Los Fieles-The Faithful

One of the joys of the mission is to spend time with the faithful missionaries that are returning to their homes.

It is such a joy to be able to spend time together as they each wait for their turns to have their last interview with President Lovell.  They sign up for the mission face book group, write in their journals, and make sure all their paperwork is in order.

They are shocked when I tell them we are going to get on Facebook to sign them up for the mission Facebook group!  One of their challenges is to remember all their passwords after two years!

We always look forward to a delicious lunch together.

 

The connection was made that this great Elder baptized the two boys that Lorena hopes to be able to adopt!

After lunch there was time to shop and to visit members they got to know on the mission.

 Here are some of the gifts given to the missionaries by members who love them!

Before our evening time together our secretaries come and make sure they have all the necessary paperwork in order. They are so good at what they do!

The last meal at the mission home together!

 

We take lots of pictures!

 

It is always fun to take a few minutes and look through the letters they have written to the mission presidents and other remembrances that are in their packets.

After a night of sharing and remembering we enjoy our fun traditions.

The next morning we get to the airport very early so we can get all of our luggage checked in before the other passengers arrive for check in.  It is nice to have time to say good-bye and take lots of pictures to remember each other.

 They have returned home but we will always treasure the memories we have had together.

Wonderful Weekend with Leaders from the Area

We just spent a wonderful weekend with Elder Gonzalez (Our Area President), Elder and Sister Zeballos (A councelor in the Area Presidency), President and Sister Carlos R. Fernandez (President and Matron of the Buenos Aries Temple),  and Elder and SisterJorge Romeu ( Our area Seventy here in Neuquén).  They held a special Priesthood Leadership meeting on Saturday that involved all of the Stakes and Districts in the Mission. 

While the Husbands were busy, Elder Ehmke was the Chauffeur for  the wives to visit some of the Sisters in our Ward.  Our assistants helped us arrange the visits and everything went smoothly!

 

Each of the amazing women we visited had special stories to share about how they or their families joined the church.

 

They prepared delicious food and made us feel welcome in every way!

 

 Today these wonderful leaders spoke in three nearby Stakes.  We were able to attend the Neuquén Oeste Stake with Elder and Sister Zeballos.  After the meetings we  came to the Mission Home to enjoy lunch together before their flights!

 

It was wonderful to be with these inspired leaders!

 

A Baptism without a Font in Pico Truncado

 

When we were in the south for Zone Conferences we were able to attend a baptism in the branch of Pico Truncado in the Caleta Oliva District.  The building they rent is so small that there is not room for all who want to attend.  For now they have half of the branch meet in the morning and half meets in the afternoon. They are very close to qualifying for a new building. Maybe this next year! 

 

 

There are several branches in the mission that meet in rented facilities and are far away from a church with a baptism font.  When they have a baptism they use a pileta. The water in it is definitely not warm but the spirit of the baptism is the same.  The Branch President is here with President Lovell.  He is a great leader there in the branch.  One thing that I remember him asking the branch is, "Do you want blessings everyday?  Then...read the Book of Mormon every day!

 

The baptism today was for the father of this wonderful family.  His eight year old daughter had been baptized earlier this year and was a big factor in his decision to be baptized.  After meeting her we could see how that could happen.  She was so happy about his baptism and was very teary during the program and the baptism.

 

 

It is amazing to see the faith of children and how sensitive they can be to the spirit. This little girl treasured her baptism certificate that she received a few months earlier at her own baptism.  Because Pico Truncado is in the District of Caleta Oliva President Lovell signs the Baptism Certificates.

 

 

She was so excited that we were at the baptism and she could be with President Lovell because he had signed her certificate!  President Lovell gave a talk at the Baptism and after he spoke and sat down she came up out of the Congregation and gave us both a hug!  She won a big place in our hearts!

 

The branch is blessed by two sets of great missionaries.  We are truly blessed as we see the faith of the members and the missionaries as this great work moves forward!

 

The meeting with Elder Cook and all the missionaries has been canceled

Because of the possible eruption of the Copahue Volcano the meeting with Elder Cook with all the missionaries has been canceled.  The Copahue Volcano is located in Central Chile, east of the South Volcanic Zone of the Andes and is on the border with Argentina.  This is in the North West Corner of our mission.   Although there does not seem to be any immediate danger, every precaution has been taken for the protection of our missionaries.

I just googled the Copahue Volcano to find information to share with you.  There are many sites with information.  Here are a few of them.
English:

http://www.volcanolive.com/copahue.html

http://www.disaster-report.com/2013/05/chile-argentina-finally-order.html

Spanish:

http://www.infobae.com/notas/713392-La-evacuacion-por-el-volcan-Copahue-seguira-al-menos-hasta-el-domingo.html

Last night we found out that there is a bus strike that went into effect at 9:00 last night.  If our missionaries from Caleta Olivia and Comodoro would have been on the bus coming to the meeting with Elder Cook they would have not been able to travel past Trelew.  They would have been stranded there in Trelew until the bus strike is resolved.  Those missionaries in other areas away from the Neuquén area would not have been able to travel this morning because of this strike. Though we were very disappointed that we were not able to be together with Elder Cook and to announce our transfers we are grateful that all of our missionaries are safe and are in their own areas.  We can see the hand of the Lord as he watches over his missionaries.

Update...
 There are still negotiations to be made but the bus strike is over for now! .
  That is a blessing so our wonderful Fieles can come into the mission home on Monday and be able to return to their homes!