Special Visitors

Before coming on our mission Leland spoke with the Mission President, President Urra, about what to expect in Antofagasta. President Urra gave him three bits of advice:

1) It never rains in Antofagasta
2) You will never have to speak in Antofagasta
3) General Authorities will never visit the mission

Well, we have been here 9 weeks and have spoken at least a dozen times in various firesides, conferences and meetings. It rained in Antofagasta last month and freaked everyone in the city out. They even closed down the schools because of water. And a few weeks ago we were visited by a member of the Seventy. Nice advice President Urra.

But seriously, the visit from Elder and Sister Costa was a blessing to me, Leland and all of our missionaries. They arrived in Iquique on Tuesday where we picked them up at the airport. We were their drivers. Then we checked into the hotel and went to lunch followed by a meeting with our missionaries. We had 55 missionaries in attendance. With the large distance between cities it is rare that our missionaries are together. This was a special occasion for them. Plus we ordered pizza for them for lunch and they were very happy.

That evening we attended an adult member fireside with the Costas and were lucky to hear a wonderful choir also. The next mornng we all flew back to Antofagasta and on Wednesday evening attended a member fireside with the saints in the two Antofagasta Stakes. Thursday morning was a special conference for our missionaries. This time we brought up the missionaries from the south and had 88 in attendance. What a great group and what a strong spirit they brought to the meeting.

After the conference the missionaries were treated to lunch from Don Pollo (my favorite) and we took the Costas and Amados back to our home for lunch. Nery and I prepared mexican food for them. It was yummy. And then we drove them to the airport where they were doing the same thing in Osorno (the mission farthest south in Chile).

We were able to get a photo with our visiting authorities before heading to the airport. By the way, Elder Costa was the Seventy who set me apart for my mission so it was extra special for me to see him again. He and his wife are on the left side of the picture. President Amado and his wife are on the right.

All of our wonderful missionaries from Antofagasta, Calama, Copiapo and Vallenar zones.

The great missionaries from the north: Arica, Iquique and Alto Hospicio zones.