CHILE NEWS

RED HOT CHILE PAPERS

(from John Elmore, Missionary to Chile)

June 2009

I have returned home to Chile after three months in the States. I visited most of my entire covenant Churches. As always my travels took me from the Deep South of Alabama, to the east coast of Virginia, a little further North to Pennsylvania, across the Midwest through Idaho, to the West coast, California, down through Arizona, back to Alabama, and finally stopping in Virginia for my final month. Yes, alot of travelling, sleeping in many different Beds. I must say the beds have improved over the last time I was home. That in my opinion is a huge plus. I got plenty of good nights sleep. Also as usual a lot of food. I tried to maintain a diet of Cesar Salads and I did keep track of the best salads ranging from 1-10.  According to my records that I kept in my “Cokesbury Daily Suggester” The Boathouse Restaurant in Santa Barbra got the highest rating of a Ten.  Along with the beautiful setting which was on the Pacific coast.

I was blessed with the opportunity to have my wife travel with me for the first two months. Having her with me was a bonus not only for me, but for the Churches where I spoke. We also had the opportunity to perform the “Queca” which is the Chilen National Dance, in many Churches.

 

This past month has been difficult for me. Many of you know that my farther passed away April 7^th. This is one main reason it has taken me this long to write this newsletter. It has been hard for me to even write this down, Even now as I write my heart aches. God and his perfect planning made it possible for me to be in the States at this critical time. Thanks to God I was able to spend some good time with him before he left us. As important as it was for me to be with him, I was also blessed to have my Sister and Brother together during this time.

Thanks to everyone for your cards of condolences and your prayers. I am deeply blessed with so many friends.

During the funeral, the Minister kept referring to my Farther as, “job well done Bob” My fathers name was Robert B Elmore. He and my Mother who passed away a few years ago were wonderful caring Christian people. They always tried to help others where they could. I pray that I can live up to that legacy.

 

 I have arrived at my new Project. El Vergel Agricultural School.. This is a boarding School for Mapuche girls and boys. They learn better ways of agriculture, so that when they graduate they will have a high school diploma as well as a certificate of Agricultural Technician.

The Bishop has instructed me to build a Multi-use Center, where not only the future General Assemblies may be held but also an area that can be rented out for other occasions.

 To help build this Center I have a few groups that will be coming here this year.

Miles Memorial UMC—August 8^th – 21^st

Camarillo UMC—September 26—October 9^th

Bluff Park UMC--- October 10 – 20^th

Santa Barbra UMC--- October26—November7th

First UMC Tuscaloosa ala—November7th -14

Dan Frankfothers--- December 2- 15

 

If you would like to make a donation to this project you would send a check through your conference .

                  “ HOW DO I SEND AN ADVANCE GIFT”

 This year, I am starting to work in a new area of Chile. I have been living for the past twelve years in the Northern part of Chile, Iquique. I have found myself in a completely different area. The South of Chile, where all the seasons are present. It will and has been different and I have only been here a week. I wake up early and start a fire in the wood stove, hop back in bed and wait for the room to warm up. While I was in the States, I received a e-mail from a man, Lawrence Reed. His farther, Elbert Reed was one of the first missionaries to El Vergel. He had just finished writing a book on the History of El Vergel and asked me if I would take a copy down to the school. I said that I would if he would send a copy for me. He did, and I hand delivered a copy to Rosana Campos, the Director of the Agricultural School. I started reading on my first night in my little cabin, bundled up in my three blankets. What a story, it reads like a novel, a real page turner. I have learned so much in the first 200 pages. I also am very humbled at the trials and hardships that my Methodist Missionary predecessors had to face many years ago. The farm was bought in 1918. Mr Elbert Reed was there in 1922.It talks about his voyage to Chile on a boat, his apprehensions about leaving his home and the plans he had made previous to when God had called him for this mission.

 Each year that passes for me, God reveals something new for me. When I am wondering what I am doing so far away from my roots. As long as I am being obedient to what God puts in front of me, then I am home, I am where I am supposed to be. I feel very comfortable where I am, while reading this book, the walks I take around the school seems little different. Although the paths are the same.

As always please keep me in your prayers, especially now in a new territory.   -John