SHERMAN, TX - It's been more than three months since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated parts of Japan. Victims are still in the process of cleaning up and one local man is returning to his childhood home, to help.

"We go because we can," said Justin Banks, Austin College archivist and assistant professor. "We go because we care about other people."

Banks grew up in Japan. He recalls the day that he heard the news of the devastating quake and subsequent tsunami last march.

"Of course there was the shock," Banks said. "Everyone was shocked by it, but for me it was also I have friends that are there so in a sense it was grief."

Banks speaks Japanese and immediately expressed to a group of friends his interest in traveling to Japan to help. Word got around and a few months later he received a phone call from Joe Wilson, stateside administrator for the Hanna Project, a non-government relief organization...asking him to be a part of his team. Banks leaves for Japan on July 1st.

"In a lot of these different situations it just takes someone with a willing heart willing to go and to make a difference," said Wilson. "Justin is one of the people that we have that is fluent in Japanese and will be able to help communicate."

Banks is no stranger to missionary work. His parents worked as missionaries in Japan for most of his childhood. Through his experience he has learned that while helping rebuild is important, to disaster victims the sheer presence of relief workers lifts their spirits.

"By my presence I'm also extending something more that just the physical labor," said Banks. "I'm extending hope and encouragement."

Banks has been brushing up on his Japanese and says he's ready to go.

"Ney-poni ie-he-mas wa-ta-shiwa ban-ga-dimas," said Banks.

Translation.

"i'm going to Japan and I'm going to do my best."

If you would like more information about The Hanna Project you can go to their website www.thehannaproject.com