Here are free resources about the Costa Rica San Jose Mission:

• Mission address and phone number
• Mission map
• Video interviews with returned missionaries
• Missionary blogs
• Facebook groups
• LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
• List of past mission presidents
• Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
• Survey with RMs

*Other Mission Pages: Costa Rica LDS Missions.

---

---

Costa Rica San Jose Mission Address

Here's a recent address for the Costa Rica San Jose Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it's a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Costa Rica San Jose Mission Map

Here's a link to the mission map for the Costa Rica San Jose Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the San Jose Mission:

1. Log into your LDS account here.
2. Click here.

Videos with San Jose RMs

Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Costa Rica San Jose Mission.  We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.

  

LDS-Friendly Videos about Costa Rica

Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Costa Rica. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Costa Rica, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.             

San Jose Missionary Blogs

Here's a list of LDS missionary blogs for the San Jose Mission. This list includes the missionary's name, URL and when their blog was updated. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Elder Spencer Henry	elderspencerhenry.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Tanner Nelson	eldertannernelson.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Ferrin	elderaferrin.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Aleena Kugath	aleenakugathmission.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Brittany Whitman	hermanawhitman.weebly.com	2015
Sister Erika Hubler	hermanahubler.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Camilee Bratt	camileeincostarica.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Caden Neider	eldercadenneider.blogspot.com	2015
Elder James VanderMeyden	eldervandermeyden.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Shaleah Anderson	shaleahanderson.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Hunter Black	elderhunterblack.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Keith Skousen	missionsite.net/elderkeithskousen	2014
Elder Dallin Pace	missionsite.net/elderdallinpace	2014
Elder Jacob Kuoha	elderjacobkuoha.wordpress.com	2014
Elder Cameron Keysor	elderkeysor.blogspot.com	2014
Mission Alumni	mission.net/costa-rica/san-jose	2013
Elder Michael Ellsworth	missionsite.net/eldermichaelellsworth	2013
Sister Anne Jenkinson	annejenkinson.blogspot.com	2013
President & Sister Wilkinson	costaricamission1.blogspot.com	2012
Elder Logan Whittaker	missionsite.net/elderloganwhittaker	2012
Elder Anthony Constantino	missionsite.net/elderaconstantino	2012
Elder Brendan Baca	missionsite.net/elderbrendanbaca	2012
Elder Taylor Graham	ripcitycostarica.blogspot.com	2012
Sister Kaylie Turnbaugh	hermanakturnbaugh.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Anthony Smith	elderanthonysmith.blogspot.com	2011
Elder & Sister Munroe	munroesincostarica.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Anthony Tobler	eldertobler.blogspot.com	2010
Elder Tim Malone	costaricamissionreunion.blogspot.com	2009

San Jose Mission Groups

Here are San Jose Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the San Jose Mission.

1. Costa Rica San Jose Mission Facebook Group (677 members)
2. Costa Rica San Jose Mission: Claybaugh Years Group (306 members)
3. Costa Rica San Jose LDS Mission Group Group (163 members)
4. Costa Rica San Jose Mission Facebook Group (75 members)
5. Mision Costa Rica San Jose from El Salvador MR Group (42 members)
6. Mision San Jose Costa Rica El Salvador-Honduras Group (42 members)
7. Costa Rica San Jose Mission Facebook Group (22 members)
8. Costa Rica San Jose Mission Facebook Group (13 members)
9. Mision Costa Rica San Jose: Eager-Muren Group (6 members)

San Jose Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Costa Rica San Jose Mission! Shirt designs include Costa Rica San Jose Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Costa Rica San Jose missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. *Click here to browse Costa Rica Mission gifts

---

---

San Jose Mission Presidents

Here's a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the San Jose LDS Mission.

