Learn: Humility Lived Out

What did I learn today?

Yesterday the whole world witnessed history when 32 Chilean miners and 1 Bolivian miner, who have been trapped for 65 days, were saved in 22 hours. Luis Urzua, who was the group’s foreman and is now known to be the group’s leader, was the last miner who was brought up to the surface and broke the world record for being underground the longest. When the accident happened on August 5th, the world held its breath to see if there was any chance for any sign of the men. 17 days later, drillers were able to drill with a camera down to the men and they saw a face. Then they found the note on the drill stating the 33 were all alive. Since then the attempts for the rescue of the 33 continued on and ended yesterday.

I’ll be honest and admit that I spent the whole day at my desk watching the live feed of the men being rescued. Even though I missed the first rescuer coming up to the surface, I was still able to catch video clips of the young son crying to meet his beloved father.

I do have a lot of things to say about the event, I do want to stress what is the main point. Humility has been a word that I have trying to define these past couple of weeks. As I watched each of the men being rescued in the Phoenix, humility and solidarity were the two words that I could only think of. Several of the men even bowed down on their knees to thank God for the rescue. Some of them were not ashamed of crying in front of world as they embraced their loved ones.

Can you imagine living underground for 65 days? Without seeing your family? Without having a comfortable bed? Having to not eat more than a spoonful of tuna and a cup of milk those first 17 days? It was hot and dark. It’s crazy to think of the things we take for granted. 33 men.

These men are miners. A majority of them went into the mining business due to the lack of finances. From business men to former soccer players, these men worked for a living because of the responsibility of families. Many of them had children to factor in and even had a couple to put through college.

Each man that was rescued was able to receive a bear hug and encouraging words from the President Sebastian Pinera, a billionaire, with the world watching. A miner hugging a billionaire, because life triumphs over death.

"The only thing I ask, personally, is that you please not treat us like celebrities or journalists," ~ Mario Antonio Sepulveda Espinace, second miner that was rescued.

I am humbled by the event because:

...the men did everything they could do to keep on living.

...no matter how cameras were on them, they still displayed their love and affection for their families.

...each person had a role while they were down in the mine.

...their leader was willing to be the last one rescued. He wanted his workers to be saved.

...these men were patient enough to develop a community underground. Even if there might have been conflict, they kept each other alive.

...when I read more about their stories, solidarity, is the only I can think of that defines their experience.

To learn more about the 33 miners stories click here, here, and here.

Picture taken from here.