The big Anniversary Surprise

a waltz
a toast to many more years to come



Our First Anniversary!!

How amazing that one year has already passed, where did the time escape to? While in Chiloe we passed the date of our annivesary. January 14th. It was actually the same day that we went to church and spent the afternoon with a family talking over “mate”. We had spoke about how there was no money to spend on a celebration, and thought that just traveling down to the island and participating in such a project was good enough. Little did Jasmyn know what was up Rafa´s sleeve the whole week. Finding a place that sold fresh flowers, ordering excellent fish and crab for dinner to be brought to the boarding house, finding live music...

The students got involved in his surprise too. They helped line the corridor down to the back room (where was our bunk and a dinner table was set) with rose petals they begged from the neighbor´s garden nearby and small white candles illuminating the dusk. One student bought champagne to toast in front of the students and another friend volunteered to be our waitor. It was great. Jasmyn did become curious what he was up to on anniversary day, after Rafa disappeared before the kitchen crew served the student dinner, but she never expected something so grand.

When the student director came to fetch Jasmyn for an “important meeting” that she was needed for in the back room, she was not ready for what she encountered. Seeing, Rafa standing at the beginning of the aisle of rose petals and candles dressed up smart, started the tears rolling right away. She cried the whole walk and even in the room full of people to cheer us. She cried for the toast as well. It was beautiful. After the toast , and a dance to live violin music, everyone left the couple to enjoy a quiet dinner for two.

Thank you for all those family and friends that sent us e-cards! Thank you for remembering and being an encouragement to us. Thank you for all those who are praying for us. May the Lord bless and keep you!