ON THE ROAD AGAIN
We left early Monday morning with a brand-new van full of reformatted computers for a five-hour drive south. Destination: Concepcion to deliver a new van to the Concepcion Mission President and drive the old mission van back to Santiago. Donating used church computers is a side business of ours since many organizations need upgraded technology. First stop: Quinchamali at a rural school outside of Chillan. Only ten of their existing computers were functioning in the computer lab. They were thrilled with the donation of twenty computers.
It was a joy to meet with these children and youth from ages four to fourteen. They all wanted to practice their English with us. This was their last week of school. The principal invited us to come back after the summer break to meet with students to discuss the importance of education.
We were presented with a guitarrera, a symbol of typical Quinchamali pottery- a peasant woman carrying a guitar. This black pottery with white accents is made by hand. Women hold the knowledge and practices of pottery, forming female groups with distinctive styles. It is a source of social and economic autonomy for them. Functional items including pots, fountains, and tableware are also made.
The school principal took us and Raul (our welfare manager in the area) to a typical Chilean lunch. We traveled on a back road through this rural village and came upon a family-owned restaurant. The daily special was beef cazuela, a traditional soup. The restaurant was housed in an old typical farmhouse.
Then on to Concepción to exchange vans and have dinner with our former communications director, Helgi Hukdhs. He and his wife have been called to be Mission Leaders. They moved with their family from Valparaiso to serve in Concepcion for three years.
We made time the next morning to attend a session in the beautiful Concepcion temple. There is a painting by Jeff Hein that takes our breath away every time we walk through the doors.
The return trip was not as pleasant as the day before because the “door is open” light and incessant beeping accompanied us on the way home. But we did find some delicious ice cream! We stopped in Talca to make some future project visits. We met with the director of a home for children who have been removed from their families because of abuse or neglect. These visits are always heart-wrenching visits. Their needs are overwhelming.
These are the wonderful female leaders of Escuela Santa Marta in Talca. We donated school kits here last March and are working on a larger project with them for next year. In this rural school 100% of students are considered vulnerable. Their parents are seasonal farm workers and struggle to provide for their families.
The moon welcomed us back to Santiago.
BACK IN SANTIAGO
We spent a much-needed day in the office preparing projects for next year and then headed to the Santiago suburb of El Bosque to meet with the Department of Health director to discuss the needs of this community. Their main concerns are providing women access to GYN and Mammography exams and providing podiatry care for diabetic patients. We look forward to receiving their solicitude.
We had a wonderful meeting with Eleazar Israel, a leader in the Jewish community in Chile. We look forward to future collaboration on humanitarian projects.
We were invited to worship and celebrate the 113th anniversary of the Salvation Army in Chile. The General of the Salvation Army, Brian Peddle, and his wife Commissioner Rosalie Peddle came to attend. We had front-row seats and were treated as honored guests. It was an honor to meet with our good friends Mario Cardenas and his wife, Vivian Flores, and Luis Figueroa.
One of the greatest blessings of serving a mission is the wonderful people we meet. We are constantly reminded that there are good people all over the world striving to serve and love their neighbors.
Sunday dinner with our missionary neighbors.
WE’RE OFFICIAL
Well, we are official. We finally got our Chilean ID cards. It took over a year but now we have an ID number (that we are asked for every time we buy anything).
PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
We would like to share the 2022 First Presidency Christmas message from the leaders of our church: Russell M Nelson, Dallin H Oaks, and Henry B Eyring:
“This Christmas season, we invite you to find quiet moments to reflect on our Savior’s birth, life, and atoning sacrifice. Come unto Him. Learn of Him. Look to Him for lasting peace and divine rest. In a world that often feels overwhelming and contentious, He offers peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
He has promised: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; … and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29)
“We testify that as you seek our Savior’s love, peace, and rest, you will find it. You will be blessed to feel the true spirit of Christmas, the eternal joy that comes only from Him.”
Abrazos, Élder y Hermana Lamb, (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 