Hope Underground - The 34 Chilean Fan Miners: A Book Review
By T Letseli
I have just read this faith-building, thought-provoking story as related by Pastor Carlos Parra Diaz. I received a copy as a birthday gift from my friend, Russel Nel. I recommend this book to a person who doubts the existence of God, and also to those who are looking for more and further reasons to trust God.
The plot unfolds within the structure of 18 chapters serving as a guide to provide logic and chronologic account of events. The account is not a theological treatise or debate aimed at proving the existence of God or an argument in favor of validity of miracles. It is a simple story of faith and trust in God.
The story flows from the experience of Pastor Diaz, his role as a Chaplain of what would be termed "Camp Hope." The author introduces the reader to several characters ranging from the mayor of Camp Hope, comidian, families & children of miners, government officials, mining lords, journalists, police, several church leaders and members - each playing their roles in helping the minors.
There are other stories linked to the experiences of minors, but accounts which are not necessarily linked to the main plot. For example, the role of government in granting mining rights without follwing safety protocols, the unpaid salaries of miners, local government structures, and etc. Then reader is sidetracked from those stories which are important, but not relevant to the main story.
The plot takes several turns - turns hard to understand, defying any human or scientific explanations - except understood within the context of Christian faith. The appearance of a butterfly 700 meters underground, the sense of divine presence, the role of prayer among miners underground and that of their relatives above-ground & and the Christian world at large, the experiences of mining engineers, the role of the Bible in encouraging miners underground, and sustaining their families above-ground.
The story has several climaxes leading to an ultimate one. The discovery of the minors brought joy to both miners, families, government, and the world. This was the first highlight paving the way to establishing contact with miners, providing resources to care for the sick.
The ultimate climax was the rescue of the last miner. Between the two climaxes are stories of discouragement and disappointment, and also much prayer from both minors and their relatives. The lives of both miners and their families were altered, and many found more and better reasons to trust God, and those who were atheists prior to the event, found reasons to accept the fact of the existence of God and then sustaining power of the Word of God (Bible).
Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Worcester - 20-22 April 2008
We spent our "Bosberaad" at Protea Hotel, in Worcester, in the Western Cape. Worcester is a lovely place, althought is not a popular destination for tourist.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Update on My Maternal Lineage - 9 December 2007
I am in the process of writing a history from my mother's side. She is the only one remaining in the family of 10. My mother remembered so many details today, hence this update – Sunday, 9 Dec 2007.
My maternal grandmother, Hope Ngxolwana, (nee Phuthu “ka uZenani”) died in 1947 when she was 47 years old. She was born in 1900. My maternal grandfather, Eustace Ngxolwana, was about 10 years older than my grandmother – this means that my grandfather was born about 1890. My grandfather died in 1954 at the age of 64.
Hope was light in complexion with soft and curly hair. One wanders if she did not have coloured or white blood in her? This question still needs to be researched further. Hope was a teacher by profession, but she did not have a chance to practice as a teacher because of raising 10 children.
My great grandmother, known to my mother, Buzelwa Mavis Ngxolwana as “uMakhulu” died in 1940 when Buzelwa was 5 years old. My mother does not remember her grandfather – chances are that he passed away before my mother was born.
Nontuthuzelo, Hope’s kid sister, was married to the Zondeki family. Her children were Nomalizo, Kokman, Dideka, Fezeka and Nondumiso. Nontuthuzelo took care of “uMakhulu” because she was sick and she would die in 1940.
Eustace Ngxolwana grew up in a family of 7 children, namely, (1) Eustace (2) Agnes, (3) Mabel, (4) Alma, (5) Malicia – married to an Anglican minister, (6) Nontuthuzelo – the one who cared for “uMakhulu”, and (7) Thandiwe, commonly known or teased as “Nomtrabetso”.
Eustace Ngxolwana’s father, my great grandfather, was a wealthy man. He had cattle and sheep. He had signed a Will before his death. When my great grandfather died, his wealth was distributed thus: 50% to my great grandmother, and the remaining 50% to the rest of the seven children. My grandfather, Eustace Ngxolwana received 15 sheep and 7 cattle. The rest of the hard cash which was stored in the bank was not distributed. It is alleged that Malicia stole it and then shared it with Alma’s son, George.
