In His Hands are the Depths of the Earth

The last of the miners and rescuers were pulled to safety last night.  Hallelujah!!!  The success of the rescue and the faith of those men brought me to tears.  What an amazing example of faith and trust in God!

Here are some pictures of the successful rescue.  These "miners of faith" so greatly touch my heart!  Like I mentioned yesterday, after 69 days trapped in a dark underground mine and 10+ minutes in a confined and scary capsule, these miners didn't stretch their legs or run in the sun but, rather, dropped to their knees giving thanks and glory and honor to God.



Omar Reygadas, age 56, knelt down with a Bible in his hand and prayed after becoming the 17th miner rescued.
CNN.com - Government of Chile

  

Esteban Rojas, age 44, knelt to pray after stepping out from the Phoenix capsule and becoming the 18th miner rescued. 
Per CNN.com, in late August, he asked his wife of 25 years to renew their vows, this time in a traditional church ceremony.  So sweet!  :0)
CNN.com - Government of Chile



“I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;

I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, higher than the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

and let your glory be over all the earth.

Save us and help us with your right hand,

that those you love may be delivered.”

-- Psalm 108:3-6



In this picture, Jorge Galleguillos, age 56, hugs the President of Bolivia Evo Morales after becoming the 11th miner rescued.
CNN.com - Government of Chile



What I LOVED about this picture were the words on his shirt.  All the miners had words, either screen-printed or hand-written, on all their hard hats, clothes, etc.  I SO BADLY wanted to know what it said...what words they had used to inspire and encourage themselves and each other.  With this picture, I took the words on the back of his shirt and translated them via an online translator and found that it is Psalm 95:4!  Love that!!!  This is what it said:

"In His hands are the depths of the earth.  And the heights of the hills are his."

To Him, is the Honor and Glory

The translator said it was "From Him, is the Honor and Glory" but I think it meant "To Him".  :0)  But isn't that amazing?!!!  CNN.com also reported that 63-year-old Mario Gomez promised his wife of 30 years a proper wedding in his "Dear Lila" letter that came up with the famous and joyful "We're all OK in the refuge, all 33" note.  Gomez was quoted as saying, "Patience and faith.  God is great and the help of my God is going to make it possible to leave this mine alive."  Also, 56 year-old miner and father of twin daughters, Jose Henriquez, formed a prayer group that met several times a day; he also asked to have 33 Bibles sent down the narrow supply passage to the miners.  These men are such inspirations of faithfulness and are bringing glory and honor to God for ALL the world to see!  Hallelujah!!!

Here are some more pictures that made my heart smile.



Rescuers hugging each other as the Phoenix rescue capsule (so named after the bird that "rises from the ashes") takes the last of the 33 trapped miners up to safety.
Yahoo AP - Government of Chile



The six rescuers hold up a sign as they celebrate "Mission Accomplished" after the Phoenix rescue capsule carrying the last of the 33 trapped miners left the underground gold and copper San Jose Mine near Copiapo, Chile.
Yahoo AP - Government of Chile

 

Manuel Gonzalez, just before his ascent, stands alone in the mine where 33 miners had been trapped for 69 days. 
Manuel was the first rescuer who bravely made the 2,034 ft descent in the Phoenix capsule to check on the condition of the miners, to talk them through their final hours down below, to encourage their spirits, and to facilitate the rescue operation.  He was the last man in the mine.  All 33 trapped miners and 6 rescuers were safely and healthily saved.
Yahoo AP - Government of Chile

 

Before ascending in the Phoenix capsule, Manuel Gonzalez takes a bow after all 33 trapped miners have been saved.
Yahoo AP - Government of Chile



"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

--John 15:13

I am SO GRATEFUL that all these men are okay,

SO MOVED by their overwhelming faith and spirit,

SO TOUCHED by the selflessness of the rescuers, and

SO OVERWHELMED by the glory, honor, thanksgiving, and praise they are giving to God for all the world to see! 

Praise You, Father, in ALL the earth!!!