Chile - Far Reaching

We had a rental group scheduled for this weekend. When we made a "confirmation" phone call this morning we found out that the group would not be coming after all and that the person who did call us from this group a couple of days ago was supposed to let us know that, though they had forgotten. Apparently, the group that was renting the camp for the entire weekend, while a Costa Rican church, had invited a group of Men from another church in the same denominition located in Chile to have a retreat at the camp here with them this weekend. At least that is what the Costa Rican church had planned for until the earthquake hit in Chile. While all of the Men from Chile who were supposed to come are safe; at this time, they cannot make the trip and the Men's Retreat is postponed until they can coordinate another date together in the future; we will just roll-over this weekend's deposit into their next date.

Please, don't forget to pray for Chile!

The earthquake and its victims

Today, we set out to see the areas hardest hit by the earthquake, and to see if there was anything that we could be doing as a small team to help. From the road, here is a picture of one of the huge cracks caused by the shaking and part of a house missing. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for, missing and presumed dead from mud slides. While we didn't get even remotely close to the most devastated areas due to a tractor trailer blocking the main road; below are some pictures that might explain better how Costa Rica is coping with this disaster.

This family of kids let me take their picture in a make-shift "tent village", though they had their bedding and clothing inside this huge tractor trailer where they were trying to stay warm. Someone, just anyone that they didn't even know, taking a few minutes to talk with them and take their picture, give them a hug and try to share in their difficulty seemed to bring a simple smile.

Inside this large tent which was being whipped around in the wind today was a smaller "tent village" for refugees.

Outside the large tractor trailer, people were coming and picking up water, for drinking and to brush their teeth.

Because of power lines still down in this area, travel was difficult today and a tractor trailer blocked our way of seeing more. Outside this tent village we parked our van and as a small team we prayed for the Costa Ricans in this area. There is much to do to rebuild this part of the country which occupies some of the most beautiful tourism sites. Our hearts were heavy today as we toured the area. The loss of homes, businesses and the tourism trade is obvious. I'd ask that you continue to pray for Costa Rica and for the clean-up efforts.

On Friday...earthquake victims.

Please pray for us this Friday as we take the three interns to the hardest hit area from the recent earthquake. The government is finally letting church organizations and missionaries into the areas to help with re-building homes, feeding families, distributing clothing, etc. after declaring that the search and rescue for bodies was over; not that they had found everyone, as there are many people, in the hundreds, still missing. Please pray for us for wisdom as we try and discern what is most needed and how we, as a small team, might be able to help this devastated area and how often we should return to work in this location. Pray for the people that we might speak with and meet, that we would be a blessing. (From there, we will take Amy to the airport to return home after her one-week extended stay).