July 20 update

Missionary, you said? Does THAT look like a missionary?? Well, if you look close (click to enlarge), note that he DOES have his nametag on. So we assume he's still "anxiously engaged" in the work. They had another zone excursion to the beach on P-day, and Elder Kenison seems to really enjoy that (even though he can't go "ride the waves" like he used to).

Matt was sick earlier in the week, then his companion Elder Mecham was sick. So that slowed down their efforts. But they're both much improved (I'm sure the beach helped) and moving forward again. He commented:

I did go on divisions. Elder Mecham went to El Quisco, about 20 minutes away by bus. and Elder Butron came here haha he's an AWESOME elder haha he told me at the end of the night that I walk fast. haha I think i got it from walking with dad haha oh well... we got a lot done though :D thanks dad haha

Here are a few more thoughts he shared about the mission experience so far, to pass on to his friend who will be coming to the same mission later in the year:

Chile is the greatest haha crazy fast spanish though... haha but the people here are great!

some of the food here is interesting. you GET to have lunch with the members every day except p-day. and pretty much they feed you a TON!!! it's great (lunch is the main meal here not dinner). most of the time it's soup. they have a special soup with chicken (like a full chunk of chicken haha) and noddles and stuff. or you have beans and noodles. not a lot of rice but that's just the coast.

oh also the people here are EXTREMELY nice they try to give you Anything they can and most the time they barely have anything. and if you don't eat it they'll get offended sometimes most of the time they understand haha but you just tell them that you don't have time and call it good...

also get ready to see LOTS and LOTS of dogs haha they're everywhere it's crazy! and get stoked Chile is the best i couldn't imagine a better place to serve a mission it's awesome!

Those of you who remember Matt's love for chocolate chip cookies will be interested to know that he requested the recipe (he lost his copy) so he can make some for some members. They won't be quite the same, since he hasn't been able to find brown sugar. But I'm sure they'll enjoy Matt's special treat like so many others have!

One more photo of the whole gang on the beach: