“Early in 2011 I started feeling a sense of impending change. It was a vague feeling that I couldn’t quite identify but it was persistent and unsettling … As the weeks passed, my sense of change only grew stronger. I couldn’t shake the feeling that our lives were about to change in a big way…” In the Event, p. 40,41
In the Event – by Mark B. Jabusch
This premonition sets the stage for what missionary Mark Jabusch and his family experienced in Sendai Japan on March 11, 2011. On that day a 9.1 undersea megathrust earthquake rocked Sendai, followed by a massive tsunami that took the lives of thousands. The tsunami triggered a disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant that made life even more dangerous and complicated for Mark, his family and all in the surrounding area.
In his memoir In the Event, Jabusch gives a personal account of his rewarding life as a teacher of the English language at a local university and how it was rocked by the earthquake and what followed.
I appreciated many things about this book:
The skilled, detailed storytelling
Jabusch takes us through the six-minute earthquake and what follows in a multi-sensory way. We experience the rocking car as the earthquake goes on and on, the confusion when the shaking finally stops, the search for a safe place to spend the night, and how life stumbles on in temporary housing with food and gas shortages in the midst of hundreds of aftershocks—some almost as strong as the original earthquake.
People’s reactions interpreted in the context of trauma
Everyone was under stress. Lineups for government assistance, food and gas were long. The looming threat of nuclear contamination was terrifying. People reacted in many ways, from generosity to escapism. Jabusch struggles to understand and not take things personally. He exhibits an ability to see and interpret his and others’ reactions to the earthquake and what followed in the context of the trauma they were all living through.
Highlights the qualities needed to survive a personal and community disaster
Through Jabusch’s account, I gained an appreciation of what it’s like to live through such a personal and community disaster. I came to see how cooperation, tolerance for the foibles of others, perseverance, loyalty, a sense of purpose, and faith in God are needed when everything around one is shaken.
Earthquake advice
Throughout the book and in Chapter 14 (“After Thoughts and Free Advice”) Jabusch shares valuable insights and advice about living in earthquake-prone areas and what to do in case of an earthquake.
In the Event is a great read! I recommend it!
In the interests of full disclosure, I’m happy to call Mark Jabusch a friend and writing colleague. We have been members of the same writing group (Surrey Christian Writers) for years. I read an early version of this story a whie ago and I, along with others, encouraged Mark to flesh it out. Great job Mark!
If you are local, you can hear Mark talk about his book and purchase a signed copy at the Tenth Anniversary Celebration of the writing group of which Mark and I are members.
Celebrate Christian Writing
Saturday October 18 – 12:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Peace Portal Alliance Church
15128 – 27B Ave., Surrey, B.C.
See poster below for the lineup of local Christian writers who will be reading from recently published books at the Celebrate Christian Writing event.
Violet Nesdoly 