Volcano erupts in Chile

OM International

A volcano in Chaiten, Chile, located 1,200 km (745 miles) south of Santiago, began to erupt early Friday morning, spewing smoke and ash for miles across southern Chile and parts of near-by Argentina. OM missionaries Carlos and Liliana live in Esquel, Patagonia in Argentina, just 100 km (62 miles) east of the volcano. Their city is covered in ash that blankets the ground like a heavy snowfall.

“It’s very sad to see the beautiful nature that surrounds us look like this,” says Carlos. “Waters that are normally crystal clear are flowing like cement rivers!” The inhabitants of Esquel have been forced to wear face masks, and Carlos reports that he can still feel the earth tremble once in a while. Although there is no danger of lava flooding into Argentina, as waters flow toward the Pacific, roads have been closed and visibility is low. Children are not attending school.

Carlos and Liliana praise the Lord that despite the contaminated air, they are supplied with water and everything else they need. Please pray for their safety, the Lord’s provision, and that this disaster will provide them an opportunity to minister to others in their town. Pray also for the Chileans who were evacuated from Chaiten and neighbouring towns during the eruption.

For more information, contact Edgardo Kasselian with OM Argentina at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Credit: OM International
© 2008 OM International

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