One of two Wyndham residents on mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Steven Bardzinfki told his mother via email on the day after the March 11 quake he was determined to offer support.

"He is based in Nagoya, south of Tokyo. He has been there for six months and plans to stay for another year and a half. He will be offering people a shoulder to lean on as they grapple with their country's disaster."

Parents are not allowed to phone their children on a mission, but they can email once a week.

"His flat was shaking violently, which must have been terrifying. They don't watch television so he wasn't aware of the full scale of the destruction until days afterwards."

Another young missionary, John Goodridge of Hoppers Crossing, arrived in Tokyo two weeks before the quake. He is safe in Kobe.

Ms Bardzinfki said it would be selfish to give in to fears and hold their children back.

"Steven has had a great love for the Japanese people ever since he won an art scholarship to go there for two weeks during school. When he found out he would be sent on mission there, it was a dream come true. I am just happy he is where he needs to be right now."

He also has a knack for the language.

"He spent 12 weeks in an intensive course before he went, and I hear he's doing very well. He's got a passion for the language, which will help him connect with people not just from a religious perspective but a human one."

Steven's twin brother Ben is on a mission in Ecuador.

"Anything can happen in a new environment. You have to be realistic, but as a mother it can be hard at times.

"I can't stop them from chasing their dreams, that wouldn't be fair."