News from the Baha'is of Japan..

[arthra]

Dear Friends,

Three days have passed from the devastating natural disaster that struck the northern region of Japan, from Kanto, Tohoku, to all the way to Hokkaido. It is a humbling experience to see and experience the powerlessness against nature, yet at the same time, a reconfirming experience of the strength of the human soul, when one witnesses people bravely standing up to unite and help each other, and begin the process of putting their lives back together.

Thankfully, as far as we know at this point, although many have been affected by this calamity, all Baha'i friends are safe. We are also receiving heartwarming messages from communities and friends all around the globe, offering their sincere prayers, and offering their assistance.

It is at times like this, when one remembers the short prayer written by Baha'u'llah in the Kitab-i-Aqdas.

" On the appearance of fearful natural events call ye to mind the might and majesty of your Lord, He Who heareth and seeth all, and say "Dominion is God's, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of creation" "
~ The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 23

The days ahead will in no way be easy, and we can expect the troubles to continue. We offer our sincere prayers for the safety of the friends. May the Blessed Beauty guard and protect you all.

We would like to ask the friends around the nation to continue to pray for those friends who have been affected by this disaster, and for the nation as a whole.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Japan

 

[arthra]

Letter form Sandai, Japan:

Here is a letter received by a Baha'i friend of mine ..

A letter from Sendai 3/14/2011



Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to

have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even
more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend's home.
We share supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep
lined up in one room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly,
and beautiful.



During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit

in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to

get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in

their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and

buckets.



It's utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no pushing

in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an

earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be in

the old days when everyone helped one another."



Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens

are constant and helicopters pass overhead often.



We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half

a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all

of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No one has

washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more

important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of

non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of

caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the entire

group.



There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some

places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun.

People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their

dogs. All happening at the same time.



Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars.

No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with

stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The

mountains are Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see them

silhouetted against the sky magnificently.



And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to

check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on,

and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom,

but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see

if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need

help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no.



They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for

another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking,

rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a bit

elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is better

off than others. Last night my friend's husband came in from the country,

bringing food and water. Blessed again.



Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed

an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world

right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening
now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me if I

felt so small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I feel as

part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave of

birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.




Thank you all for your love and care of me.