My wife and I are thankful to announce the new arrival of a healthy grandson, our 14th grandchild. On October 9, as we awaited his arrival, far away at a mine in Chile the whole world was watching and waiting, too.

Every day we hear about disasters and crises around the globe. A mining accident is nothing unusual. But something about this one was different. In August I heard that after seventeen days the men were finally in contact with rescue teams, and I became even more interested. Was it really possible to drill a rescue shaft exactly over the trapped men? Could they hold out that long? After weeks of waiting and praying that God would intervene with his help, October 9 arrived. The drill broke through to the trapped miners. What a tremendous moment for these thirty-three men, who waited in hope for sixty-eight days. To see the pictures of family members who had camped at the mine shaft for so many weeks, crying and praying, was thrilling.

At 9:15 p.m. on that same day our grandson was born. A healthy and beautiful new life sent directly from God. Since that day I have pondered the infinite love of God for us here on earth.

What made this rescue effort so important? Suddenly these miners were worth everything the world could muster, even though most of us did not know them and would never know them as individuals.

Doesn’t this story show us that God loves and cares for all people on the earth, even miners deep under the earth, whether in Chile or in China, whether flood victim in Pakistan or war victim in Afghanistan? Hasn’t God shown us that all men who are living in darkness are worth every effort! How he longs that all come to the Light!

On Monday, October 11, another little boy was born in our community. It was also a day of tremendous joy for his family. And again a special day for the world as each of the miners was hoisted to the surface. Even the president of Chile was there to welcome them back above ground. What a time of rejoicing for wives and families. What a moving moment to see a miner go on his knees to thank God for the renewed life given to him, as prayers of thanksgiving went up to heaven.

For our community this has also been special time of rejoicing and thanking God. On Sunday we all gathered in a meeting where the two families brought their newborn sons to the church. It was an unforgettable moment to see these two new babies surrounded by their parents, two sets of grandparents, and the whole community. May God’s love be present in their lives, calling them, as he calls each one on this earth, to come to the Light.

 

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