August 10, 2009

Jeff has spent his first week in Chile and seems to be quite happy there. He arrived, met with the Mission President & his companion and then went to work. He said the food is very good there & is afraid he is going to get fat. Not much chance, as he walks most everywhere.

"Chile is amazing!! Theres so much to tell I don´t even know where to begin. I got off the plane and then met the mission president, pres. Jones and he is a really amazing man. I am very blessed to have him as my president. Then we ent to the mission home and had interviews and a little orientation. Then we had lunch. The food here is sooo good! The fruit is so yummy, and the vegetables. And it´s pretty "normal" here. We had chicken and salad. Then the best cheese cake I´ve ever had in my life!! Then we went to meet our companions. My companions name is Elder Mckay. He is really great. I´m very blessed to have him as a companion. Then we went to our pension in Padre hurtado. It´s in the suburbs of Santiago. I like it a lot here.


I can´t understand much of what the people say here. Their spanish here is really bad! They slur everything together and speak really fast, but I know I´ll get the hang of it soon enough. The first night we went out and started teaching, it was pretty cool. I´ve already had some pretty neat experiences. It´s hard to believe that I´ve been here for a week already.
Our ward is really small (Even smaller than Anoka) and is struggling. Because of that Elder Mckay and I do a lot of work trying to reactivate members. So its good. It´s cold here! A lot colder than I expected. But only in the mornings and in the night. For P-Day we played soccer, it was a lot of fun. Hermanas in the ward do our laundry which is awesome, and they also feed us every day at lunch (Thats the main meal).
It is very rewarding to actually be able to go out and teach real people and see the gospel bless their lives. I know that it is true :) We walk, a lot. My feet hurt, but they will get used to it."
I love all of you and am grateful for all the love and support! Hope to here from you soon!
Love,Elder DeLong