Distribution for the baskets will be Saturday, March 27, 10-2, South Campus (104th & Huron) at the kitchen door on the west side of the building.

For more info email or call: Hilda Kennedy, 303.428.6024

Five pastors, four laymen and two young people left in three trucks to visit the cities of Los Angeles, Laja, Concepción, and Penco. We could not reach Tomé and Coronel for lack of time. These are areas that also suffered the consequences of the earthquake and tsunamai, since they are located on our country’s coast.

The aid that we brought was: flour, sugar, coffee, tea, potatoes, pasta, yeast, toilet paper, batteries, flashlights, and water. Our hearts beat more strongly as we arrived, not just because we could arrive with some help, but because we were able once again to embrace them and see that in spite of the disaster, and that some of them had lost everything, they were content, because God our Father had sustained their lives, that wonderful gift that only God gives, to him be the glory, aleluia.

The words that spontaneously came from them and the people around them were that “we will get by,” “things can be recovered but not life,” “God takes care of our lives,” “He is still faithful,” etc., etc., y so many other words that encouraged us to keep on being motivated to go as many times as necessary to bring aid to our brothers and sisters.

Pastor Luis Alvarado told us: “This is something that I have only seen and felt once before in the earthquake of 1960 (he also personally experienced that earthquake). The sea came with a wild force, demolishing everything in its path. My sister Julia (member of the church and also his physical sister) lost her house as the sea swept it away, as well as so many others from this place. It was only a miracle of God that my house also was not wiped out by the sea. Today we need bedding, clothing for many people, food and the ability to help rebuild out of nothing for those who lost everything.”

Our sister Mariela Cardenas told us: “It was something terrible, dreadful. We got out with what we had on. Our house disappeared. Today we have nothing, but thanks to God we are alive.” She could not continue talking, being overcome with emotion.

Pastor Ramón Henriquez of Laja told us: “Pastors, it was something horrible. My wife Yasna is under psychological treatment because when the earthquake began our youngest son was caught on the second floor and we could not get to him. The impact of that is still with us.”

We could include a series of stories that we received from children, women and men who today are downcast and suffering from the widespread impact caused by the earthquake that affected us on February 27. Here in Temuco it was about 8 on the Richter scale, but thanks to God the city withstood it well. The coastline suffered great damage.

Having been many times in the community of Cerro Verde in the town of Penco where Pastor Luis Alvarado’s church is, it is frightful to see now how houses have disappeared, how cars were thrown into houses. Boats that were on the beach are stuck on houses. The panorama is desolate. The smell of dead fish is terrible. The desolation of the people is a nightmare.

The authorities still have not arrived with help to many of our fellow citizens’ locations. We hope this will change soon.

Meanwhile, we cannot remain with our arms crossed. That is why I am appealing to your generosity and Christian fellowship. Baptists are a people of solidarity. Today we are impacted. I invite you to collaborate with the Baptists of Chile.

For now, in the name of our brothers and sisters who have lost everything, we are very grateful to you. May the God of peace be in your hearts. I never imagined that I would be writing these lines to ask for your generous collaboration, but God knows that what I am sharing with you is the truth.

Un abrazo,
Mario Ramos E.
Presidente
Convención de Iglesias Bautistas M. Ch.
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By Dwight Bollick – March 6
Today six pastors and three laypeople from southern Chile churches brought flour, rice, pasta, water, coffee, tea, sugar and toiletry items to Concepcion, Los Angeles, Laja, and Cerro Verde for distribution by the churches.

Lord Merino, a pastor in Temuco and Director of the Southern District, writes about what he saw today.

“The hardest thing to see, apart from so much destruction, was the people’s hunger. To rise up as a country the first thing we need to do is eat, and the people are so hungry that it seems difficult for them even to rise up. I gave away the money you sent to women and children of Cerro Verde that were so hungry. In the end nothing was sufficient. There are so many stories. It was complicated even to take a photo without feeling morbid and being afraid of offending them, that they might think we were just tourists. As the curfew was about to fall, we were giving away even the crumbs of bread we had in our pockets. To have a little clean water was a privilege.

The woman in the photo is Mariela, with her little son. She is the secretary of the Cerro Verde church. She and her mother, also, lost their houses. Many others in the church lost their homes.

People are walking along the coastline, dazed, without anywhere to go, with a lost look in their eyes. We did not see many children in the streets because it is not safe for them. The curfew only allows six hours in the daytime to walk around and they use it to look for water coming from springs higher up the hills, trickling over the sides of the highway, or to look for food wherever they can.

Help from the government still has not gotten there. Distribution of food and water is a chaos. The women need clean clothes and intimate wear. They don’t have blankets, bedding, bed clothes. They are living in unstable, makeshift shelters for six days now. They can’t bathe. They sleep by day and guard their things through the night. We just hope it doesn’t rain because that would be the end.”

