I have been to Japan (Hokkaido and Tokyo) twice, and I’m heartbroken over the incidents  last week.

Tears fill my eyes as images of the recent disasters in Japan flash before me.  Many of my close friends live here, and I can’t get over the level of destruction and the lives lost.  

Once I heard the news of the disasters in Japan, I immediately got online to check the status updates of my friends.  Fortunately, some of them were on a completely different island but still felt the treacherous five-minute earthquake.  Then there are other friends who are just a mere 150 miles away from where the tsunami hit.  

Many people know Japan as the place where Pokémon, Nikon, Sony, or Hello Kitty originated.  Some read their Anime comic books.  I often think about Japan and the many memories I had there.  This week, however, these images have been coming to my mind more often.  

When I think of Japan, I think of so much more than their clever inventions.  I think of their history, religion, traditions, and deep culture.  I think of their unique sites, smells, sounds, and tastes.  More than anything, I think of the wonderful people I have met there during my visits.

During one of my trips to Japan, I had the honor visiting an elementary school. Also, I was able to visit a couple of high school events with a team of American

students.  

To this day, I can still remember the young Japanese girls getting excited about meeting the American guys we had on our team, saying they all looked like Brad Pitt.  I remember the children’s laughter as we tried to communicate with each other while playing their new games.  I remember their faces of delight when I shared American candy with some of them.  Most of all, I remember their happiness at sharing part of who they are with us – their culture – while we became friends.

While visiting Tokyo, my friends and I were riding an elevator in a train station with a sweet older Japanese woman.  She got so excited to see us, and with a big smile she asked, “Can I practice my English with you?”

Watching the news, I now see such devastation and many people who are emotionally broken.  I see people who have just had their lives turned upside down.  Many have literally lost everything – including their family, friends, and even their whole village.

As I think about the people I have personally met and made a connection with, I can’t help but wonder what the long-term effects are going to be and whether they made it out okay.  There are some people I’ll never know of their outcome after this week’s tragedy.

Maybe you’re like me.  Maybe your heart as been breaking all week for the country of Japan, wondering, “What can I do to help?”  

There are many places in which you can donate money.  Just to name a few:

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

Save the Children

International Medical Corps

Some cell phone carriers have numbers you can text to donate money.  Some airline carriers are accepting donations of frequent flier miles to help relief helpers who are traveling to and from Japan. Lady Gaga has even created her own bracelet, “We pray for Japan” in both English and Japanese.  

If you have family and friends in Japan, cell phone carriers, such as Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon are currently setting up a temporary billing relief system.  This will be for limited calls and text messages to the country as people try to get in touch with loved ones.

Despite the fact, we’re over 10,000 miles away from where disaster hit, we can still help to make a difference. If you can’t afford to donate, always remember: prayer is such a strong and powerful thing to give and is much needed.