by Tim Sandvig
12 March 2010

	Praying with people in their makeshift "home."

It's been a busy week since the earthquake hit and we have been able to touch base with many who have lost the most. It was an emotional week, at times troubling, at times moving … and exhilarating at the same time. Seeing so much love and solidarity in action makes us hopeful and thankful.

This earthquake has brought out the best … as well as the worst in men and women. We have been moved and encouraged by so many local heroes who have risked and even given their lives to save and help others. So many volunteers everywhere, so many grassroots initiatives to get basic emergency food, diapers, clothes, bedding, tents, etc., etc. to those who need it the most. Local churches, schools and universities, service organizations, NGOs, and individual families all over the country have been collecting, sorting, packing, and shipping goods to people who have been affected by this disaster. There’s definitely NO shortage of needy cities, towns and rural communities. We have seen personal cars, pick-ups, and trucks often with the Chilean flag proudly and fiercely waving from the vehicles and homemade signs taped to the sides proclaiming “Fuerza, Chile!”—Strength for Chile!

At the same time, we all have been saddened and appalled by all the looting and sacking during the first days, not only in Concepción but in other hard-hit cities and towns. This has been a great source of shame for our country. While the government was in the process of getting the military in place to bring order and security, curfews were established in the 7th and 8th Regions (the hardest hit areas, equivalent to states or provinces; we live in the 9th, just to the south). When a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew didn’t take care of problems in the early morning hours, it was lengthened for several days from 6 p.m. to 12 noon—pretty tough. It was then “relaxed” to 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. over the weekend. Not sure what the hours are now. An interesting note: the police say that 90% of the looters had no criminal record, but got caught up in the panic-frenzy. Thankfully they were a small minority of the population. Quite a few looters have returned stolen appliances, leaving them on street corners, both anonymously as well as showing their faces and apologizing on TV. After all the bad press they’ve received in Chile, many chose to “cough up” the goods, some feeling genuine remorse and repentance, and others fearful of the door-to-door searches of the police force in certain neighborhoods.

Last Tuesday, 2 March, Sharon and I joined forces with Kyrios Band (local Christian band, leaders of which work with us here in Koyamentu), purchasing emergency goods, collecting bedding, clothes, etc. for a trip to the small fishing town of Tirúa, located a 2 ½ hour drive NW of us—the southernmost of the many fishing towns to be damaged. A tsunami wiped out part of the town near the mouth of the Tirúa River, taking out to sea the livelihood of about 180 small fishermen: their 25-ft. boats, outboard motors, and nets. We connected with a small church in the town, spiritual home to one of the band members. That enabled us to connect personally with the families who lost everything (close to 30-40 homes completely destroyed, some houses and many possessions washed out to sea).

A second trip to Tirúa on Saturday, this time with some other missionaries and a Chilean pastor representing different organizations, had an additional purpose: to talk with local authorities about the best way to help long-term. Those who lost homes are temporarily living uncomfortably with relatives or friends, but we felt that helping to get fishermen back on their feet (or boats) would be a bigger priority than efforts to rebuild homes at this stage. The mayor agreed, as did the fishermen we talked with. We are now connecting with appropriate providing companies, boat-builders, etc. SIM is working alongside other organizations to raise funds for this.

Pray

Please continue to ask for God's grace over the Chilean people and for wisdom for us as we continue our relief efforts around the country.

Give

For those who would like to have a part in the rebuilding of Chile, SIM offers the “Chile Earthquake Aid“ project, # 91904. Some of the project funds will go toward equipping fishermen in Tirúa who lost boats, outboard motors, and nets. Each boat is worked by 3 or 4 fishermen, so helps that many families. Here are the replacement costs in USD:

• 25’ boat - $3,000+ (takes up to 1 month to build, with local native wood)
• 40-50 hp outboard motor - $4,000+

• Minimum number of nets - $400

Thank you for supporting the Chilean people through your consistent prayers and financial gifts!

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Mathew 25:40).