This past weekend was the celebration of Chile’s 200th year of independence from Spain.  It was a very exciting time  to be in Chile.  The national holiday was from from Friday the 17th to Monday the 20th.  The weekend was marked by Fondas all around the city.  These are big celebrations with lots of traditional music, food, and dancing.  The official dance of the country is called la cueca and is really cool to watch.  I’ve learned a bit of it, but didn’t actually give it shot this time, maybe next year.  I spent el dieciocho(18th) with the family of a friend named Rodrigo that I met at El Oasis.  His whole family comes to town for this holiday.  Some even came from the town of Concepción which is 5 hours away.  I felt really honored to be able to be a part of their fonda.  They welcomed me in as if I was one of the family.  It was a great day.  I felt their was no better way to experience Chilean culture than with a Chilean family on their 200th anniversary of Independence day.

At a rodeo in a fonda on Sunday

Students dancing the cueca at the fonda at the El Oasis house

This week we are preparing for a trip to Iloca ths weekend.  We will be building 2 houses for families whose homes were destroyed by the tsunami after the earthquake.  I will be sending out a more detailed prayer request either today or tomorrow.

Phil