September 18, 2012 - Independence Day Celebration

18 de Septiembre - Chile's Independence Day celebration at the Independencia Stake Center with Missionaries in our District. This is the biggest holiday in Chile.

Here we are with Pablo Oyarzun, Hno. Vergara (1st counselor in Los Olivos Ward Bishopric) and his wife, and grandson Matias Chacon.

Bishop Huentecona and Hno Vergara with their wives standing in front of the ward's refreshment table. The Bishop is wearing the traditional Chilean black, flat rimmed hat.

Members of the Los Olivos Ward drinking the popular Chilean beverage mote con huesillo, consisting of wheat and dried peaches.

Traditional dance at the Independence Day celebration. Colorful national costumes adorn the festivities.

A dance from Chilean coastal fishermen.

Awesome saints from Los Olivos Ward in traditional dance costumes. They were frequent first place winners in musical and dance competitions.

Sister Eulitt with Coni Aravena Segura. She helped us activate her family back into Church and helped prepare her father Cristian for baptism. She plans to serve a mission in a few years when she turns age 19.



Rapa Nui dancers from Isla de Pascua (Easter Island). They look Polynesian because Rapa Nui's are Polynesians.

Guitars, accordion, and lively Chilean singers bring everyone on their feet clapping and foot-stomping. 

Cueca dancers performing the most traditional national Chilean dance.

We transferred these Elders to their new home. The traditional missionary 'thumbs up', smiles up.

This sacred board has photos of all the missionary companionships in the mission by zone, by district, by sector. It is a humbling experience to be numbered among these elect, set-apart servants of Jesus Christ.

Higenia Suarez knitted the sweater for Mom and purchased one for Dad to show her love and appreciation for all we did to help her. Her many talents were shared as a counselor in Relief Society. Dad dedicated her home and gave her several Priesthood blessings.

All four of these youth were recently baptized and we had the joy of teaching them.

This is our humble apartment in Recoleta. We invited Higenia Suarez and Hna. Josefina for lunch. Hna. Josefina walks 45 minutes to Church each Sunday. Both of these sisters are valiant in faith and works. 

 

Here we are at Higenia's home for Family Home Evening and "once", which is the Chilean light evening meal eaten around 9:00pm or so. It is pronounced own-say.

Service project. The weeds grow just as tall in Chile as they do in the USA.

Everyday Mom bandaged the bottom of her feet which consisted of many blisters. We went through boxes of moleskin and bandages. Mom never complained and never slowed down. She is my hero.

This is the Chilean "lawnmower" we purchased for Missionaries who had lawns. We got this idea from watching the locals cut their lawns in similar fashion. Pollution free lawnmowers! These Elders serve in Los Andes, north of Santiago.