I am really impressed with the calm way Japan has continued functioning despite calamities of Biblical–and the Book of Revelation–proportions–earthquakes, floods, and now nuclear explosions.
See this video of supermarket worker trying to keep goods on the shelves DURING the earthquake!!
http://au.news.yahoo.com/video/national/watch/24491323/7805482/
Roy’s post-doctoral advisor, Gene Golub, used to say that he found there were striking similarities between the Japanese and the English (and the Chinese and French. He preferred the latter nations.) I would like to think that the English could deal with these triple threats with similar sang-froid–well, partly because I live here.
Given similarities in the psyche of the both nations, it is not surprising that Remains of the Day, an examination of upper-class 1930’s British society was written with astonishing pitch-perfect ventriloquism by Japanese Kazuo Ishiguro.
Pray for the people of Japan.
And not to be evangelistically opportunistic, but pray for a foothold for the Gospel among these decent, hard-working, disciplined, family-oriented, honourable and honouring people.
My husband loved Japan, and spent his final year of high school there on a Rotary Scholarship. We visited Japan together in the 90ies, stayed with Japanese families, and travelled around the country. Much kindesss, decency, generosity and hospitality. I was impressed.