What a joy to watch the trapped Chilean miners be rescued. All 33 are now safe above the ground. I can't imagine what it would be like to be trapped almost a half mile below the earth for 69 days. It was stirring to watch each rescued miner greet their family members and friends. Some bowed on the ground. Others raised their hands in exaltation. All of them shed joyful tears as they experienced their freedom. Each miner came out of that tiny capsule with a shirt that read, "Gracias Senor" - Thank you Lord. I hope that message continues to resound with all who witnessed this amazing rescue. I hope that all of our hearts will continue to be grateful to the Lord for this miraculous blessing. And we should also thank the Lord for all the people involved in this herculean rescue effort. Many nations were involved in helping. It required all kinds of people, from engineers to medical personnel, to complete this rescue. There was even a few people who volunteered to go down into the mine to be with these people as they were being rescued. We applaud their bravery and willingness to put their lives at risk to help save other lives.

I couldn't help but think of Jesus when I read that part of this amazing story. Jesus willingly came down to our level so we could go up to His. He came down so I could be set free. Like Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:15, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"

Gracias Senor! Gracias Senor!

Pastor Tim