I went to youth group the other day at Union Cristiana, which consists of a broad range of young people (high school to college and just out), but it was a different service this time round. As Chile is gearing-up for their Bicentennial celebrations during the week of Fiestas Patrias (Independence Day), the church was gathering together to pray for their people, the church and their country. It was such a neat opportunity to witness the Lord moving through the young people and bringing them to their news to pray for a broken and hurting country, especially this year with the major 8.8 earthquake in February, several server aftershocks and now the 33 miners trapped in the North.
It wasn’t just the natural disasters, but they also prayed for the some of the same things that the church in the States is praying for like: the institution of marriage in their country, abortions, drug addictions and physical/emotional abuse. The coolest thing was to be able to pray for Chile along Chileans in both Spanish and English. My time may be limited, but I have come to love this country. I will continue to pray for Chile like I have been, am doing now and will continue to do even after I leave. It was such a blessing to be able to give back the greatest way I know how, through prayer, for their/our country.
Like I said, it’s the Bicentennial year, meaning Fiestas Patrias is even more a slam-bang show. Most Chileans and outsiders have said that Chileans tend to be timid and modest, not as orgulloso or proud. However, that night at youth group, I didn’t just see National Pride in full-bloom but a truly humble passion for the Lord to move mightily in Chile. Whoever said that Chileans are timid and non-prideful, think again. This country is one of resilience and determination. They have consistently bounced back and rallied together to restore their country and now they rally together to celebrate and pray in the good times and bad. So let the festivities begin, the flags fly and the Lord to move mightily in Chile!
CHI-CHI-CHI, LE-LE-LE! VIVA CHILE!
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