Life can get heavy when the storms roll in, but seeing communities come together reminds us that we’re never truly alone. This is what’s happening right now in the Philippines.

The recent cyclones that swept through the Philippines —Typhoon Co-may (known locally as Emong), along with Crising and Dante — left a trail of unimaginable flooding and devastation. My heart goes out to the millions of families affected, and the reports of loss and hardship are truly heartbreaking.

But amidst the chaos, a different story is unfolding—one of resilience and community.

Here’s what we know:

Missionaries Are Safe

We are so relieved to share that all missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the Philippines have been confirmed safe and accounted for. This is a huge blessing, and it speaks to the immense effort made to ensure everyone’s safety during these challenging times.

Meetinghouses Became Sanctuaries

During the worst of the storms, many of our local meetinghouses were opened as temporary shelters. Almost 400 individuals found refuge there, a safe harbor from the rising floodwaters. Seeing these buildings, which we often think of as places of worship, transform into beacons of hope and safety shows what community is all about. It’s a powerful reminder that the “church” isn’t just a building; it’s the people helping one another.

A Wave of Relief is Coming

The Church’s humanitarian services are already hard at work preparing emergency aid. But it’s not just a large-scale effort. It’s also a deeply personal one, driven by local wards and branches. You have bishops, branch presidents, and ministering brothers and sisters on the ground, using a special online system to quickly get food and essential relief items to those in their care. This grassroots, person-to-person care is the heart of our faith in action.

I think about the strength of the Filipino people and their spirit of bayanihan—the beautiful tradition of communal unity and cooperation. It’s in moments like these that we see that spirit shine brightest.

This is a powerful testament to the fact that even when the world feels broken, we can always find hope in the small acts of kindness and the big, collective movements of love. Keep the Philippines in your thoughts and prayers. And if you’re looking for a way to help, remember that your own kindness in your own community can be the beacon of hope someone else needs today.