Sept 18

One of the important parts of Chile's Sept 18th festivities (independence day) is cooking out. Sunday a bunch of us got together and pastor Hector and I put dozens of shis ka bobs on the grill. Rhonda kept pretty busy making sure we had enough raw ones to replace the quickly eaten cooked ones!

First service

Last Sunday we went to Coyhaique where they had their first service in thier new building!
We have all waited and worked for this day for at least a year.  Needless to say everyone was very happy and no one seemed eager to leave after.

We still have a lot of work to do and we could really use some help finishing.  If you would like to help us out on this important project please contact me!

aysensteve@gmail.com

Wood Splitter

When our car came day before yesterday it had a large box inside.  We had a few guys help us offload it and yesterday Rhonda and I opened up our new firewood splitter!  It was lots of parts, even the engine was in a separate box.
And there weren't any instructions on how to put it together.
We did the best we could, at least there weren't any parts left over and fired it up today.
That thing is nice!
Pastor Hector, our visiting evangelist Daniel, and Carlos came down just then.  None of us had ever seen one before so we spend a while playing with it.
As you can see from the video it is very fast and easy to use.
We are thinking of ways we could use this thing for evangelism and helping some of the older folks in the church.
We want to really thank our friends in Alaska and Louisiana (New Iberia, First Assembly of God) for this very valuable gift.
I thank you!  My back thanks you! 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXHcI2oxhgk

Good news, Bad news

Good news: In Punta Arenas pastor Pedro took us out to eat.
Bad news: He didn't tell us it was at a families house until we got there.
Good news: They were very nice and the soup (Patagonian mussels and abalone) was delicious.  We were quite full.
Bad news: The soup was just the appetizer.
Good news: Once back in Aysen we were told our STL car was at the port!  We've waited months for this! 
Bad news: Everyone is on strike.

Patagonian mussel and abalone soup, very tasty.

We were able to get it out of the container but nothing else.

Thank you Speed The Light!

Punta Arenas

We had a good trip to Punta Arenas.  The airport in Balmaceda was COLD!  Must have been under 40(f) inside.  Trip was uneventful and pastor Pedro met us at the airport.  We met with a lot of people there, we got to take our pastors out to eat, and we had a good time all around.

We also met with Carlos Rivera and his wife who are interested in starting a new work in the northern part of the city.  We gave the go-ahead and will be working with them getting going.  We're excited to see our Lords kingdom growing here!

One thing happened you might like to hear:
Sunday Pedro asked if it would be OK not to go out to eat but instead just share a simple meal with he and a few others at an apartment someone had loaned him.  Of course we said that would be fine.

After church we went to the small and simple apartment near the church.  Maybe was 200 sqare feet inside.  Some folks came with chicken, potatoes, lettuce, etc.  Then more people came with other stuff, then more people came... there ended up being around 17 people eating lunch there!  Rather snug but great fellowship.

Looking out the window at the airport

Blizzard update

Ever since the blizzard our region has been in national news pretty much every day.  They are now calling it "white earthquake" it has affected peoples lives so much.

Snow is still deep inland although most main roads are open.  Power is back to most folks as well but other hardships remain.  Firewood is in short supply for many and food is also tough to get for some.  The other day they found a lady (3 kids) who was burning her furniture so they could keep warm.

The government is trying to get help to folks but there is only so much they can do about all the livestock that's in trouble.  They fear up to 100,000 head could die before spring.

Hospital

We took Pastor Hector and Berta to Coyhaique yesterday to check into the hospital.  She has had a tumor for over a year and today was to be the day she was to be operated on.  We drove an hour to get there, went to the office, and they told her the surgery was canceled.  Seems they are out of supplies.  She has to try again the 29th.

Blizzard

They are saying this was the heaviest snow in over 30 years.  In 28 hours (starting Friday night) up to 60 inches of snow fell in the region.
Here in Aysen we just got a few inches and that melted within 2 days.  The next town east is Coyhaique, the GPS says it's 28 miles from here, the odometer says 40 miles and the watch says 1 hour.  They still had some 20-30 inches on the ground by the time we got there yesterday.  Further east a few miles they got up to 60 inches. 
As you can imagine, the roads are a mess, some roofs have collapsed and the airport has been closed since the storm.  I'll enclose some photos (I didn't take all of them) and a website with lots more:

http://www.fotos.emol.com/index.asp?G_ID=15101#

http://www.fotos.emol.com/index.asp?G_ID=15090

 During the storm over 100 people had to be rescued on the highway.  The snow just got too deep for the vehicles and fallen trees blocked the road in may places.

There are reports of a number of buildings and roofs collapsed or damaged.  A new school gym and new store downtown are included. 

On the way to Coyhaique we were surprised at the amount of trees down.  Apparently the weight of the snow was so great that they simply fell over many times tearing out the roots and all.  The road was down to one lane numerous times and it looks like more blockage is on the way as there are lots of trees just hanging over the road.

Fortunately we have a very good STL vehicle and we have good studded snow tires so we didn't have any problems driving yesterday.  We did get held up for about an hour at the pass (along with lots of other folks) when some truck driver decided he could make it without chains.  He couldn't.

We made it back safe and sound last night, it looks like the conditions should be even better when we go again tomorrow.

Snow day

We don't get all that much snow here in town.  We're real near the coast and that seems to keep the snow away.  A few miles inland it's another story.  So, when we get a snow day here in town it's worthy of a few pictures...

