- Quake, Tsunami Devastate Japan  -

The quake was followed by the tsunami and more than 50 aftershocks, according to The Associated Press.

Some have described the devastating events, particularly the tsunami, as a scene out of a movie.

Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, sent a message of condolence to the Anglican Archbishop of Japan, the Most Rev. Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu.

"The news of the horrific earthquake in Japan has shocked us all. We await further and more detailed news with apprehension, but I want to say immediately that our hearts and our prayers go out to all who have been affected and that we as a church will do what we can to offer practical as well as spiritual support at this time of great suffering and great anxiety for so many," he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed the same shock after viewing images coming out of Japan and vowed support for the East Asian country.

"We will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time," he said.

Along with the United Nations, Christian aid agencies are moving to try to provide immediate support. Southern Baptists are in contact with partners in the affected country, hoping to get an initial assessment.

"We have notified our call-out states to be on standby,” said Jeff Palmer, executive director of Baptist Global Response, in a statement. "Alabama is the first on call for the month of March."

The entire U.S. West Coast, along with South America, Canada, the Philippines, Indonesia and Chile are on alert for potential after effects from the quake. Tsunami waves have already hit Hawaii, but they were only about 39 inches high.
한국교회희망봉사단에서는 “전 세계 각지에서 일어나는 자연재해의 피해주민 구호에 앞장서온 한국교회는 대형 자연재해로 큰 비극을 맞은 피해민과 일본국민 및 재일한국인 등을 돕기 위해 <일본대지진·쓰나미 피해자 및 이재민 돕기 모금>을 시작하니, 강도 만난 이웃을 돕는 선한 사마리아인의 심정으로 이에 적극 동참하여 주시기 바란다”고 요청했다.

[Today's Memory Verse]
"Who shakes the earth out of its place, And its pillars tremble;" (Job 9:6)