Chileans are just as used to tremors (small shakes of the earth) as we are to snow storms.  One doesn’t even think about them – they just happen.  No big deal – life continues as normal.  We would “feel” them on a weekly basis when we lived here in 2006 and 2007, but we would hear stories of the 1985 earthquake.  (They say that there is at least 1 tremor somewhere in Chile each day.)

Then… every once in a great while, there is a major blizzard, like in 1977.  Obviously, people took notice.  There was much damage, life stopped, and suffering occurred.  Back then, we were all afraid of the next storm.  We took notice of the next few snow falls.

It’s the same way in Chile with earthquakes.  Obviously, people took notice when the earthquake hit in February.  And now, they continue to take notice of the aftershocks (which feel similar to the normal tremors that are always occurring).

I can’t imagine what the people feel and think as they sense the earth start to shake each time an aftershock occurs.  It continues to be the main topic of conversation.  We have heard story after story of the personal experiences of that event.

Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers for the Chilean people!

Here is the day’s photo journal entry:  CLICK HERE

Here’s our photo journal of the day:  CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

to watch a short video of the game in the old neighborhood!

So, we headed to the next line to pay the fee and had to wait for about 45 minutes.  Then, we returned to the first line and finally passed through customs.  We thought we were done with waiting… oh, no!

The 12 check-on bags passed through the security belt and then we went to the rental car booth.  Obviously, we needed a van because of the amount of luggage we had.  Max had taken the time to research and reserve one online for us, but when we went to that company’s booth, we were told that they had rented their 1 large van to someone else because we didn’t get to the booth in time – UGH!

THANKFULLY, one other rental place had a large van available for us to rent so we spent the next 45 minutes waiting for all the paperwork and information to be filled out for us to rent the van for the week.  The kids were very patient and had fun playing with some of their toys they had brought with them.

FINALLY, after about 3 hours, we headed out the airport doors and packed up the van.

To see the photos of our 1st day in Chile, just CLICK HERE

Doug Miller Soccer

Empire United U14 soccer team

SUNY Brockport Ice Hockey Team

Edgewood Free Methodist Church

Northgate Free Methodist Church

Crossroads Free Methodist Church

Council Rock Primary School

French Road Elementary School

Twelve Corners Middle School

Evans Farm Neighborhood

NOTE: Is there an organization missing on this list? If so, please let me know by commenting below.

# of gloves and mittens:  1,304

# of winter hats:  563

# of scarves:  302

In total, 2, 169 items were donated from the Brighton schools!!!

How AWESOME is that?!?!?

On Monday, we had a great group of volunteers that helped out with sorting all of the items:

Thank you again!

Now…

393 Chilean children will receive back-to-school kits!!

Keep it coming, friends!

Thank you!