Saturday was an interesting day, it started off normal and we finished off the day with a good lesson to our investigators in the Estancilla and arrived home a little after ten. We started to get comfortable, glad to be home, plan a little for sunday, and go to sleep. But it didn`t go that way at all. The other two elders came home at 1030, and told us to change into service clothes. They told us that brother Osorio`s parcela was burning, and we had to leave to help but out the fire. We quickly changed, and hermano ruiz was waiting outside in his car to drive us there. The other elders said they had already called the president and asked permision to help put out the fire. I thought it was a small fire, and we would be back in an hour. I was wrong. We went to the church, where we met up with various members of the elders Quorum. We waited for a little until all arrived and then we headed out. It was suprising to me how much elders showed up to help with cars, we had 18 in total, including us 4. We went on the freeway and traveled about 30 minutes to get to our destination. It was a huge hill on fire. There were a lot of lots that people had bought and built their house or summer house. There were also lots of trees and brush that could easily get caught on fire. Brother Osorio`s parcela wasn`t burnt at all, but the neibhoring parcelas were. We gathered together and then went out, with buckets of water and shovels to smother the fire. A lot of trees were burnt, and there wasn`t any active flame, but a lot of ashes and coals. We poured water on the coals and covered it with dirt so the fire didn`t start up again and burn the rest of the trees and other parcelas. We didn`t want the fire to reach the houses and destroy everything. After splitting up and putting out all the fire, we went back and a majority of the elders went to the other side of the hill, where big flames were reaching some houses. They helped the firemen cut away the surrounding brush and trees so the flames couldn`t reach the houses. We worked hard in the night, with the little light we had. By the time we got back it was 630 sunday morning. I took a little shower, and went to sleep for an hour. Then woke up and had to do some last minute arrangments to bring investigators to the church, and we went to church. I almost fell asleep in sacrament meeting. After lunch I could hardly even stay awake, it was hard to get through the day and I was greatful when night came again. Like I said, it was very interesting. It was amazing how the elders could react in 20 minutes, and meet up at the church to fight fires all night long. When there is a need in the ward you can count on the elders quorum, we are the fighfighters of Quimey. Friday we had a great FHE with Fransisco Vargas, investigator, and the barriga family. Afterwards brother barriga went to drop him off at the bus stop and they talked for 2 hours waiting for the bus. He is becoming more integrated in the ward and making friendships that will help him stay firm in the church even after baptism . Yesterday we had another Family home evening with investigators but the adults fell through on us and only the 2 youth went in the end. It took them a long time to arrive too, but in the end we had a good time. I hope next time the whole famliy can come, it would be a little easier and more successful. I am still working hard in this heat, and will not give up. I love you all and hope you have the best week this week. Take care, elder chandler
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