UPDATED 17th March, 2011
NUCLEAR CRISIS ESCALATES AS DEATH TOLL PASSES 4,300
Concerns continue to grow over the state of nuclear generators on Japan's north-east coast as the official death toll from last Friday's earthquake and tsunami passes 4,300.
International experts were reported as questioning Japan's handling of the nuclear crisis which has seen at least a partial meltdown in one reactor and rising fears that a Chernobyl-style incident could yet occur.
Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Authority announced on Wednesday that he would travel to Japan as soon as possible,
"to see the situation for myself and learn from our Japanese counterparts how best the IAEA can help".
DAVID ADAMS reports... |
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HOLY SPIRIT TSUNAMI NEEDED, SAYS MISSIONARY SOCIETY CHIEF
In the face of heartbreaking images of damage and destruction in northern Japan, one ministry leader sees an unprecedented opening to reach the Japanese people with the love, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ.
“God is using this tragedy to put Japan back on the map for Western Christians,” says Rick Chuman, executive director of the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS). “Some have thought we’ve put 150 years of effort into reaching Japan and it’s time to move on,” he notes. “So it’s exciting to see it’s back on the radar for Western Christians who now want to pray for Japan.”
Chuman hopes for a very different kind of tsunami to hit Japan. “Now there’s another kind of tsunami – and hopefully it’s the Holy Spirit descending on that country and doing something with the returnees and the in-country missionaries.”
While many Asian countries have large, vibrant Christian populations, in Japan only about 1.5 per cent identify themselves as Christian. Some consider the Japanese to be the largest unreached people group in the world.
MARK ELLIS, of Godreports.com, speaks to Rick Chuman of the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society... |
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The earthquake and subsequent tsunami has devastated numerous communities on Honshu's north-east coast. PICTURE: Courtesy of World Vision Australia.
AID AGENCIES MOBILISING RELIEF TO STRICKEN COMMUNITIES
UPDATED 17th March, 2011
Aid agencies are mobilising for the relief effort in Japan in the wake of last Friday's devastating earthquake and tsunami.
World Vision announced on Monday that an assessment team had arrived in Sendai, one of the coastal communities which bore the full brunt of the 10 metre high tsunami. The death toll in Sendai alone is expected to exceed 10,000 - at least 1,800 have so far been confirmed dead.
"We are here on the outskirts of Sendai, about 10-15 kilometres from the downtown area, an area called Arahama," said Kenjiro Ban, World Vision Japan's humanitarian emergency affairs manager and a veteran aid worker who had been part of the organisation's response to the Haiti earthquake.
"This is the most severely hit area by the tsunami. Rice paddies are covered by sea water, and big trees have been flushed away. There is total devastation. There is no one here, it is silent."
DAVID ADAMS reports... |
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BASEBALLER LOOKS TO STRENGTH IN GOD
American professional baseball player Matt Murton, who plays for Japan's Hanshin Tigers, was in Japan when the earthquake hit... |
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THE ISSUE: NUCLEAR POWER
16th March, 2011
There are growing concerns over three damaged nuclear reactors in Japan with tens of thousands of people evacuated amid fears of a meltdown which would spew large amounts of radiation into the air. The situation has reopened the debate over nuclear power with those opposed to its use claiming the situation aptly illustrates the dangers involved. What's your view?... |
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CHURCHES RALLY SUPPORT AFTER QUAKE SHOCK
Churches and church leaders have sent messages of support for the people of Japan after a devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami rocked the country on 11th March.
In England, the head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, sent a message of condolence to the Anglican Archbishop of Japan, Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, offering sympathy, support and prayers for the Japanese people.
"The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked us all," wrote Archbishop Williams. "We await further and more detailed news with apprehension, but I want to say immediately that our hearts and our prayers go out to all who have been affected and that we as a church will do what we can to offer practical as well as spiritual support at this time of great suffering and great anxiety for so many."
The primate (national archbishop) of the Anglican Church of Canada also wrote to Archbishop Uematsu expressing his sadness about the disaster and offering prayers for those involved in the relief efforts and those ministering to the needs of "a stricken, grieving nation." Archbishop Fred Hiltz wrote, "as we follow the news we recognize your very real fears of after-shocks and further tsunamis."
LEANNE LARMONDIN, of ENInews, reports... |
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HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Red Cross Australia 'Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011'
Phone 1800 811 700 or see www.redcross.org.au/japan2011.htm
World Vision Australia 'Japan Disaster Appeal'
See www.worldvision.com.au |
The New York Times recently had an insightful article on how love affects the brain. To me this is further evidence that we seem to be wired for love. Consider some of the quotes from the article: