Update: March 12, 2010

Aftershocks Trigger Tsunami Warning for Chile

A series of aftershocks rocked Chile yesterday as President Sebastian Pinera was sworn into office, including a 7.2 magnitude quake, which was stronger than the earthquake that devastated Haiti in January. Although the aftershocks triggered a tsunami warning, there were no fatalities or crippling damage, and no CAMA workers appear to have been injured.

“Lights are back on almost all over the city of Santiago,” said Bob and Cheryl Fugate, who serve at the Church of the Vineyard in eastern Santiago. “We visited the Girls” Home and the House of Hope, which lost part of its perimeter wall. One of our churches where Cheryl and I ministered has serious damage and cannot be occupied until it is repaired, with estimates of more than $15,000 to make the building habitable.

“Please continue to pray for the regions that have been hit hard by the earthquake. Eight of our churches need to be completely leveled and rebuilt, and at least three more have damage and need repairs before they can hold services again.” One of the hardest hit churches is La Florida Church, where the Fugates ministered for 15 years, which sustained severe structural damage. Repairs are estimated at $24,000.

Truckloads of emergency supplies have been sent to help those who were in desperate need in the days following the quake. The trucks were filled with goods purchased with funds sent by CAMA in the first days after the earthquake.

“We have had quite an eventful two weeks,” said Bob and Cheryl. “We pray that God will continue to give us the courage to walk through the open doors resulting from this quake and that we will be used mightily to bring His light to this world that needs so much hope right now.”

Update: March 9, 2010

Earthquake Recovery Continues

By Robert Hepokoski

Now the staggering task of recovery is apparent. Conservative estimates report that half a million homes have been destroyed or are unsafe for occupation. The cost for replacing and repairing hospitals and medical centers is estimated to be $3.6 billion dollars.

Bridges, schools, homes, and churches need to be rebuilt. Although the loss of life was minimal, the recovery task is enormous; government representatives are talking about years. Our new president, Sebastian Piera, will take office in just two days.

The Needs Are Desperate

CAMA partners have given generously, and truckloads of water, diapers, blankets, and food staples have been sent to the epicenter. I will be traveling to the zone shortly with Bryon Butler of CAMA to assess the needs and plan for ongoing help to the churches.

These are days of great need and great opportunity. People are fearful, hurting, and uncertain. Sadly, our churches also are hurting. It is imperative that these churches be equipped as soon as possible to minister once again to the needs of their communities.

Please pray. Please give. Chile needs the Body of Christ in this hour of suffering.

Update: March 3, 2010

Deliverance in the Midst of Devastation

By Bob and Cheryl Fugate

As the death toll from the devastating earthquake in Chile continues to rise, we have heard testimonies of the saving grace of God. In the city of Constitution, where damage was heavy, the tsunami waters reached up to the church doors but did not flood the church.

Sergio, a church member, shared that he and his wife cut short their vacation in the south to return to Santiago and lead the Sunday morning service. He praised God for His mercy as he arrived at his home in Santiago only three hours before the quake hit. Had he not come back early, he and his family would have been in the epicenter of the quake.

Family Spared from Death

Another family from our congregation, Jorge and Carmen Gloria, were vacationing in their beachfront house in Dichato, where the epicenter was, when the mega quake hit, shattering the house. It took them five minutes to work their way free from the rubble and reach their car. Jorge took a door knob off a bathroom door, replaced the broken knob in the only accessible exit door, and was able to get his family out and into their car to head up to the hills behind the house, where they spent the night.

Within 30 minutes, three fast-moving, 30-foot high tsunami waves assaulted the beach behind the house. Jorge and his family watched the 80-foot wide waves from higher ground where they stood guard outside the car as aftershocks rolled through the hillsides.

At first light, they saw the devastation below. Their beach house was lifted off its foundation and had moved into the ocean. Those who did not race to high ground are now the missing.

The military estimates that the first giant wave hit within 15 minutes after the quake. Government reports say that more than 80 percent of Dichato was completely swept away.

12-Year-Old”s Warning Saves Island Residents

On an island 400 miles off the coast of Chile, a 12 year-old-girl named Martina received a cell phone call from her grandfather that saved hundreds of lives. He warned her to prepare for the worst as a tsunami was coming. At the early morning hour, Martina raised the warning in the central plaza, and the inhabitants fled to high ground. The island was devastated, but most residents survived due to a young girl”s heroic action.

Word is slowly filtering in of damage to churches and to church members” homes; in some cases, families living in the epicenter have lost everything. The churches and pastors are struggling to minister to the overwhelming needs as they themselves have lost all they had. CAMA is mobilizing to help the hardest hit areas.

Please keep Chile in your prayers in the days and weeks ahead.

Update: March 2, 2010

Church Family Miraculously Survives Earthquake

By Bob Hepokoski

Thank you all for your concern and prayers. First, let me say clearly that our family is safe, and all our international workers are as well. Locally, we have electricity, water, and communication. But Chile as a whole is in a very difficult situation.

Our church building in Reñaca came through untouched, as did our home. However, many in our church are living with relatives because their homes have been damaged. A widow who lives in a high–rise has not been allowed to return, and her building may be condemned. At least three families have had to leave their homes because they are uninhabitable.

The majority of our church family came through well. Local damage is severe in places but not widespread. Keep in mind that we are 200 miles from the epicenter where the situation is truly difficult to imagine.

