Even when stuck thousands of feet underground, there is still a reason to be thankful: 33 Chilean miners have been stuck 700m (2,300ft) below surface for 26 days but are getting numerous support from the government and from different people. Just recently, they had their first hot meal since being trapped.

The miners, who have previously been fed only with glucose tablets and high-protein milk, were able to receive meatballs, chicken and rice through piped tubing. A team of four from the U.S. space agency NASA was also invited by the Chilean government. The team will offer advice on how to keep miners healthy and how to cope with being in confined spaces.

Aside from a nutritionist putting together a menu for the trapped miners, engineers are now also drilling through the San Jose gold and copper mine, near Copiapo. Ever since starting last Monday, the team has drilled through 20m of rock so far. It may take three to four more months before the miners are rescued.

Last Wednesday, a minor geological default was detected in the rock. This caused rescue operation’s chief engineer Andres Sougarret to put a pause on the rescue operation.

Such measures have been praised by the NASA team, which will be present until Friday, as it shows the kind of care being put into the operation.

The miners were advised from drinking any alcoholic beverage or from smoking cigarettes. Nutritionist Amelia Ponce also said she’ll closely monitor the miners’ weight. Health Minister Jaime Manalich, on the other hand, will try to simulate night and day to ensure mental well-being of the miners.

A recent picture showed that the miners are now in better spirits. If the current rescue operation does not pan out too well, a Plan B will be executed. A separate shaft from a different part of the mountainside will be drilled.