DONATIONS, DROP-INS, DELIVERIES, DINING, DIVERSIONS

DONATIONS

We were privileged to be the bridge to connect our church with the Salvation Army this week. Seating in the temple is being replaced and the Salvation Army was thrilled to add these comfortable chairs to their building for their worship services.

DROP-INS

We made an evaluation visit this week at Hospital Quilpue. We make these visits about three months after the donation to see how the donated items are being used. The hospital tables, bedside commodes, TV’s, bottle warmers, and handmade blankets donated to this pediatric unit are being used and appreciated by children and their caregivers every day.

DELIVERIES

On Wednesday morning we drove 1 ½ hour to Valparaiso to deliver an industrial vacuum cleaner to a bomberos company. The firemen met us at one of our chapels to receive the donation. As the bomberos were explaining that they are all volunteers and buy their own uniforms, etc. it hit us that everyone sitting around that table was a volunteer. Our local church leader has a day job – he volunteers hours each week to his church congregation with no pay. Same for us. Many are surprised that missionaries from our church pay their own way. It was a spirit-filled moment of unity to be surrounded by people with service hearts. This small donation was gratefully received.

As we drove toward the coast, we noticed signs of spring. We saw bursts of orange and yellow along the roadsides and lots of overloaded trucks.

On Friday morning the Lindquist’s joined us for a delivery to CESFAM San Pedro. We had the ceremony here two weeks ago and there was confusion about one of the donated items. We delivered two additional podiatry chairs this week.

And spring showed itself here as well. There was such a difference in only two weeks. The hillsides are now carpeted in green, and trees are beginning to blossom.

DINING

We had Nicolas and Jessenia over for dinner on Tuesday evening. They attend our local church congregation. They are a delightful couple.

While we were in his area this week, we met Elder Golding and his companion for lunch in Vina Del Mar. As we were driving these fine young men back to their neighborhood, we just looked at each other and exclaimed, “We are serving missions in Chile together! Can you believe it!” Sam is the youngest son of some of our dear friends. They were our trailer court neighbors when we were first married. We are so grateful to share this amazing mission experience with Sam.

Sunday dinner with the Lindquist’s and Ruiz’s.

DIVERSIONS

We took a walk after lunch one day and found a feria (open market) in the park down the street. We need to get out of our office more during the day!

We went grocery shopping at roadside stands in San Pedro and found some inexpensive, fabulous produce and our first strawberries of the season.

We stopped by Pomaire on our way home from San Pedro. Pomaire is a small town of pottery artisans. One of the most important characteristics of Chilean cuisine is its cooking vessels. This unglazed earthenware made from local clay is good at even heat distribution and can be used in the oven or directly over a flame or charcoal. It is said to impart a special flavor to food. We had a typical Chilean lunch there: empanadas, pastel de choclo (corn pie), bread served with pebre (salsa), and carne al parrilla (grilled meat). We may have purchased some Pomaireware. We will see how Elder Lamb gets it home in his suitcase when the time comes!