A Narrow Escape

One of our church families recently moved to Concepcion, the hardest–hit city. We have been very concerned because there was no news until today when we saw Alex on national TV. He was interviewed because he and his family were able to escape from their 15– story apartment building after it had fallen to the ground. It was a miracle. His reports also helped rescuers find more survivors.

Food, water, shelter, and safety are key concerns in the south. The army was moving in to help with rescue, relief, and safety issues, but a significant number of people are still isolated. Looting is a severe problem, and many looters are armed.

Many Church Buildings Unsafe

Our churches in Talca and Chillan are damaged, and the buildings are unsafe. The national church president is traveling to the most affected areas tomorrow where we still don”t have news. District leaders will visit other churches where we have had no contact.

We have several churches in the Concepción metro area, including Constitucion, where a tsunami hit and has claimed hundreds of lives. Communication and transportation are still unavailable for thousands of survivors.

Yesterday we gathered at church, a small part of the congregation. We gave thanks for protection, and we prayed for those who have been severely affected. We ask you to join with your Chilean brethren in prayer. God hears and answers.

Update: March 1, 2010

Chile Field Leaders Comment on Earthquake

By G David and Lou Ann

“Nothing in my house works—no water, no lights, no phone, nothing! Thank God I can work!” the gas attendant told me this morning.

Most of the international workers in Chile are faring well. Some have water, lights, Internet, everything. We don”t. This is the first Internet access we have had in more than 50 hours.

Members of a work team from the United States helping in the Peñalolén Alliance are all fine as well. Tom with the Vision for Chile orphanage is here and has been able to continue all the preparations for the opening of the House of Hope next week.

You have seen the pictures, videos, and articles on the news. We hope you will see the hundreds and thousands of people that are helping one another, sharing what they have with others. One family came and offered their home to anyone in need! Those are the Chileans that we know and love so much.

Hundreds Washed Away

The epicenter area of Concepcion, Curico, Talca, still does not have the basic necessities. The dozens of little inlets and artisan fishermen towns in the area were hosting thousands of tourists. And this is where the tsunami caught up so many people and dragged them out to sea. The stories that are now surfacing are incredibly tragic. Quietly, reporters whisper of more than a thousand who were washed away. The police are trying to confirm the identities of those who have disappeared. Not an easy task.

A radio station that has been on the air since the earthquake is broadcasting the pleas of people who are looking for missing relatives. Their introductory slogan says: “We are listening and helping in these difficult days.”

It”s been difficult to assess damage to the many churches along the epicenter of the quake. Phones are inoperative, and electric is out. Bridges are unusable on many roads.

The national church president has indicated need among many of the church people in the area. We do know, for example, that one pastor and his congregation had to flee to the hills with just what they had on! They fear they lost everything.

Update: March 1, 2010

CAMA workers are safe following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on Saturday, February 27, accompanied by a tsunami that dragged hundreds of people into the ocean. The death toll climbed to 708 in what news reports describe as one of the most devastating earthquakes in centuries.

“We are fine, and the staff is all okay,” said Bob and Cheryl, international workers serving in Chile. “We could not escape the house because the movement was so strong [that] we could not even stand up. We found shelter under the dining room table and prayed until the dramatic shaking subsided.”

Unthinkable Magnitude

According to the Associated Press, efforts to determine the full scope of destruction were disrupted by a series of aftershocks that continued to turn buildings into rubble. Officials estimate that 500,000 houses were destroyed or badly damaged, and a growing number of people have been listed as missing.

“We are facing a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort” to recover, said President Michele Bachelet.

CAMA Responds

We are assisting survivors of the quake. Currently, a CAMA representative is meeting with Chilean personnel to review the damage and formulate a plan. More information will be forthcoming as word is received from our people on the ground.

February 27, 2010

On Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:34 a.m. local time (1:34 a.m. EST) an 8.8 magnitude earthquake devastated portions of Chile and triggered tsunami warnings to be posted for the entire Pacific basin.

The quake”s epicenter was located 325 km SW of Santiago. In this city of 200,000 the earth shook for approximately one and a half minutes. The tremor was strong enough to cause the crumbling of many structures. Local reports state that people were streaming into the streets wrapped in blankets and fearing for their lives.

Initial news reports say that as many as 147 people have died and untold numbers have been injured in this earthquake.

Currently a CAMA representative is meeting with Chilean personnel to review the damage and formulate a plan. More information will be forthcoming as we receive word from our people on the ground.

Downloads

Are you looking for a way to promote Chile Earthquake relief in your church? This full color 2-sided PDF will help. Designed to inform your congregation about the disaster in Haiti, this piece is sure to communicate the message that your hands truly can help a hurting world.

Download the CAMA Chile Earthquake bulletin insert today! (pdf)

Make a Difference

Join us in linking the Word and deed by allowing CAMA to be your hands to our Chilean brothers and sisters. Together, we can help support those whose lives have been disrupted by this earth shattering disaster.

Give by Mail

Send a check made out to CAMA Services with “Chile Earthquake” written in the memo line to:
CAMA Services
P.O. Box 35000
Colorado Springs, CO
80935-3500

Give by Phone

Use your credit card and call Monday to Friday toll-free (866) 443-8262 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (MST) to make your donation.

Gifts In Kind

Please download the Gifts in Kind Guidelines when considering sending relief supplies to Chile.

Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.