From Dave and Tomo Robison Dear Friends, Supporters and Prayer Partners, All day today the news was covering stories of survivors on the coast, and reporting on the many memorial events that were being held. It was three years ago today that the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima were devastated by an unprecedented 9.0 earthquake, 10 meter high tsunami and the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. Three years seems like a long time, and while most of the world has moved on to other concerns, for those living on the coast, dealing with the loss of children, parents, friends and homes and entire towns, the pain is still as fresh as ever. The nightly news struck a very personal tone. A story about a father who lost his wife and son, but survived with his then three year old daughter was particularly difficult to watch. I could easily imagine being left alone with Titus, struggling year after year with the memory of loss, trying to keep that memory alive in my own mind and in the mind of my child. Tomo saw another story about a father who lost his wife and three children. His youngest daughter was 10 at the time, and he held her in his arms as tightly as he could as the waters rushed in until he was knocked unconscious. When he came to his daughter was gone, but he was still alive, and alone. The man said that he talked to his daughter everyday since, and all he could say to her over and over was that he was sorry, but he never heard a word back from her. Initially I wondered how these people could even bear to share their stories on television, bringing out photos and videos of their lost loved ones to show to TV crews. I wondered how the stations could have the heart to broadcast such sad and hopeless stories of loss, one right after another. I think it touches a bit on how the Japanese deal with death. Remembering those who have passed before them is of utmost importance. They dont want to forget their loved ones, they want the memories to stay alive, and to share those memories with others. Likewise the survivors themselves do not wish to be forgotten. And despite the fact that an estimated 267,000 people are still living in temporary housing, much of the world has forgotten. I understand that, there are daily tragedies in this world, new fears, new threats, new disasters. It is impossible to keep track of them all, to care for them all. But it is in large part because of this disaster, and because of these survivors that God has called us here, to Iwate to serve and love and reach out. And for that same reason, many of you have committed to praying for us, and supporting us. God has put on our hearts, and yours as well, a burden for these people, to love them and pray for them, even when the rest of the world forgets them. May the love of God finally break through into the hearts of the survivors, even in this, the darkest hour of their lives. May we do whatever God has enabled us to do, that His love might be demonstrated and made known among a people that has suffered and lost, and has yet to hear of their God who suffered like them in order to purchase for them a great and everlasting Salvation. Dave daveandtomo@gloryspeaking Text or call: (949) 350-6412 Mail: 2-20-21-201 Ueda Morioka, Iwate 020-0066 JAPAN Prayer Requests: 1. For the residents of temporary housing to be protected from the depression and suicide. 2. For Davids language school final exams this week to go well. 3. Strength and peace to serve during this busy period of ministry and preperation. January: $3,830 Monthly Needs: $5,700 Deficit: $1,870
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 17:21:25 +0000
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