Laymans in Santiago Chile: Our first despida(going away party)

Sunday night April 22nd was our first despedida(going away party). When a couple or single sister missionary go home the couples here get together and have a going away party so we can eat of course. And at the end they can talk about how they are feeling about their experiences during their mission. Elder and Sister Dalton have been organizing these. He is the Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency of Chile. He will be reassigned some time in the near future as the they have combined the Argentine and Chile areas and it will be relocated to Argentina with a new presidency and they already have an executive secretary in Argentina.

So everyone brought food by assignment. We brought a cake that I bought. Chocolate of course. I didn't want Millie's first effort at baking here in Chile to be for other people in case it didn't turn out quite how she wanted. So here is a look at the food!

Most important food the Postres(deserts)

Millie getting some delicious food to eat

There were several people in attendance to honor those going home or being reassigned. Elder and Sister Mason are being transferred to Buenos Aires, Argentina with the new Area Presidency. He is the Area Auditor. He now has twice the work he said!!!

Elder and Sister Mason speaking

Then Sister Ambris spoke to us. She related a very touching story about the experience she had in the last week with having the temple work done for her mother and having the sealing done of her immediate family. She is originally from Mexico but lived her married life in Los Angeles California before moving to Utah a few years ago. She has served 18 months and it is now time for her return home May 2nd. She is a dear sister and Millie has enjoyed getting to know her as she has worked on the same shift at the temple.

Millie and Sister Ambris

Sister Ambris talking to us

The last to speak to us were Elder and Sister Kimball. They are from San Antonio Texas and of course as fate would have it did know Pat Hammon Millie's sister that lives there. They are going home after 1 year working in the Perpetual Education fund. They were trying to get the young people to understand that they had recieved loans for their education and were to pay them back. Not an easy calling. They visited 54 wards in the 52 weeks they were here. Great job!