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CHILEAN E-NEWS (Friday, 16 June 2000)
What a week this has been.
First of all, on Monday we were without power because 75 m.p.h. (120 Km/h) winds caused damage to high tension wires. Then on Tuesday, after a long dry spell, it finally started raining in Santiago. It had already flooded parts of the South and a small area in the North, but this time it came to the capital city of Santiago. It rained and it rained and it rained and then rained some more. Areas started flooding and it still rained literally without ceasing. People's homes were flooded. Police and firefighters rescued people around the clock. We woke up yesterday morning with TV pictures of the police putting people in inflatable boats in front of their houses and pushing them onto higher elevations. The police were up to their chests in water. This was in Pudahuel - which is on the way to the airport for those that have been here. Many roads were impassable and people were all told to remain at home. Schools were canceled (Brendon was really sad about that one - NOT!) and many of those were turned into temporary refuge places as the number of homeless increased. The latest total is 70,000 homeless. Vast areas are under water all over the country.
We are very high up the side of the Andes mountains and were OK. We got a fright when I went out in the morning and saw the water probably some 6" deep against the side of the house. We could unblock some drains and siphon water off & so the we could be O.K. in a short while. Other than that we are fine.
Then this morning at 3:48 the bed started rocking and it woke us all up - an earthquake! The rocking suddenly changed into a violent shaking and it seem to go on for an eternity. The director for the National Emergency organization said that it lasted 45-60 seconds. What a way to be woken up. Of course, the buildings that were soaked over the last few days have now been shaken and there are some structural damages reported especially to some of the older buildings.
On the good side, whenever it rains in Santiago it is snowing on the mountains. With all this rain, the whole Andes mountains is one huge range of snow. The snow level is very low and even the "hills" (a couple of thousand feet high) all have their hats of snow on today and Santiago is clear of its usual smog. This is the time the beauty is difficult to describe and the postcard pictures are taken.
I am preaching in 3 different cities in the next three weeks. Stephanie's effort to begin a ladies meeting on the coast was washed out on Wednesday as the roads were cut off. They will postpone it until next week. Thanks for those who prayed for protection. God answered.
We are anxiously awaiting Lycia and Lionel's visit here in Chile in July.
Richest blessings.
Johan
- Friday, June 16, 2000
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