E a Rt H qU aK e - The Good The Bad and The Ugly

It has been an interesting learning experience to watch the daily news here in Chile during the days after the earthquake. Terror, devastation, human suffering, and natural disaster have brought raw human nature to the surface here in Chile. Both sides of human reaction are highlighted in the headlines...the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The good (some would say) is showing up in the relief effort. "¡Chile ayuda a Chile!" (Chile helps Chile!) is the coined phrase that has captured everyone's thoughts in these past days. Over 60 million dollars have been raised by the national telethon. Volunteers, both young and old have been helping clean up, hand out, or rebuild the disaster areas.

But if you listen closely to the news, you may hear words and phrases here and there that open up a window to the souls of the Chilean worldview and religious mindset. The other day, an anchorwoman from a national news channel said that, "This is the time for Chileans to give, to donate, to help, in order to save our souls".

Did you catch that?

Yes, while relief efforts, donations, and volunteering all have value, what they all DON'T DO is save one's eternal soul.

The bad has shown up in the fear of the unknown. Families have lost their homes. Children have lost their parents. Merchants and fisherman have lost their businesses. Many are questioning God. Many are upset. Some are thankful to God for sparing their lives, but I wonder if their god that they are thanking is the true eternal sovereign God. The catch phrase here in Chile lately is "Chile will rise to its feet and overcome this tragedy".

Yes, that can happen, but when I hear that, I wonder if Christ will be forgotten in the overall picture. The answer isn't for Chile to pull itself up by their boot stapes. The Biblical answer is for Chile to turn to Christ and what He has done (once for all) on the cross for them. This my friends, is a great opportunity for those who serve in Chile (both missionary and national alike) to share Christ with a loving heart, caring hands, sacrificial time, and eager eyes.

The ugly has shown up in the immediate looting of stores and homes in affected areas. Even the unbelieving Chilean society hangs its head in shame at what has happened.





Watch the video above that includes these three statements by the following people about the looting after the earthquake.

President Michelle Bachelet says, "These are the items that were looted in the first days after the earthquake. You can see that these items are not necessary for survival. They have to do with a moral deterioration. These people chose to benefit from other people's pain."

A Chilean Cabinet Member states, "As a nation, we cannot allow these things to happen. The institutions are going to function as usual, and those who broke the law in this way, will be held responsible."

A Chilean Policeman said, "Today we've been surprised by what we've found. We've been to new homes and found new stolen items. There has also been the surprising conduct of citizens returning items."

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There is a great open door for ministry in these weeks, months, and even years. Please continue to pray for our family as we desire to minister to the Chilean people.