Posted by Trevor Shirley
Chile may be quite a distance from Michiana, but Chilean natives here have been watching the mine rescue saga unfold while feeling unity with their fellow countrymen.
Andrews University professors Carolina Olivares and Ruben Perez have both followed closely the events unfolding in their native Chile, and have been keeping in touch with family and friends in the country.
"It's a very emotional journey because I cannot get to be there," said Olivares. "And if you're Chilean, you know if when you're there, you support each other."
Perez, along with thousands of others in Chile and around the world, leaned on his faith to comfort him while watching the ordeal.
"If there is someone who can do this, it's God. And we do believe it is a miracle of God."
It was only eight months ago that Chile suffered a massive earthquake, but Olivares said the Chilean people have learned how to move forward from adversity.
"We are such a resilient country. If you look through Chilean history, we have been facing rough times," said Olivares. "But that's what makes us stronger."
Olivares said the most inspiring part of the entire saga is knowing that people from around the world put their own lives on hold to head to a tiny village in Chile and save the trapped miners.
"Whatever we accomplish, we don't accomplish on our own. We accomplish it as a team."
