Written by Kylie Akins
While Harding students packed their cars for spring break two weeks ago, the island nation of Japan was in shock after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast March 11, triggering a tsunami and nuclear crisis that has left the Japanese people in a state of emergency.Now, the Student Association is giving Harding students an opportunity to contribute to the relief effort in Japan through a former Sendai missionary, a Memphis church and Healing Hands International.The earthquake, classified as the worst recorded earthquake to hit Japan, produced tsunami waves of more than 70 feet, leaving an estimated 23,000 dead or missing. With the heavily damaged Fukushima nuclear plant 150 miles north of Tokyo still unable to control its overheated reactors and the radioactive fumes they are emitting, contaminated food and water is crippling the nation’s ability to recover. As of Wednesday, Japanese officials reported 9,452 dead and 14,671 missing.”The devastation in Japan is absolutely unfathomable and whether one is on the site of the disaster or overseas, the rubble of the disaster is only a reflection of the broken- heartedness of loved ones who lost their lives and homes,”SA President Steven Ramsey said. “The people of Japan have been devastated by something that is uncontrollable, and in an event like this it makes one realize that life and nature are fragile things.”Harding’s SA met Monday to discuss a student-led response to Japan’s crisis, addressing the relief efforts greatest need right now: money.Today, the SA asked students to contribute money to the relief efforts of Healing Hands International, an organization based in Nashville dedicated to international disaster relief, through Jonathan Straker, a former Sendai missionary and current Abilene Christian University masters student, and the Park Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis,Tenn.The money will used by Healing Hands as they distribute relief supplies, such as blankets, food and water, and determine to contribute money to the relief efforts of Healing Hands International, an organization based in Nashville dedicated to international disaster relief, through Jonathan Straker, a former Sendai missionary and current Abilene Christian University masters student and the Park Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis,Tenn.The money will used by Healing Hands as they distribute relief supplies, such as blankets, food and water, and determine future needs. The SA will also have a booth in the Student Center Monday and Tuesday to collect donations.”With open hearts and wallets and purses, I challenge us to give without doubting that God will bring fruit from our sacrifice,” Ramsey said.
