ver the past days we have seen an unprecedented humanitarian disaster unfold in southern Asia. It is a tragedy on a scale that is difficult to comprehend. We see its continuing impact in the grief of those who mourn their loved ones; in the helplessness of the children who have lost parents; and in the desperation of survivors left without adequate food or water.

It is a distressing irony that this disaster occurred in a region of the world that is not well-equipped to cope with an emergency of this magnitude. The men, women and children who have been caught up in this tragedy are, for the most part, poor and already well acquainted with hardship. It is good for us to remember that in the midst of this pain and suffering, these people are not forgotten by God. Each one is precious to Him.

How do we, as followers of Christ, respond? Now is not the time to ask "why", or to search for explanations-some answers we may never have before our Lord returns. Now is a time to act; to reach out to our fellow human beings with compassion; to be Christ's visible symbols of hope in a situation where fear and hopelessness hold sway. This is what we are called to do. I trust that each one of you will do what you can to support the ongoing relief work with both your prayers and your resources, whether it is through the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, or through other organizations engaged in this effort.

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Jan Paulsen is President of the General Conference