33 Miners, Alive and Well

News outlets are reporting that the last of the 33 trapped Chilean miners has now been rescued. After their 69-day ordeal spent almost a half-mile underground, all the men are now safely back out in the open air. (Thanks be to God!)

If you haven't been following this story, you should check out a story or two about it (here's one about how each of the men emerged from the mine, and here's another one about the remarkable Phoenix capsule that was used to ferry the miners up to the surface).

The miners' ordeal is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to form community in the most desperate of circumstances. Their underground prison did not apparently descend into some kind of "Lord of the Flies" nightmare. Far from it, in fact. The men rationed food and water until more could be delivered to them. They cared for one another. And they looked to God for strength and hope.

I cannot imagine what their experience must have been like. But in one indication of how trying it was for some, see this story where rescued miner Mario Sepulveda describes it by saying, "I was with God, and I was with the devil. They fought. And God won."

 I've been struck by the number of people here in the United States who have seemed captivated by this story. I've heard many prayers lifted up in worship and other public forums for the safety of those brave men. Thank God that they're terrible trial is now over, and that it ended happily. It's a reason for us all to count our blessings.