Talca

Thought it would be appropriate to let you know that life on the ground in Talca, Chile is still very, very much affected by the earthquake that rocked the central region the end of February. Truth is, I hadn´t expected to see/hear so much about that here, as it made the news only initially, and then for all practical purposes disappeared.

There was significant damage to maybe (I´d say) a third of the city. She lost her historic section, basically, as those buildings were (what looks to me like) a mud-brick construction. There are parts of 2nd story walls that look like they could drop still, any minute. And you can see the cracks from the sidewalk, deep in the walls all the way up to the tower on a couple of churches. But all of the rubble has been cleared out of the streets, and all of the devastated area in large part is behind construction covers and such,, and the re-building process has actively begun. I spent Thursday and Friday at the Hospital of Talca (my favorite site so far) with Claudia ---- who pointed out to me the space of an entire block that the 2-story hospital covered, is all that remains of it. I¨m amazed at how "high-class" their improvisions are during the re-building. You have to walk through muddy sections and into parts of buildings to get from one unit to the other, (for those of you not familiar with hospital-world, that´s not typical), but each unit is sealed off, has electricity and preps (lots of beds) for the pediatric section needs.

The University of Talca,, where I´m basically having a 2-week long job interview,, also suffered significant "hits". One of the saddest losses was their state-of-the-art library. And the University staff that I´m spending time with, each is telling me his/her version of what all was lost. I can see the cracks in the walls in the Director´s office,, and in the Clinic where we´ve attended to a patient of his.

But the biggest impact, I can tell you was on the people. I think in some ways they´re still in shock over it. One-by-one, as they spend time with me, they point out all the buildings down, all the loss, all the incredible impact, and "you should have seen it when". I think the thing that made me want to write you most today was the little old lady that met me on the bridge as I was coming back from the grocery store today --- who when she saw me, asked how I did through the earthquake.

I guess it´s hard to completely celebrate with the miners, when you´re still digging out of your own trauma. Thanx for keeping them all in your prayers. It´s another beautiful country, and I´m amazed at how far they´ve come,,, in spite of all the obstacles.

love
m

Mission:Ecua-Chi-chi-chi-le-le-le

Blogging you all from my first internet café in Santiago, Chile --- it´s beautiful here. Long, night flight, and just now finally ate something. Want to rest a second before my contact person actually finds me,,, cause then we´ll all be zooming til I fly out, I´m sure!

Prayers are for good relationships (on many different levels) here that would strengthen and provide opportunity, hope, and support for the professionals I´ve trained in Ecuador, and many, many other people along the way.

The current schedule is the SLP National Conference tomorrow and Saturday, then the "pasantía" starting on Monday, the 25th. Looking forward to meeting Professor Pedro Garcìa today, Professor Exequiel Plaza (director) tomorrow, and his secretary Elsa on Monday.

I understand the Phoenix capsule is on display here in Santiago,,, will see if I can get a peek at it.

talk soon,
M

Day of Prayer

I hope this doesn´t get to you all too very late ... I forgot to put it on the blog yesterday. Some evangelical Christian churches are sponsoring a day of prayer for peace for Ecuador in Carolina Park all day today, complete with concerts and such. I plan to pass by for a little bit on my way back from checking emails and all. Would you join us in praying for this country you´ve all sponsored in so many different ways for so many years?? We already know that our prayers are heard!! (viva Chile!)

I won´t be spending a lot of time at the prayer gathering, as I´m currently packing for my own trip to Chile (yey!). Heading out on Wednesday, and scheduled to come back to Quito the 10th of November. Thanx for your prayers for all the possibilities this trip implies on many different levels.

God´s best to you all!
M

Impossible

Matthew 19:25b - 26 "Who, then, can be saved? And looking at them, Jesus told them: For man, this is impossible; but for God everything is possible."(translated MvD, RVR, 1960)

* 33 men survived for around 2 weeks on rations for only 48 hours.
* 33 men survived for 2 weeks on rations for 48 hours, and then when found, accepted what they were told about a wait of minimum 4 months for a possible rescue.
* 33 men faced death all day long, each day, for 69-70 days.
* 33 men, one-by-one, individually faced a perilous transition in order to leave a certain fate, and one-by-one humbly praised God and thanked Him and all those who participated in his rescue.
* 1 rescuer, the last to leave the mine, waited alone in that quiet pit, trusting the capsule would descend one more time and take him home.

They´re calling it "The Miracle of San José". And I keep hearing that song "Arise, My Love" in my head. Not just for the miners, but for us too.

