Coxes Report 203 Aftershocks Over 4.9 in Chile

Hi, Praying Team:

Thanks for your continued prayers. Reports in yesterday's evening news were that since the big earhquake, there have been 203 aftershocks over 4.9. One was 6.3! We have felt many of them, and some have caused us to get in doorways, but it has seemed relatively calm today. We haven't gotten the news yet today, due to meetings, but things seem to be slowing down in the earthquake department.

We have been meeting with the board the last 2 days. Yesterday, I was able to share from the Word and give an update on our ministry around the world to inspire the team here. Today, I shared again from the Word. The team seemed to respond well to the messages and I was thankful to be able to share with them. It was a great moment for us when the board chairman shared with the group how much it had meant to them when we made no move to leave immediately after the earthquake. He said most visitors were headed for the airport as soon as it was possible to get the first flight out, but we had stayed and that willingness to stay and work through things with them had encouraged them so much.

Several of the board members were not able to attend. Nathy, from the North could not get transportation to the meeting. Margarita from Vina del Mar was told by the government that her apartment building is no longer safe to live in and she was moving today. Another of the board members who lives near the epicenter is a physician and has been working night and day in the hospital. Another (a pastor) was unavailable because a member of his church died and he was providing the funeral today. However, those who WERE able to attend, did the best they could and had a productive meeting organizing the upcoming office move and planning for the future of the ministry.

Tomorrow, we will have our rescheduled children's workers conference simultaneously with the Pastor's meeting. No one knows how many we will have but we will do our best to minister to those who come. Some of the original speakers will not be able to attend so we are doing double duty. The team is ready for anything! Sunday, I will preach twice at two different churches. Pray for God's message to come through, whatever and however He wants to do that.

We have heard that all flights out of Santiago have resumed so we are not anticipating a delay in our return to the US. We are weary but praising God and looking forward to finishing well on this amazing adventure. Thanks for coming with us through prayer. Your emails have meant a great deal to us.

Joe