A Letter From My Son, the Missionary

My son, Chad is currently serving a mission for the LDS church, in Rancagua, Chile. He has served almost 17 months of his two-year mission.

Yesterday, got this letter from him that I thought I would share with you . . .

Hey what’s up? I had a good week.

Something happened this week, a little much, but it’s cool.

My shoes broke. The inside broke though from all the walking, and they were left unusable, so I started wearing my shoes that are only supposed to be for meetings. They are really good shoes, but as a missionary, you always want to have 2 pairs, one for the street, and the other for church and meetings. Especially in Chile.

Then one day it started pouring down rain. We stopped by to visit Brother Pastenes, an older guy in the ward that can’t leave his house. The first thing he did is look down at my nice, non-waterproof, wet shoes, and almost obligates me to borrow his nicest and best pair of shoes, perfect for missionaries that walk all day, and completely waterproof.

The next day the bishop noticed that I had borrowed shoes, so I told him that I just borrowed them until my shoes dried. When the bishop found out that I didn’t have an extra pair, the next day he came up with the idea to fast for the missionary work in the area, and use the money to buy me shoes. Obviously when he handed me the money for the shoes, I tried to tell him to use it for the missionary fund of the church, but he wanted me to have it. And apparently half the ward joined in on it and told me that they wanted to do it to show their love for the missionaries.

Teaching on the Street
I am still shocked. It just seems like too much to accept, but they did it out of charity. So now every time I get tired, and my head sags a bit, I can see the shoes that they gave me and I remember the sacrifice they made and I start to work harder.

It’s just crazy to me that they would do something like that - for me. I don’t think you guys need to worry too much about me. The Chilean people are extremely loving, and go out way of their way to help and protect us.

They are always telling us that it is what my mom would like to see, that her son is being well taken care of.

Love, Chad

You'd better believe that I had tears streaming down my cheeks after I read this.

And I didn't even know that he needed new shoes.

Pictures! Finally, after none at all for SIX months!

Daily Schedule

New Comp, First Comp, and Elder Chad Carey

Chad and a Chilean Family
No wonder his shoes wore out!