Yes, the rumors are true, during our sacrament meeting the
volcano (Chaparrastque) exploded a little, It had about 3 or 4 small eruptions
throughout the day. But we were calm enough to finish out the sacrament meeting
because it was the primary program. So after church, members who have cars helped
us run to our house to gather a few belongings, then they took us to the
terminal to catch our bus out of there!
Honestly, one of the freakiest things I have ever seen. When
I stepped out of the church we could not see the volcano because the skies were
completely black on one side. So we made like a tree and left.
The only real route to San Salvador goes on a highway
directly by the volcano, through the huge ash cloud and all. It was so intense,
I almost felt like the people in the movie Dante´s Peak. From what we have
heard there were only 2 casualties, one in a car crash, and one from a heart
attack. So they were really indirect deaths because of the eruption. Around 5PM
we arrived at the temple grounds where the temple missionaries had so nicely
prepared us a big dinner, and then we all divided up into several groups and
slept on the floor in other missionaries houses here in the capital.
Almost the whole eastern zone was evacuated, including
missionaries in the zones San Miguel, Rio Grande, San Vicente and
Usulutan.
Honestly it was quite the scare for us, but we new we would
be okay. Well, that was a crazy experience and all. Thankfully it wasn't a big
deal like MT St Helen's was in 1980 where a third of the mountain was blown off,
because that could have wiped out the whole city of San Miguel.
All is well though, I am great, just a little tired because
we didn't sleep too well last night. But all is well. We are going to enjoy a
relaxed pday here in San Salvador. We are staying in the house of one of my old
areas when I was in the office, it is so weird seeing this place again.
Anyways, I hope you all have a great new years, mine will
probably be spent here while we wait for the ash to settle, and I´m sure that
upon arrival in San Miguel we will have a lot of clean up work to get done,
haha. I just hope all the things in my house are not all covered in ash now, that
would be a sad thing to come home to.
Dad, do you think you could send me some sweet pics of mt st
helens eruption, I think it would be interesting to see. Thanks
Love Elder Vaughan
Here's an email in Spanish that was sent to the missionaries (rough translation via Google follows below):
Queridos
misioneros,
Cuanto les amamos. Cuando algo pasa como esta erupción del volcán de San
Miguel, uno hace una pausa, y agradece las muchas bendiciones que tiene.
También agradece las personas queridos en su vida. Estamos tan agradecidos
por la protección de todos ustedes. Dios nos dio unos milagros ayer. Escribí
a todos los padres por la cual tengo email.
(Carta a los padres )"No queremos preocuparles, pero muchos de ustedes ya
han oído de la erupción del volcán de San Miguel hoy. Todos nuestros
misioneros están bien. Hemos evacuado a las zonas de San Miguel, Usulután y
San Vicente a la capital para su proteccion. Todos están bien y seguros.
Hemos visto la mano del Señor en todo lo que ocurrió hoy. El Presidente
sintió que debía asistir a la iglesia en una ciudad cerca del volcán. Lo
vimos explotar. Pudimos llegar a San Miguel con tanta rapidez. Pudimos
contactar a todos los misioneros (70 de ellos) en el área de peligro. Esto
era un milagro, porque sólo unos pocos tienen teléfonos celulares. Pero,
porque ocurrió durante la iglesia, pudimos hablar con todos. Fue otro
“milagro” que el consejero de la presidencia de la misión estaba visitando
nuestros misioneros en Berlín (que son muy cerca del volcán. El los puso en
su coche y evacuaron a San Salvador, en cuestión de 10 minutos. Y los
misioneros del templo oyeron y hicieron una comida para todos. Fue increíble
su servicio a nosotros. En todo hoy, fuimos bendecidos.
Estamos muy agradecidos por sus oraciones . Por favor oren por los santos
que permanecen en las zonas afectadas. Oremos para que el trabajo misional
también será bendecido por este desastre - que los corazones serán
ablandados y más escucharán al mensaje.
Estamos muy agradecidos por sus hijos e hijas fieles. Hoy fueron valientes,
sin quejarse, y muy obediente hoy. Estamos muy agradecidos por sus
maravillosos ejemplos. Todas ellas estarán escribiéndoles mañana de sus
aventuras, pero queríamos que todos ustedes sepan que están seguros y sanos
y que Dios ha bendecido verdaderamente nuestra misión el día de hoy. Ustedes
quizás querrán también, ofrecer una oración de gracias. Cuán bendecidos
somos! Dios es tan misericordioso y nos ha bendecido mucho hoy. Estamos muy
agradecidos. Dios les bendiga a todos ustedes."
Muchos padres me han escrito. En Facebook, muchos de los misioneros
retornados, unieron con nosotros en la oración misional a las 8 (y están
orando por uds y los santos).
Dios quiere que usamos esto como una oportunidad de predicar y bendecir.
Cuando volvamos a nuestra áreas, podemos hacer mucho servicio. (tendrán que
usar máscaras, porque la ceniza será muy mal a inhalar). Pero estaba orando
de cómo podemos usar esto como una bendición en la misión. Vino a mi
mente
un idea. Leí, hace mucho, de un par de misioneros que hicieron “kindness
kards” (tarjetas de bondad). Acercaron a gente, le dieron una tarjeta, y
pidieron que escribieran un mensajito de estímulo para dar a personas que
los misioneros vieron que estaban deprimidos o que tenían grandes problemas.
