Kaitlynn Weekly Email - Hermana Ewok

March 31, 2025 · Punta Arenas, Chile

Snapshot

First email from the field. Arrived in Chile March 25, flew to Puerto Montt then Punta Arenas, met trainer Hermana Snowder. Area: Punta Arenas - "genuinely the bottom of the world." Ward members start calling her "Hermana Ewok" and "Hermana Madera." First contacts, first lesson, door-knocking, and first Sunday in the ward.

Travel (Mon–Wed, March 25)

9-hour flight to Santiago; arrived ~9 PM; hotel by 11.
Met hermanas and elders from the Brazil CCM - loves them all.
Flew to Puerto Montt; met President and Hermana Gervic - "the sweetest."
At the mission office: met trainer Hermana Snowder. Area: Punta Arenas.
Street contacting same day: 5 contacts. Bore testimony in Spanish.
Misses CCM district (Hermana Coltharp, Hermana Davis, Hermana Palmer, Elder Elmer, Elder Cook - Distrito 1B).

Thursday (Punta Arenas arrival)

Skull King card game until the flight. Got free fruit from a store owner after teaching him about God. Views from the plane: "absolutely gorgeous."
New home: cute little apartment behind a member's house.

Friday

Running with Hermana Snowder along the coast.
District council; first member lunch (two massive plates; almost got sick).
First lesson - watched Hermana Snowder teach. Understands ~90% of spoken Spanish; can't respond fluidly yet.
Door-knocking - "becoming one of my favorite things."

Saturday

Running plus hills workout.
Training meeting for Hermana Snowder (new trainer as of Jan 1).
Rule: Spanish only outside the house.

Sunday

In Chile you greet and say goodbye to everyone; loves the warmth.
One member called her "Hermana Ewok" after introductions; another called her "Hermana Madera." Nicknames: Aywood, Ewok, Madera, Hola-Madera.
Best personal study yet: Elder Holland talk led into D&C, Hebrews, and Isaiah.
Relief Society activity ("Soc Soc" = Sociedad de Socorro locally).

Spiritual Thought

Looked up at a tangle of electrical wires and saw the beautiful sky behind them - a metaphor for looking past current trials (the language) to see God's help and blessings. References Isaiah 40:4-10 and Ether 12:27.

People

Hermana Snowder - trainer. Entered Jan 1, 2025. Lives ~20 min from Herriman, UT. Loves running and soccer. "Woman of faith."

Notes

Second message in this thread (same day, 2 min later): "Here is the picture from my Lil spiritual thought" - photo attachment only.
Photos link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oR22fjzxjC4wB6zM6