Yesterday's experience in Iwaki, Fukushima (500 kilometers round trip) put all of those Television images into a personal perspective. Granted, it was but one of hundreds of evacuation centers, but the plight of those people is unimaginable. They are very strong folks, and being in the position to bring them some cheer with music is beyond explaining. Let's just say that I can't wait to return to meet our new friends and then go on to other locations. Everyone's prayers are starting to take affect... slowly but surely. One very sweet man told me of literally being chased by the tsunami to high ground with his family in tow... only to see his house completely destroyed. He was so cheerful, saying that he had lost everything, but admitted that it was just a few days ago that he was able to pull out of a very deep emotional pit and finally sleep at night. When the large aftershock took place 4 days ago, he said he found it hard to sleep again.
As he put it, "it warmed my heart to hear your songs, but I wanted to ask for an encore when you had to stop". We were all packed up to go and he said he loved the song by the Carpenters, "Top of the World", so we pulled out the guitars and had a mini second stage for him outside the High School auditorium where the 250 people are housed. I'll never forget his smile. We left, promising to return. And we will.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Relief Efforts Begun
3/11 of March saw a gargantuan change in Japan that is going to re-figure it's future. To some, including myself, I was wary of the direction that Japan was going in... in particular reference to the next generation. I no longer share those concerns & feelings that many of my generation did. I now believe that these events that are changing Japan day by day, are eventually going to impact this country's future in a wonderful way. The social values that I have respected for 36 years are coming to the foreground. The world is watching in amazement at the deportment of a society in ruins as we've seen in the hardest hit areas. This legacy unfolding will stand as a tribute to the efforts of the millions of givers and the thousands of volunteer workers that are involved. The process, though, has only begun, and it will indeed take considerable time.
Every aspect of Japan's industry has been hit. The financial tsunami to follow is going to take much more to overcome than the immediate tending to the physical needs. Like very dangerous icebergs popping up, there are soon to be troublesome waters to navigate ahead...one by one, but some of the most looming are the mental/spiritual needs of the country. These are going to be overwhelming.
Of the many voices that I have heard, all seem to believe that music is going to play a big role. For this, I am grateful to be a musician at this time. With what limited resources that I and my colleagues have, we want to do our part.
A great first step has opened up for us, as a dear friend is from an area in Fukushima called Iwaki-shi. In the high school that he attended, which was closed after the quake, 250 refugees from the tsunami and the power plant exodus are there.
We are going up on the 10Th of April to sing for them. Being thrilled to have to opportunity doesn't do my feelings justice, as we have been fervently praying for an open door to jump in.
I'll keep you posted as we go. Thank you for your prayers.
Every aspect of Japan's industry has been hit. The financial tsunami to follow is going to take much more to overcome than the immediate tending to the physical needs. Like very dangerous icebergs popping up, there are soon to be troublesome waters to navigate ahead...one by one, but some of the most looming are the mental/spiritual needs of the country. These are going to be overwhelming.
Of the many voices that I have heard, all seem to believe that music is going to play a big role. For this, I am grateful to be a musician at this time. With what limited resources that I and my colleagues have, we want to do our part.
A great first step has opened up for us, as a dear friend is from an area in Fukushima called Iwaki-shi. In the high school that he attended, which was closed after the quake, 250 refugees from the tsunami and the power plant exodus are there.
We are going up on the 10Th of April to sing for them. Being thrilled to have to opportunity doesn't do my feelings justice, as we have been fervently praying for an open door to jump in.
I'll keep you posted as we go. Thank you for your prayers.
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