Things for us are for the most part back to normal. We finally got our internet working again this afternoon. Still waiting on water, but we're told it should come back on by tomorrow. When the electricity came back on, we plugged our tv in to the outlet to see if it had survived the fall, but the sparks and smoke coming from the motherboard weren't very encouraging...

Our situation however, pales in comparison to what's taking place in other parts of the country.

  

    

We decided to go to Santiago yesterday (Monday) to stock up on groceries, as our cupboard and fridge were getting quite bare. There's been talk about stores running out of goods in the coming weeks, so we decided to stock up while we still can. No bread, no flour, no bottled water, but everything else was available. Looting started taking place in Concepcion (Chile's 2nd largest city) the day after the quake and crooks and depraved people in other cities have caught on and are doing the same all over the areas affected by the earthquake. Plasma tvs, refrigerators, washers, carts full of liquor - you name it, (even though there is no electricity, food, or water in many of these areas). Department stores were being stripped down to nothing and then lit on fire. Military personnel were dispatched and have now received orders to shoot looters on sight. In Concepcion, the orders came too late, as most stores have little to nothing left. I talked to a friend in Chillan this afternoon and he told me people are out and about now invading people's homes, taking whatever they want, and threatening to hurt anyone who tries to stop them. To make matters worse, either pranksters, or crooks who want to throw the police off, have been calling nonstop reporting bogus crimes.

   

Cell phone service is starting to come back to most areas. To our great relief, we've heard from the pastors in Talca, Concepcion and Constitucion. They are alive and well, though some of them have suffered tremendous losses. In Constitucion, Pastor Gary Yanten lost his house and the temple when the tsunami hit. He fled in his vehicle and is now living in a tent with his family. Gasoline, where he is, is unavailable, so he had to stay put. Two pastors in neighboring cities were able to come to his aid this afternoon, as he was down to his last bit of food and water.

    

The church building in Talca was hit hard (adobe construction). The house next to it (where I lived as a teenager for two years - also adobe) is from what I am told, damaged beyond repair.

    

The church building in Concepcion is being used as a safehouse, but they are without food, water and electricity, and many need additional clothing. Mothers are in dire need of diapers for their little ones, but none are to be had, not even in nearby cities. One of the churches in Santiago has gathered up a few carloads of these things and are headed to some of these cities to bring aid to our brothers and sisters in these churches. Be praying for their safety, as many vehicles that have brought aid have been attacked and looted. Our church in Algarrobo will be taking up a special offering for these other hard-hit churches and will be sending it to a pastor friend who is right in the middle of the hardest-hit cities and who will be able to distribute the much needed aid.

    

There are immediate needs for sure, but people are going to need help in the coming weeks too, so if you would like to help, any additional funds we receive will be distributed accordingly to these areas in need.

   

Once again, we want to thank you for your prayers on our behalf. Please pray for God's hand of protection and provision for those who may not be faring so well in these damaged cities.

  

In Christ's never-ending love,

David & Hanzi

   

Cell phone - (56) 9 039 0576

Skype name - davidandhanzi