Chile

A new book describes the deep faith of the 33 Chilean miners trapped for 70 days in a San Jose mine, 2,300 feet underground – a faith that helped them, their families and friends, survive the intense ordeal.

Hope Underground: The 33 Chilean Miners – A Story of Faith and Miracles, is a story told by a local minister who bonded spiritually with the families of the miners and, later, the miners themselves. The 33 miners, trapped in a collapsed underground shaft for over two months, from Aug. 5 to Oct. 13, 2010, attracted the attention, compassion and prayers of the entire globe. When they were finally brought out to the surface unharmed, the world rejoiced.

Churches across Chile hosted around-the-clock vigils and special services as rescuers pulled the men to the surface one-by-one. As the first miner was brought above ground, Santiago Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel said the lives of the 33 men should be seen as a sign of the need all people have for redemption. more >>

Astronomers have discovered an array of new planets, including several Earth-like planets and one that scientists say may have the possibility of supporting life.

Using an instrument called HARPS or High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher, which is located in La Silla, Chile, scientists have discovered 50 new planets, 16 of which are being called “super-Earths.”

Of these “super-Earths,” one of them is located within the realm of its planetary system that may make it ideal for hosting life. more >>

Evangelist Luis Palau and rescued miner Jose Henriquez, known as “the pastor” of the group of 33 trapped Chilean miners, spoke about the hope in Christ this past weekend at a festival in Chile.

Some 145,000 people attended the Chile Festival on Oct. 25-30, during which Palau and his son, Andrew, brought the message of encouragement and hope in Christ to the capital city, Santiago, and the coastal city, Vina del Mar.

On Saturday, Luis Palau had on the same shirt that Henriquez was wearing when rescued and used it to convey his message. more >>

When the 33 trapped miners in Chile emerged from underground, at least two dozen of them were wearing T-shirts that proclaimed "Gracias Senor," or "Thank you Lord."

Christian Maureira, national director of Campus Crusade for Christ in Chile, who helped provide the shirts, said the miners wanted to recognize and thank God publicly as the world watched the anticipated rescue this week.

The miners were rescued on Tuesday and Wednesday after being trapped in the San Jose mine in Chile since the Aug. 5 cave-in. more >>

The last of the 33 miners who were trapped underground for over two months was pulled out to safety Wednesday evening.

After the successful rescue, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera thanked the families of the miners "who maintained faith – this faith that ended up moving mountains."

The plight of the miners captured the attention of people around the world who stood by their televisions to watch each miner emerge from underground in "Phoenix" escape capsules. Each time a miner stepped out of the capsule, crowds would break into a loud cheer. more >>

Churches across Chile have been hosting around-the-clock vigils and special services as rescuers pulled out one-by-one the 33 miners who have been trapped underground for 69 days.

As the first miner was being brought to the surface, Santiago Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel said the lives of the 33 miners should be seen as a sign of the need all people have for redemption.

"There is no saint without a past, nor sinner without a future," he reminded the congregation in the El Sagrario chapel next to Santiago's Metropolitan Cathedral, according to Catholic News Service. more >>