Japan.

I've been pretty overwhelmed by what has been happening across the Pacific. I've listened, read and watched various news stories about the devastation that the tsunami left in it's wake along the east coast of Japan. A co-worker of mine showed me a few interactive maps on the New York Times website that showcase before and after images of the affected zones. This morning, a short news brief on the radio indicated that as of today, March 18, the death toll has risen to 6,911 confirmed killed. Beyond that well over 10,000 people are still unaccounted for.

I've been appalled that I've actually been able to find a lack of compassion in some places for what the Japanese are going through. Sadly, those of us here in the U.S. are very insulated from things like this, the pain and suffering that humanity is subjected to whether by natural means or not. I hope that we can rally together not as Californians or Americans, but as human beings wanting to love other human beings the same way Christ loves human beings.

I learned today of a group of Japanese men who have become known as the "Fukushima Fifty", these man are willingly sacrificing themselves by exposing themselves to lethal (or at least severely crippling) doses of radiation by standing in and attempting to control the nuclear reactors while 700 of their other colleagues can evacuate the hot zone. Some chalk this up to the deeply rooted cultural ideal of honor within Japanese society, but I think it's safe to say that their sacrifice is very Christ-like. And whether or not they're Christ-followers, they are indeed showing us a trait that many of us can only dream of owning: pure sacrifice. I find these men inspiring.

If you're interested in finding a way to lend a hand in the relief process, you can check out Convoy Of Hope, an outstanding relief effort designed to bring food and other supplies to regions afflicted by disasters.

Links:
Convoy Of Hope
Fukushima 50 Article

Grace and peace.