When the Earth Gives Way and the Seas Overwhelm

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.
—Psalms 46:2

When tragedy strikes, the first thought of caring people is; “How can I help?”

The first act of help is often a prayer: “Lord help them, be not far from them, Lord help me to help them somehow, someway.”

The world has responded in remarkable fashion, despite the challenges all face. When trouble strikes others, our woes and our problems take a back seat to their critical needs. We gladly set self aside to support those struggling with such travesty.


When the earth shakes, we take note. When people are killed, injured, or in trouble, we take action. A search and rescue team from Virginia was leaving for Japan and one volunteer was interviewed: “We served with the team from Japan last year in Haiti at Port au Prince; of course we are going to help them, that is what Americans do!”

The people of Japan have been devastated first by the earthquake, then the tsunami and then the nuclear reactor breach. What is next?

Since the year 684, Japan has experienced 40 earthquakes registering 6.5 mag or greater in size. Some recent tragedies:

• 1703 Edo 8.0 mag, 108,000 lives
• 1896 Sanriku, 8.5 mag, 27,000 lives
• 1923 Toyko, 8.3 mag, 140,000 lives.
• 1995 Kobe, 6.8 mag, 6,434 lives

With so much loss the Japanese have taken their danger seriously and have become the most prepared nation on earth to deal with emergencies. In 1952 Japan set up the tsunami warning system. Since 1960, the country marks the anniversary of the Tokyo quake with national emergencies exercises.

Yet even with preparation, one cannot stop the earth from shaking, or the sea from inundating the land.

Readiness and quick action saved thousands of lives from certain death, yet the toll of the dead and missing continues to climb.

All one can do is respond quickly with compassion and support. The stories of rescue are emerging: 15,000 people so far, including one man found drifting six miles off shore clinging to the roof of his house!

There are many aid/development agencies capable of responding. Here are four web sites for you to consider in addition to others you may already be supporting:

Adventist Development/Relief Agency
Catholic Relief Services
Doctors Without Borders
Red Cross
Salvation Army