Alma took her share to Maka’s family where her sister, Nontuthuzelo was married into. It is not known what became of her wealth. Her son, George, died after being knocked and dragged by truck while riding a motorbike.
Eustace Ngxolowana went to an Adventist School known as Qhamana, at Pedi, in Nqushwa. He had gone there to train as a pastor, but it is reported that he seduced a lady, and had to be discontinued from his ministerial studies. He then trained as a builder (bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, etc.)
Eustace would work in Cape Town for many years, and would see his family after two years. Eustace died in 1954 after a short illness stemming from an encounter with Group Areas’ Act. He had visited his son in East London, and the place was raided, and they were harassed and beaten up by the police. Eustace would be hurt by that incidence, and he shortly died of a broken heart and some health complications from injuries sustained from the police. He had instructed his family to slaughter a cow three days after his death. The name of the cow was Hertzorg. Hertzorg was not slaughtered because for the reason that it was felt that the cow could be used for cultivating the soil for plowing.
Eustace Ngxolwana beget 10 children, namely, (1) Darling (nee Mafongozi), (2) George, (3) Wanana, (4) Nmkhangiso who passed away quite early, (5) Zama, (6) Welile, (7) Siziwe, (8) Buzelwa – my mother, (9) Thobeka, and (10) Nomgcobo who passed away in August 2006. All of Eustace Ngxolwana’s children have passed away, and the remaining one is Buzelwa Mavis Letseli (nee Ngxolwana). My mother, Buzelwa who is now 72 years old, was born on 30 December 2007. .
My maternal grandmother, Hope Ngxolwana, (nee Phuthu “ka uZenani”) died in 1947 when she was 47 years old. She was born in 1900. My maternal grandfather, Eustace Ngxolwana, was about 10 years older than my grandmother – this means that my grandfather was born about 1890. My grandfather died in 1954 at the age of 64.
Hope was light in complexion with soft and curly hair. One wanders if she did not have coloured or white blood in her? This question still needs to be researched further. Hope was a teacher by profession, but she did not have a chance to practice as a teacher because of raising 10 children.
My great grandmother, known to my mother, Buzelwa Mavis Ngxolwana as “uMakhulu” died in 1940 when Buzelwa was 5 years old. My mother does not remember her grandfather – chances are that he passed away before my mother was born.
Nontuthuzelo, Hope’s kid sister, was married to the Zondeki family. Her children were Nomalizo, Kokman, Dideka, Fezeka and Nondumiso. Nontuthuzelo took care of “uMakhulu” because she was sick and she would die in 1940.
Eustace Ngxolwana grew up in a family of 7 children, namely, (1) Eustace (2) Agnes, (3) Mabel, (4) Alma, (5) Malicia – married to an Anglican minister, (6) Nontuthuzelo – the one who cared for “uMakhulu”, and (7) Thandiwe, commonly known or teased as “Nomtrabetso”.
Eustace Ngxolwana’s father, my great grandfather, was a wealthy man. He had cattle and sheep. He had signed a Will before his death. When my great grandfather died, his wealth was distributed thus: 50% to my great grandmother, and the remaining 50% to the rest of the seven children. My grandfather, Eustace Ngxolwana received 15 sheep and 7 cattle. The rest of the hard cash which was stored in the bank was not distributed. It is alleged that Malicia stole it and then shared it with Alma’s son, George.
Alma took her share to Maka’s family where her sister, Nontuthuzelo was married into. It is not known what became of her wealth. Her son, George, died after being knocked and dragged by truck while riding a motorbike.
Eustace Ngxolowana went to an Adventist School known as Qhamana, at Pedi, in Nqushwa. He had gone there to train as a pastor, but it is reported that he seduced a lady, and had to be discontinued from his ministerial studies. He then trained as a builder (bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, etc.)
Eustace would work in Cape Town for many years, and would see his family after two years. Eustace died in 1954 after a short illness stemming from an encounter with Group Areas’ Act. He had visited his son in East London, and the place was raided, and they were harassed and beaten up by the police. Eustace would be hurt by that incidence, and he shortly died of a broken heart and some health complications from injuries sustained from the police. He had instructed his family to slaughter a cow three days after his death. The name of the cow was Hertzorg. Hertzorg was not slaughtered because for the reason that it was felt that the cow could be used for cultivating the soil for plowing.