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by Dwight Bolick – Update March 6

On Friday, March 5, in borrowed trucks, 2,000 kilos of food, flour and water will be taken to earthquake/tsunamai-stricken churches and neighbors in Concepcion and surrounding areas, by the Southern District churches of our partner Baptist convention.

Lord Merino, Director of the Southern District, along with Mario Ramos, President of the National Baptist Convention of Chile (formerly Mision Chilena), Moises Cruces, coordinator of evangelism, and others will depart at 5 AM and plan to visit, share their solidarity and prayers, and begin damage assessment of the most urgent needs.

They will visit the church in Cerro Verde. led by Nidia Alegria (immediate past president of the Baptist Women’s Union) and her husband Pastor Luis Alvarado. Just north of Concepcion, Cerro Verde was hit by the tsunamai. While Nidia and Luis’ house was spared, many of their neighbors and church members lost everything. Only yesterday convention leadership was able for the first time to communicate by phone or e-mail about the devastation here.

Lord Merino wrote us yesterday, “Hola Dwight, here in Temuco your 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 we cannot be there yet, our house is available for a meeting place. ( We rent, but have a wonderful landlord who kept the house for us) Our ten-year old vehicle is being put back into operation by our friend, Moises Cruces.

While this team goes north from Temuco, another team will head south from Santiago. Pastor Jose Marin of Los Condores de Chile Baptist Church is leading a caravan of pastors and leaders to the churches and neighborhoods in Talca, Linares, Curico and Chillan. Jose is a fearless, compassionate pastor and his team will also bring pastoral care and food, water, and supplies. They will also make the first damage assessments.

When both teams return, they will share with us their assessments and lists of the most urgent needs and priorities. International Ministries has made available $20,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and Church World Services for immediate relief needs. We will begin addressing the most urgent needs both now, and upon our return to Chile.

American Baptist churches, friends and supporters are responding magnificently and generously to the Haiti earthquake relief, and we should continue to do that with all our hearts.

Now, the earth has moved again, jolted off its axis. American Baptists will open their hearts wide, again, and help Chilean Baptists and their neighbors rebuild their homes and provide food, water, shelter, and basic necessities to those who are in distress.

Gifts may be sent to International Ministries, P. O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. Be sure to designate Chile Earthquake Relief – OGHS.

You may also give online. On the GIVE tab above, click and a page will appear with tabs for Chile Earthquake Relief, and for Haiti Earthquake Relief, also.

The best of Chile was not represented by the looters, but by the thousands of Chileans who are driving to the affected areas to share what they have with their families. These two caravans of Chilean Baptist leaders represent our best, also.

Many of these 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.”
AMEN.

P.S. Our return to Chile is now scheduled for March 15. We were ready to leave March 2 but the flight was canceled due to the Santiago airports’ closing. The airport is re-opening in two phases.
Learn more about this ministry

1.800.222.3872
www.internationalministries.org
1-800-222-3872
P.O. Box 851
Valley Forge, PA 19482
——————-
Communication with our friends in the areas most affected by the earthquake has been sporadic, at best, due to loss of telephone, internet, and electricity services. Only recently are we able to restore communication. We wanted to share with you these reports from three of our friends. We sense exhaustion and trauma in their voices. At the same time we know the faith, integrity and solidarity of their churches. We give thanks that already they are gathering themselves together to reach out to their brothers and sisters who are in great distress. In the days to come we all have the opportunity and privilege to come alongside them in prayer, financial support, and presence.

(Bolick family update: Our return to Chile has been postponed until March 15, due to the Santiago airport’s closing. The airport is re-opening in two phases. Also, Barb is speaking at a mission conference in California March 12-14. We want to be in Chile very much, but trust and accept that God’s will is done.)

From Pastor Mario Ramos, Pastor of Hay Vida en Jesus Baptist Church, Temuco, and President of the National Baptist Convention of Chile(Mision Chilena):
Dear friends, At this moment (March 1) I have finally been able to read my e-mails. Communications were cut off, as well as light, water, etc. But thanks be to God we are all fine. Here in Temuco the earthquake was very powerful, but in Concepcion and Talca it has been much worse. The news reports are not encouraging, and our brothers and sisters in Cerro Verde (a small town on the waterfront) have suffered great losses. We are still trying to get more complete reports.

We are putting together a trip in a few days to take some most urgently needed basic supplies to our people in the area most affected. Just today I have received news from the church in Laja and the situation there is difficult. As time goes on we see more profoundly the dimensions of this earthquake’s impact. Chaos is taking over in some places.

We realize your (the Bolicks) trip has been delayed but we believe at this time it may be better so that you can coordinate relief and we can give you more detailed information. We are working so that the information and assessments we give you are detailed and accurate.

