Chile Earthquake Relief Effort
March 18, 2010
For the latest information about our efforts in Chile, visit www.panamajack.me
Latin American Missions is planning to send two 40’ containers full of winter clothing (especially children clothing), tents, baby diapers, elderly diapers, and blankets. THEY NEED THESE THINGS IMMEDIATELY. The first container needs to go within the next week from Valdosta. The second container can go when the medical team goes down, probably last of May or the first of June.
There are so many other things we need to be sent such as rolls of plastic sheeting, some kind of “care package” for each family, and the list could go on and on.
BY ALL MEANS PLEASE SEND MONEY!!! We must pay for the shipping of those containers (a container to Panama is about $5000.00 and Chile is twice as far).
Contributions can be sent to:
Latin American Missions
P.O. BOX 2330
Valdosta, GA 31602-2330
Earmark checks, “Chile Disaster Relief”
Thank you in advance for your support of these people!
March 12, 2010
Chile is crying out for help, but their suffering cries are not being heard. The elders here at Forrest Park have made a commitment to heed the cries for help and go to their aid.
In the next few days Ray Joyner (elder) and I will fly to Santiago, Chile to take the FIRST monetary help from outside the country to buy food and water.
I have been trying to find any one or any congregation who has knowledge of congregations or work currently being done in Chile, and the fact is that very little is being done by the Lord’s church.
On top of that, just this morning there was another 7.2 aftershock, this time much closer to the capital city of Santiago. It is not known at this time what damage occurred as a result.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Latin American Missions
P.O. BOX 2330
Valdosta, GA 31602-2330
Earmark checks, “Chile Disaster Relief”
If you have questions please contact our office: (229) 242-1069 or at lam@forrestpark.org
Message from Eugenio Palma in Chile:
Eugenio is available to accompany the group from Forrest Park that would visit Chile.
Eugenio will make contacts with government officials in Santiago (capital of Chile) to set up meetings and introduce the Forrest Park Church of Christ to them and pave the way for possible future medical campaigns.
Chile has approximately 25 congregations.
The two most affected congregations are those from Chiguayuante and Coronel (in the Concepcion area).
The damage was most extensive to the north of Concepcion (between Santiago and Concepcion).
Brethren from Concepcion attend Chiguayante and Coronel congregation; also people from Lota attend these two congregations.
A group of 10 brethren from Nogales Congregation (and other smaller congregation) are in Concepcion right now. They will be back in Santiago on Sunday; at least that is the plan; approximately six different congregations from Santiago area put their support together (took money and food to Los Nogales Cong) for the victims in Concepcion area.
The plan is for the churches from Santiago to make another trip very soon; this will give them time to collect more donations.
Churches from Montana and Texas provide some financial support for the church/ministers in Los Nogales.
Food can be bought with no problem in Santiago.
Food prices in Concepcion are astronomical: one egg is one dollar.
Nogales Congregation rented two cargo vans to take the help.
One dollar is worth 500 pesos chilenos.
Eugenio does not know how much food was taken; he knows the goal for that first trip was ONE TON.
Eugenio is a member in the congregation of La Florida; it has 30 brethren.
Los Nogales C/C has about 120 members.
Eugenio used to receive financial support from Curry C/C in Kerrville TX; there was a split in the church and they no longer help Eugenio.
Local congregation provides some funds to Eugenio; Eugenio lives in the church building and he teaches in a school also to support his family.
The summer is ending in Chile right now; autumn is about to start; it is a lot colder in the nights already, especially to the south (Concepcion); you definitely need a jacket when you go to Concepciuon; authorities are very worried with critical situation of victims because of harsher weather (rainy season).
Brethren who were victims of earthquake are living in tents; their homes were destroyed or suffered structural damage (condemned); there is not a clear picture of situation regarding numbers of brethren in this condition; telephone lines (including cell phones) are down; there is no communication with the affected area; best info will be what the group that is visiting the area will provide when they come back.
Baldivia is a city to the south of Concepcion; roads between Baldiviua and Concepcion are NOT DAMAGED the way they are between Santiago and Concepcion; it may be possible to fly in to Baldivia and drive from there; eugenio does not know if there is food available and vehicles to rent in Baldivia; he will investigate that possibility. Baldivia is only 4 OR 5 HOURS away from Concepcion, instead of 12 hours drive from Santiago (due to damage to roads; in normal circumstances, trip can be made in only 4 hours one way).
Coronel C/C has about 30 members; Chiguayante has about 30 members; Lota has 8 members.
Churches there have local preachers; one of the brethren preaches for them and they take turns.
There is one missionary from Texas named Harry Hamilton who works in La Villa C/C in the Santiago area; not sure, but may be from the Houston area originally, Eugenio knows David Cisternas well; David is a good friend of Eugenio; David is now in the north of Chile, in Arica; his eldest son is in Chyiguayante and is in contact with brethren.
There is no food in the area; no diapers, no milk for babies; homes are destroyed or condemned; people live in tents.
There is a great need for help.