Eustace Ngxolwana beget 10 children, namely, (1) Darling (nee Mafongozi), (2) George, (3) Wanana, (4) Nmkhangiso who passed away quite early, (5) Zama, (6) Welile, (7) Siziwe, (8) Buzelwa – my mother, (9) Thobeka, and (10) Nomgcobo who passed away in August 2006. All of Eustace Ngxolwana’s children have passed away, and the remaining one is Buzelwa Mavis Letseli (nee Ngxolwana). My mother, Buzelwa who is now 72 years old, was born on 30 December 2007. .
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Bonding sessions with my mother, 23 July 2007
Last month I attended an APHHS (Adventist Professional Health and Humanitarian Services) & Vista Boards, and I took an opportunity to enjoy the luxury and privilege of bonding with my mother. I count it a blessings that I still have time to bond with my mother, because I have learned that mothers are very much temporal. I need to enjoy my mother while time last.
My mother is 72 years old and she is still fun and sharp. 
My wife, Dudu, lost her mother and the funeral was on the 1 July 2007, and the rest of the family is still dealing with the loss of the mother.
My wife, Dudu, lost her mother and the funeral was on the 1 July 2007, and the rest of the family is still dealing with the loss of the mother. My 10 year old daughter, Teboho, shared a smile with me.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital - 17 March 2007
A group of missionary, together with an input from physicians, conceived a vision of establishing a medical missionary work in Hong Kong. An Adventist Hospital was built in 1974, and today the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital is one of the prestigious hospitals in Hong Kong. The hospital is currently under expansion.I also learned of an intersting story (or myth). 
People in Hong Kong, including mainland China, do not like the number four (4). Apparently, in their language, the number 4 is pronounced closely with "death." This means that their high buildings do not have the 4th floor because it is a number of bad luck (similar to number 13).
People in Hong Kong, including mainland China, do not like the number four (4). Apparently, in their language, the number 4 is pronounced closely with "death." This means that their high buildings do not have the 4th floor because it is a number of bad luck (similar to number 13). The sun had just set, and Hong Kong was coming alive. From the 7th floor of Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, I saw beautiful buildings enfogged.
Hong Kong Flower Park/Mall - 18 March 2007
Hong Kong has beautiful flower market & park - indegenous & important flowers. People visit this place to buy and take pictures. I saw some South African flowers. An African has also developed an interest in flowers.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Hong Kong "British rail buses" - 18 March 2007
These trains show that the British government had been around. I had a privilege of travelling by that bus. I must say that Hong Kong transport system is highly developed and efficient. 
Hong Kong City from the Peak - 17 March 2007
I could not see Hong Kong city from the highest peack because it was very foggy and drizzling. From time-to-time the fog would lift and we would catch at least a glimpse of Hong Kong City. There is a harbour a little further on the left, but it is eclipsed by the fog. Even within the fog, Hong Kong is a beautiful city. You need to see it in order to believe it.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Trip to Hong Kong Adventist College, Hong Kong, 11-23 March 2007
I am currently attending an "Integration of Faith & Learning Conference" - hosted and funded by a division of General Conference SDA Church's Education Department.The purpose of the conference is to get every participant to write a 15-20 pages paper/essay towards the development of and contributing towards An Adventist Teachers Resources' 35th Volume.
This volume will be published very soon. Hong Kong is a different place - high scrapers residential buildings, very much congested and densely populated. I have cautioned that Hong Kong is the most populated densely city in the world.I need to mention that the weather has been so gloomy, foggy, and at some point drizzling a little, but not cold.
It was interesting for me to learn that university and college students wear a school uniform. I still need to check if it is true that all universities in Hong Kong require uniform for their students.We will be going out on an excursion on Sunday (18 March 2007), and I am looking forward to the trip. It appears that we will be using a cruise. I saw what is considered the longest bridge connecting Hong Kong with other surburbs. Hong Kong is an island, and it is connected by a bridge on the sea - a bridge that is suspended on the air, and trains use the second or lower level of the same bridge. In general, Hong Kong is a beautiful city, and it is even nicer if viewed at night.
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