Abbott and Hansen

Anyone who has trained before knows that the biggest desire of your heart is that the greenie to whom you have been entrusted will capture the vision of the West Mission as well as learn to face his or her fears. This was often accomplished by approaching men in the streets of Chile and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I was training Elder Travis Hansen in the beloved El Llano sector of Ochogavia. It was a hot December day in 1997 and Elder Hansen and I were kneeling down to pray before heading out for the afternoon. With a particular focus on baptizing varones, we asked to find a worthy male to share with and accept the gospel. No sooner had we stepped one foot out the door when my greenie darted towards a “varon” passing by. (I was proud). We quickly engaged a gospel conversation with a man by the name of Claudio Chaparro.

As we began to share the gospel, something familiar seemed to alert Claudio. He stopped us mid-sentence and explained that years ago he had heard this gospel we were sharing and that he already knew it to be true. He, however, had only been seventeen years old at the time, and his parents had forbidden him to join the church. Then, with a look of sudden excitement, he exclaimed, “I guess I don’t have to worry about that anymore, do I?”

Claudio proceeded to invite us over the next evening to meet his wife and two small kids and teach them all together. They both accepted the gospel and were baptized a few days before Christmas. What a present! Claudio changed jobs so he could attend church on Sundays and Elizabeth was called to the Relief Society presidency. Shortly thereafter, Claudio received the Aaronic priesthood and eventually the Melchezidek priesthood. Later I heard they had moved to southern Chile, although I still have not found them. As for Elder Hansen and myself, we were extremely grateful to have been a part of this West Mission miracle.

-Elder Jason Abbott 1997-1999