Home safe and sound!

We are safe at home, Praise the Lord.  Our coworker, Krysten Norkaitis, is also back home here in Southern California. 

The EGM Chile office was successfully moved and after all our US moving experiences, it was amazing to see how it is done in Chile.  A couple of young men did most of the really heavy lifting but we were also able to make a significant contribution to the process.  Working alongside our Chilean teammates through this crisis has given us a new love and appreciation for each one.  There's too much to tell but our hearts are full. 

Our departure from the Santiago airport was fascinating.  They have come up with a very creative and relatively efficient way of taking care of thousands of passengers and are using only a small portion of the building to do it.  Check in was in large tents outdoors with giant fans (it was hot!) and we waited in chairs set up under carports where rental cars were normally parked.  There was lots of waiting in long lines (we arrived nearly 5 hours before our flight) but our flight was very close to being ontime.

As our airplane took off, we were looking forward to heading home but at the same time had the overwhelming sense that God had accomplished His purposes on the trip and we wouldn't have changed a thing.  Even the earthquake itself was a big spiritual blessing to us as we experienced the power of God in a new way and felt His loving arms around us. 

You, our praying family, have been a big way God has expressed His presence to us.  "Thank you" falls so far short of the feelings in our hearts. 

Joe and Julie

Update from Krysten

I made it to CHILE!

I arrived this morning on one of the first International flights into Santiago after the devastating earthquake that struck early Saturday morning. My flight consisted of many Chileans who had been out of the country when the earthquake hit. Many people were desperate to get home as they had not seen their family members since the quake and did not know how damaged their houses were. Needless to say the mood was very somber and it was obvious that I had arrived in a country that was mourning.

The Santiago airport building is closed due to major damages. When we landed, the airport staff lined up our bags outside on the ground (see pictures). Once we found them, we had to pass through immigrations, which meant standing in line with our bags while dogs came through sniffing them. Then, we went through passport control where they reviewed our passports and entered the necessary information into their laptops, which were set up on tables outside of the main airport building. Finally, we got into busses that shuttled us to Santiago because the airport roads are closed. When I got off the bus in Santiago, the EGM-Chile director, Daniel Lagos was waiting for me. It was wonderful to see him and catch up on all that had transpired post earthquake.

The EGM-Chile office has a lot of structural damage so the ministry will have to move. At the moment, the ministry is meeting out of a room in the EGM-Chile Director’s church. I met up with the team this afternoon and they were all very excited to see me! I could tell that it meant a lot to them that I decided to come to Chile after the earthquake. I am so glad that I am here!!

I am staying with a dear family outside of Vina del Mar. We have electricity but we don’t have water and it looks like we might not have running water for days. I just took a “shower”. Even though water is a premium here, they heated up some of the water they had saved up so I could take a shower. They set me up with a bucket filled with warm water and a pitcher. They also bought me bottles of flavored sparkling water that I can drink and use to brush my teeth  I am overwhelmed by their generosity and care!

As I shared in my last post, the EGM-Chile team decided not to cancel the meetings and activities that are scheduled for this week. Our itinerary is below.

Please pray that Joe, Julie and I will be an encouragement to the Chilean team as we stand beside them during this difficult time. This catastrophe has caused many people to reflect on their lives and consider what is truly important. Please join me in praying that many would come to the realization that having a relationship with the Lord is the most important thing!

Mar. 3- AM-City Tour, PM- Meeting with EGM-Chile leaders
Mar. 4- EGM-Chile Board Meeting
Mar. 5- EGM-Chile Board Retreat
Mar. 6- All day meeting with church pastors & Conference for Sunday school teachers
Mar. 7- Two Church Services: Sunday school teacher observations & Joe preaches
Mar. 8- Work with EGM-Chile team, possible Sightseeing in Santiago, Travel Home
Mar. 9- Arrive in US

Pictures From Chile

Ministry in Chile continues (see previous post), yet all around there are reminders of the earthquake that has rocked this country.  The news now tells us that this quake was so strong that it actually tilted the earths axis.  Please continue to pray for this country, especially the church leaders who are responding to the hurts within their communities.

Damage in Vina Del Mar area

Damage part 2

Damage part 3

Lunch with church leaders after church on February 28th.

Pictures from Peru

Enjoy these Pictures from Peru!

EGM's Poster on the church bulletin board.

Pastor of Betania church - a model children's ministry leader! 

