How would you like to be trapped underground for months?

No, it’s not a new idea for a realty show (although I’m surprised as much as you are). Thirty-three Chilean miners might be underground until Christmas because that’s how long it could take an Australian drill team to get them out.

They were found alive at the weekend, 17 days after a tunnel collapsed in the gold and copper mine.

They are holed up in a chamber the size of a living room. The temperature is about 33C and they have up to 2km of tunnels and space to move around in.

Through a newly installed communications system, the men reported feeling hungry but well, except for one with a stomach problem.

Doctors and mental health experts, working to safeguard the men’s sanity over the months to come, are implementing a plan to keep them informed and busy.

Rescue team member Dr Sergio Aguila said the miners had survived on tuna, milk and biscuits found in the chamber after the tunnel collapsed on August 5.

Mario Gomez, one of the trapped miners, managed to write a letter to his wife and send it up to the surface.

Mr Gomez’s letter to his wife, Liliana, which the miners tied to the drill bit, was full of expressions of faith and determination, revealing that the miners were holding strong.

“I want to tell everyone that I’m good and we’ll surely come out OK,” he wrote.

“Patience and faith. God is great and the help of my God is going to make it possible to leave this mine alive.”

No word as to whose fault it was for the tunnel collapse that trapped them down there in the first place but God’s going to make sure they’re okay. No, I think all the people desperate to get them medical aid and food and water and oxygen and counseling are the ones who are going to make sure they’re okay. The guys who thought to ration their meager resources the way they did need to get some credit, too. No doubt that helped them survive 17 long days and nights down there first.

I get why his first letter is all about trusting God but cripes, why can’t the people get a bit of thanks? God will likely get all the credit again come Christmastime, too. It’s a miracle! And on baby Jesus’ birthday! What a kind and loving God!

Sigh.

I say good luck to this team of people bound and determined to rescue these men and keep them healthy until the moment they see sun again. They’re going to need it.