Dinner with Mansillas - Monday, December 6, 2010

After a weekend of not much training, we were anxious to get going again. We only have three days left to transfer all that we know to the Schoenys and it really isn't enough time to do more than just touch on each area. There will not be time to repeat and practice. Oh well!!

President and Sister Gulbrandsen came back from the South today and only stopped in the office for a minute on their way to their home.

One last picture with the Assistants seemed like a good idea. Elders Lowry, Urra, and Labra have become good friends to us and we will miss them all.

The office elders went on some errands this afternoon and when they returned, we were able to have the car for the evening. We had a dinner date with the Mansilla family, but first we wanted to go to San Isidro to purchase a couple of items to take home with us. Upon arriving there we found the place to be closed. Drats! We may not have another time to go back.

When we got to the Mansillas, Rita was not home because she was at the church with six other volunteers helping to clean it in preparation for the childrens choir that was performing there tomorrow night. The San Fernando chapel is used for cultural events occasionally and has been a good thing to do to introduce people to the church. Elders welcome people at the door and are able to hand out pamphlets about the church.

While waiting for Sister Mansilla to return, Rich made friends with little Victoria who was fearful and shy and unsure about our presence in her home. She is a cutie!

I am cutting tomatoes for tacos, and Sister Mansilla is whipping cream for a delicous torta she is making. We arrived at their home at 7:30, and ended up sitting down for dinner at 9:30 - typical Argentine style.

Surrounding the table is Genesis, Dario, Domingo, Victoria, Rita, Matias, and Abel. They are a cute family and so very active in the gospel. We have been invited to their home for dinner five times -- with missionaries, and without. They entertained us also when our daughters came in October. Wonderful people!!

Abel is patiently waiting for his piece of cake which has a dulce de leche center and is topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Yum!

The family poses by the quilted creation Melissa made for them which they have tacked up on their wall.

They had parting gifts for us which were sweet smelling Gardenias, and a coat hook which was engraved with "Argentina" on it. We will find a place to put it up in our home.

Sister Mansilla has not been back to her home in Perú for ten years. That was the last time she has seen her parents except for occasions on skype. She is going in February and will take the three youngest children that her parents have not seen in person -- Genesis, Abel, and Victoria.

We wanted to help with the cost of their trip, so Rich gave them 200 pesos, which they gratefully accepted. It was hard to say goodbye to this wonderful family.