Kids at Betania church

Pastor of Betania Church participating in Children's Ministry!  This man understands that Children's ministry is an important part of God's plan for the church!

Update from Daniel Lagos - EGM Chile Director

The following was received in Spanish from our Director in Chile.  The ministry is continuing to move forward!

Dear brothers and sisters of EGM:

Due to the earthquake, the building, “El Escorial” where EGM operates is collapsed (this is a literal translation, the building is still standing but is structurally unsound) and it has been prohibited to circulate by any people. There is no power or water. Due to the above, starting tomorrow Tuesday March 2, the Ministry will provisionally function in the facilities of the Church of Assemblies of God of Valparaiso, located in the Blanco Street one block away from the city’s government office, this office space has been graciously been provided by Pastor Arturo Leal Vega. From there our sister Maria Teresa, our secretary, will be attending the ministry from 9 AM to 1 PM.

The teaching conference of Sunday school teachers has been postponed to Saturday 6 of March between 9 AM and 5:30 PM in the same place, Blanco.

Blessings to all. 

Pastor Lagos

Update from Krysten

We just heard from Krysten, she has a flight early tomorrow morning (March 2) into Santiago.  Please pray that she will be able to travel to Chile!  Here is an update we received from her earlier today her time...
Thank you very much for all of your care, concern and prayers!! I feel so loved by you and I am very thankful for your involvement in my life and in this work.

All of the EGM-Chile staff, board members and leaders are doing well. The epicenter of the earthquake was a considerable distance from Vina del Mar, where the EGM-Chile office is located. There is damage in this area but nothing compared to the images that are being shown from the cities that were closer to the earthquake’s epicenter.

The country as a whole is struggling. Public transportation (subway, buses etc.) has been shut down and most business (large and small) are closed. Communication has been difficult as telephone lines are overloaded making it nearly impossible for people to get in touch with each other. The areas most affected by the earthquake are without electricity and are suffering from shortages of food & water. Many bridges have collapsed forcing main roads and highways to close. The airport in Santiago is still closed.

Joe and Julie Cox are currently with the EGM-Chile team and the team decided NOT to cancel the many activities and meetings that are scheduled for this coming week. Everything will go on as planned including a board retreat, board meeting and children’s workers training. Yesterday, Joe preached in a church that was attended by many church members. The church was without electricity but the building was intact with the exception of a few fallen lights and a wall that collapsed in a Sunday school classroom.

I am still in Peru. I am so thankful to be with the Chapman family. They are wonderful hosts and it has been great to have an extended time with them! I am planning to travel to Santiago as soon as the airport reopens and I can get my flight rescheduled.

EGM-Chile has asked us for our continued prayer regarding the numerous children, families and churches affected by the quake. Hundreds have lost loves ones and many have lost their homes. Please join us in prayer.

Much Love, Krystenen

Update from Joe and Julie

Dear Praying Friends,

We finally have internet access!  Hooray!  We have missed not being able to keep you updated but have definitely felt your prayers and love.  When I was finally able to connect to the internet, my inbox was full of good wishes and promises of prayer.  We're thankful for our children and our coworkers who worked together to keep you updated with little pieces of information we passed to them in very brief phone calls here and there.  Now you are able to get it "from the horse's mouth."

We are doing well and have so much to be thankful for and I want to let you know how God is answering your prayers and give you some more things to bring before God's throne.  It's been interesting to follow the Lord through these days, but we are at complete peace and trusting Him.

Our EGM team here in Chile has responded to the challenges with real grace and strength. It seems that our EGM office did not sustain any structural damage, but our director has shared with me that most of what was on a flat surface is on the floor.  Our meetings for tomorrow have been cancelled because of the damage to the office and because some of the team members are having difficulty with transportation.  The buses are not running and bridge and road damage has resulted in road closures.  Even commuter trains are not running due to power outages.  The gas stations are packed with people trying to get gas so transportation is certainly in question.  We will join the team at the office in the morning to assess the damage and do some initial clean up work.

As far as what is going on in the country is concerned, those of you in the United States are probably better informed than I am.  Communication has been very bad within the country with cell phone systems overloaded, power outages, etc.  Without internet until today, our only source of information has been word-of-mouth and watching Spanish news reports using a small Spanish-English dictionary to figure out the highlights.

I can tell you that our team and their families are safe and well and determined to keep working through all this.  Though the ministry schedule changes continually, I can really see their hearts to remain faithful to the Lord in this time for the sake of the children, children's workers and churches that are looking to them for help with children's ministry.  Our director, Daniel Lagos, told me today that "we MUST go forward with rescheduling the children's workers training because the churches are depending on us for help."

