Is there life after the Quake?

 Last week was like having jumped down the rabbit hole.  The buildings and roads had taken on new shapes, conversations and the community atmosphere changed so much.  That little bottle that said 'drink me' definately had a shrinking effect, because everything seemed much bigger.  I was waking up to every little noise at night. There was so much to process and to absorb.  Now I'm not so jumpy or stressed out, things seem to make a bit more sense, and life all around us has quickly returned to normal. (what ever that is! :)

We are safe, and in very very good hands in so many ways.  The 5 and 6 tremors, and aftershocks are nothing compared to the 8.  We're sleeping through them now and hardly notice them.  there's a little bit of movement, but there aren't any risks of buildings falling down or loosing facades.  It's so funny to say, but a 6.0 earthquake feels like nothing! :)  Thank you sooooo much everyone for all of the prayers. 

The Chilean people are so resilient.  It is amazing how earthquakes have formed a part of their culture, of their character.  Everyone lives through about 3-4 major earthquakes in their lives.  Right away, as soon as they can, they get up, rebuild and move on.  Have a party, laugh, be immensely thankful for being alive, get back to work, and don't forget that pilates class.  Most all the kids started school today, and a sister here started College today... we're trying to follow suit (although a bit more wobbily :) and are working on moving on with our lives as well.

We went to a birthday party Friday night, were able to relax all day Saturday.  We caught a benefit concert yesterday for the Red Cross and got to enjoy some great Andean music with friends.  We're working really hard to get connected with an emergency relief organization to start help building temporary shelters or delivering food and water. I am sure that our perspective on everything will change again when we start heading south again.  I can't imagine what the next 3 weeks will be like for us... but the important thing is to reach out in solidarity and love to the people here that are in so much need.  We have been amazingly blessed with this available time, and we plan to use it well.  We talked with Sister Mary Gloria in the States and she has agreed to extend our medical coverage and keep us on as VIDES volunteers with the Salesian order.  And we thought our Mission was over!  I have a funny feeling that it will never be over... not really.  Mission is a way of life, not a short period of time.

Peace and God bless to all.  We will write more soon.