1. 2015, Mission Renamed to Costa Rica San Jose East Mission.
2. 2015, Randy H. Hayes
3. 2012-2015, Chad R. Wilkinson
4. 2009-2012, Sam M. Galvez
5. 2006-2009, Luis Ricardo Arbizu
6. 2003-2006, Manuel Fred Acosta
7. 2000-2003, John Dale Claybaugh
8. 1997-2000, Jose Luis Gonzalez
9. 1994-1997, Boyd L. Cardon
10. 1991-1994, Thomas G. Hendricks
11. 1988-1991, Randy H. Bowler
12. 1985-1988, Mervyn B. Arnold
13. 1983-1985, R. Kay Holmstead
14. 1980-1983, James L. Shurtleff
15. 1977-1980, Joseph C. Muren
16. 1974-1977, John E. Eager
17. 1971-1974, Quinten Hunsaker
18. 1968-1971, Milton E. Smith
19. 1965-1968, Ted E. Brewerton
20. 1964-1966,  Terrance L. Hansen
21. 1962-1964, Leslie O. Brewer
22. 1959-1962, Victor C. Hancock
23. 1955-1959, Edgar L. Wagner
24. 1952-1955, Gordon M. Romney

Costa Rica LDS Statistics (2015)

• Church Membership: 44,627
• Missions: 1
• Temples: 1
• Congregations: 74

Helpful Articles about Costa Rica

Coming soon..

San Jose Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Costa Rica San Jose RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it's like to live in the mission. *Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission. When did you serve?

• 2011-2013 (Torrin)
• 1992-1994 (Jason)
• 1980-1982 (Roger)
• 1984-1986 (James)
• 1991-1993 (Lynne)
• 2012-2014 (Daniel)
• July 2012-April 2013 (Braydon)
• 2004-2006 (Aitu)
• 2008-2010 (Trevor)
• 2007-2009 (Kevin)
• December 2005-November 2007 (Andy)
• November 2011-November 2013 (Javier)
• 1995-1997 (Ben)
• 2006-2008 (Garret)
• 2014-2016 (Micah)
• 2010-2012 (John)
• July 2014-January 2016 (Makensey)
• 1980-1981 (Opal)

Which areas did you serve in?

• La Rita, El Tejar De Alejuela, Cartago, Ciudad Neily, La Campiña. (Torrin)
• Alajuela, Liberia, Cañas, Puriscal. (Micah)
• Naranjo, Puerto Viejo (Sarapiqui), Montelimar (Calle Blancos), Canas. (John)
• Escazu, San Francisco, Concepcion. (Makensey)
• Most of them. (Opal)

What were some favorite foods?

• Cacau. Patacones. Ranchitas. Arroz con pollo. Arroz con leche. Pan con natilla. (Torrin)
• Salsa Lizano, Gallo Pinto, Tamales. (Jason)
• Carne asada. Arroz y frijoles. (Roger)
• Pop's Ice Cream. (James)
• Gallo pinto, platanos, picco con pollo, manzana de aqua. (Lynne)
• Rice has to become one or you're in trouble. Same with beans. Chicken and potatoes are also staples. Tacos in Costa Rica are basically giant taquitos filled with pulled beef and Salsa Lizano served topped with shredded cabbage and ketchup. Surprisingly good. Oh, and get ready for fruit the likes of which you've never seen before, and all delicious. (Daniel)
• Gallo Pinto. (Braydon)
• Aros con pollol. (Aitu)
• Pinto con huevo, pan y queso, arroz con pollo, casado. (Trevor)
• Gallo Pinto and guanabana. Please don't sing the Muppet song. Thank you. (Kevin)
• Gallo pinto. Refresco de Mora. Pina Fresca. Plata nos. Chikis. Rice and bean. Arroz con Pollo. Macaronies de stephanie. (Andy)
• Rice and Bean (it's a native dish from lemon). Arroz con pollo. Bebida de avena. (Javier)
• Gallo pinto, empanadas (any kind, albeit fruit like pineapple, or savory like chicken or black bean), rice and beans in general, and there tamales were made in banana leaves so they were much bigger than Mexican tamales in corn husks. (Ben)
• Chicharrón, patacones, fried yucca, pupusas, rice and bean (limón province). (Garret)
• Gallo Pinto, arroz con pollo, arroz con leche, tortillas con queso frito. (Micah)
• Gallo pinto, empanadas, pati, Arroz con pollo, tamarindo, flor de Jamaica, sopa negra. (John)
• Gallo Pinto, Trits Ice Cream, Arroz con Pollo, Dos Pinos Yogurt, Platanos Chips, Chocobananos. (Makensey)
• Pineapple and bananas. (Opal)