Our time in the church this morning was really great.  The children's ministry program was cancelled because the aftershocks which still occur are causing people to keep their children at home.  In addition, there was a wall in the children's classroom area that was damaged so there was no place for them to meet.  The people arranged themselves in areas of the auditorium where there were no lights to fall upon them (several had fallen during the quake) and we were given evacuation instructions as the service began.  We met without electricity so there were no lights or sound system, but GOD'S power was evident!  I felt an unusual outpouring of God's Spirit upon me as I shared with the people from Matthew 17:1-20 that the God who can move the mountains wants to move in our lives as we serve Him reaching the lost all around us.

Some prayer needs:

1. Our co-worker,  Krysten Norkaitis, is still trying to get to Chile from Peru in time for our  board meetings Thursday and Friday.  The airport is closed at this time  and the date it will be re-opened keeps moving.  While she  waits, she is trying to be an encouragement and help to our Peru team,  but is anxious to get to Chile if God is willing.  
2. We still have not  heard from our teammate Daniel Gonzales.  When he left Vina del Mar for  Santiago, he went to the place where the ground transportation could be  organized and found a massive crowd of frustrated people.  While he was  standing there trying to decide what to do, someone drove by and said, "Do you  want to go to Santiago?  We will take you!"  He jumped in the car  and they left, but we have not heard if he arrived in Santiago.  At this  point, his only hope for getting home to his family in the South is by  air from Santiago where the airports are closed.
3. We want to be a  blessing to the team here and to the family that has opened their home to  us.  We originally planned to be in a hotel for at least part of the  time, but that is now impossible and we are so thankful for our hosts.   They have been very kind.
4. We are seeking  God's direction for decisions regarding the ministry events that were  planned.  God knows.
   

At a time like this, we are counting on your prayers more than ever before.  As we have more news, we will update you.

Joe and Julie

Update from Joe and Julie

Dear Praying Friends,




You may have heard that there has been an earthquake in Chile. We know you have already been praying for us and we thank you. Before we go much further, we want to say that we are safe and are praising the Lord.



The epicenter of the earthquake was actually in the south of Chile and we are in central Chile. We definitely had the full earthquake experience in our area and it was a very scary thing to go through. The city of Vina del Mar and neighboring Valparaiso, where our EGM office is, has sustained considerable damage. The aftershocks continue every few minutes to remind us of God’s power.



The earthquake hit at about 3:30am and we were scheduled to conduct a children’s worker conference at 9:30am. Still reeling from the effects of the quake, we were encouraged by our Chilean director to come ahead to the conference location. So much preparation has gone into preparing for the conference; it was hard for the team here to cancel. When we arrived a few minutes late, we found three teachers waiting for us that had traveled three hours to come to the training. Just as they arrived at the church, a strong aftershock occurred but even that did not deter them. We couldn’t just send them home after such an effort so a mini-seminar was given for just them. What dedication!



In addition to praising God for His protection, here are a couple of prayer requests we would appreciate you remembering.



1. One of the EGM staff members, Daniel Gonzalez, lives very near the worst of the devastation. He had traveled up to meet us and is desperately trying to get home to his family. So many bridges are out that buses are not running and the airport is closed. He is also a pastor of a local church and is anxious to return to his home area so he can be a support to his church family.

2. We need wisdom regarding how to continue with our trip. God has us here at this time for a reason and we want to accomplish His purposes, whatever that might be. We are taking it an hour at a time at this point.

3. Our team member, Krysten, who was to arrive today will not be able to get here from Lima, so we are also trusting God for direction in that situation.

4. Pray that we can communicate well with the Chilean family with whom we are staying. They are amazing but we have had our challenges with the language barrier.



If we get internet again, we’ll try to update you. Thanks for praying!



Joe and Julie

Another update from Krysten

Check out this link to connect to Krysten's personal updates.
http://krysten.whereareyou.net/index.php?page=message&id=78990

Update on Chile from Krysten

This is a quick e-mail to let you know that we are all ok- The EGM-Chile staff, board and the Cox’s.

They all felt the quake & it was strong. There is damage to the infrastructure in Vina del Mar but everyone we know is ok.

I am in Lima and unable to travel to Santiago because the airport is closed and will be closed for days.

I will let you know when we have another update.