Finally!

We finally got some official communication from Court's parents after the 8.8 earthquake that hit Concepcion, Chile on Saturday. This came through my email 2 minutes ago. The rumors have been true. They are alive and doing well---well they are at least alive....

Dear family and friends,
Since Saturday, 4 1/2 days ago, after the 8.8 earthquake,feelingthat our building would break apart and we would fall 11 floors to our deaths, we´ve taken refuge in our local ward building with other missionaries. 1 hour ago our situation improved. We walked down to the office and found there is electricity and water there and the internet.The situation is different in the church and our apartment; services are gradually improving. We sleep on the floor, have had no running water (think of the ramificaitons of that) and no electricity. Food is scarce but it´s truly amazing how the Lord has blessed us through. With the military here-- unfortunately they waited a day and 1/2 before coming , the burning and looting of buildings has stopped. It{s safe to walk in the streets which are filled with rubble. Our curfew is 6pm to noon the next day. MORE details later. Thank you for your prayers!!!

We shouted for joy with the running water here.--it´s been the hardest to live without.

We love you.
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister Fischbeck


this one came about a half hour after the first one...


Concepcion is nearsest city( 70 miles) from the center of the quake. The epicenter was in the ocean. It was larger than Haiti´s though they had a terrible death toll. Concepcion has worst damage except for the little towns of Constitution and Dicahati which were destroyed by the tsunami after the quake. This quake is the 5th largest quake in recorded history. It shook for 5 minutes unbelievably hard.

Half of them were killed by a tsumani which happened along our coast. 100 were killed in a new 14 story building that collapsed 10 blocks away from our house. The after shocks continue too, the first 3 days practically every 10 minutes. We are having a big one right now. It´s a bit unnerving. They have lessened but that was bigger.

We have not had shower since Friday. No water for only necessities- We are lucky to have water. a baptismal font full of water that was supposed to be emptied 2 weeks ago but it didn´t. We´ve had (3 )5 gallon bottles of drinking water. they are about gone. We boil the font water and are grateful for it. OUr meals are interesting and a challenge to come up with to feed 12-20 people without a refrigerator and any stores to buy from. We are scrappy. Our bishop´s wife whips up sopapillas out of floor and oil-- We´ve some how managed to have fresh tomatoes every day.

A huge catastrophe for this fair city.

Your father is wonderful and has been a great blessing to our group of missionaries and bishop and stake president who lost their homes and live at the church with us. Yesterday Dad led everyone in a service project at the church of a collapsed wall. He makes everyone, elders, bishop, president, etc.

Pictures later.
Glad to be alive,


the emails just keep on coming....


Dear Family,
Here I am with another message.
We just returned after running out of the office towards the hill in town because there was tsunami alert broadcast by radio. Our president called and told us to run. Maybe because of the large after shock 20 minutes ago.

Another heart stopper. But we are back in the office building and in the streets the message is being broadcast by loud speaker. FALSE ALARM for Tsunami.

I just want you to share in the fun.
Love, Mom
(I´m not making this stuff up)