In the midst of all the destruction of Japan''s northeast coast, one lone village withstood the onslaught of the floodwaters. One life and zero homes were lost in Fudai, which nestles behind a cove and in between the mountains. Why? Many owe their lives to a forward thinking mayor named Kotaku Wamura. He served the 3,000 residents as mayor for 40 years from the end of World War II until the late 1980s. In 1933, earthquake-triggered tsunamis destroyed hundreds of homes and killed 439 people in Fudai. When Wamura witnessed bodies being exhumed from the rubble he vowed that such would never happen again under his watch. He made building a 51-foot floodgate between the mountains his number one priority. The project was roundly criticized as wasteful, but the mayor was undeterred and pushed the project through. The project cost over $30 million in today''s dollars and was called Wamura's folly at the time. No one is calling the project foolish today. In fact, Wamura is being lauded as a visionary and some of the villagers have visited his grave to pay respects. As parting words at his retirement, Wamura said to the village employees, "Even if you encounter opposition, have conviction and finish what you start. In the end, people will understand."

We serve a greater leader who hasn't left His office since the dawn of time. He has given to us an awesome privilege called prayer, which literally erects the ultimate wall of protection around our lives. The wall reaches so high and extends so far that nothing will overcome it. He said, "In this world you will have trouble but have faith because I have overcome the world." In our cost sensitive world, His ways are often mocked as extravagant on the one hand or too frugal on the other. But, you won't see us gathering at His grave to pay our respects for His wisdom and protection because He is risen and He is Lord! He challenges us as His followers to surround every village, every town, every city and every mega-city with a wall of prayer so that none will be lost and that all may come to eternal life.