A touching turn of events

Last Friday our family drove to Entre Rios with a mission. 

We drove the 6 hours (the last 40 minutes on a dirt road).  We found the schoolhouse.  We had made it. 

We were literally out in the middle of nowhere in a guest house next to the school.  We faced mosquitos like I’ve never seen and the power was sketchy. 

We finished our final preparations for the Sunday night program where we would be distributing the sticker bags. 

Some examples of what was inside…

We threw a few of these little American treats in, too.

Everything was good to go,

and then it started to rain…

and it wouldn’t stop.

The party was cancelled due to the families’ inabilities to travel on muddy roads.

After panicking a little (maybe a lot), we did the only other thing possible. 

That’s right, we went to them.

Now…

this goes without saying that my husband was definitely NOT gung-ho about this idea like I was.  The roads were bad, really bad, and we were up against some major risks. 

Thankfully, we both felt like the Lord was aware of our efforts, and we put our trust (and faith) in Him. 

After several heart felt prayers and a few serious fishtailing issues, we started to find children.

Silvina, age 6

We were not always welcomed with open arms.  Some of the mothers were extremely nervous, and rightly so.  There we were, an American family, pulling up to their house, shouting in Spanish, “Santa’s elves! Santa’s elves!”

The experience was shocking for some of them which is why I didn’t always whip out my camera like some crazy paparazzi lady with an American accent.  We had to be sensitive and careful.  There were some very touching moments that will never be erased from my mind.  This whole process has been an emotional rollercoaster. 

We found a lifeless looking home where an older man lived.  He pointed us down a road that we did not know about.

We found this sweet mother who now has a Christmas gift for her two daughters, Melina and Soledad, ages 4 & 12.

Here is another home we found on that same road. 

Julio and Brisa, ages 2 & 3

We also found this brother and sister:

Victoria, age 8

Agustín, age 9

I have so much more to share.  We are continuing to get mail.  Thank you so much.  Earlier this week we received envelopes from Germany, Canada, Minnesota, Alabama, and the LDS ward in Ohio who had a sticker drive as part of their Christmas party.  We love you all. 

We have also received many envelopes from Connecticut, and our hearts are broken in wake of the Newtown tragedy.  We pray that angels will attend and comfort those in great need of peace and understanding at this time.

“We need to know that in spite of all the troubles and ills which befall us, still the Lord is governing in the affairs of the earth and that if we keep His commandments and are true and faithful to His laws, He will bless us here and now and reward us with eternal life in His kingdom in due course…”   Joseph Fielding Smith

This Week’s Schedule of Events

The Sticker Project is underway.  Here’s the rundown. 

Wednesday (today, Dec. 12th): open the 330 envelopes (2nd group) we got in the mail yesterday and organize stickers.  Amazing.   

We received envelopes from every state mentioned in the first group in addition to letters from Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, & Wisconsin.  Am I proud to be an American, or am I proud to be an American?!

Thursday (Dec. 13th): Prepare sticker bags with labels for the 26 students (15 boys, 11 girls) and 5 teachers at the humble schoolhouse in Los Perales (Escuela Primaria Nro. 23 Del Sesquicentenario).  I spoke with the director today.  The reception was rough, but after three phone calls, we finalized details.  She is going to try to e-mail me a list of the student’s names (depending on internet) in order for us to personalize the bags.

Friday (Dec. 14th): Drive to the school (6 hours away) and stay out in the boonies in a little guest house next to the school.  

Saturday (Dec. 15th): Explore.

Sunday (Dec 16th): Present each student and teacher their bag signed “Love, Santa Claus” (in Spanish).  They are having a special program that night – strange that it’s on a Sunday – but that is when we are going to surprise them with Christmas gifts – your gifts.  Parents should be there.

The following week we will be working with MANA and the LDS missionaries to deliver Christmas to approximately 200 more children in need here in Venado Tuerto. 

We can’t wait.  We’ll get to work.

snapshots I want to remember (from Buenos Aires last month)