From Pastor Lord Merino, El Salitre Baptist Church, Temuco:
In Temuco the situacion is about 80% normal. Gasoline is scarce, and there are shortages of food. Water service is often cut off as they try to repair damage to the system. There is structural damage in some key buildings, such as the major supermarket, and electricity service is on and off.
Our brothers and sisters in the central region have suffered much these days. The tsunamai caused great damage in Cerro Verde and Penco, but the church is not damaged. Many members’ houses were severely damaged. The big trauma right now is the shortage of water and food.

In Concepcion there is chaos. The military has taken control of trying to get food to people. There is a curfew, but many desperate people are looting supermarkets and creating an ugly image for us all.

From Juan Carlos Araya (former secretary of our convention. Lives in Talcahuano, where the tsunamai hit.)
Dear friends: At last electricity has returned for a while so I can contact you. I can tell you that the earthquake was horrible, 8.8 on the Richter scale. In my house many things fell and broke, but, thanks to God, my mother and I, survived without any problem, only fright. There is no water, gas, and electricity is only now being restored. We are at my brother’s house so we can all be together.

The truth is that the destruction in Concepcion and Talcahuano was terrible, including new apartment buildings that collapsed. Bridges and highways were destroyed. There are many deaths in the affected area, at last count 728. The destruction of coastal villages is total. Fishing ports and beaches disappeared.

The worst of all has been the lootings. Supermarkets and large stores in Concepcion and Talcahuano were looted and burned. With this earthquake some of the worst aspects of human nature have come out, those who take advantage of pain and commit whatever crime they can. Groups of neighbors have banded together to protect themselves from robberies.

Reconstruction will be long and expensive. Concepcion now is connected to the south with just one bridge. The John Paul II Bridge is incapacitated, making travel to and from Concepcion very slow.

————————–

From Dwight and Barb Bollick:
Dear Friends,
Like many of you, we woke this morning to the terrible news of the earthquake in Chile. We want to let you all know that we are still in Austin, TX, planning to return to Chile on Tuesday if the airport is open.

We are still unable to contact our friends in Chile, but will continue trying tomorrow and will keep you updated as we know more about the condition of our partner churches and their communities.

We can tell you that the epicenter is just north of a city called Concepcion, which is approximately four hours north of Temuco where we live. The earthquake was felt as far south as The Region of the Lakes where our weaving groups and beekeepers and other Mapuche friends live. Most of the affected area is without water, electricity and phone service, though that is changing rapidly.

Please pray for our dear friends, that they will feel the presence and comfort of Christ in this moment, for their safety and health and for our quick return to Chile to be with them.

We love you all and thank God for you. Dwight and Barbara
Crossroad’s Missionaries to Chile

In addition Rich and Virginia Schweissing were able to get more info from them:
The Bollick’s, of course, are very concerned about the people down there. Barb listed several specific problems which can be translated into obvious prayer requests:

1. Since Chile is only 100 miles wide there is one main highway that runs the length north to south. While usually well-maintained, many bridges are now gone. Airports are closed. There people are essentially cut off except by sea and she didn’t know how that would work.

2. Water and electricity are still out in the area of Temuco where they are situated.

3. Most people only keep food in the house for a couple of days and all stores are closed–there is no way to get more food into the area at this point.

4. The above are all contributing to concerns about panic and how people will react if this continues for long. There is an immediate need for communication, transportation, water, and food.

5. Structurally most houses are not that stable and there has been a lot of damage. People have lost everything.

6. Praise: There were some people that were cleaning and getting their house ready for their return and had stayed there last night. They said it felt like the whole house was going to come down around them. Despite that, they assured them it withstood the quake and is still sound.

7. If flights are going in, they will still leave on Tuesday and will keep us posted and updated on the situation when they get there and can see what things are like.

8. Praise: They were able to communicate with a contact in that area (not sure how since she said the electricity was out) and as far as anyone knew at that point, no one was killed or seriously hurt in either of the churches they work with. That despite the fact that they’ve upgraded Dwight’s earlier report of the intensity of the quake in that area to nearly 8.0.

9. Prayer: The woman who was president of the women’s association for many years lives in a house near the ocean and near the epicenter. At this point they have not been able to communicate with anyone who knows how she fared.

Dwight is posting information on his facebook and we have that connection as well. I’ll continue to forward information as we get it.

The Community Garden is going to start planting some items in April. Before we start to plant, we will be tilling up the soil the first week of April.  We are asking for donations of composting material, such as, leaves and grass clippings that you might have left over from the fall.  The items can be place inside the garden.

Last year Crossroads Community Garden had 20 volunteers who worked to provide over 1250 servings of vegetables to those in need, passed out through two local food banks. With the growing need for food assistance, helping out in the garden is a great way to serve others. There is NO experience needed and EVERYONE is welcome. Come and have fun gardening, building new friendships and learning some new skills.

For more info email or call: Sara Manning, 720-273-4004
Join us on facebook: Crossroads Community Garden

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