For the past 69 days, 33 Chilean miners have been trapped over 2,000 feet underground. For 17 days, no one above ground knew whether they were alive or dead. Luckily, the men rationed their 2 day food supply (eating 2 tsp of tuna, 1/2 a biscuit and 1/2 cup of milk every 48 hours) until being found alive on August 22nd. Food was sent down to the men through a small borehole and teams of doctors and psychologists helped keep them healthy and sane while waiting to be rescued. Conditions were difficult to say the least, nearly 90 degree heat and 90% humidity much of the time in very cramped quarters. The only light came from their helmets and small LED lights. However, the men established routines and jobs to maintain some sense of normalcy. 
Chilean authorities predicted it would take until Christmas to be able to rescue the men, but last night around 8:00 pm, we watched the 1st of 6 rescue workers head down the narrow hole in this capsule to help bring the men to safety.
One by one the miners entered the capsule and ascended to the earth's surface (approx. 15 minutes for the climb). Each miner was greeted by a very anxious family member and hundreds of emotional rescue workers who had worked so hard for this day. Rescuers chanted a popular futbol cheer as each miner thanked them. Then they were quickly placed on a stretcher and sent to the medical facility for evaluation and treatment. Although many had lost nearly 20 pounds, they all looked remarkably well for all they had endured. This was such a tragedy, yet an amazing historic event. I found myself glued to the television most of today as the cable news channels covered each rescue, tallying the # of miners rescued in the corner of the screen. The kids would periodically ask, "How many are they up to?"
All 33 miners and 6 rescue workers were successfully brought to safety in just under 24 hours.A TRUE MIRACLE!!
