THE RULE OF THREE

The ‘rule of three’ suggests that things that come in threes are inherently more humorous, satisfying, and effective than any other number of things. This week was very satisfying. We had three amazing ceremonies and three memorable meals.

THREE CEREMONIES

We began the week with a small ceremony for the donation of refurbished computers to the Municipality of El Bosque, a suburb of Santiago. We are working to develop a humanitarian project with them.

We ended the week with two ceremonies that were two hours to the west of Santiago, on the coast.

JARDIN INFANTIL LAS TORTUGUITAS- VINA DEL MAR

This government sponsored preschool, located in a vulnerable neighborhood in Vina del Mar has one very small room in which 20 children eat breakfast and lunch and participate in learning activities. At our initial visit, a small adjacent playground space with a cement patio contained a worn wooden playhouse and some gymnastic climbing mats. Free play in early childhood is essential for exploration, exercise, and learning. Research shows that play enhances language development and reasoning skills. The donation of playground equipment and outdoor mats has provided a safe place for these preschoolers to grow and develop. These pictures show the before and after.

The ’Tortoise Family Garden” focuses on strengthening the families in their community by teaching preschool children good values and habits that focus on caring for the environment and healthy lifestyles. It lies at the very top of one of Vina’s hills.

HOGAR DE HOMBRES EJERCITO DE SALVACION- VALPARAISO

The Salvation Army has been working in Valparaiso for 113 years. For the last 86 years this men’s home has provided shelter, food and lodging for men who are homeless. The home welcomes hundreds of men throughout the year, but as winter approaches the number of people who arrive night after night for shelter grows. There are some who only come to sleep. The other group are elderly men 75 years and older in a situation of abandonment and social risk. These grandfathers live on a separate floor. They contribute according to their ability. They are responsible for keeping their room clean. They receive breakfast, lunch and dinner and have access to laundry facilities and medical care. At the present time they have 16 permanent residents. When we made our initial visit, the men were huddled around a wood stove, the only form of heat in the building. They had one functioning washer and no dryers. They did not have a functioning refrigerator.

The donation of washers, a dryer, a stove, refrigerator, freezer, space heaters, and 80 beds and mattresses provided much needed help to this facility. It was a very emotional ceremony as Salvation Army leaders expressed their gratitude for the donation. Members of our local congregation in Valparaiso helped to assemble the beds. These humanitarian projects not only bring relief to thousands but establish a relationship between our local church congregations and other community members. It is a blessing to witness the beginnings of collaboration in communities.

We had some tender moments as these grandfathers showed off their rooms to us. They were so proud of their new beds!

We have come to love our dear Salvation Army friends who treated us to homemade empanadas and sopapillas before beginning our drive back to Santiago.

(Hermana Lamb speaking) This stake President, Victor Ramos is a gem. He is the age of our sons. He took my arm to ‘help’ me walk down the many staircases at the hogar, he walked us to the car at dusk carrying our supplies. After he opened my door, he waited on the curb until we pulled away and then texted later that evening to make sure we got home safely. We are treated with such respect and love.

THREE MEMORABLE MEALS

We were invited to the Ramirez family’s home for dinner Monday evening. We enjoy their company so much. Their daughter has been doing online home MTC (missionary training center) for the last two weeks. Next week she flies to Provo Utah for a month of French Language training before she goes to Montreal Canada to serve her mission.

While we were in Viña del Mar we caught up with Elder Golding and his new companion from Ecuador. They serve in the Viña del Mar mission. Elder Goldings’s parents have been our dear friends ever since we were married and moved in next door to them in our trailer court 43 years ago. We feel privileged to be serving at the same time, in the same country as Sam. He is an outstanding young man.

We had some time to kill before the ceremony in Valparaiso, so we drove to the top of one of the many hills there to find a candy shop that we had heard about. We made a meal out of it.