We are aware of many ongoing efforts to reach those in need in southern Chile. The national pastor (Pastor Sandro) of a church my dad began many years ago in Pudahuel - a neighborhood in the greater Santiago area - left early this morning with a deacon and a carload of water and food for one of their former church members who is now a missionary pastor not far from Concepcion. They have heard that Pastor Esteban and his family are safe after the earthquake but completely cut off from supplies. A trip that usually takes six hours or so is now taking at least eleven hours and many roads are impassable. Please pray that this aid will arrive where it is needed and also that consequently there will be a clearer picture of the needs and how best to address them.
Here in Iquique we are a 24 hours' drive from Santiago but even so we have colleagues ready and willing to travel if the opportunity presents itself. At present our missionary and national colleagues in Santiago are trying to assess what will be most helpful to our co-workers in the south at this immediate time. After the recent Haiti earthquake we heard the missionaries there saying that too many people converging would be more of a burden than a help, and the call went out for funding and qualified medical personnel only. It may be that we are facing the same situation here. Hopefully today there will be a report from Pastor Sandro that will help guide those decisions.
Please continue to pray for the thousands affected by this earthquake; for physical aid to arrive; and for the spiritual and emotional needs as well. Pray for our national churches as they reach out and respond to this tremendous crisis. Pray for wisdom for those making decisions and for patience and understanding as emotions run high and everyone does not always see eye to eye. Most of all, pray for God to be glorified as only He can be in such a sorrowful situation!
Here in Iquique we are a 24 hours' drive from Santiago but even so we have colleagues ready and willing to travel if the opportunity presents itself. At present our missionary and national colleagues in Santiago are trying to assess what will be most helpful to our co-workers in the south at this immediate time. After the recent Haiti earthquake we heard the missionaries there saying that too many people converging would be more of a burden than a help, and the call went out for funding and qualified medical personnel only. It may be that we are facing the same situation here. Hopefully today there will be a report from Pastor Sandro that will help guide those decisions.
Please continue to pray for the thousands affected by this earthquake; for physical aid to arrive; and for the spiritual and emotional needs as well. Pray for our national churches as they reach out and respond to this tremendous crisis. Pray for wisdom for those making decisions and for patience and understanding as emotions run high and everyone does not always see eye to eye. Most of all, pray for God to be glorified as only He can be in such a sorrowful situation!
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