Missionaries Coming and Missionaries Going

This past week was cambios, or transfer week. On Tuesday the new Elders arrive from the MTC´s in Provo and Santiago. We spend the day with them and they receive their companion/trainer. There are several traditions associated with cambios. The nuevitos (new missionaries) are taken to La Portada (a natural monument in the ocean) to have their pictures taken after we pick them up at the airport. Later that evening we all have dinner at our house and they are introduced to their companions.

Here are the AP´s and Presidente waiting for the missionaries at the airport with the mission banner.

Photos at La Portada. It was so windy and cold on Tuesday. In the distance you can see Antofagasta.

The Latin missionaries arrive in the morning from the Santiago MTC. They spend 3 weeks in the MTC before we get them.

Group photo at La Portada.

Back at the mission office where the missionaries are fed. They are interviewed by Leland and have many forms to fill out for their visas, etc.

This is Sister Richardson. She and her husband are our great senior missionaries. They are from West Jordan and they keep the office running.

Back to the airport to pick up our Gringo missionaries. We actually met Elder Angus and Elder Martin in the MTC during our training. They looked so scared when they arrived (just like I looked a week earlier, I´m sure.)

And yes, I´ve already started wearing flats with my dresses. Comfort is more important than fashion. Elder Scott told the missionaries they weren´t cool anymore. They were missionaries. I guess that goes for me too.

La Portada with the Gringos. The sun was so bright I couldn´t open my eyes.

On Wednesday we receive the missionaries who are going home. We have dinner and a testimony meeting with them and then on Thursday morning we take them to the airport for their flight to Santiago. Even though we had just met these Elders, we loved them instantly. No tears were shed on this send off, but I´m sure in the cambios to come, we will be crying.