Yo pensé que sería un buen idea hacer MENSAJES PARA SAN MIGUEL. Compran
tarjetas de índice (en el almacén) y cuando nos acercamos a alguien en la
calle, les pedimos que escribir un mensaje de aliento para los de San
Miguel, que han sufrido este desastre. Algo breve, pero alentador, para
darles esperanza y ánimo. Lo llamaremos el proyecto MENSAJES PARA SAN
MIGUEL. Nos dará la oportunidad de hablar con muchos, hacer un servicio, y
encontrar al mismo vez. Mandaremos las tarjetas a San Miguel. Creo que será
algo bueno para todos.
Les amamos. Queridos misioneros:
“¿No hemos de seguir adelante en una causa tan grande? Avanzad, en vez de
retroceder. ¡Valor, [elderes y hermanas]; e id adelante, adelante a la
victoria! ¡Regocíjense vuestros corazones y llenaos de alegría! ¡Prorrumpa
la tierra en canto! ¡Alcen los muertos himnos de alabanza eterna al Rey
Emanuel que, antes de existir el mundo, decretó lo que nos habilitaría para
redimirlos de su prisión; porque los presos quedarán libres! ¡Griten de
gozo las montañas, … proclamad las maravillas de vuestro Rey Eterno! …
¡Canten en unión el sol, la luna y las estrellas del alba, y den voces de
alegría todos los hijos de Dios!” (D&C 128:22-23)
Dios nos bendecirá. Regocijemos. Demos gracias a Dios por su protección, su
guía; por los milagros que hemos visto; por los milagros que vamos a ver;
por su infinito amor.
Les amamos mucho! Muchos están ejerciendo su fe en nuestro favor. Sonreímos,
y hacemos algo bueno de algo difícil.
Con muchísimo amor,
Pdte y Hna Glazier
Translated via Google:
Dear missionaries
How much we love them . When something like this happens eruption of San Michael, one pauses, and appreciates the many blessings you have.
Also thank the dear people in your life. We are so grateful for the protection of all of you. God gave us a miracle yesterday. Write all parents why I have email.
( Letter to Parents ) " do not want to worry them , but many of you have heard of the eruption of the volcano of San Miguel today. our missionaries are fine. We have evacuated the areas of San Miguel , Usulutan and San Vicente to the capital for his protection . All are well and safe. We have seen the Lord's hand in everything that happened today. the President felt that he should go to church in a town near the volcano. it we saw explode. We could get to San Miguel so quickly. we were able to contact all missionaries (70 of them) in the danger area . this was a miracle, because you have only a few cell phones. but because it happened in the church , we could talk to everyone. It was another "Miracle" that the Minister of the Presidency of the mission was visiting our missionaries in Berlin (which are very close to the volcano . 's put in your car and evacuated to San Salvador, in a matter of 10 minutes. AnTemple missionaries heard and made a meal for everyone. It was amazing their service to us. Throughout today , we were blessed .
We are grateful for your prayers. Please pray for the saints that remain in the affected areas. Pray for missionary work will also be blessed by this disaster - that hearts will be softened and listen to the message.
We are very grateful for their faithful sons and daughters . Today were brave, without complaining , and very obedient today. We are very grateful for their wonderful examples . All morning they will be writing to their adventures, but wanted you all to know that they are safe and healthy and God has truly blessed our mission today . you may also want to offer a prayer of thanks . how blessed we are! God is so merciful and blessed us much today. We are very grateful. God bless you all. "
Many parents have written me . On Facebook, many missionaries They returned , joined us in missionary prayer at 8 (and are units and praying for the saints). God wants to use this as an opportunity to preach and bless. When we return to our area , we can do much service. ( need to wear masks , because the ash is very bad to inhale ) . But I was praying how we can use this as a blessing in the mission. He came to my mind one idea. I read , long ago, a couple of missionaries who made "kindness kards " ( kindness cards ) . They approached people, gave him a card, and asked to write a little message of encouragement to give people viewed the missionaries who were depressed or had major problems.
I thought it would be a good idea to MESSAGES FOR SAN MIGUEL . purchase index cards ( at the store) and when we approach someone in the street, ask them to write a message of encouragement for the San Miguel , who have suffered this disaster. Something short, but encouraging, for give them hope and encouragement. We'll call the project MESSAGES FOR SAN MIGUEL . We give you the opportunity to talk to many, do a service, and finding at the same time . Send cards to San Miguel . I think it will be something good for everyone.
We love you .
Dear missionaries :
" We must not go on in so great a cause ? Avanzad instead of retreat. Value , [ elders and sisters ] , and on, on the Victory! Let your hearts and rejoice with joy! break forth land in song ! Raise the dead anthems of eternal praise to the King Emanuel , before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them from their prison , for the prisoners shall go free Shout for joy mountains ... tell the wonders of your Eternal King!
Sing together the sun, moon and stars of the morning and shout for joy all the children of God "( D & C 128:22-23 )
God bless us. Rejoice . Thanks be to God for their protection, guide , for the miracles we have seen , for the miracles we'll see ; His infinite love.
We love you ! Many are putting their faith in our favor. We smile, and make something good out of something difficult.
With much love ,
Pres and Sister Glazier
