The quake-weary Chilean city of Concepcion is in a perpetual exercise of rebuilding. Every day a bit of progress is made as workers stabilize highways and rebuild homes and other damaged structures.
Such daily, step-by-step recovery tasks hold spiritual symbolic meaning for the Chilean members — not only in Concepcion but throughout the entire nation. Even as homes and streets are being built again, members in Chilean wards and branches are making improvements in their own lives.
"This has been a chance to improve for all of Chile," said Elder Fernando Maluenda, an Area Seventy who also works as the Chile Area's director of temporal affairs.
The memories of the early hours of Feb. 27 remain fresh for Elder Maluenda and his fellow Chileans. A deadly magnitude 8.8 temblor rattled the central coast of Chile, claiming hundreds of lives and displacing thousands.
Latter-day Saints were counted among the victims. Seven were killed in the disaster and more than 400 LDS families had to leave their homes.
Meanwhile, the Church responded with a large-scale relief effort that included an air shipment of provisions flown in from the United States. More than 100 tons of food and emergency supplies were delivered to impacted areas. And a bishop's storehouse in Concepcion provided food and other items to more than 1,000 members and their neighbors.
The Church was also able to build relationships with the Chilean government as the two worked together in combined efforts to distribute goods most efficiently.
The relief effort brought members together in many areas of Chile who gathered at meetinghouses and other Church facilities to collect, sort and ship clothing and other needed goods to impacted areas. More than 30 stakes in Santiago were enlisted in the relief effort. Thousands of hygiene kits were assembled by rank-and-file Latter-day Saints.
Now some five months later, Chileans are enjoying a measure of recovery.
"Things are a lot better — we're getting there," said Elder Maluenda.
New construction is a common site in Concepcion and neighboring areas. Many of the improved structures are being designed to withstand future seismic activity.
Many of the displaced members have returned to repaired homes. Others are still living with relatives or fellow members or are residing in temporary homes and waiting for government-sponsored rebuilding grants.
Day-to-day Church operations and missionary work are functioning in full, said Elder Maluenda. LDS meetinghouses in quake-ravaged areas suffered little damage and repairs have been made.
Elder Maluenda acknowledges that the earthquake humbled people of all backgrounds throughout Chile. Many members have enjoyed renewed dedication and faith in their own lives.
"The [disaster] has helped us come together and listen to the prophet's directions about being prepared," he said.
Even those members who lived hundreds of miles away from the quake's epicenter had opportunities to serve others in a time of need. Chileans of all backgrounds, added Elder Maluenda, have experienced a lasting change of heart,
A native Chilean, Elder Maluenda said he has heard many inspiring accounts of increased devotion in the lives of individual members. Spirits — like fractured buildings and buckled roadways — are being rebuilt.
