Oblation Helps in Chile Earthquake Recovery

Immediate Oblation aid of $10,000 was sent to help church members recover from an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck offshore of Maule, Chile, February 27. There have been more than 90 aftershocks and a tsunami was generated that devastated coastal areas and evacuated other islands in the Pacific. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it was the fifth strongest quake since 1900. More Oblation aid will be sent as church leaders onsite assess the need.

As of March 1, 708 people were reported dead, most from Maule. Millions were without electricity. Roads, bridges, homes, and infrastructure were down. Safe drinking water was unavailable. Although many church members’ homes have been damaged, none were physically injured.

Community of Christ presence in Chile is centered in Santiago with church family and friends also living in harder hit southern areas. Several buildings in Santiago were partially collapsed and roads and bridges were severely damaged.

Apostle Carlos Enrique Mejia arrived in Santiago on February 26. He and Gustavo Vergara, Southern Cone of South America Mission Center missionary coordinator, immediately began visiting nearby church families to see how they were.

Carlos Enrique said, "Thanks be to God that all of our brothers and I are alive. We are looking at how we’ll be able to respond as a church to help them with repairs and provide provisions to those who are running out of supplies and money," he explained. Oblation aid will be delivered to church members through local leaders.

"Yesterday morning we held a worship service of thanksgiving," reported Carlos Enrique. "It was wonderful to see and to hear everyone united singing and saying: God has been good. Everyone shared their testimony and thanked God for having kept us safe."

President of the Southern Cone of South America Mission Center Art Smith had a ticket to fly to Chile on March 1. He said, "The earthquake caused the airport to be closed and our plans to change. Instead we spent all day Saturday huddled around a laptop computer in prayer and hope trying to communicate with the folks in Santiago, not knowing if they were safe or not. … We mourn for those who have lost their homes or lost loved ones. But we are so happy for those wonderful stories of people who escaped tragedy."

The church building in Santiago has some cracks in the walls. It and an attached house remain structurally sound. Some homes and businesses in the neighborhood surrounding the church were badly damaged by the quake. Early reports about people active in church life in the more heavily affected areas show that two families’ homes were destroyed.

Carlos Enrique expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and support of church members. Apostle Jim Slauter, director of field ministries, said, "I am again overwhelmed with the compassionate caring expressed and prayers offered by church members around the world for the people of Chile and our church community there. This strong sense of worldwide community and generosity is another testimony of what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus in our world. Thank you Community of Christ for your stewardship of grace and generosity."

Thanks to the generous support of Oblation Fund contributors, Community of Christ is able to respond as a worldwide church to needs in Chile. Thank you for sharing this news with others, offering prayers, and giving generously. Contribute online at www.CofChrist.org/give/.