We had an interesting and fun weekend.   We went to a Tourist Fair at a large park.  There were several huge tents set up featuring different geographic area of Chile with foods, crafts, and tourist information about each.  We got really excited to tour the country and got some great ideas of things we'd like to see and do at the end of our mission!

In the evening we went to a ward "Emergency Preparedness Fair".  It was fun to see the local police, volunteer firemen and Red Cross.  The Relief Society had a booth with Emergency Foods - Chilean style!  I tried to get some recipes but it was all a "little of this and a little of that".  We had a chuckle at the poster for "Rat Control".  We met three ward members who have received Perpetual Education Loans and heard how these loans have improved their lives.

Sunday afternoon was the Piano Recital.  Sister Mikesill and Sister Karren have been teaching 14 children piano lessons for over a year.  The children practice on keyboards.  When I moved here Sister Mikesill asked if I play piano -- when I answered, "No...well a little..." she said, "Great, we need you to teach!"  So the next week a mother cornered me at church and speaking Spanish asked me to teach her son.  I got the drift of her request, and asked Richard to help me set up a time and place.  So for two months I've been "teaching" Matias -- which is pretty scary since I can teach piano about as well as I speak Spanish! 

A replica of the capsule that was used to rescue the trapped Chilean miners

Enlarged replica of Chilean "mummy"

Our new missionary friends, the Candland's learning about the "mummy"

Traditional Mapuchi

Replica of Mapuchi hut

Mapuchi drums and chant

Cueca dancers and the hairy guy in the back is dressed like Robinson Crusoe to advertise Robinson Crusoe Island

Adorable "cueca" dancing kids

Easter Island Natives

Alfredo Hirsh, Elder and Sister Pope and Mauricio Farfan--Alfredo works at the PEF office and Mauricio is a volunteer

All Bomberos in Chile are Volunteers

 

Carabineros

Emergency Preparedness Information

Brick Hermosilla --After getting his PEF loan and 2 year degree he became a warehouse superviser at Honeywell-Chile -- wants to further his education.

Fanny Pino and her family -- she has a PEF loan

Mauricio and Bishop Fernando Campo -- both have PEF loans

The Piano Recital

Matias Cotal del Canto