As I begin this column, I, like many readers, have just witnessed
a miracle. Last night, I saw the first of 33 Chilean miners
brought to the surface after being entombed underground for
69 days.
The effort to rescue the minors was actually a combination
of miracles. As the world watched the wonders of the feat being
performed, we were amazed by how many accomplishments came
together to make it happen. Help arrived from all corners of
the globe. NASA immediately sent personnel to the site to ascertain
ways to assist in the recovery. Materials and equipment began
arriving from many countries eager to help.
Where do we start counting the combination of miracles that
occurred in Chile? The satellites providing almost instant
on-scene coverage, which in the past had to be sent via
Telecom. The fact the exact position of those trapped could
be determined. The ability to drill 2,100 feet, almost a half
mile through the earth, to that exact location when 250 feet
was the greatest operation ever accomplished in the past? Every
move made became the first time it was ever attempted.
At last count as I write, the number rescued has reached 17
and the recovery capsule is operating smoothly. The first two
men I witnessed arriving at the surface seemed to be in great
condition. They were so happy and grateful. The arrangement,
which the men agreed to, to take each of them to a hospital
for observation and examination was further proof of how many
precautions were put in place to ensure success.
Another of the miracles was the white butterfly believed to
be an angel by some. The butterfly is commonly seen in the
early morning flying around blooming purple flowers in the
desert. It is said to be rare for one of the butterflies to
be seen anywhere near a mine area. The story was told of this
white creature appearing in front of a truck with two men aboard
in the shaft opening just before the collapse. Seeing it caused
them to stop to look, and in moments the rock fall took place.
The miners believe had they not stopped they surly would have
been crushed by the falling rocks. Many of the miners say the
butterfly the two miners saw was an angel and it carried a
message from God.
As
I watched the operation with the cable first lowering the
capsule then returning with another miner aboard,
I could not
help but admire the engineering of the operation.
The lift support structure, with a big pulley sitting
over
the drilled
tunnel and snubber pulleys along the cable to the
point of ascension. The smoothness of the cable’s
motion was amazing and proof of how good the engineers
were,
how precise
and exacting
with all their design work.
As
I see it, yes, the rescue of the miners was indeed a miracle,
but wasn’t the joint endeavor
from all over the world a miracle also? Just
as everyone
combined
their
talents and
resources to rescue 33 minors because the need
arose, if we chose to accomplish world peace
why could that
goal
not be
met? Many more lives could be saved by such an
effort.
Let’s
all try to work on that.