Mother's Day on the Mission Field

Last Sunday was our first Mother's Day on the mission field. It was different, but that's ok. Most things in our life right now are different. As my missionary friend in Mexico says, "we are developing our new normal". Let us tell you about our recent Mother's Day.

While there was a special emphasis on mothers during the Sunday morning service, what was refreshingly absent was the emphasis and talk of new dresses, new church hats, new church shoes, fancy bouquets of flowers, and "special" music dedicated to mothers. There can be a sense of "special" without all the fanfare, money, and decoration. And this, my friends, is part of a wonderful Chilean "new normal". Friendships and relationships here seem to mean more than a $2.75 Mother's Day card with a few short phases of affection printed or written. I have observed in my short time here in Chile, that daughters and mothers often walk arm in arm when out and about. Are there still familial spats? I'm sure of it, but love and respect is paid more openly here between children and mothers.

But I digress...after the church service a whole row of people were asked to come to the front. They were then asked to present their mother's to the congregation. The mothers then came and stood in front of their son or daughter and was given a special pin and a small wrapped gift. All the men of the church helped pitch in a small amount to buy these practical gifts for the ladies of the church. There was time set aside for ones to give testimony of how their mom is so special to them. Above: Jordan was picked from our family to present Kristi.


The line up of mothers with at least one of their children. It was a special time and you could tell from the look in many of their eyes.


I (David) drove out to San Ramón for the afternoon service after a very quick lunch at home. Only one mother from San Ramón showed up (see above), but it was a mother who had previously restricted her daughter from coming to the children's class. Pastor Marcelo was able to talk to her for a while and she is now willing to let her daughter come each week. Many families were not at home on Mother's Day and were probably celebrating in Temuco with other family members.

After driving back to Temuco, I picked up the family to make it to the evening service. The day was busy and with little time for Kristi to be fully pampered. So on Monday, we took her out to eat and went shopping during the afternoon.

Both Kristi and I did not get to Skype our mothers on Mother's Day, but since we are often in communication each week, this wasn't the end of the world.

Thanks to Kristi, Carol (Kristi's mom), and Nancy (David's mom) for being wonderful mothers. You are special everyday.