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Longtime Pioneer to Chile PDF Print E-mail
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(from left) My Husband, Lua and Myself, Reed
Spend some time with Paula Siegel. Paula travelled to Chile in the 1970s with her husband and newborn daughter as pioneers, crossing the country to spread the word about the Bahá'í Faith, and raised their family while serving the citizens of their new home country.

What brought you to Chile?

My husband and I had wanted to pioneer from the time we were married in 1971, and traveled from California in our Volkswagen Beetle to participate in one of the first summer youth projects in Central America.  We had hoped to make our home in Nicaragua but had to return to the U.S. at the end of the summer, only to set out a year later for Chile.  We were attracted, through what we had read about Chile, to the climate and education, and arrived September 13, 1972, with our one-month old daughter, Lua. 

What was it like being a pioneer there?

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Rob and Lua in Valdivia, Chile
Serving as a pioneer is a bounty beyond expression, an opportunity for growth and service that is equal to none. Twenty-five years provided us the blessing and opportunity of many services to the [Bahá'í] Cause in that land.  We served in a long-standing pioneer post in Punta Arenas, as well in Temuco and Santiago.  While Rob worked initially in the field of education, he eventually moved into business as a greater means of supporting our growing family (three sons were born in Chile--Justin, Kamal and Ryan).  After the children were in school, I entered the formal work force and eventually started a translation business.  Rob served on the National Assembly from 1975-1997, as its secretary for ten years, and we served together on that institution from 1986 until our departure in 1997.

What was it like living in Chile?

Chile is a beautiful country of great geographic diversity.  With the driest desert in the world to the north and the Patagonian Canals in the south, bordered on the west by the Pacific and the Andes Mountains to the east, you can imagine the different climes.  The people are loving and welcoming to every stranger and have a great sense of humor and light-heartedness!  We immediately felt at home there and though we struggled to speak the language “como chilenos”, we are proud and grateful to have lived in their midst.

What kinds of things do you miss about Chile?

The easy camaraderie, personal interest and concern that Chileans demonstrate for one another. There is a special warmth in the Latin culture that is indescribable and certainly missed.  We also miss the fresh bread, baked daily and available at every street corner, of course!

What did you feel when you heard the Mother Temple of South America was going to be built in Santiago, Chile?

It took my breath away!  We lived in Santiago for twelve years and our home faced the

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Lua and Me Resting While Travelling in the South
Temple site. We always looked longingly in that direction wondering if we would live to see the Temple rise there.  Friends would always comment on the fact that Chile had one of the most beautiful sites in the world, but we were oblivious of our beloved Guardian’s words, which undoubtedly we had read at one time or another but its significance only became real when the House of Justice made its announcement. 


Do you plan on visiting Chile again?

We will be visiting Chile this summer after the birth of our fourth grandchild (third to be born in Chile!).  Our son Justin and his wife Francisca live in Santiago and we are so excited about seeing family and friends again.  The last time we visited was at their wedding five years ago.

Do you have any suggestions for how the friends here can support the building of the Temple?

I personally appreciate being able to make contributions in “honor” and “memory” of friends and family for this Fund. Also, the children and youth of our community collect and return cans for deposit that generates on average $30 per month for the Temple Fund.

What do you think the Chilean Temple will mean for Chile?

It tells me once again that the Hand of God is moving everything according to a Divine purpose.  This challenge and opportunity will provide for greater growth and consolidation of the Chilean Bahá'í community.  This in turn will bring untold blessings not only to the Chilean people but to the continent as a whole.

 
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