As everyone is aware, a devastating earthquake shook Chile Saturday in the early morning. The experience was terrifying and I still cannot believe this has all happened, especially while I have been living down here! Crazy. Luckily, everyone I am connected with is safe, that has been such a relief. I believe we are all still recovering from the fear and intensity of the entire experience though. Aftershocks continue to rumble the earth and they are affecting us psychologically more than physically at this point, being always fearful that they are going to turn into another full-blown earthquake.
As after any catastrophic disaster, in any country, it has been wonderful to witness the solidarity of the people, everyone coming together to help the victims. It has also been incredibly comforting to be part of a circle of people here in Chile (other volunteers and missionaries), being together and always there for one another. I have not felt completely alone through all of this, and that has been a blessing. The ordinary miracle of friendship and connectedness is so beautiful. Keeping in contact with one another has been very important to us and I am sure once we are all able to be more mobile, we will all reconnect in the south.
The devastation south of here is much more extensive than in Santiago, but the effects are still seen here. Some apartment buildings have shifted and are now unlivable, street lights are down, church steeples have been destroyed, many windows have been shattered and buildings have cracked and crumbled. Most of the city has power and water now, which for some parts just happened yesterday. The city is coming alive again though and once the airport opens, it seems things will be back to normal in general. I have not been south to see first-hand the extent of the damages, but the situation is much more grave. As I am sure most everyone knows, city centers, buildings and homes were flattened, and coastal towns swept away as a result the tsunami that followed the earthquake. Many are homeless, many have disappeared and others have died. The shear magnitude of this earthquake is incomprehensible, and I cannot imagine what the country would look like right now if it had been in the same impoverished state as Haiti, or if it had not been more prepared in terms of the advanced infrastructure (many of the buildings are seismically-sound, that is, if they were up to code). The country, from Santiago south, would have been flattened. But despite the general preparedness, it was still disaster for this country, and millions have been affected.
Turning this disaster into an opportunity is my new role here. This earthquake has given me a new mission here, at least during these next weeks and months. I have been spending this week in contact with different organizations and have been learning how to get involved. The public health organization, EPES, where I have been working will be doing relief work in Concepción, so that will be where I most likely end up. As of right now, however, initial evaluations of the situation are being determined. I have also been in contact with Habitat for Humanity of Chile and they are going to be sending teams down soon as well, but they too are waiting for an initial diagnosis of the actual state and determining where it will be best to start. The military seems to be the most active down there at this point. After visiting the US Embassy here in Santiago, we were advised not to head south to serve right away, due to extreme violence. However, I will be going south as soon as I can, despite the security issues (I will make sure that I have somewhere safe to stay though, don’t worry). For me, I think: well, there is work to be done and so I am going to go. The military is also enforcing curfews in some of the cities to help control the looting and violence so hopefully security will not continue to be a critical issue in the near future. I just want to be down there. Of course, once I hear more from EPES, I will have a clearer sense of what it is actually like and when I will be able to go. I also would like to go to Chillán to see everyone there, but we shall see what is possible in the next week or two. The main highway to the south, Ruta 5, is being repaired quickly (besides the main bridge) so buses will be hopefully be moving more efficiently and regularly soon, that should make a difference too. A living situation is also an issue for me however, and considering I have a contract with Monica here at the apartment, I really do not know about moving somewhere else longterm or more permanently. Everything is up in the air right now, but hopefully details will be worked out in the next week. I will also wait for Gretchen to be able to return, because I know that she is very interested in heading south as well.
Poco a poco. Little by little.
Thank you to everyone back home for the love and support I have received. All of the thoughts of concern have been greatly appreciated. It is nice to know that I have people thinking of me and praying for all of Chile, it makes getting through everything easier.
I will keep everyone updated on what I end up doing.
Much love to all, and big hugs too! :)
