• By now most of you have probably heard about the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan today….
• Many of us are wondering how we can best respond to the devastating news of the earthquakes and tsunami that have hurt especially Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate ken…
• I can’t get my mind off my precious homeland, Japan. The news of devastation is heartbreaking and I know the news will only get worse before it gets better…
• We partner with numerous churches in the area that has been affected, including a church just two kilometers from the damaged nuclear power plant. We are gathering information…
• It’s a strange feeling living in Japan in an area with virtually no damage right now.  I have friends who are without water and food, trudging down to a canal to haul water by hand in buckets so they can use their toilets…
• Today things are becoming a little more real.  I woke up and tried to go to work this morning. I was expecting some trouble…
• It has been quite a shocking day for us all, and it’s taken some effort to find out about friends in various parts of the country. Amazingly…
• Another night of aftershocks. Wondering when this will end! Our mission is discussing ways to help our Japanese church ministry partners in the affected area…
• Tomorrow we head to Tokyo–it will be a different life. We’re told that there are gasoline shortages, stores are sold out of certain foods, toilet paper, etc. In addition…
• Just a quick note to let everyone know we’re okay. It is definitely the strongest earthquake we have felt in our 40 or so years here…
• Life is still a bit crazy here. We lived in Sendai for seven years, and many places we know well are affected deeply by the quake and tsunami. Pray especially for Pastor Hori and his family. No one I know has heard from them yet…

Most of you have seen pictures and footage of the devastation, but I’m including a short video here to remind us about what we’re talking about.

• The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog already has several updates every day since the earthquake.
• The Highway to Haiti – again, daily posts on what’s going on and ideas about how to help.
• HAITI – CORAM DEO – just one post so far with stories and word pictures of what things look like
• The Krul Family – posts from a missionary with Mission Avaition Fellowship.  MAF is another organization working trying to provide relief in Haiti.  The author of this blog has several posts, and has been able to get pictures of Haiti and the earthquake devestation up here.
• how can they hear – again, posts at least every day with lots of pictures.  Also some helpful thoughts about how those of us outside of Haiti can help.

A community in Haiti after the earthquake.
Tiny dots in the picture are people going through the ruins.
Photo courtesy of United Nations Development

Relief efforts begin after Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) hits the Philippines. Photo courtesy of rembcc

Most of the posts I have here are about the typhoons in the Philippines.  First, some news and video about Typhoon Ondoy.  More news here from the area – Typhoon Ondoy and another on the way.

Finally, a focus on the relief efforts and how you can help.  A report from World Vision, a first hand update, and thoughts on the human chain.

Finally, some reports from Indonesia and American Samoa, and how radio can help in times of disaster.

Please pray for the believers in these areas, many who are suffering loss, others who are trying to find ways to help others.  If you want to help, check out some of the links above or contact others who are providing relief in the Lord’s name.  And watch these and other bloggers in the area for more news (another typhoon did hit the Philippines).

Quoting from KuyaKevin.com’s post above,

The human chain is more than just a way to move boxes.  I believe it is symbolic of what’s happening in the Philippines right now.  Churches, organizations, and individuals are all working together to help those in need–accomplishing so much more than we could if we tried to do this alone.

Let’s keep the chain going, guys!  Mabuhay!

Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
   A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
-Ecclesiastes 4:12

There are a lot of interesting posts out there, as always!  Here are some to check out:

• Village Preaching:  Find out why we don’t need to give kids those dangerously sharp pencil sharpeners, and what cute furry animal was served on a platter in Huanipaca, Peru.
• Things we take for granted:  Not iPods or paperback novels – food.  Find out what they ate before and after here in Kenya.
• Earth-quake!! Do you think God is trying to make a point about Belgium (or about Himself)?
• Village Funeral:  This one out of Mali.  A very different kind of shake-up, but even more powerful.  Find out what made one man say,”Now I’ve heard everything!”
• preparing to celebrate Christmas among the Fulani of Burkina Faso:  Remember, duroowo yari yarnaay, domka muudum heddi.  Amen!
• Young Warriors:  You just never know who’s going to pass by in Kenya.  Maybe they’d like some bananas?

Photo courtesy of machimon

First the earthquake in Peru.  Here are some early posts:

• Our supper last night was rudely interrupted by the strongest tremor we have felt in more than 18 years of time in Peru… This blog has also posted Earthquake in Peru, part 2 and Earthquake in Peru, part 3
• Becca is A little “shaken up”, and writes about My own aftershocks
• The Poe family also writes – Earthquake! These guys were also interviewed by a news station in the USA – read about it here.

Finally, another typhoon is heading for Taiwan:

• The third typhoon in less than a full week is coming Taiwan’s way. We’ve had rain, rain, and more rain… Later, not just rain–flooding too
• At the moment, it’s all about Storm Prep.

There are many more disasters I could mention – please pray that believers around the world can be lights in the darkness of physical and spiritual disasters worldwide!