Hola from chilly Chile, where the temperature can change as quick as a blink.

Today the medical team has moved to the city of Antihuala and the mobile dental clinic has parked next to the city’s medical office. The Mayor has made huge banners and hung them in various areas of town. Right over the clinic hangs a beautiful banner announcing who we are and what is going on there. Folks were spread out over the whole area waiting when the team arrived. Some were given a number and sent home with instructions to come back tomorrow. Bob Whitney pointed out to me that it was impossible to get these folks into a line of any sort. In some countries we have had folks just line then self up with out having to be asked. And yet not only will the Chileans not line up, it seems that even the concept of lines is just not something they understand. No one seems to mind waiting around or worrying about who might go in before them. It truly is “no problemo” as far as whose turn it is. This might actually be a social outing for some of them as well as needed care. Everyone is walking around with a little smiley sticker somewhere on their face that were given out, even our folks are wearing them. This is by far the easiest place we have worked at in terms of having actual medical offices to workout of. We are using their pharmacy window which is on the front side of the clinic. After seeing the doctor they can bring their prescription to the pharmacy to be filled with the medicines that we have brought. The eye glass clinic is around the back of the building and folks are waiting outside the door and are brought in 2 at a time for glasses. The dentists are able to do fillings instead of just extractions which are always the best. The equipment in this van is state of the art. While talking to the local doctor here last week he told me that the most problems found in Chile are hypertension, diabetes and obesity. There are no McDonalds or Pizza Huts or any fast food places and yet there is still a problem. He said the people have a problem with eating to much bread, frying to many items and eating too little of vegetables. The city actually supplies a nutritionist to come 3 times a week to the clinic to educate the people on their diet. The national foods would be beef and potatoes or beef and rice.

The medical clinic saw 117 patients today, the dental clinic treated 120 patients and 109 pair of glasses was given out.

We drove for close to an hour to find the nearest brick layer just in case we needed to hire and extra guy to make sure the church is finished before we leave. We never like to leave it unfinished. There is no one close around here that know how to put down block which seemed strange at first. But the reason for this is there are massive amounts of forest range and everything is built with wood. You will see truck after truck hauling logs pass by all day long on the main roads. We were a little concerned this morning that we might be somewhat behind on the building. The princes block are so much smaller and really slower to work with but by the time we arrived back at the construction site we were amazed to see how much more they had done . Brian Caster says that it is unlikely we will need anyone else to hire on. Yesterday they put down 501 blocks and today’s count was 472. The window frames with bars have all been installed. The construction team is also being blessed by actually having a flush toilet with a sink and running water in the little out building that the local church folks built for them. Some of the outhouses they have had to use in past years have left a little to be desired to say the least.

Bob Young ordered two carts pulled by 4 horses to provide a little fun diversion for all our faithful missionaries. All was agreed upon and the carts and horses were to leave from our dwelling and go pick up as many who wanted to ride home via horse limo service. Then they were to just provide rides around the block for a few hours. We couldn’t really understand why they would not agree to let our folk’s just ride the horse alone so we agreed to just have carts rides. Well they just arrived here at the school with the carts and now we understand. Some how the word “horse” got lost in translation and we have 4 yoked oxen waiting to bring our folks home for dinner.

Art Cheney gave a wonderful devotional message at dinner telling how his school children in each class had managed to donate such a large amount of money and items. What a story of love in action.

The subject of tonight’s evangelistic meeting was on Jesus and His forgiveness. Pastor Rigo is very vibrant in his elocution and it would be next to impossible to fall asleep during his service. People were awake and had their hearts touched while learning of the forgiveness Jesus has waiting for them.

At the children’s program the atmosphere was light and happy with the songs of Jesus being sang with gusto. There were more children present than last night and they watched the special video of Jesus along with very lively puppet ministry. Continue to pray fervently for our meetings. Souls lay in the balance.

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

Smiles and prayers to you,

Jennifer L Young

Mission Reporter