When the Earth Shakes, the Church Stands Together

​a letter from the Executive Director

Dear Church,

​Over the past several weeks, the earth has shaken in three places where Week of Compassion has long-standing relationships: the Philippines, Indonesia, and now Venezuela.

​In the Philippines, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern island of Mindanao, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Families have lost loved ones, homes have collapsed, roads and bridges have been damaged, and many continue to sleep outside because they fear returning to unstable buildings. Farmers and fisherfolk have seen their livelihoods disrupted just as they seek to recover.

Just days later, another powerful earthquake struck Central Sulawesi in Indonesia. Entire communities are living with the uncertainty of continuing aftershocks. Thousands of homes were damaged, clean water systems disrupted, and many families remain in temporary shelters near their homes while wondering what recovery will look like.

And this week, Venezuela experienced two major earthquakes within seconds of one another. The destruction in Caracas and surrounding communities has been severe, with collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, widespread power outages, and communities just beginning to understand the full extent of the devastation. Search and rescue operations continue even as aftershocks make the work dangerous.

It can feel overwhelming to witness so much suffering unfolding around the world in such a short time.

Yet this is also where the Church shines.

One of the greatest gifts of Week of Compassion is that we do not have to wonder who to call after disaster strikes. We already know. Long before the headlines appeared, we had been investing in relationships with churches and ecumenical partners who are deeply rooted in their communities. They are not arriving after the disaster—they are already there. They worship with these communities, raise their children alongside them, and will remain long after the television cameras leave.

That is what accompaniment looks like.

In the Philippines, we are working through the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines to support food assistance, cash assistance, hygiene supplies, and psychosocial care for communities whose recovery will take months and years.

In Indonesia, our partners at Yayasan Cipta Wahana Sejahtera (YCWS), together with local health partners, are providing flexible cash assistance, health services, and mental health support so families can meet the needs they identify as most urgent.

In Venezuela, our ACT Alliance partners are already conducting rapid assessments while supporting emergency shelter, medical care, food, water, hygiene, and psychosocial care as search and rescue efforts continue.

I am especially grateful that because of your generosity, Week of Compassion can respond quickly. We do not begin by asking, Should we help? We begin by asking our partners, What do you need? Your faithful giving allows us to respond with trust, flexibility, and confidence in local leaders who know their communities best.

In a world where disasters seem to come one after another, it is easy to become numb. But as followers of Christ, we are called not to turn away, but to draw near. Every earthquake reminds us that while buildings may crumble, hope can still be built—through relationships, compassion, and the steadfast witness of the Church.

Thank you for being part of that witness.

Please continue to pray for all who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. Pray for first responders, pastors, volunteers, and community leaders who are caring for their neighbors even while grieving themselves. Thank you for making it possible for Week of Compassion to accompany communities not only in the first days after disaster, but throughout the long journey of recovery.

When your congregation is gathering for worship this Sunday and in the weeks ahead, I invite you to pause and pray for these communities. Though separated by thousands of miles, we are one body in Christ, joined together in faith, compassion, and hope.

A Prayer for the Church

God of mercy and hope,

When the earth trembles and the ground beneath us gives way,
you remain our refuge and our strength.

We pray for all who have lost loved ones, homes, livelihoods,
and a sense of safety. 
Surround those who grieve with your comfort. 
Protect those who continue to face aftershocks and uncertainty. 
Strengthen first responders, local churches, community leaders, and all who are caring for their neighbors with courage and compassion.

We give thanks for the faithful witness of our partners,
who are already present in these communities—offering not only relief, but hope, dignity, and the reminder that no one walks alone.

As we gather in the safety of our own sanctuaries,
remind us that we are one body in Christ.
May our prayers cross every border.
May our generosity become a tangible expression of your love.
May our compassion be more than a feeling—may it become accompaniment, standing with our neighbors for as long as hope requires. 
And may we continue to walk together until healing comes.

Give us hearts that do not turn away from suffering, but instead draw near,
just as Christ has drawn near to us.

In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who calms every storm and whose love remains steadfast even when the earth shakes, we pray.

Amen.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Vy T. Nguyen
Executive Director
Week of Compassion