It has been a sobering and enriching month and a half since 3:37am on February 27.
As you may recall, at that moment Chile began to shake under the 5th largest earthquake ever recorded. The dual epicenters(!) were onshore and offshore about 300 km (180 mi) south of Santiago. The offshore quake produced a tsunami that devastated about 100 miles of coastline, leaving many inhabitants with absolutely nothing, with their homes and all belongings washed out to sea.
Our U.S. mission (www.ccmchile.org) and Chilean Church (www.icisa.cl) has been involved in relief, and thanks to your generosity and that of our Chilean Christian counterparts, we can report to you that we have a plan for continuing help for a refugee camp in Constitución, Chile, about 250 km (180 mi) south of Santiago.
As we considered the enormity of the destruction, the question was, "Where do we start?" We began in our own Chilean congregation. One member, Elsa Garrido, has extended family in the town of Constitución. So we began with those families. First, the church sent Elsa down with a load of medical and food supplies on a mission to discover the next step. She reported that her family are living in a refugee camp ('campamento') after losing everything. Her family suggested 9 families more who have some leadership potential in the campamento.
Next we began raising funds for that campamento (27 de febrero "La Esperanza"). The mission diverted all new funds received into the relief effort, putting fundraising for the school in Talagante on hold for the month of March. Thanks to your generosity we raised $9653 in March, and were able to deliver help totaling $10,520, delivered by a team of 14 people from the US and from the Chilean church, as follows:
12 cookstoves; 12 kerosene heating stoves; 12 single beds; blankets and comforters; tables and chairs; assorted flashlights, tents, etc.; good quality clothing, shoes; and much more.
Travel expenses from Santiago to Constitución for the contingent of 14, along with a truck to deliver the goods;
$2,000 to a sister mission to help rebuild a pastor's house which was totally destroyed in El Monte, just west of our school property; and
$400 to help Lilian Monsalves, another member of our church, who led a group of psychologists and social workers for physically handicapped people in the town of Quirihue.
We would still welcome designated contributions to cover the $900 shortfall.
The campamento is located on a hill overlooking the Rio Maule, the same river where the people lived who lost their homes and belongings. The river acted like a funnel, magnifying the series of tsunami waves to a height of 45 ft(!). You can see the bark ripped off trees which survived, marking the destructive maximum height. The 40 families of the campamento are living in wooden shacks, provided by a private charity called "A Roof for Chile" (The government has provided very little help, only last week finally passing a bill to authorized spending in the area, now 7 weeks after the earthquake). The shacks, called 'mediaguas' are 9ft x 18ft, with no electricity or water. Non-potable water is shipped in by the army and must be boiled before use. There are only chemical toilets. Obviously, dishwashing and many other chores must be done outside.
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We have all gone camping and none of this may seem that bad; however, the current estimate is that the people will have to remain in the campamento for one year, an estimate that probably means at least 18 months. Winter is coming in June with temperatures near freezing and heavy rains. Imagine your camping trip under constant cold rain, and you can't go home. The plight of these people is borderline desperate.
The team of 14 who went in April distributed the goods; visited with, and ministered to, the families; held a short worship service and prayed with the people. In the service, Juan Carlos, our Chilean pastor, Jim, and Madi Abourched (see below) offered a firm commitment to the people not to leave them without continuing help. Several of the people said that these were the first words of hope they had received in 7 weeks.
So, how will we provide this help? Governing all our efforts, we realize that we cannot be in all places at once, so we will concentrate our efforts in the campamento "La Esperanza" in Constitución.
First, the church in Chile will make monthly runs for the next year, carrying food, clothing, and shelter as needed. While the church can handle the cost of goods, it needs a good-quality pickup to transport them. We are seeking donations totaling $10,000 for that purchase.
Second, we will send down workers June 14-28 to do building work to help the families of the campamento have better protection from the elements. Hillcrest Christian School senior Madi Abourched, ex-student of Cheryl (3rd grade) and Jim (10th grade), along with her mother and father María and Moe, and two cousins has formed a new organization dedicated to helping earthquake victims. We are really proud of Madi and family. The organization is called "The Emely Movement." ( In Arabic, the word "emely" basically means "hope.") They have already had one event raising funds for the continuing help for Constitución. The construction of real bathrooms will total approximately $15,000. We need your help now to make this a reality. June is very close.
Over the long run, Conosur Christian Ministries and Emely Movement working together will provide ongoing aid and if all works well, to buy property large enough to subdivide and offer to the residents of the campamento at low cost. Then, with subsidies from the government, these families will be able to build homes with dignity. With a church and community center, the property becomes a complete "planned community." We intend to keep God's will in the plan!
Please visit the Emely Movement right now at www.emelymovement.blogspot.com. You could even help us test the system by hitting the "DONATE" button and making a donation! Until we change the system, you will be directed to the Conosur Christian Ministries Paypal site, but your contribution to Chile earthquake relief will definitely go to the Emely Movement. Conosur and Emely are working together as a unit for this aid project!
Thank you all for your great generosity toward people in need. NOW, please don't forget Colegio Cristiano Conosur! This is a project that will provide long-term benefits to poorer families in Chile. Again, your generosity has made it possible to begin the conversion of the 5800-sqft house into offices and enrichment workshops. But the daunting need to raise $2.5 million ($1.5 million in the next year) remains as a looming challenge. We need to know if there are large potential donors out there who might love this project. Please keep this in mind and in prayer.
Richest blessings!
