Pictured here are the remains of a huge brick warehouse near downtown Chillan.

From Sisters Mimi Ballard and Ruth Gehres in Chillan, Chile:

Thanks to everyone who has sent prayers and expressions of concern for us here in the earthquake zone of central Chile. Chillan, where we are, is less than 100 miles from the epicenter. It's a miracle that we didn't have much more destruction. For the people on the coast, though, where a powerful tsunami followed the quake, it is total devastation. We are sorting through donated clothes to take to those who will take them to the coast, to those who have nothing.

Many buildings here have damage, some severe. Many families are sleeping and eating outside because their houses have collapsed or could collapse at any moment from serious structural damage. Wednesday, we took milk and diapers to a young family whose house fell down. Jenifer, the mom, is a member of the Casa Ursulina community. Other members of our community have come by for food or other help, or for help for their neighbors. Miryam told us that for every piece of bread (or egg, or whatever) each member of her family eats, they put another in a box to share with others. Stories like this contrast so acutely with reports of looting and violence in the streets, especially in Concepcion, the largest city on the coast. There is obviously a lot of heartening news as well.

Sisters Ruth and Mimi prepare bags of donated clothing to send to the coast, where many people lost everything and are sleeping in tents.

We are sharing as we can. We had a supply of staples on hand (rice, pasta, sugar, for example, and always diapers), but that supply is running out. We can use donations of any size to help those who come, or those we go out to see (like Jenifer), when we learn of their distress. A workplace collection, or donations among family and friends, would help tremendously. Most things here cost less by U.S. standards ... but are costly for the poor who have so little to buy them with. Now too, many people will not have jobs because their workplaces have been damaged or destroyed. This means great distress for families, many with small children.

Casa Ursulina has an account at Mount Saint Joseph, and the best way to help is to send funds to this account. Checks should be written to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. On the memo line write “Casa Ursulina (earthquake).” We will be notified when the check arrives, and we’ll be able to use the funds immediately.

More than monetary donations, though, the people of Chile need the support of your prayers. Pray especially for those who have lost everything and those who now have nowhere to live.

If you'd like to contact us, please know we welcome the sense of solidarity that comes from your moral support. Our e-mail: rgehres@gmail.com.

Thank you and God bless you.

Sister Mimi Ballard, OSU, Sister Ruth Gehres, OSU

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