Latest boat photo!

The cabin roof has been installed by our intrepid crew: Dennis Gross, Bahamas (John Cash), Jovanny Vargas, Wesly colson, Cory Armstrong and Alan Adams.

Charlie Smith owner of Smith A/C lent us his high lift.

Latest boat photos!

New boat update from Alan.

Here's the latest shot of our new boat. Note the progress on the superstructure! Keep up the good work guys!

On the 16th I was invited to be the speaker for the citys "Tedeum". A thanksgiving service commemorating Chile's independence. I'm thankful for the opportunity to share the message of true freedom with the town and much of our leadership. Among the hundreds present were our mayor, military base commander, police chief, entire city council, govenor, and congressman.

Update

Hi everyone!
We're back! We took some time off to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Thanks for all the kind words!
We also went to the David Wilkerson meetings in Santiago. It was very good and right on target for the needs here in Chile. Many left encouraged.
While we were gone pastor Hectors' son (Aziel) almost died of pnuemonia. We're still helping out the family as he's just out of the hospital. Please remember them in prayer.
Although it snowed just 3 days ago today is very springlike. Temps are already in the 50's!
Cattle like the weather too. This morning I had to jump out of bed to run some 7 or 8 out of the yard before they finished "pruning" our fruit trees and roses. Oh well.

We are grateful that the Lord has granted us favor with national leadership.

Needless to say, there were many very happy people Friday!

Each person was tested and given the correct glasses.

Congressman Pablo Galilea came by the Aysen church Friday evening and handed out free reading glasses.

Boat building continues in Savannah. Here Alan, Dennis, and a gang of volunteers lift part of the new superstructure up to the hull.

Last couple of days have been real nice! Just a light rain or two and temps near 40. Of course this also means we're worn to a frazzle since we try to cram in all the outdoor chores we've been putting off : )

Every evening on the weather they include the forecast for Antarticia. Last few days it's been colder here in our area than in Antartica!

Clear weather! We've enjoyed 3 whole days of sunny skies! I believe this is the first time we've had sunny weather since sometime in April.

Hanging around in Puerto Aysen

City workers headed off to work.

Newsletter

Well, we mailed our June newsletter the first of June. Last I heard of it and it's been almost a month. If you do receive it please let me know by e-mail and at the same time please let me know how much postage is marked on the envelope. We have some suspicions about our post office here and may need some more evidence if our suspicions prove true. Thanks!

Weather update

Yesterday was our first oficial day of Winter! Needed to turn the headlights off about 8:30 and back on around 5:00. Rain gauge shows 49.10 inches for the year. They say these electronic gauges only register 75% of actual rainfall! Temps here at sealevel are in the low 30's day and night which means we keep a fire going all day. It usually goes out at night but it only gets down in the low 50's inside. When it really gets cold I'll need to get up once or twice to keep it going. We've received a lot of snow this year and roads and people are suffering. I'll keep you posted on both but right now it looks like we'll have to help out later on.

Yesterday, some cars were waiting for the road to be cleared on the way to Cerro Castillo when an avalanche covered 4 of them! Everyone not covered ran to thier rescue and with shovels and hands were able to rescue everyone. Some 50 people are now stuck in Cerro Castillo waiting for the roads to open again.

All in all it was a typical trip up the Austral Highway. All was well in Cisnes (although they are stealing the wood shed piece by piece) and we hope to return soon.

Mile 88 we stop for a while while they clear enough space at a recent land slide.

Mile 75 we meet the first vehicle headed South. While we do meet several other vehicles all are work related. Mile 85 we see cow parts hung on a fence. No idea why but on the return the next day the leg quarters are gone. The second from the right is the stomach and yes, they do eat that.

Trip to Puerto Cisnes
The trip is about 112 miles by land, the first 60 miles are paved and it takes a little over an hour the rest of the trip will take 3 to 3.5 hours.

Got back from Santiago ok. We had a good time, ate lots of junk food, enjoyed being warmer : )
Early winter is still affecting lots of people with some 25,000 homeless or isolated due to flooding or snowfall.
We're thinking about going to Puerto Cisnes (north of Puerto Aysen on map) thursday. I'll let you know how it goes.
Latest news:
An english sailboat was "missing at sea" for over a week, they just found it safe and sound. They were holed up in the islands due to bad weather.
Rain gauge says we've received 40.64 inches of rain this year.

White earthquake?

Winter has arrived early this year. We still lack a month until it officialy arrives and already 56 people are confirmed dead or missing and presumed dead. We fear we are in for another "white earthquake" winter. This is the name they give for a disasterous winter.

Tomorrow we head to Santiago for a week and I won't be able to update until we return.

Looking out the front door of our house.

First snowfall in Puerto Aysen. Snow came about a month early this year.

Parking lot at "dead water". This is a larger photo of our local fishing port.

Snow line is dropping. When it reaches about half-way down this mountain it's on the ground in Coyhaique.

Yesterday there was a lot of violence on the road to Chacabuco. Several injured including a policeman (who is a member of our church) who received a broken arm. Some policeman were taken hostage but were later released during a prisoner exchange.

Shot of our local fishing port. Hundreds of fisherman are in town protesting against the government. This morning they've blocked the highway to the next town and were seen shooting at the police helicopter.

They say there are over a 1000 fishermen in town right now. Looks like they're spoiling for a fight.

The regional fisherman have just taken the bridge. After a week of unfruitful talks with the government things are beginning to heat up.

Heading home.

Kids waiting patiently (sort of) outside.

Some of the folks were VERY happy with what they found. This man (who is currently out of work with an anurism) shows off some nice clothes.

After they each received 2 bags of food each family was able to select some clothes.

New STL boat for Patagonia

Southside Assembly of God in Savannah, GA is building our new Speed the Light boat for Patagonia. They are putting together a website with updates. You might want to check it out and see how the work progresses. The above photo shows how the boat hull looks now.
http://www.ssag.org/STL/

Yesterday we had some 40 people working 3 lines. Still took 2 days just to repack the food. Tomorrow we'll work on the clothes.

The container arrived on Puerto Chacabuco. Caused quite a stir.

Nice makeup!

Repacking rice.

A container of food and clothing arrived from the U.S. We've spent the last few days repacking tons of this for distribution this weekend.

Rhonda and I on the road to the next town.