$20,000 OGHS funds for Chile, partner sends supplies and assessment team

On March 5, seven Baptist leaders filled their trucks with basic food supplies and left Temuco Chile to help church members in the heavily damaged earthquake zone along the coast.  The National Baptist Convention of Chile has responded quickly to mobilize people and supplies to take advantage of the newly opened roads.  Government curfews were lifted on Thursday for daylight delivery of food aid and supplies to enter freely.

The team will visit churches and their neighbors in the community of Cerro Verde, devastated by the tsunamai; and then on to Concepcion, Coronel, Chillan, Linares, Talca, and Laja.  This will start the process of evaluation to begin meeting the physical, ecomonic, social and spiritual needs of churches and their communities.

 The enormous earthquake, 8.8 on the Richter scale, rocked Concepción, Chile, on February 27.  The loss of life now stands at 279 identified deaths with an unspecified number of bodies yet to be identified in the new official status report.  Some reports indicate that up to two million people have been left homeless.

American Baptist International Ministries (IM) missionaries in Chile, Dwight and Barbara Bolick were in the United States when the earthquake struck.  They plan to return on March 15.  In the meantime, they’re in contact with people in Chile and are posting updates on Facebook (International Ministries – American Baptist) and the IM website (www.internationalministries.org/topics/chile_earthquake).

The Bolick’s serve with the Convention in ministries of economic and leadership development.  Though their primary focus has been with the Mapuche churches in southern Chile, 250 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter in Concepción, they equip leaders in churches throughout the country.  According to their journal, they are in constant contact with pastor Lord Merino, Director of the Baptist District in south Chile, from Temuco. 

Lord Merino wrote yesterday, "Here in Temuco the Bolicks house has been the center of operations as we met to plan our visit to the churches in Los Angeles, Laja, Concepcion, Coronel, Cerro Verde, and Tome."  Although the Bolicks are not in Chile yet their house had been the central meeting place.  Their ten-year old vehicle is being put to good use.

A few days ago he wrote that there have been many acts of kindness and solidarity that are being played out in Chile. He writes, ‘Today Luis and I collected water from Raul's well (he lives on the outskirts of town) and took water to people in the church.  Afterwards we all gathered at the church for a meal together.  I think we have enough water and food for two days.  We shared and prayed together.  Pray for safe water and food access to be restored.’”

According to Patricia Cofre, a former member of an IM Xtreme Team now working in Chile, the Baptist Theological Institute in Chillán Viejo did not suffer structural damage.

Many of the pastors preached from Psalm 46 last Sunday. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way."  These words of the Psalms have taken on a new significance in Chile.

International Ministries will continue to work with its mission partners to assess the crisis and provide updates on its website www.internationalministries.org.

Chile’s president, Michelle Bachelet has asked for international assistance calling the disaster “an emergency unparalleled in the history of Chile” and declaring a “state of catastrophe,” according to Church World Service.  The destruction of infrastructure, including homes, hospitals and bridges is being called tremendous, with priority needs identified as including water, water filters, generators, shelter, food and personal hygiene items.  The American Baptist Churches are a member denomination of the world relief organization partially supported by OGHS funds. 

·         Pray for Chile and its people.

·         Pray for the assessment team and supplies that they bring to those in most need.

·         Pray for believers in Chile to shine forth the love of Christ in this time of crisis.

Donations to the One Great Hour of Sharing continue to be needed for further projects.  Donors can give through the IM website: www.internationalministries.org/items/81, or by check to: “OGHS – Chile Earthquake Relief” and mailed to: International Ministries, P. O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851.  Support can also be given by American Baptists through their church by making checks payable to the church with “One Great Hour of Sharing – Chile Earthquake Relief” written in the memo section.  These gifts will be sent from the church through the American Baptist region and then to International Ministries.

One Great Hour of Sharing is administered by the World Relief Committee of the General Board.  The committee facilitates American Baptist emergency relief, disaster rehabilitation, refugee work, and development assistance by establishing policy guidelines and overseeing distribution of the annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering.