CHILE
LIVING VERTICALLY
I Laurie Falvo, Office of Adventist Mission
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f you met Ana Maria today, you might have a hard time believing that not long ago, this vibrant woman was so stressed and depressed that she spent most of her time in bed. Before Ana Maria became ill, she had joined a class to learn healthy cooking at a Life Hope Center, or urban center of influence, in Santiago, Chile. The class was taught by a One Year in Mission volunteer named Channi. The two women became friends, and when Channi moved to a new Life Hope Center to teach, she invited Ana Maria to attend the class there. But Ana Maria didn’t come. Channi was concerned about Ana Maria and often called her to
see how she was doing. Although Ana Maria never answered her phone, Channi didn’t give up. She prayed earnestly for Ana Maria and sent her many messages. One day, when Ana Maria was feeling a little better, she decided to look at her messages. “I couldn’t believe how many I had from Channi,” she said. “They were so loving and encouraging. As I read them, I felt like the most important woman in the world!” Channi’s persistent care deeply touched Ana Maria. The next time Channi called her, she answered her phone. She decided to go to a cooking class and enjoyed her experience at the center so much that she signed up for two language classes and a Bible class!
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“Channi's notes were so loving and encouraging. As I read them, I felt like the most important woman in the world!”