Haiti and Chile

The Differences:

- More lives lost in Haiti

- More dramatic damage in Haiti

- More displacement/tent cities in Haiti

- More injury in Haiti

- Help mainly coming from outside Haiti

- Help mainly coming from inside Chile

- Tsunami in Chile

- More aftershocks in Chile

- More preparation in Chile

- More options in Chile

- Stronger infrastructure in Chile

The Similarities:

- Lives lost

- Extensive damage

- Displaced people

- Churches reaching out

The influence of the different socio-economic contexts in Haiti and Chile is undeniable. Chile was prepared, Haiti wasn’t. So Haiti’s smaller earthquake had greater consequences.

I’d say the greatest difference I saw was the human impact. In Haiti we saw hundreds of people injured and thousands living in tents. I don’t think I saw a single injury in Chile. And most people could live with family, so there were only a few living in tents.

But it shouldn’t be overlooked that, in addition to the earthquake, Chile also experienced a Tsunami. The tsunami damage we saw in Costitucion was just as shocking as anything I saw in Haiti.

On top of this, Chile has been experiencing a slew of aftershocks - something I didn't experience at all during my time in Haiti. And these "replicas" have caused untold mental stress and anxiety on the people of Chile. Just because the hurt isn't as evident in Chile, doesn’t mean people aren’t hurting just as much.

Still, the biggest similarity – and the coolest thing I saw in both places – is that God’s people are reaching out. Even in the midst of their own hurts, the church is shining a light.

And I love that that is happening in both places.