In 2003 I was flying through South America and was routed through Santiago. Now, I do not consider an airport layover a real 'visit' to a country, but I was able to see, especially on landing and take-off, some of the natural beauty of this mountainous nation that stretches from the tropics towards the Antarctic. Today I am asking all my readers to say a prayer for Chile, a nation of 16 million. 

The capital city is Santiago (5 million), and in fact over 80% of the nation lives in the cities. 10 languages are spoken in Chile, including Mapudungun and (especially and primarily) Spanish. Mining is a significant source of income for the Republic of Chile, particularly copper mining. The republic became independent from Spain in 1810. The socialist government (elected in 1970) was ousted in a bloody coup in 1973. I was an eighth grade student, and remember the news as we studied it in a 'Government and Society' class. (You may have been following the story of Pinochet, rather recently captured and called to account for his crimes.) 

Nearly 90% of Chileans view themselves as Christians, among whom three quarters are Roman Catholics. Today please pray for the light of the gospel to shine on more and more people in this nation, and also for the political and economic stability that make that prospect more likely. Thank you.

This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only. © 2005. Reprints or public distribution is prohibited without the express consent of Douglas Jacoby.