Around 3pm local time on Friday, March 22, 2010, Japan was rocked by a 8.9 magnitude earthquake that triggered a devastating 33-foot tsunami. Japan authorities and Reuters News are reporting at least 1,000 dead and many still missing, including an entire passenger/commuter train, ships, homes, cars, and whole towns. [link] In the time since, Japan has experienced between 50-70 aftershocks. In the last hour, the news is reporting 5 more earthquakes in around 6.5-6.6 magnitudes which may not be "aftershocks" but separate events; there are concerns in regards to a nuclear power plant which must vent radio-active vapors to prevent the plant; and just now on FOX News, a correspondent in Tokyo is reporting that the land reclaimed from the sea is turning into mush. Reuters has a live feed that is constantly being updated with news out of Japan. [link]

The tsunami that devastated the Japanese coast also caused flooding and some damage in Hawaii and along the US Pacific Coast. Tsunami warnings and evacuations were issued in all of those areas. As of about half an hour ago, US Coast Guard is searching for a man in northern California swept out to sea. [link]


As we were watching the news, my sister commented: "Just watching the news and its Matthew 24: wars, rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, earthquakes... You get it all."

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Matthew 24:4-8, KJV

Sadly, this is very true. Just today, the news channels are filled with the devastation of the earthquake, aftershocks, and tsunami in Japan, civil war in Libya, religious violence in Ethiopia, unrest in Saudi Arabia, economic uncertainty across the globe.


Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is on the ground and responding. [link]

ADRA has committed an initial response of $25,000 and has sent an assessment team toward the affected area to evaluate and prepare a broader response. ADRA Japan is providing food and shelter for train passengers that are stranded in Tokyo. This is taking place at the Central Tokyo Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Let's remember all of those effected by these events in our thoughts and prayers, and if you are so inclined, ADRA is accepting donations for the relief effort in Japan. For more information, check out ADRA on Twitter (ADRA International and ADRA Japan) and on Facebook [link]. A Sabbath Blog is keeping close tabs on what is going on in Japan and with ADRA. [link]