Bishop David Roller

Chile trip report

The fifth largest earthquake recorded since 1900, the 8.8 Chilean earthquake occurred on 2/27/10. The epicenter was just north of Concepción, the 2nd largest city of Chile. There are approximately 10 FM churches within an hour of the epicenter, another cluster of churches within 2 hours.The earthquake was followed by a Tsunami which was followed by two days of lawlessness and looting in the effected zone. Residents report that the latter two events were actually worse than the earthquake.

Damage Report:
No FM pastors or members died.
A few casual attenders died, but no regular attenders.
No ICCM children died.
No FM churches collapsed.
The damage in and around Concepcion is significant, major buildings toppled or destroyed. Roads and bridges shifted and/or fell. Even as far away as Santiago, the new airport was significantly damaged and is mostly unusable right now. They've set up tents on the tarmac to process passengers.
The FM church in Talcahuano urgently needs repair-some of the rafters have separated from their supporting wall. A wall fell on the pastor's car and it required repair but is now usable.
The FM church in Coronel was in pretty bad shape anyway and the earthquake put it over the edge...one of its walls has been temporarily braced so it won't fall on the neighbor's house.
The FM church in Lota received some damage but probably just needs to have the firewall replaced (it separates the 2nd floor from the neighbor's).
In Talcahuano and Lota many members and 2 pastors are living in tents because their houses have been condemned.
The pastor's house (rented) in Los Angeles is condemned.
Some damage was sustained by Casa Grande (owned by Chilean FMC) in Santiago but it wasn't condemned. It needs repair to the roof and chimney, at the very least.
Finances
The Bishops' Famine & Relief Fund has sent $19,000 to Chile. The first $9,000 was used to purchase emergency food and supplies and has been well distributed among those effected.The final $10,000 is just being received. The funds have been gratefully received.

The "donor fatigue" from Haiti and the extreme loss of life in Haiti make it difficult for donors to give to Chile right now. Some churches/individuals with strong ties to Chile will want to assist.

Response Priorities
I met with the 5 member Emergency Team of the Chilean FMC and we developed the following list of most-needed responses. If any promotion of these needs can be made I imagine that some churches/persons would like to respond.

1. 1000 back-to-school kits (notebooks, pencils, pens, colored pencils, erasers, compass, pencil sharpener, etc). The exact composition of the kits varies by school grade. Average cost per kit is $10.00. The articles are available in Chile and can be purchased, assembled into kits, and distributed by the Chilean FMC. School classes were scheduled to start in early March but have been postponed by the government until April.

2. A debriefing/emotional retreat for pastoral families. Pastors are carrying the burden of their own families' needs, plus the needs of the larger church family. They will battle fatigue and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). We can assist them by providing a 3-day retreat for pastoral families at a center near Chillán. This will be a significant source of encouragement: a chance to process and heal. The cost will be about $5,000, including bus travel for the families.

3. Rebuilding priorities:   
a. Talcahuano FMC - no financial estimate yet.   
b. Coronel (villa mora) FMC - no financial estimate yet   
c. 6 pre-fabricated houses for those who've lost homes and have a parcel of ground. These houses are commonly used in Chile. They cost $5,200 USD and include installation and fixtures. We would call them cabins but they are often used as long-term residences.   
d. Two months of rent for pastor Alex in Los Angeles so he can move into another rental property (total cost $580.USD)

Thank you for your interest and care for the Chilean people by our response.
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A Moving Night

So we just jumped in the car to begin another day or encouraging pastors here in Chile.
We had 6 aftershocks last night, 1 big enough to give one pause, to reflect as to whether one's life insurance is up-to-date.
The people we visit seem glad that we've shown up, that they can tell their story to someone from outside. I think it gives transcendence to what they've lived, for it to be shared beyond their own neighborhood.
Last night we had electricity and a bed but no running water. Thanks for your prayers.
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Still in Santiago. Waiting in

Still in Santiago. Waiting in a big white tent in parking lot for flight to Concepción in 2 hours. Part of Santiago's airport roof crashed so most of it's not usable.
Beth & Ricardo met my flight and were able to give me a good briefing.
There is a surreal nature to relief work...like people who just got off a really really scary airplane flight and suddenly find themselves back in an airport and life is going on as though nothing had happened. But their head keeps telling them to be afraid, even after the danger has passed.
-end-
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Chile on the ground

I just landed in Chile and they're holding us on the plane for a while. All the immigration and customs is being processed in tents on the tarmack. Apparently significant damage to Santiago airport. Fortunately it's sunny!
I think I'll be flying to Concepción (epicenter) this afternoon and connecting with superintendent sergio Loyola. We'll evaluate how the U.S. Church can best help. I'll keep you informed.
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Loose ends and Loops

HAITI

-Yvonne and I spent last week in Haiti. Three nights we spent in tents in the rain worrying about the 1.5 million homeless, and for 3 days we were at a hotel with Haitian church leaders.

