The Miracle of the Mine

Dear Crosswalkers,
It was compelling to watch the so called “Miracle of the Mine” rescue on the news this week!  On August 5th, a copper and gold mine in Chile caved in.  Thirty-three miners had miraculously survived the disaster and were trapped in a rescue chamber 2,300 feet beneath the surface.  The president of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, made it his government’s top priority to rescue the trapped miners, and technical help poured in from across the globe.  There was a “Paloma”, a small hole through which food and water could be sent to the miners (paloma is Spanish for “pigeon” or “dove”).  Meanwhile, work began to drill a 28-inch hole down to the rescue chamber to extract the survivors.

Here is some backstory:  The miners asked for a crucifix and other items associated with their Catholic faith to be sent down to them while they waited for rescue.  They told officials that they wanted to set up a shrine in the rescue chamber.  José Henríquez, one of the miners, is an evangelical Christian.  When José requested an evangelical pastor to aid the miners and their families at the site, Pastor Marcelo Leiva of Vallenar Baptist Church was contacted. The pastor arrived at Camp Esperanza (Hope) about two weeks ago, and began to minister to José and the other miners.  José believed God wanted him to encourage his co-workers as they struggled to stay positive during their confinement.  He held daily Bible studies for the miners as rescue efforts developed on the surface.

Using the Paloma, Pastor Marcelo and José exchanged letters.  Here’s what José wrote:  “Dear Pastor Marcelo …I thank you for each and every one of your words of encouragement directed to the 33. Tomorrow I will be reading your letter, which will certainly be a blessing. Thank you for writing in hopes that the Lord fulfills His purpose in us — as well as in you on the outside. … Well, pastor, may God continue to bless you.  We will be seeing each other soon.  Until soon, please excuse my handwriting, Jose Henríquez.”

Here’s another backstory:  As the tunnel was completed, and the rescue capule was made ready, the Chilean Health Minister, Jaime Manalich, told the AP that the miners “were fighting with [authorities] yesterday because everyone wanted to be at the end of the line, not the beginning.”  Isn’t that remarkable!  In a “me first” world, the miners were putting others first!  This is what being in connection with God does: It frees us to me like Jesus and put others first!

When the miners were delivered in the cool looking rescue capsule from their dark, 69 day confinement in the bowels of the earth, there was great joy!  TV stations interrupted regular programing to show the world the joy!  In describing what God has done for us in Jesus, the Bible says this:

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. – Colossians 1:13-14
I hope you have been inspired by the Miracle at the Mine to recommit yourself to the task of shining with the light of Jesus, sharing your faith story, and inviting people to worship with you so that the joy of leaving darkness and entering the light may be experienced by others!

Love in Jesus,

Pastor John Christie

THIS SUNDAY:  How to Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy!
Our series entitled “Heroes by Faith” takes us on a visit with Gideon this Sunday!  The lessons Gideon learned about overcoming his weaknesses and feelings of inadequacy are spot on for today’s world.  Has anyone ever asked you, “Why doesn’t God do any great miracles today like he did in Bible times?” If so, invite that person to worship this Sunday!

PARKING LOT FUND NOW AT $29,472.98!!

Thanks to recent gifts plus a discovery of some seed money in our parking lot fund, we are now just $527.02 away from our goal of $30,000!  For the many who have given generously to this need, thank you!!  This week will be the last opportunity to give to this fund.  Any last gifts that would help put us over the top will be appreciated!  Thanks again for your generous response to this opportunity!