mission update

parade with children showing traditional dress

typical Chilean dress

            Hello!

I love these hugs!

Well, I am still here in Pichileumu Chile….and I am overdue in sending out a blog.  Needless to say, I have been very busy here, and we have had no internet on the base.  I aslo have to admit that I am tired.  Its been both a fast nine months and a slow nine months at times as well. I  I have been involved in many things here at the Missions base, and outside of the base as well.  Oct. 18 here in Chile ...and several days before AND after the Chileans were busy celebrating 200 yrs. of Independence from Spain.  There were Chilean flags EVERYWHERE!  I have never seen such Patriotism!...and the customary dress and dances were incredible!
   
  I was even in a parade here in Pichilemu as part of the celebration. The last week of June,  I began working as one of the staff for a new Discipleship training school. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the changes God is making in the lives of the students, and in my own Spiritual growth and intimacy with Him as well. There is ALWAYS more to know of Him. In missions, you have the mindset to serve, but God is always giving to you personally in different ways...His ways. This has been a blessing to me.  Yes, God is an active God who transforms us when we seek and invite Him to do so, but who will never force Himself on us.

     Our Discipleship training school went on a mini outreach for 10 days, in a “campo”—which means a very rural community a couple hours from here by bus called El Tambo.  We worked with a church there and stayed with families.                                 

Discipleship training students with El Tambo in background

sharing devotional on mini-outreach

  The families embraced us and poured their love out on our team.  We spent time worshiping,  with the youth,  with families, and times of ministry through drama for the community in their plaza.  Students and staff also shared devotionals from Bible passages, and testimonies of the faithfulness of God and what he has done in our lives as followers of Jesus! The students and 3 other staff are now in North Chile for part of their outreach.  They are near where the 33 miners have trapped since August. They will return the 3rd week of Oct. here to the base where we will be having a huge gathering of over 700 people from all over South America to celebrate 50 yrs. of JWAM.  This will be a very busy time for us serving here. 

        

     I have also been helping construct homes with a project called Homes of Hope as most of you know from previous blog. It has been great working with other teams from other Countries who have come to help construct homes after the earthquake. These teams provide most of  the finances for the materials to build the home.  The last team was from a mission base in Switzerland, but most were Korean.  It was interesting communicating at times if they didn’t speak Spanish or English but we all managed to get the house built!  I loved hearing them pray in their native language.  The next team that will come to help construct is from New Zealand, so I am not involved in any building projects right now. I sure slept well after days of hanging drywall inside the house….its hard and heavy work....but if you know me well, you know that I like to work physically as well.            

house construction in progress

helping construct the house

        I have been struggling to get these photos in place to write around them but was unsuccessful.  Due to limited internet and time I need to just send this as is.  Will attempt to attach several photos at the  bottom to share!
         Oct. 18 here in Chile ...and several days before AND after the Chileans were busy celebrating 200 yrs. of Independence from Spain.  There were Chilean flags EVERYWHERE!  I have never seen such Patriatism!    I was even in a parade here in Pichilemu as part of the celebration.

         During this time of a break in the construction, I attended a "seminary section" of the counseling school which was tremendous.  I was going to only attend these 2 weeks as a student but God has been very clear with me that He wants me to receive the training in this area.  I know there are areas He wants to heal me in as well.  So.....I will be attending this school until the end of Dec.  I kept thinking God was possible going to lead me to another place during this time but, I now believe this is right where He wants me still.  There is no doubt that if I should return working as a nurse in missions, or out of missions this "counseling training" will be a blessing to others.
        I didn't know how long I would be here, and I still don't.  All I know is that God will guide me and I will go.    I do so much miss many of you, and I do miss Colorado, and many things back in Colorado.  My Spanish of course is getting  better and better....hooray!   

        Bless you all and please keep me in your prayers!  Holly

part of construction team from Korea

seeking warmth after working

Team from Switzerland...Korean team's last day constructing

scenery in El Tambo