-Relief and recovery is hard word and tears people apart. Partly because everyone is fatigued to the bone, one of the tasks is to keep the team together. Because the task is so huge hard decisions have to be made and no one can make everyone happy.

-We're working under Haitian superintendents team. Their decisions set our priorities. I think they're doing an exceptional job.

-We were able to spent a few moments alone at the graveside of Erlin, Jeanne, Merle & Gene. The bodies of the latter three were recovered by the U.S. military, positive identification was made through dental records and they were laid to rest on church property.

-We now have a preliminary count of Free Methodists who died, in the western district, of about 100. Probably fewer died in the southern district, but still no count from them.

CHILE

-I take a quick trip to Chile, leaving this afternoon, to encourage them in the relief effort and to find how we can better help.

-I know of at least two of our pastors who lost their houses (Alex & Nelson). The quake area was very near the center of our churches in Chile and the Chilean FMC has been a first responder.

-The Chileans haven't received much notice on the international scene because people are "tired" of earthquake news...after the Haitian quake.

MARRIAGE RETREAT

-Yvonne and I had a wonderful time at the marriage retreat this weekend hosted by the Northgate FMC in Batavia, NY. Seventy-five couples and very-well planned and executed. I guess the main joy for me was simply being able to present, with Yvonne about the joys of marriage.

-end-

Chile update in Spanish from superintendent Loyola

Amados hermanos y amigos en Cristo:
En chile siguen las replicas cada cinco minutos y algunas son grado 7º.
A pesar de eso, estamos viviendo el peor terremoto y es el caos que se esta produciendo en algunos lugares a causa de la falta de servicios basicos. Hay enfrentamientos y saqueos, eso llevo a las autoridades declarar estado de sitio. Hoy por la mañana fui a una ciudad llamada Coelemu a 100 kilometros de Chillan, hacia la costa, alli tenemos una iglesia su pastor es Samuel Soto. Las cosas alli no han sido mu terrible, solamente una familia perdio totalmente su casa, las demas personas de la iglesia has sufrido la perdida de sus lozas y otros utiles. Lleve agua y gasoilina para la casa pasatoral. Por la tarde el Comite de Emergencia en pleno fuimos a la ciudad de Los Angeles a 120 Kilometros de Chillan hacia el sur. Llevamos un gran surtido de viveres para llegar a unas 20 familias, incluida la del Pastor Alex Cisterna. Fue un tiempo muy emotivo nuevamente. Mañana miercoles, iremos tres moviles, uno para la ciudad de Talcahuano, propvenuiente de la Iglesia de Santiago, dicho cargamento ira integramente para las dos iglesias en esa cioudad que esta en muy malas condiciones. Otro movil ira a Lota, proveniente de la Iglesia Comunidad Vida de Santiago e ira tambien a Lota, otro movil desde Chillan ira para hacer llegar socorro a las dos iglesias de Coronel. En todos estos casos, llevamos viveres variados, especialmente no perecibles, ademas agua y gasolina. De esta forma estamos tratando de aminorar en parte, las grandes necesidades que no presenta parte de la zona afectada. Lesrecomiendo para testimonios visuales la pagina Web: www.emol.cl Esta contiene imagenes y noticias bien fidedignas al igual que muchos otros medios de comunicacion. Sin otro particular.Atte. en Cristo.Sergio O. LoyolaSupte.
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Chile earthquake

So here I am in Haiti...writing about the situation in Chile!

We have many churches in the affected area. This part of Chile is the birthplace of the FMC in Chile. Early this morning 3 separate relief parties (1 truck each) set out from Santiago, each one with a specific destination city. They are carrying food, clothes, and supplies.

The Bishops Famine and Relief fund yesterday sent funds and then again this morning we're sending more money.

I will be traveling to Chile on Monday, the 8th for a quick evaluation visit, along with bishop Jose Ildo from Brazil.

As many know, we lived in Chile for 10 years and so have many personal ties there. We are very eager to help in every way possible.

Perhaps the most helpful, immediate information I can share is the following note I received this morning from Free Methodist missionary Beth Gomez:
"Please keep the people informed. We have pastors and lots of other people living in tents or worse because their homes have been destroyed. Some people are completely out of touch with family members. Others, as you know, have passed away. Lots of people are without water and any kind of food. Supt. Sergio said he saw many are without clothing. What little people do have, others are stealing.Parts of Chile got hit with a 1-2 punch; earthquake and then tsunami. The few minutes that we had enough electricity to watch news last night, we heard that there is so much lawlessness now that some people say it is worse than the earthquake itself. We saw men guarding their homes with guns - in other videos neighbors were forming "armies" using rakes and hoes, brooms, whatever they had to try and protect their areas from the lawless. There is story after story to be told. It may be far away but it is very real. Please help the people see that and encourage them to keep praying!
-end of quote-
Thank you for all you're doing for our Chilean church.
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