World Vision staff in Washington state were touched by two tragedies that hit close to home: the landslide in Oso, Wash., and the capsize of the Korean ferry.

Oso is a town about an hour north of World Vision headquarters; and organization’s office is located in Federal Way, home to a significant population of Korean businesses and families, who may have lost loved ones on the ferry.

Added to this is the fact that World Vision’s work began in South Korea, and you can understand why we feel the pain of these sad events so deeply.

We take the Scripture’s advice to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and stand with our neighbors here in Washington and in South Korea in their time of sorrow.

We pray, “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief” (Psalm 31:9).

We continue to lift all those grieving a loss before the Throne of Grace for strength and comfort.

 

Written by Denise Koenig

Photo © 2014 Chris Huber / World Vision