Panama Earthquake Response
Roberto Reyes (Left) and Juan Pérez (Right) and their families recently moved an hour away from the epicenter.
“For such a time as this.” Last week, Panama was hit (Friday, Oct. 9, 2026) with the largest earthquake in this country's history in nearly 150 years (since 1882). Initially reported at 8.0 on the Richter scale, it was later downgraded to 7.7, with nearly 300 aftershocks. There has been significant damage, but miraculously no loss of life recorded! But it has left thousands of people in desperate need, and the rebuilding will take years to come.
It just so happens that a little over a month ago Word of Life Panama sent two missionary families out from our team to further develop the work of WoL in new provinces and reach more people for Jesus.
These two families now live about an hour from where the epicenter was. Now we see the sovereign hand of God in the timing of their move. Pictured above, Roberto Reyes (Left) and Juan Pérez (Right) and their families have realized God has them right where He wants them...“for such a time as this!”
Our WoL team is now mobilizing in how we can work through the local churches in these areas to help bring relief to the families that have been affected.
The damage has been extensive, many people have had their homes totally destroyed. They now have nowhere to live during the heart of Panama's rainy season. Currently many of those families are taking shelter under tarps or tents beside the rubble of what once was their home. And even if their home is still standing, they still live in fear that it will collapse or another aftershock will come.
In addition, many do not have access to clean water and there is no way to know when help will come. The government is busy with the area closest to the epicenter, where there is little to no road access.
TWO WAYS YOU CAN HELP
IMMEDIATE RELIEF - At the moment, the material needs are focused on tents, mattresses, bed sheets, towels, pallets to get off the ground, water, and food bags. If you would like to help, you can give a tax deductible donation through Word of Life. (Click Here)
If you want to send help faster and are not concerned about the tax receipts, then contact WoL Panama director Jon Fowler directly for the international wire information for WoL Panama (jcfowler@wol.org).
This is a chance to share the Gospel and help with physical needs. Our team will personally deliver the help to the affected families through the local churches we have direct partnerships with.
WATER FILTERS - We are also partnering with an organization called Filters of Hope, to provide water filters to give families access to ongoing clean water everyday. We are estimating a need of 350 water filters (7 churches, approximately 50 households per church). Again, our team will personally deliver the filters to families connected to the churches where our WoL missionaries have partnerships.
Already we have 50 filters donated, and need 300 more. Each filter is $40. If you would like to sponsor a filter(s), you can do so through this specific link for Panama with Filters of Hope.
(Click Here)
As always, please continue to pray for the people of Panama and for the Kingdom of Jesus to advance in their hearts and lives! “For such a time as this!”