What was a funny experience?

• We were fed chicken hearts and lungs and my companion hid them all in his pocket until after dinner and fed them to a dog in the street. (Torrin)
• Being chased by some type of lizard. (Jason)
• Thinking I was saying sins when in fact I was saying fish. (Roger)
• Anything that dealt with mud in Panama. (James)
• Probably the time stray cats got in our apartment through the window in my first area. The sight of my trainer chasing them around the apartment. Priceless. (Daniel)
• I asked my companion if he liked penne pasta. That doesn't translate well. (Braydon)
• When my companion would spend all his money for the month, I'll buy us rice and beans and that's what we eat until next month...lol (Aitu)
• It is literally impossible to name just one. (Kevin)
• Hitch hiking police on Semana santa. Also while still learning Spanish, telling a family we had pancacas instead of panqueques. (Andy)
• Pretty much any experience with a drunk person. (Javier)
• Trying to overcome the Gringo accent when learning Spanish. (Ben)
• In general, I laughed the most having good times with my comrades. Other missionaries, members I got close with, companions. Some really funny times! (Garret)
• When we were contacting a guy on the street and he asked me to marry him. (Micah)
• Getting absolutely drenched in a crazy, heavy downpour a few kilometers from our house and wading our way home. (John)
• Learning Spanish is great! You will mess up and mess up. Your companions will laugh at you, investigators will pretend not to notice, and members will correct you. But you will learn. I once told my companion I wanted to eat my children, trying to say feed my children. (Makensey)
• Robbed of scriptures, lesson, lesson material and cash in Puerto Pilon, Panama with Sister Kelso. (Opal)

What was a crazy experience?

• My companion and an accompanying member and I were robbed at gunpoint in Cartago. (Torrin)
• Falling down stairs. I busted my elbow and it got infected. I was in a hospital for a week. (Jason)
• Getting caught downtown Panama City in a student riot. We looked just like them in our white shirts and ties. (Roger)
• Getting pulled over by the biggest, armed PDF guy down there. I didn't understand the language that well at that time. (James)
• Almost got mugged a few times. I got lucky, though. If you're big, they generally don't want to try on you.  (Daniel)
• I got assaulted with a pistol and they took all my stuff. Even my scriptures. (Braydon)
• Walking through the market and two men starting to fight and one gets stubbed to the ground. (Aitu)
• Guy pulled a gun on us but we were able to hide and were taken care of. (Trevor)
• There was a time where I saw a dog get run over by a car. The dog turned out okay, but the taxi driver made sure to get out and tell the dog that he was sorry. (Kevin)
• Getting robbed at gun point in Eden de Ipis. (Andy)
• I watched a guy get stabbed, and the building I was in got shot in a drive by. (Javier)
• Getting mugged. Some places were very dangerous. (Ben)
• Our entire town flooded! We spent a few weeks being service missionaries. It was a flash flood and the water can up to my tie knot and I literally had to grab on to stuff to not get swept away in the current. We finally got home and climbed to the roof to wait it out. I opened my bag expecting to see my beloved set of scriptures completely waterlogged. To my surprise, they were perfect. Not a drop of water had touched them. Not a drop! I know it seems unbelievable, but it really happened! (Garret)
• We got lost on a mountain road late in the evening and the buses had stopped coming. We ended up running the whole way to our appointment. (Micah)
• Having my bike pulled by a motorcycle (while I rode it) because it broke while we were far away from home. (John)
• I was mugged three times. Once by one man, another time by three men with knifes, and the third time by two men with guns. That will definitely teach you not to carry your nice set of scriptures with you! (Makensey)

What was a spiritual experience?

