Thursday, February 24, 2011

February Cambios . . .


Cambios came in two shifts because the group coming from the USA did not make their connections. So we first welcomed three young Chileans to the mission field. They are (l-r) Elder Urrutia from Santiago, Chile, Elder Contreras from Valparaiso, Chile and Elder Olavarria from Valparaiso, Chile. They will be wonderful young missionaries.


Later that evening our group from the USA arrived. First row (l-r) are: Elder Winsor from Payette, Idaho, Elder Smith from Preston, Idaho, Elder Carmen from SLC, Utah and Elder Williams from Midland, Texas. Next to Susie on the second row is Hermana Hunt from South Jordan, Utah. They are excited to learn Spanish and adapt to mission life. We are confident they will all succeed wonderfully in the mission.


While only eight new missionaries arrived this cambio, we had to say goodbye to ten excellent and experienced missionaries. And this group also included some exceptional leaders and powerful missionaries. Sitting (l-r) are: Hna Aponte from Argentina and Hna Bourne from SLC, Utah. Standing (l-r) are: Elder Hansen our new assistant from Connecticut, Elder Castaneda from El Salvador, Elder Barra from Chile, Elder Araneda from Chile, Elder Schubert from Canada, Elder Diaz from Chile, Elder Malca from Peru, Elder Silva from Honduras, Elder Gimenez from Argentina and Elder Coles our other assistant from Utah. When I think of when these missionaries arrived in the mission and the growth and impact they have had it is just incredible. We really suffer when they leave, but we are so proud of their faithful service.


We always take a silly photo with the missionaries that does a better job of reflecting the playfulness of these wonderful young men and women. We will miss them so much.

With this cambio we will make a change among our assistants. Elder Riches has served with us for 6 months and will complete his last cambio in Rio Bueno. We welcomed Elder Hansen from Connecticut, our newest assistant. From left to right are: Elder Coles from Utah, Elder Hansen from Connecticut and Elder Riches from Utah. We love these great young men and are so grateful for their service and help.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Osorno, Chile . . .



Nice video showing sights of Osorno that I found on YouTube. Enjoy.

Member and Missionary Combined Christmas Choir . . .



Found this video on YouTube of our December Christmas Choir. This was a combined choir of missionaries with members from the Osorno and Osorno Rahue Stakes. The concert was held in the Osorno Stake Center on Sunday evening and then outside in the Osorno Plaza on Wednesday evening. We were so proud of our missionaries and all the members that participated. It was incredible.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Mission Tour with Elder Amado . . .

Each year a member of the Area Presidency does a mission tour and speaks in conference with all our missionaries. This year, Elder Amado a member of the First Quorum of Seventy and Area President came to tour the mission with his wife. Over a period of nine days we took them around the mission and were blessed with their counsel and guidance. These visits are always a great blessing as it isn´t often that you have the opportunity to receive counsel directly from a General Authority of the church.


Meeting in Valdivia with the Villarrica, Los Lagos, Valdivia and Calle Calle Zones.

Meeting in Osorno with the La Union, Osorno and Rahue Zones.

Meeting in Puerto Montt with the Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt and ChiloƩ Zones.

Meeting in Coyhaique with the Coyhaique Zone.

Meeting in Punta Arenas with the Punta Arenas Zone.