Constitucion

on February 27th at 3:34 am local time a devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.  In fact it was the 5th strongest in the world recorded to date.

In Dallas, TX we were awoken about 7:00am local time from a call from Italo's Dad that they and the rest of the family in Chile were ok.  We were a bit surpised to hear the news because we had not heard nay news reports of the earthquakes but were VERY relived that we heard from Dad before we heard any news reports. 

To drive around Santiago de Chile, you would have to look pretty hard to see any damage of the earthquake.  The city was build to withstand this type of disaster and it did a great job coming through for its people. 

This is one of many gorgeous glass building totally unaffected by the earthquake in Santiago.  There are some cracks in walls and buidling but nothing that you would imagine from such a strong earthquake. 

However-the people of Constitucion de Chile did not have the same fate.  About 20 minutes after the earthquake the beach resort property of Constitucion suffered a Tsunami that caused remarkable damage to their city.  20 minutes later, another Tsunamu hit and 20 minutes later yet ANOTHER one hit-the strongest of the three.  Because Chile has the opposite seasons as the States, February 27th was one of the last weekends priors to the end of summer and the beginning of school.  This particular weekend they were also planning a big celebration with fireworks etc to end summer so the resorts were even more crowded than normal.  There were 100's of people that has camped out on a little island in the river to get a good seat for the firework show and party and all but 7 were carried off into the Pacific ocean as a result of the 3 Tsunamis that they suffered.  Yesterday, we took a trip to see this devastion that the Earthquake and Tsunami has left behind in this city.    

 

This is the island and the water reached as high as the trees.  Here you can see where the sea water and sun has burned the trees after the water resided.  The 7 people who surived on this island said they did so by climbing up to the trees and holding on.  

Within the city, you still see the marks of the Earthquake all around even more than a month later.  

 

This once popular vacation resort in know quite the opposite.  The restaurant row of the city was TOTALLY destroyed and there are piles of rubish piled on top of each in the area where the restaurants once were.  People have been looting anything valuable from this area since the quake and are still seen doing that on the day we visted to see if there is anything they may want or need. 

   You can tell by walking around that the city was once quite beauitful and in fact there is still evidence of God's beauty all around by looking at the beautiful waves breaking agaisnt the rocks.  However, you only have to turn your bag and see the damage that the water caused. 

Now instead of beautiful homes and resorts that overlook this beautiful water, the habitants of this city rest in this houses at night:

Dad has become known as the Apostle of the Tsunami because he has such a heart for the people in the city.  The pastor of the church there is in association with him and they have put on a soccer camp for the kids there and the pastor is following up with each fmaily who came to the camp.  When we were there yesterday he was talking to the familes and asking them what they needed most.  He is brining done about 25 men later this month to help and he continues to follow up with each person he can.  It was really cool to see him at his job in that way!  For now, as I go to sleep in my comfy bed I will remember all the kids I saw yesterday and pray for them as they sleep in their shelters. 

One of the remarkable things about the city is that among the rubble and destruction you do not have to look very far to see a proud Chilean flag blowing in the wind. 

It is great for them to have such pride in their country and determination to rebuild what they have lost.  I am so glad that I was able to make the trip-long as it was (about 15 hrs in all) and hear from the people who live there and minister there what it is really like. 

As hard as it was to see all the destruction, it would not be a typical Frigoli day if there were not laughs and giggles along the way.  We also had 2 amazing meals! 

This was Chicken with Sausage, Muscels and Clams

This was type of pot roast with Eggs and French fried taters.  They had a DELICIOUS Tomotae and Cilantro sauce to go over the meat and it was great!  We also stopped for some chocolate on the way and Italo was VERY excited to find some chocolate eggs with candy in them from when he was little.  Italo ate one and shared the other one with Annabelle this morning.  Both girls enjoyed the little eggs/toy that came inside of the chocolate and they were good toys for them. 

The Boys even got the priveleidge of watching transporter on the TV while we were eatting dinner.  It is funny how boys can socialize with each other.  Just being together makes them feel like they have spent time together instead of actually talking while we ate :)

Silly Boys!

One last photo of our journey is Italo and Bruno posing under the sign for the restaurant we ate at. Translation-the Dirty Old Ladies!  Great to lower expectations of the food before you go in :)