Christmas with Luz de Cristo

Luz de Cristo is a home for abused children. The Iglesia de Cristo en Los Leones has been involved with this home for the past several years. This year, I was asked to help plan a Christmas even with the kids from Luz de Cristo. We invited the kids to come to church services and then afterwards we had a feast of pizza, empanadas, and cake! At the end of the day the church gathered around to watch the kids from Luz de Cristo open Christmas presents! We had received a "wish list" from each child and, with the donations of the church, were able to get each child something that they really wanted. It was a great day together with the kids from Luz de Cristo. We're hoping to be involved in their lives even more in the future. Another great aspect of our Christmas party was that it gave many people the opportunity to serve. The pizza and cake that we ate for lunch were homeade by Roberto and Carito, a couple who have been attending our church, but are not yet Christians. This was a great event, allowing the church to work together, and showing us the REAL spirit of Christmas!


The Christmas tree with presents for the children!


Some of the church members who stayed to celebrate Christmas with the kids from Luz de Cristo.


Some of the kiddos showing off their gifts!

The Reason Why I Have NO Thanksgiving Pictures...

One of our University Students, Rodrigo Rebolledo, officially graduated from his University! Being that it was a special occasion, I let him borrow my camara to take pictures of his graduation, and therefore didn't have it on Thanksgiving. In this picture he's wearing an aggie ring, as every graduate should! Congratulations Rodrigo!

Thanksgiving was a great time here in Santiago. The Grant family (of the mission team) opened their home to any "gringo" that wanted to come. So, we had a huge crowd! About 25 adults and 12 children! But it was a great time full of the usual Thanksgiving foods! We all had lunch together and then spent the rest of the day watching football and playing games. It was like a normal Thanksgiving in the United States. I am so thankful to this mission team. They have become my support system here in Chile. Although I couldn't be with my family in the states, it was great to spend a holiday with my gringo family in Santiago!

Quotable Quotes

I thought I might share with you all a few quotes from 3 of us interns at the Iglesia de Cristo. It might give you a little insight to my life here in South America. Enjoy!!

Lauren: "I just head-butted the Argentinian a little bit." After saying good-bye to some of our friends.

Lindsey: "Aw, man! Did they get robbed AGAIN?" Lindsey, as we were walking up to a convenience store that we frequent.

While in Lima, Peru:
Jenni: I'm feeling itchy all over.
Lindsey: Well, did you eat or drink anything out of the ordinary?
Jenni: The water?

Lima, Peru

The week of Nov. 6th - 11th was the annual Pan Am Lectureships. This year the lectureships were in Lima, Peru. Kelley Grant, Lindsey, and I went and represented the Santiago mission team. It was a great time to get to know missions supporters from the states, as well as other missionaries that are in South America. Another highlight was getting to spend time with old friends from A&M who plan on doing mission work in Lima beginning in 2008. On our time off from the conference we got to tour the city of Lima... which has so much history! It was interesting for me to note the differences between Santiago and Lima. I didn't know there would be so many! But it was a great time! I definitely wouldn't mind visiting again. Check out the "My Pictures" link to see more photos of my trip to Lima. Enjoy!

Our Hotel in Lima

Our Hotel in Lima
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Our hotel in Lima, where the conference took place. It was located in Plaza San Martin. The architecture was beautiful in this area!

Alan, me, and Mark

Alan, me, and Mark
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

A highlight of the trip was getting to know a new friend! Alan is from Lima and has been going to one of the churches there for over a year. We were lucky enough on Sunday to see him baptized into Christ!

Alan's Baptism

Alan's Baptism
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Alan being baptized on November 6, 2005!

Me and Linds at the Pyramid

Me and Linds at the Pyramid
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Lindsey and I had the afternoons free to tour the city of Lima. One of the coolest things we saw was the remains of an ancient pyramid, right in the middle of the city! (Be sure to click on the "my pictures" link to see more of it!)

Mark and me... and Chili's!!!

Mark and me... and Chili's!!!
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Pictured here are two of my favorite things about my trip to Lima... spending time with my friend Mark Clancy, and eating at Chili's (a restaurant that we don't have in Santiago.. oh how I've missed it)!!!

Me & Linds and the Lima Team

Me & Linds and the Lima Team
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

A highlight of the conference was getting to spend time with some friends from A&M! John Mark Davidson, Wes Yoakum, and Mark Clancy are all members of a mission team set to come to Lima in 2008!

New Church Building Progress

I went by the new church building on Tuesday and was very excited to see how far along it has come! We should be in it by February at the latest (a few additions to construction has pushed the date back). Please be in prayer for our new church home! Below are some pictures I took, so you can see how it is progressing!

Church1
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Front view of the new iglesia! Hopefully we will have a roof on it soon!!

Church2
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Sideview of the new auditorium. The bricks are getting higher everyday!

Church3
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

View of the front part of the offices and classrooms. To the left is the auditorium.

Kitchen Ministry

Something that every person has in common on this earth is... FOOD! It crosses all cultural boundaries. We can always find a common ground when it comes to food, I mean everyone has to eat, right? Three of our English students taught us how to make "Alfajores" which are chocolate covered, manjar-filled, cookies! It was a great time of friendship building! I'm always amazed at how eager Chileans are to teach us how to make or do something. Please be in prayer for these 3 girls! They are sweethearts, and becoming good friends of mine!

Me, Ingrid, Carla, and Raquel

Me, Ingrid, Carla, and Raquel
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Me and the girls with the finished cookies. Yum!

Linds & her alfajor!

Linds & her alfajor!
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Lindsey was proud of her creation. She used icing and a toothpick to make a cool web design on her cookie!

Trip to Siete Tazas

Lindsey, her friend Kirsten from the States, Jill, Eduardo and I took a day trip about 3 hours south of Santiago to visit "Las Siete Tazas." It is a series of 7 waterfalls on a beautiful river. It was great to get away from the rush of the Santiago city life for a while. Here are some pictures of our trip. Enjoy!

Siete Tazas

Siete Tazas
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

The "Siete Tazas." A series of 7 waterfalls really close together. It makes for beautiful scenery!

Me & Linds

Me & Linds
Originally uploaded by JWorley28.

Me and Lins infront of the "Siete Tazas." Notice how it's springtime, and we're still wearing sweatshirts and jackets!