A letter from Sendai

From: I Yun Hse
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:02 AM
Subject: A letter from Sendai

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 again for your care and Love of me,

With Love in return, to you all.

Prophecy in the News: SUPER MOON



For in the time of trouble
he shall hide me in his pavilion:
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5


Upon This Rock I Shall Build My Church

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for God in the small stuff. For example you may or may not recall but on September 4, 2010 - A 7.1 magnitude shake struck Christchurch, causing an estimated NZ$4 billion in damage, making it the most destructive quake since 1931. There were no deaths and only two serious injuries.

Then on February 22, 2011 - A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, killing at least 65 people and caused widespread damage because it was shallow and close to the city centre.

And then sadly on 3/11/11 the capital city of the Moyagi Prefecture, Sendai, Japan suffered a 9.0 earthquake and tsunami.

Yesterday after reading this letter from Sendai; I began thinking about what the Japanese name Sendai name means in English? According to Wikipedia: Sendai in Japanese means "a thousand generations."

In the Old Testament it is written:

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." Deuternomy 7:9

"He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations. "Psalm 105:8

The city of Sendai also has the nickname"City of Trees" because they have about 60 zelkova trees planted on Jōzenji Street and Aoba Street.

Well, I don't know about you but I've never even heard of zelkova trees. But according to Wikipedia.com in the summer months the Sendai Tanabata Festival is held. In winter the Zelkova trees are decorated with thousands of lights for the Pageant of Starlight lasting through most of December.

For anyone enjoys the study of botany and possibly bible prophecy the name Zelkova actually derives it name from the native name of Z. carpinifolia in one of the Kartvelian languages, as shown by the Georgian name meaning "rock." Zelkova trees are often used for making rock-hard and durable bars for building and furniture.

In the Gospel of Matthew, the word tells us that our Lord and Savior Jesus designates Peter as “the Rock” upon which he will build his Church:

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”-Matthew Chapter 7:24-25

But "what exactly does the word “rock” mean in a Jewish/Scriptural context? After careful Scriptural study, Protestants might want to think twice before ignoring the preeminent authority that Scripture confers upon Peter. For in Scripture, “the Rock” is identified with shelter/refuge, strength, security, the foundation of an altar to God, the place of sacrifice to God, a stumbling block to the stubborn and disobedient, life-giving water (foreshadowing baptism?), the source of life and existence, salvation, the divine, Yahweh Himself, and Christ Himself." *1.

In the New Testment it is written:

“He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”-Luke 6:48

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”- 1 Cor 10:4

“And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”-1 Pet 2:8


My brothers and sisters when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. (James 1:2-4)

Let us always remember that God allows tough situations in our lives in order to refine us and bring us closer to him. We should carefully approach these times (the end of the Church age) with a right attitude while continuallly seeking after wisdom from a holy God.

Go in peace.

References:
1. “The Rock” in Scripture Posted by Tony Listi on August 11, 2008
2. Christchurch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
3. Sendai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia