Louisville-area YWAM team says members are safe after Colombia earthquake, says limited communications are delaying return travel

A Louisville-based Christian missionary group affiliated with Youth With a Mission, known as YWAM, said its members are safe after an earthquake struck Colombia on Aug. 10, even as the group reported limited communication and changes to travel plans while it works to bring members back home.

In reporting published Aug. 13 and updated Aug. 14, WAVE3 said the team described the situation as “pretty scary” and said it was in contact with members in the affected area when possible. The report said the group’s ability to coordinate travel has been constrained by disruption in the region and the resulting communication delays.

The group said it is dealing with practical obstacles to returning, including a rerouted flight plan. WAVE3 reported that the members are working through logistical changes to reach home after their original routes were altered by circumstances following the earthquake.

The earthquake occurred in Colombia’s area around Pereira, according to WAVE3’s accompanying photo caption, which referenced residents searching for debris after the quake on Aug. 10. WAVE3’s report focused on the Louisville team’s status and its efforts to coordinate safe and orderly travel back to the United States.

As the group continues return efforts, the main uncertainty described in the report is not the safety status of the members but the timing, driven by the availability of communication and workable transportation routes. WAVE3 said the group is attempting to keep families and supporters informed as it receives updates from members abroad.

For communities in Kentucky, the report underscores how disasters abroad can still affect local organizations and households, particularly those tied to long-term service and international travel. While the WAVE3 account indicates the team is safe, the group’s next steps depend on logistics, transportation availability, and the pace at which communications normalize.

YWAM and member support networks are continuing to coordinate travel arrangements for the affected team members, according to WAVE3, with the stated focus on returning home as soon as feasible under the changed conditions created by the earthquake.