Feliz Año Nuevo 2016

31 December, 2015                                                                   Valparaíso, Chile

So maybe by way of reassuring ourselves that we are somewhere between hermits and party animals, we invited a few people over for New Year’s Eve at our apartment.  We had the Bishop and his family, the elders and one of their investigators, and Mabel, a member and our friend on the 2nd floor.

We all snacked and welcomed in the New Year with the “fuegos” – way big and famous fireworks along the whole bay coastline (Valpo/Viña/Reñaca/Concon).  Great view from our 10^th floor.  They ended with a grand finale in all red (the Chilean rojo), accompanied by cheering from every balcony in our building!  Because of the late (or early) hour, the elders stayed the night with us – with the previous OK from Presidente Diaz.

The Week Before Christmas

What a swirling and busy week.  Somewhere in there, Christmas happened – we think!

It is hard to think it is Christmas when it is summer!

Monday, 21 December, 2015,  Presidente Diaz and his wife hosted a multi-zone Christmas P-Day for the southern part of the mission.  He gave an introductory talk/training, and then dedicated most the rest of the day to outside games on the futbol/basketball/parking area space outside the Viña Stake Center (which is right next to the Mission Office).  They played a big “duck, duck, goose” variation, water balloon volleyball (caught and tossed back by pairs with a towel), and dodge ball.  At one point the (dodge) ball bounced his way, and the Presidente returned it with a behind-the-back soccer kick, thus confirming his previous/younger life as a professional soccer player here in Chile.  Instant credibility!  He has yet (to our knowledge) to formally make any big deal of previous soccer exploits, but the word is out, and that matters a ton here in Chile.  After they were pretty much exhausted, the missionaries were treated to a big dinner.  Then Santa (one of the Assistants) showed up with bags of candy for all!  We enjoyed the great spirit of the day.  The Lord’s army of young missionaries carries a strong, animated, willing spirit to the fray!

Concierto de la Navidad

Saturday night, 19 December, 2015, from 8 – 10 pm we attended a Concierto de la Navidad in an open-air theater in the (semi) round on the beach at Viña.  Very professional.  Elder and Hermana Poulsen had auditioned all who wanted to be part of it, but they only chose the best 12 elders and best 12 hermanas.  Good crowd and great spirit.  The surf in the background added the sound of rhythmic rolling thunder.  They also had special numbers featuring a flute, violin, guitar, tall bongo-type drums, a ballerina hermana and a guest singer.  Performed on Fri, Sat and Sun evenings.  Have a Merry Christmas!

 Aquí esta el video del Concierto de la Navidad. Que lo Comparta con todos:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpVYcmMPVLE