FEASTING ON FRUITS
The cherimoya is grown in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. Mark Twain called it ‘the most delicious fruit known to men.’ The creamy texture of the flesh gives the fruit its secondary name, the custard apple. Think creamy pear. We are also enjoying the Ecuadorian bananas that have so much flavor.
This picture is dedicated to our niece April Crosby Blickenstaff who teases us about serving her sugar cereal for dessert when she visited our home as a child. Here you see sugar cereal in its proper place- at the candy store.
A DAY AT THE OFFICE
After working from our dining room table at home for over three months we are very happy to have our office and our home in separate places. It is great to just be able to walk across the street to get to work.
PROJECT UPDATES:
IQUIQUE
The first bus left Iquique this week full of Venezuelan refugees headed to Santiago to be reunited with family. Two busses each week will continue this reunification process through the month of November.
CRUZ ROJA
On Friday we had a meeting with the President of the Red Cross of Chile. We received a very warm reception. They are very engaged in the country with 180 affiliate branches. We shared the projects that LDS Charities is involved with throughout the world and then showed them a couple of the projects we are working on. We hope to be able to partner with them on future projects.
We tried out the bus system for the first time to get there. Our “BIP” card (named for the sound it makes when it is scanned) is a combo metro/bus pass. Riding the bus was quite the adventure. As soon as you scan your card the driver pulls quickly away from the curb. It takes great balance and a quick step to make it to your seat without falling. The bus does not stop if no one is waiting and by the time you see the name of the stop it could be too late to get off. We never overshot our destination, but this was no small feat since no announcements are made for the upcoming stop.
A WALK THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
‘These are the people in our Neighborhood.’
Maria, each morning when we go to work she is sweeping the sidwalk or lobby 
This is our apartment building. We are on the 4th floor.
NEW NEIGHBORS
A new missionary couple arrived this week from Idaho. He will serve as the legal counsel for Chile. They are our upstairs neighbors. We look forward to getting to know them after their five-day quarantine has ended. We did their grocery shopping before they arrived and filled their cupboards and fridge as was done for us. As we walked home with all their groceries, I had flashbacks to my college days when my roommate and I would have to stop at each corner to put down our bags and rest as we walked home from the store. Sometimes Janna and I sat on the grass and had a snack to lighten our load. Ed and I did not stop to eat any of their food, but we took several rest stops on the way home. We are losing weight. Apparently, the secret is no car and an oven that doesn’t work (so my husband can’t bake yummy treats)
TEMPLE TUESDAYS
Some people have Taco Tuesdays, we have Temple Tuesdays. It’s so wonderful to look out at the temple as I do my morning yoga, then to see it from our balcony lit up each night. It is especially wonderful to enter its doors each week to participate in sacred ordinances for our ancestors.
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS
Today is the first Sabbath of the month. In our church we fast 2 meals on the first Sunday of each month and donate the money we would have spent to care for the poor in our local area. The Prophet Isaiah teaches the purpose and blessings of the fast in Isaiah chapter 58. He says that through this process, heavy burdens can be undone and the oppressed can go free. He promises light, health, guidance, and that the Lord will be our rereward. In today’s vocabulary, the Lord will have our backs.
Our Church’s humanitarian outreach was launched in 1985 through a worldwide fast to raise funds to assist those afflicted by a devasting drought in eastern Africa. Church members donated $6.4 million on that single fast day. Since then, our Church has provided over $2 billion in humanitarian assistance to individuals all across the world. This assistance is offered to recipients regardless of their church affiliation, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political persuasion. All humanitarian projects are made possible by generous donations of money, goods, and time from Church members and others. All donations to the Humanitarian Aid Fund go to help people throughout the world. Latter-day Saint Charities is the legal name for our Church sponsored non-governmental organization and the official humanitarian arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We just want to thank all of you who donate to the Humanitarian Aid Fund. Those are the dollars that we as humanitarian missionaries use to bless the lives of people in Chile. You are making a difference!
With love, Elder and Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 