Mennonite Weekly Review

PUERTO MONTT, Chile — As Eastern Mennonite Missions workers continue to assist Chilean partners in helping earthquake survivors, they have witnessed extensive destruction.

Ana Maria Gonzalez Casanova, left, told EMM worker Sarah Gingrich about her experience with the earthquake. — Photo provided by Sarah Gingrich

Several days after the 8.8- magnitude earthquake struck Chile Feb. 27, EMM workers Michael Hostetter, Dustin Gingrich and Travis Kisamore traveled north with Chilean co-workers to the hard hit coastal regions around Concepcion.

As they gave tents, food and water to homeless people, Hostetter said they saw the effects of both the earthquake and tidal waves from the tsunami. More than a million homes have been demolished. There is also extensive damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

They visited many people who had lost everything and were sitting around dazed, staring at heaps of rubble that had been their homes. The team listened to and prayed with people who were physically and spiritually harmed.

In a second trip several days later, Dustin and Sarah Gingrich and Travis and Bekii Kisamore traveled north again. They visited homes and assessed next steps. Local friends and churches in Puerto Montt had donated stuffed toys and balls to share with children in the earthquake-affected area.

Sarah Gingrich and Bekii Kisamore met Juan Emilio Arraya at his ruined home in Constitucion. They entered the partially collapsed structure.

With a flat voice he waved toward rubble-filled rooms: “That was our kitchen, our bathroom, my daughter’s room.”

The adobe walls were cracked, with entire sections missing. Living in this home for 33 years, Arraya raised three children here, taking pride in improvements he had made.

He spoke of his frustration with neighbors who are taking advantage of relief efforts. Some were reselling tents intended for homeless families.

“I will build my house with my own hands. I will build my house, thanks to God,” he said. “Unless my wife is too afraid — if she’s afraid to live here, we’ll leave.”