weren't ready for an earthquake to come.

When I finally got around to assessing our earthquake readiness, I realized how unready we were. Wiping the dust off the backpack in the carport, I unzipped it to find a horror story inside. The batteries had attempted an escape, leaking acid all over the contents of the bag. To make matters worse, the acid had actually bored a hole through one of the canned items, which oozed its contents out and into the bag as well. It was not pretty (and now I know why all those stray cats were hanging around outside for awhile). The remainder of the canned food seemed intact, but the expiration date was 5 years ago. The bottled water also looked a bit suspicious. The short of it is: we weren't ready for an earthquake to come.

As I replaced and organized new gear for us, my thoughts turned toward the "parables of readiness" in Matthew 25. Five bridesmaids wisely carried extra oil. Two servants carefully used their entrusted resources. A wise and faithful servant works to the best of his or her ability to use what he has been given, and prepares himself for the Master's return and inspection. With God's help, I want to be ready in my life and work for my Master to come. How ready are you?