High water

We've had a lot of rain the last few days, even for here.  I think over 5 inches in 2 days.  Makes the Months total 18 inches.  River got very high, Austral Highway is cut in several places, some flooding of houses.
Here at the house we lost a large tree as the river undercut part of the bank behind the house.  Our dock also suffered as one of the billets was swept out from under the dock and part of the dock looks broken.  I don't dare go out on it to see closer until the water drops quite a bit more.

Video!

Below is my first attempt to post a video anywhere.  Looks like it might work so... any requests?

Austral Highway footage June 19 2010

Cisnes

Marrying and burying

Saturday I married Jorge and Viviana, Sunday I buried them.

We left Saturday morning for the 100 mile trip to Cisnes, only took 3 hours or so.  It’s much better now due to more pavement.  Some snow and slick spots but we didn’t have any trouble.

Saturday evening we had our first wedding in our new work in Cisnes!  Jorge and Viviana got married, most of the church turned out and we had a great time.

Sunday Noon we took everyone from the church (including Jorge and Viviana) and put 8 of them in a watery grave.  That’s right; we had our first water baptism in Cisnes!  Yes it was cold!  It was 38 outside and the water was at least that cold.  After a few moments arms and legs went numb and the pain went away.  After we were done and wading out it actually seemed warm!  I guess it was the circulation starting back.

Sunday afternoon and evening we had a combination asado (Chilean BBQ) and service.  The house was packed with over 20 present.

We came home Monday and although it snowed the road wasn’t bad.  The studded snow tires do help!

Very busy and very productive weekend.

Letters

All is well here, getting quite cold now but no snow yet here in town.  Road to the airport is quite icy it looks like.

Once in a while we get some letters from the States.  Here's the latest:  (I'll answer in another color)

Hi my name is Annie I am almost 10 years old.  What kind of house do you live in, and what kind of food do you eat.  I am from India and I eat spicy food do you like spicy foods?  We saw your pictures that you gave to Mr. Rich & Miss Paula and it looks really cold.  How cold does it get where you are at?   What do you do with the mice that you catch?  You don’t eat them do you? Do you keep the penguins as pets?  

Hi Annie!  We live in a wood house that Rhonda and I built ourselves.  We couldn't find anything to rent so we had to make one.  We like Cajun food which is spicy but a different spicy from Indian.  It gets pretty cold here!  We get lots of snow inland and way below freezing quite a bit.  As I write this it is below freezing outside.  I toss the dead mice in the trash, I'm not hungry enough to eat them.  We don't keep penguins as pets, they would make a lousy pet.  They're kind mean.

Hi my name is Abigail I am 8 years old and in the 4^th grade.   I already have so many pets do you have any pets?  Do you have any flowers?  I have colorful flowers there are more tiny flowers growing now.  What other kinds of animals do you have do you have birds?

We don't have any pets because we travel so much, it wouldn't be fair to them since we're gone so much.  We have lots of flowers in the summer, we like them, too.  There are lots of animals here but no snakes of any kind!  We have lots of birds as well including the Condor.

Hi my name is Annika  I am turning 7 years old this year.  Do you really have penguins? And are you really going to make a mink coat for Miss Rhonda?   What do you do with the mink do you  eat it?  What is your favorite shape?  I like squares. 

When is the next time that you are coming here?  We would love to see you.  Thank you for telling people about Jesus. 

We really do have penguins here, they are slow on land but very fast in the water.  No, I was just kidding about the mink coat.  I'd have to catch a LOT of mink to have enough.  I just tanned the 2 I got and we'll just feel the soft fur.  I'm not hungry enough to eat a mink.  It smells pretty strong so I bet it wouldn't taste good.  I don't really have a favorite shape but squares are nice.  We hope to come to Tampa in a few years, we'd like to see you all too!  We are very happy that we get to tell people about Jesus here!  

Thanks for writing girls!  Keep up the good work!

Steve & Rhonda Wilson

Propane and mink

Tried to BBQ yesterday, propane froze up after about an hour.  Maybe I should put it on the fire?  ;-]   Also, just saw another mink in the shop.  Just re-set the trap.  This keeps up I'll be able to make Rhonda a full-sized coat.

Gumbo

It's been raining for many days now.  It's cold, temps in the 40's.  It's dark, dawn about 8:30, dusk around 5:00.
Only one thing to do...Make Gumbo!

Note:  All Cajuns please don't read below.

Rhonda made us a chicken & sausage gumbo but we can't get sausage here.  So we used, um, salami.  You know, if you cook it enough you don't notice the taste so much.

Home

Felipe wrote me today to let me know that he made it back home to Puerto Williams ok.  He was kinda worried when the National Convention ended and a strong blizzard hit down in Williams.  I guess he was stuck for a few days but looks like it all worked out.

National convention

Rhonda and I just got back from national convention in Santiago.  We had our missionary fellowship meeting as well and we did enjoy getting together and seeing so many friends.
Weather was real good there and it was nice to get warm! Especially when we got back to the airport here and they told me it had gotten down to -14 there!

Heh heh heh

Went out to the shop this morning to check my trap line.
No mice (since SOMETHING) ate all the bait.
One mink.
Years ago I got a live trap at a garage sale and it's been sitting in a shed ever since.  I got it out, strung some of my secret, sure-fire, mouse bait (pepperoni) and set it real light.
Mink ain't too timid, he zeros in on my finger and would bite it off if he could. (He's looking at my finger in the photo)
No, I'm not going to release it.  Mink are not native to Chile and have reached official "plague" status.  They are doing all kinds of damage to the native wildlife.
Maybe I'll make Rhonda a real tiny mink coat.

War

I went out to the shop to check the mousetrap.  The mink had returned in the night and tore it up getting the fresh bait.  I hope he realizes that this means war.