Hawaii: Day 8; Earthquakes, Tsunami's, and Walphins

Yesterday around 2:45 pm Japan suffered a massive earthquake. The rictor scale was origionally found to be an 8.9, but was later changed to 9.1 doubling the force of the blow. Japan is experiencing an great deal of devestation to their coast and as many of the tourist here are Japanese, I am sure that many of them worry about the home or lack there of that they may return to. The surge from the earthquake cause a tsunami that followed in it's wake. Around 7pm (HST) or so last night a Tsunami watch was in progress for Oahu, the Island I am currently staying on. Within a few hours, this watch became a warning and we were to be advised that there was indeed a tsunami headed for the Hawaiian Islands. Sirens sounded late into the night as tourist and residents were voluntarily evacuated from there coastal residencies.

When we discovered that this was more than just a watch and the sirens started to sound I turned on the news as my anxiety started to peak. All across the news were maps of what the damage of the Tsunami would look like. From what I saw it looked as though most of the Islands would suffer around 2-3/4 submersion. I stayed up looking at the same news footage over and over until I fell asleep just long enough to be woken as the first series of waves hit. I had already called my mom to tell her what was going on and she and my youth pastor were praying for me, (as well as many others as I later found out). I was getting calls from a flood of people which were most appreciated and a little somber. They began to feel like final phone calls. Thankfully, I was very safe where I am staying. The military base Ft.Shaffter is fairly high in elevation and centrally located. I was praying that God would calm the seas just as he did in the bible, and he did. The tsunami that was supposed to be fairly strong did not hit Oahu with terrible force. Although the North Shore harbor is a little banged up, for the most part there was little to no serious damage done to the Island.

Little did I know, how many people were praying for me. I recieved, calls, text, wall posts, voicemails, comments, and message from people letting me know they were praying for me and thinking of me. Some people even tagged me in posts to let people know my know and to pray for me. I felt so loved and I really appreciated all of the care and support that came my way. I truely believe it could have been a lot worse had it not been for the prayers of God's people.

Today was a much calmer day, although for Emily I'm sure it was nothing but sheer excitement. We ventured back to Sea Life Park to participate in a dolphin encounter, or in Emily, Kyle, and I's case, a wolphin encounter. I always enjoy doing something I have never done before, but this was especially memorable. The way the dolphins move with such grace through the water is really incredible to watch, and to be so close to these animals, I felt very lucky. Kekaimalu, the worlds only Wolphin, (hybrid of a killer whale and bottle nose dolphin) was a pleasure to be around, even if he did splash me.

After the encounter we got some food and ate down by one of the canals. On the way over the bridge we couldn't hep but notice how earie the water looked. Normally a vibrant blue, the water was now an ominous grey. As we sat eating our food we kept watch on the water, the way it behaved was unlike anything I had ever seen it do. It was like the current at the bottom of the ocean was pushing the water up creating a rise in it's level, it was also going in and out at the same time creating little whirl pool effects. And while some of the water was spiraling and trembling, other parts were completely flat. The clouds were odd as well, they are typically grey or white, but today they loomed heavy over the mountains in a deep purple.

I'm not sure of what I have learned today exactly, but I do know thing, I have never been more appreciative of all the prayers that have come my way. I truely felt secure in knowing that I had family and friends on the mainland looking out for me in their good thoughts and prayers. Sometimes it is so easy to think that no one cares, and it was really incredible to have my eyes opened as to how many do. I am beyond thankful. God Bless, and continue to pray for those in Japan!