We had an interesting week.  We have had a lot of people coming to the center for help with resumes and advice on how to accelerate their job search.  We have had many from other countries who have come here looking for a better life.  Many are fleeing from difficult situations some for other reasons.  The story is always the same that they need work until their visas have been approved.  We know from experience that it takes 6 months for a visa when it is just a temporary nonworking visa.  When they want to relocate, it is even harder.  The interesting thing about Chile is you can't work without a work visa,  but if you are here illegally you can't leave the country until you have legal documentation.

One young man, a return missionary, wanted to come to Chile to be with his fiancé who is going to graduate in December.  He is currently studying in Argentina, with a full ride scholarship, but wants to leave to be with his fiancé. She needs to stay here to help care for her dying father.  She wanted me to talk to him on the phone and try to convince him to stay in school and have patience.   I told her that she needed to talk to him and tell him that if he left school he was jeopardizing both their futures by not finishing his education.   she was able to convince him that it would be better to wait. 

We had another workshop with the missionaries from the East mission, who are returning home.  It was a great group of young people.  They are so shocked when we have them figure out what it take to live and go to school in the US.  One of the missionaries is from Lehi, Utah and from my brothers Ward.  Elder Skousan got a picture so he could show it to Garrin when he returns home.  I saw them again on Friday.  He and his companion were going to the temple so I gave them two Ellis family cards that needed the endowments done.  It is so energizing to work with these young missionaries, they are so good and so close to the spirit. 

We have had a real catastrophe in Chile this last week.  Northern Chile is a desert and never gets any rain.  It has not rained there in the last 40 years and last week they had a deluge.  I am not sure how much, but it was enough to cause wide spread flooding with tremendous lose of property and some lives.  Of course the Priesthood leaders have been involved in relief efforts through the distribution of food and other supplies to shelters and families who have been displaced.  Today in Church they asked all of the members to bring to the church non-perishable food items, water and hygiene supplies.  They are taking them north to a small town.  Each stake in Santiago has been assigned a town to send supplies.  They are not allowing any relief parties to go into the area but much is being done in the area by those who live there.  They have enacted martial law in the area with several regiments of carbineros (the Federal Police who are also the army) who are guarding the area.  IF someone is caught looting, they are shot on the spot.  I dare say there is probably very little looting going on. 

This last week we were given an assignment to facilitate the BYU-I Pathway classes in Santiago.  There are over 70 students signed up and we will probably have at least 2 classes.  Those who are not aware of Pathway it is the on-line classes from BYU-I.  Here in South America they consist of three semesters which will be 15 credit hours.  The first year is basic math, English, and English writing skills.  The first year prepares them to be able to take regular college career paths and earn degree and postgraduate degrees.  It is very affordable for them and an opportunity to gain a degree that carries with it a major push up for employment with one of the many US companies that are doing business in Chile.  These companies range from medical, agricultural, to financial.  All of the major hotel companies are established in Chile and are always looking for employees proficient in English. 

We are excited in that it will all be in English and an opportunity for Chris to be able to be a major contributor.   Because of her struggle with Spanish she hasn't felt like she has been able to do much.  Although I must say she has really improved and is able to communicate a little with the people. 

It is interesting that we see many of the same struggles here as we see in the states and people are very much the same anywhere we go.  The members are always saying, "Chileans are lazy, or they are always late, or some other thing that is frustrating about the people".  I ask them if they think that only Chileans are this way because if that is the case we must have a whole country full of Chileans in the US.  People are much the same everywhere, although they really do have a problem with home teaching here.  The Bishop talked for the fifth Sunday meeting and asked how many of the coverts who have been baptized in the last two years were in attendance and only one of 19 was there and he is an invalid who needs help getting to church.  Only four Elders and four High Priests did their home teaching this month.  He begged the priesthood brothers to please visit their families and help them come back to church.  How many times I have heard the same pleadings from bishops all over the church.  I do not understand why it is so hard to go home teaching. 

We celebrated my birthday Friday night.  We invited the other senior missionaries for dinner and then played some games.  At the end we popped a few balloons.  We had a fun time.  Here are a few pictures..