What a privilege to have been praying with you all on their behalf all this time - what an awesome God.
M

Great evangelism tool ;)

"I explained to the families that the only way one can receive someone is to first be home to open the door," Iturra said.

copied from Associated Press Article today on internet, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_chile_mine_collapse ,,,quoting the chief of the psychology team working with the miners, Alberto Iturra, in reference to his advice to the families to go home and get some rest in preparation to receive their loved ones.

it struck me as very wonderful advice... and has me sheepish-grinning.
M

A Meter at a Time

Sometimes, when you´ve been waiting a very long time for something, the last few meters can be the absolute worst! But then, when you stop to consider where you were, all the dangers you faced in the process, and that the end to the wait is much, much closer than you thought it was... you decide you can patiently wait some more.

1- Word on the internet now is that the Chilean miners could be out by this Sunday... that´s if they decide to pull them up without reinforcing the drill hole. Reinforcement would take about 3-4 extra days. ... I´m praying that they´ll continue to make slow, deliberate and correct decisions, as I´m sure the Rescue team leaders are feeling pressure from all sides to get them out right this minute. 3-4 more days to do the reinforcement is still much, much sooner than anyone thought.

2- The Dysphagia book will be in print by the 30th of Oct., and I´m still waiting final confirmation of dates for my own pending trip to Chile.

3- My family is chipping away a meter at a time at personal and collective goals, and would seem to be getting close to the surface, too.


I just read the other day in my devotional about God´s silence... that it´s something He trusts somebody with, and that it´s preparation for something important.

Thank you all for your prayers as we all face together these last few meters of waiting, reinforcing, and silence. :)

The Nation Stands Down, and the Church Stands Up

My "on-the-street" interviews and polls in the past few days have corresponded the miracles we all saw last Thursday here in Quito. It´s unanimous: the nation stood down, put personal interests aside in name of the greater good. Competing interests joined in the high-point of the crisis to rescue the President. They counted somewhere around 17 bullet-holes in his escape vehicle.

And on Sunday, the Church stood up. I saw it in República, and heard about it too in Iñaquito. At República where I attend, the Pastor challenged us with Exequiel 22. He read the entire chapter out loud to the congregation. And when he got to the place where it says (in short) that God looked for someone to stand in the breach, and found noone... well, Pastor Porfidio asked who? more than the church should be filling that breach, interceding for this nation, govt., etc.? And at the end of the service, he asked all those who would be willing to make that committment to please stand -- and we all did. And we all sang Hosanna to Jesus, the King of Kings.

*************************************************************************************

And did you hear?? In Chile, they´re announcing anticipated rescue of the 33 trapped miners before the end of this month. The Chilean Navy has constructed and tested the capsule that will pull them out, and reports that it´s working famously. Anticipated travel time for each miner is from 6-20 minutes.

*************************************************************************************

In my eyes, these are all miracles of epic proportions. The kind that we maybe thought didn´t happen anymore. They´re both very desperate situations, that emphasize our complete helplessness here, and our total dependence on God. Had He not been on our side, all would have been lost. I have the distinct privilege of knowing, in first person, that my weakness is His strength.

Please never underestimate the power of your prayers and heartfelt collaboration with God´s work all over the world.

Mission: Ecuador

I guess lots of tidbits of info will be going out all over the world about what happened in Quito yesterday. And even more speculation about why. But I saw God yesterday, and because you all prayed Him into our presence, I´m here telling you about it now.

First, I saw Him as phone calls started coming in from all over the city of Quito to a local radio station to report scenes of tranquility and order, as well as trouble-spots from all over the city.

I saw Him as, one-by-one, the banks and shopping centers decided to close rather than to face security risks. Most of this by 11:00-11:30am. And people went home,,,

I saw Him as, one-by-one official statements were made on national tv to stand-down, by officials and organizations with competing political interests.

I saw Him as, one-by-one financial and business representatives calmly announced there had been no bank emergency.

I saw Him again, as by 5-6pm reports were coming in from all over the country that calm and order had been restored in every province (except Pichincha, Quito). Even the airport was given back.

The President was back in the Presidential Palace by about 10:30pm if I remember right. And I saw my friend (a reporter who had been inside the hospital throughout the rescue) giving a live update at the scene as the sun came up this morning. Apparently, National Police and Military troops joined together to successfully evacuate the President.

I don´t know what you´ll all be hearing from there, or even what kind of information will be uncovered as the day goes on today, but as for me, I saw God yesterday. And there is no doubt in my mind that your immediate prayers for safety were answered. It all could have been so much worse.

Please don´t let your own, personal Mission: Ecuador stop now. Please pray for Ecuador´s public servants, and for President Correa - for Godly wisdom. There´s much to be sorted out, and maybe more difficulties pending. Your prayers are valuable, and efficient. You really do make a difference for all of us here. I think this is the chance of a lifetime for Ecuador.

God´s best to you all.
lvoe m