Our Zone is on fire! And so is our meat! November 22, 2015
About a month ago our District Center (Stake Center) finally got completely repaired after the big earthquake in September. Then, on November 7, at 4:30 in the morning another big one hit--a 6.8 centered in -- you guessed it -- Ovalle. I don't think anyone slept after that. It was a really bad way to wake up. All the dogs started barking and most of the car alarms in the neighborhood went off. It was pretty crazy for a while.
I went up to the District Center later that morning and noticed a bunch of new cracks on the outside and ceiling tiles dislodged again in the Chapel and Cultural hall. This time, there was damage to window casings in the hall, and the lights are out again in our Family History Center. Oh well.
Just when we think it might be over, a few more come. Last week there were two, about 1 minute apart, that felt like the building was on a water bed and someone was jumping on the bed! There have been so many that we now can guess pretty well what number to give each of them.
We have been accused of bringing "luck?" to Ovalle. Not sure what kind of luck they mean, but nothing has happened in this area of Chile for years. Since we got here there have been floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes. I have my theory about why all this is happening. If I'm right, its working!
Our Zone reaches its goal!
Each Zone in the mission sets a baptism goal for the month. Our Zone goal is always the highest in the mission. In October, we actually exceeded it, and probably will in November too. To celebrate, we got permission for an activity on P day. We went to a beautiful area outside of town for a barbecue and games. These missionaries are so amazing! Trying to keep up with them is a full time job. (And this is just one Zone of one mission in the church. I love imagining this sort of energy and excitement happening all over the world.)
We had two baptisms on Saturday the 14th. One was in a river because they do not have a font. We waded through one part of the river (like wading across the Weber River in mid summer, slippery rocks and all) to get to the area for the baptism. Actually, I loved doing it barefoot!
The missionary ready to do the baptizing is Elder Murdock from Ammon, Idaho.
The other was of a young boy who lives with his grandparents because his parents abandoned him when he was a baby. We helped teach him and had a wonderful and fun experience. You can see in this picture how happy his grandfather is. The Elder is our Zone Leader, Elder Call from Oregon. He is wonderful!
Single Adult Group
We have begun working with the older single adults. Two weeks ago they had a barbecue that was supposed to start at 9:00 pm but actually got underway about 10:30, which is when they started the fire and began fixing dinner. Just before midnight we started eating (two more people came after that) and they were still eating and going strong when we left at 12:30. Barbecuing is a big thing here. They eat LOTS of meat. We started off eating a whole grill full of pork, then chicken, then beef, then more pork. They do it often and well. It was delicious!
This is how some people here start a fire for a barbecue. Put rolls of newspaper around a glass bottle, then take the bottle out and start the newspapers on fire, which lights the briquettes.
We have been asked to teach a class for them in eternal marriage. Our first class was two days ago. We are using the Preparing for Eternal Marriage manual, which is for an institute course. I think we are all going to learn a lot.
District Conference Choir
We got approval for a combined Missionary and Young Single Adult choir to sing a special number for District Conference. We have observed how much both groups love to sing and could not imagine anything better than the two groups together. It turned out much more complicated than we expected. I had three hymns arranged and planned for them to sing, and found out at the first rehearsal that most did not know how to read music or sing parts, and didn't know one of the hymns (actually a primary song). We did some quick adjusting, narrowed it to the two hymns, sang however it worked, practiced parts for who wanted them, and did what was most important--sing.
After four practices and countless changes, two extremely talented missionaries accompanied and directed, and one also extremely talented YSA played the violin. About 25 young people (and a few attending angels) inspired the whole congregation with a beautiful and unforgettable number.
When I started thinking about this idea, one very special YSA kept coming to my mind. One who loves to sing and has a very tender spirit. We will do it so he can "sing his heart out," I said to myself. On the day of conference he didn't show up to the just-before-conference rehearsal. I was really disappointed. Just after conference began, and we were all seated in the choir seats, I saw him come in and sit way in the back. When it was time for us to sing I went to the microphone and called him to come up. After the meeting it was apparent how grateful he was. We really love these kids!
Some pretty flowers we have seen as we travel. These purple and pink ones are so bright you can hardly look at them in the sunlight.
Thanks for all the support we feel. Have a wonderful thanksgiving. Our hearts will be full of gratitude that day for you all and for our many blessings.
Elder y Hna. Jones
