Northern Chile under Water!

Never a dull moment!  Chile's government has declared a "state of emergency" for the Atacama region in northern Chile, (Pierce's mission) after severe flooding from heavy rain.  Luckily, the city where Pierce and his companion are, was not affected.  Copiapo, an area he served in and LOVED, was greatly affected.  Many lost their homes.  I know he would love more than anything to head down south,  roll up his sleeves and aid with the cleanup with the people he grew to love there!  Arica was extremely blessed to not have been affected.  We pray for the families who are suffering great loss!

Here a some excerpts from yesterday's email:

"I heard it rained in one night, what it usually does in 10 years! Also, according to the US, there’s going to be some 9.0 earthquake or something here soon?  Don’t really know, but they said beginning of April?  So maybe we’ll see something?"

"We moved pensions today, down the street to where the hermanas used to live. We now live with members, which I guess is ok... don’t know how it’ll be. I’ve never done it before."

"We are teaching this guy named "J".  He's  really good.  He told us that he will have the Book of Mormon read in 2 weeks tops. That’s good, but OH MY, everyone "promises" us that they’ll go to church but they NEVER show up. sigh..... This week is like the LAST STRAW with some people I think.  We’ll have to cut some loose since they’re not progressing.  It’s not too complicated to find people, but they just don’t want to commit."

"Yesterday was SO SAD, basically found these kids, (they’re 17 - 20 years old) been baptized for like 3 years.  They’re inactive.   2 of them are now living together and have 2 kids.  One is 3 and the other 2.  The dude was drinking and smoking.  Sad.  Then the other kid is  17 and was also smoking.  Just STOP RUINING YOUR LIVES JOVENES!  ANYWAYS that was just sad .  Then some other lady has done some dumb things with her family and now her kids hate her.  She was crying for a good long while about how she has ruined her life and done bad things and stuff. Then another member who has been coming back to church, we found drinking. SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

DANG IT.  Just not good…, and that all happened in like 2 hours yesterday. "

 

   

Copiapo, Chile