3/11/11...A day I'll never forget!!

   When I got up this morning, I never imagine what all would happen today. I was excited about it being the last day of school and all was going as planned. RA's (Raymond Academy)  Closing Awards Ceremony ended around 1:30pm (school year ends in march here). The students and parents had all gone home and spring break had officially started. I decided to go to my room and talk to my mom for a a while before taking a well- needed nap since I had been going on 3 - 4 hours of sleep for the last couple weeks.  I was in my room, Dim and Namiki were in the kitchen, about fifteen minutes after talking on Skype, at 2:46p,  my bed started shaking stronger then usual.  I looked up and everything was moving, Dim and Namiki were yelling my name asking me to come out... I closed the computer and went out. I didn't know what to expect I couldn't walk straight. When I open the door, Dim and Namiki were holding on to a strong pillar, everything was rocking hard, loud sirens not far, cars honking, people screaming. I still couldn't believe it!!! I had many thoughts going throughout my head, I held on to the pillar and to Dim's jacket, while she held on to Namiki as well...tears filled my eyes got and I kept saying, "it just doesn't end!"...panic was everywhere....then I didn't know it was just the beginning....
   The 9.0 magnitude earthquake lasted two minutes...the longest in my life! two minutes passed and just when we thought it was coming to an end, aftershock started, two strong ones followed the earthquake...We couldn't go in the house for a while. A man passing by, run to the pillars we were holding on and held on too.  Two aftershocks followed one right after the other, of less magnitude, but still big. For about the next twenty minutes the earth wouldn't stop shacking.  When we finally went in and started to watch news on Namiki's cellphone. We couldn't believe what our eyes were seeing!!! It was like a movie..a nightmare...just unbelievable...
   We walked a block away to the pastor's house and spent the next eight hours which seemed like days, watching the news, trying to contact people, and praying... All phone services were down or busy, electricity had been off in many areas, even a few blocks aways from us, the tsunami had struck furiously and taken everything and everybody on its way.   Miho Sensei, (pastor's wife and RA principal) couldn't get a hold of her mom, Namiki's grandparents who live in one of the most affected areas couldn't be reached...
  Around 11pm we came back to our apartment. To my surprise, we had electricity, Internet, everything was working fine. Many missed calls, texts, emails, fb messages where waiting when I got here. Thank you everybody who has care, prayed, and contacted me. In moments like this is when love, care, support, prayers are really needed.  I didn't get much sleep, lay down around 4 am and just praying and thinking.  Over 170 aftershock have happen, small ones, but big enough to made me open my eyes and wanted to be ready to go out.  We were in red tsunami alert, sirens were ringing all night and kept my thoughts busy...around 7:30 I gave up trying to sleep and got up. Namiki couldn't really sleep either, so we were both in the kitchen watching the latest news. Numbers of deceased people and missing kept increasing and the tsunami alerts were still red. Praying, hoping, and waiting...
   So many things unfolded after, uncertainty and fear surrounded us... Mixed feelings and thoughts cross your mind when you're in the middle of a situation like this. Unanswered questions, weakened hopes, weary spirits...  Its been two and half days and it's still hard to sleep... two days later things haven't settle, on the other hand to some extend gotten worse.  Japan it's ahead in studying the possible damage and preventions of earthquakes, but this earthquake was way more then what they were prepare for.  Many were calm about it when it happen, for many others the shock came after a couple hours. 
   In Miyagi Prefecture, one of the most affected area of 17,666 population, more then 10,000 missing.  It's been announced that there is a 70 percent chance of a magnitude 7 or stronger quake occurring in the next three days, and a 50 percent chance of one hitting in the three days after that. Even when the tsunami alerts are low now there is a 73% chance of another tsunami in three days. "Officials previously said that more than 2,000 people died or were missing following Friday's earthquake and tsunami." Local news tonight (Sunday 3/13) announced that about 28,000 ppl couldn't go back home while 343,271 scape the tsunami. 
   The radioactive plant cooling reactor system  it's still a priority. "There is a risk of a second explosion at the quake-hit Fukushima power station, Japanese officials have said. However, chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano said the facility could withstand the impact and the nuclear reactor itself would not be damaged. Technicians are battling to cool reactor 3 following a blast at the building housing reactor 1 on Saturday."
  Because of the lack of electric power, Japan had been divided in five sections and have scheduled power outages.  Starting tomorrow Monday, here in Yokohama from 9:20-1pm ; 6pm-10pm the electric power will be off.  Also food supplies and gas are running low all over the country.  We were asked to prepare a backpack with water, some food, passport, money, and some clothes.
  I won't say I'm not scared at all. I'm trusting God and I am sure that He's in control. He has kept us safe so far and wont leave us now. There are many things I'm not sure about, there are many questions I don't have the answer for. Mixed feelings and I can say for sure that this experience is without a doubt life changing... I've grown closer to God and He has given me peace.  I've been praying for those who are suffering for the lost f a love one...those who have lost everything. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, but I do know that whatever may happen, God is with me anywhere I go.
  Please continue praying for Japan. Specially the following days, weeks, and months will be filled with sorrow and fear for many... 
  
Psalm 27:5, " For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; 
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock".

  Psalm 61, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. For you, God, have heard my vows;  you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Increase the days of the king’s life,  his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day"