Ten years ago, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti.This earthquake was the most powerful to strike Haiti in more than 200 years. About 300,000 people were killed in the destruction, and about 3 million people were affected altogether. Today, we remember this tragedy and grieve the loss of life.

Out of compassionate hearts, our church came together and responded in this moment of critical need. Donors like you gave more than $13 million for Haiti earthquake relief. As a result, people in crisis gained access to clean water and food, received mosquito nets and health kits, and benefited from trauma counseling and more. You helped displaced families move into new earthquake-safe homes. Read more in this 10-year anniversary report.

On this day, we remember and mourn the loss of Ben Splichal Larson, a 25-year-old Wartburg Theological Seminary student who was studying and serving in Haiti that January. Ben was inside the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys when the top two floors of the building collapsed on him; his wife, Renee; and his cousin Jonathan. Renee and Jonathan were able to escape, but Ben was trapped in the rubble, where he died. Ben was a talented musician and seminarian who constantly demonstrated Christ’s love. A new prayer petition and litany are available on this anniversary of his death. In Ben’s memory, the Ben Splichal Larson Memorial Seminary Scholarship Endowment Fund was established through the ELCA Fund for Leaders. The fund has raised about $25,000 and has been matched with two students. You can make a gift in his memory here.

In moments such as this, we grieve, but we also take heart as we follow God's call to respond. Your giving to Lutheran Disaster Response makes a tremendous difference in the wake of unpredictable disasters, enabling a quick response and effective long-term recovery. Thank you for your generosity! Today, I ask you to consider making a gift to the Lutheran Disaster Response Endowment Fund that will allow our church to respond to disasters quickly — whenever and wherever they strike.