• The Spirit prompted me to knock a door even though we committed to never door knock any more and instead be more productive with our time than door knocking. The woman was later baptized. (Torrin)
• The baptism of Elena, but there were many. (Jason)
• Teaching people who lived in a shanty house made of card board and dirt floors. Teaching them from the light of can of oil and a rag out the top. Many great experiences. (Roger)
• Teaching an older guy to read so that he could read the Book of Mormon. He got baptized. I came back down 1 year later and he was getting ordained as an Elder at Stake Conference. (James)
• Doing a baptismal interview for a lady who was deaf and mute, didn't know sign language and couldn't read, but had gained a testimony through pure feeling. That was the best game of Pictionary I ever played. hahaha. (Daniel)
• Being able to meet Elders Eyring, Ballard, and Christofferson. (Braydon)
• Seeing a young man marrying his wife then receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood then sealed for all time and eternity. (Aitu)
• Seeing the gospel change people's lifestyle and countenance. (Trevor)
• There were many spiritual experiences, one of which being one of several opportunities in which I was able to lay my hands on people and give them blessings. (Kevin)
• Being able to discern the heart of a man that needed help. Multiple times bearing testimony and seeing the hearts of people really feel the Spirit. (Andy)
• One of the investigators I taught went from needing anger management help, to being the most spiritually sensitive man I know. (Javier)
• Seeing people gain their testimony and the spiritual growth that happens with that. (Ben)
• I had plenty. Too much to type and it's hard to choose one! Maybe next time. (Garret)
• An investigator that was progressing for her baptism the next week informed us that she had a previous commitment that she'd forgotten about and would have to cancel the baptism. (Micah)
• Finding people who needed the gospel in their lives and seeing that after they accept it, so much good flows into their path. (John)
• Every day we had spiritual experiences. Mostly small blessings here and there, but often large miracles. One time our investigator was about to go in for surgery, but two nights before she received an answer that she needed to be baptized before the surgery. And so she was. (Makensey)
• Watching the Kuna Indians accept the Gospel as if it had always been part of their lives. (Opal)

What are some interesting facts about the San Jose Mission?

• They use their lips to point. They're really are a TON of Nicaraguans. People are generally genuine and friendly.  (Torrin)
• My first area Limon. I spoke more English than Spanish. (Jason)
• Fire flies. Humidity. Fleas. Cock roaches. The use of machete's to cut their grass. Great people. (Roger)
• Two countries required to complete mission offices, including immigration secretaries. (James)
• The people are generally very open and nice. If you are a guest in their home, they consider it rude not to offer you something, and it is ruder to refuse it. You'll run into a few Bible-thumpers here and there, but it only gets bad if you play their game. (Daniel)
• It is now 2 missions. (Braydon)
• It's considered the hardest mission in Central America but has a high rate of members staying active. (Aitu)
• Everything closes at 8:00 pm, the people are very nice. Additionally, there are scorpions, but the only one I ever saw was already dead. (Kevin)
• Pura vida! I was in 3 of the most dangerous areas. Beautiful country wherever you go. People are amazing. (Andy)
• It's now two mission! It's always hot. Except for one area called Cartago. (Javier)
• Regarding the language, I was fascinated about the various differences in accents and nuances of the Tico dialect in the many different regions. (Ben)
• 1. The buses are packed! But they're cheap and efficient, also it's a great way to contact potentials. 2. There's no army in Costa Rica! No military at all! 3. Gallo pinto is heaven in Guanacaste. Other regions it's like, meh. 4. There are tons of volcanoes! Check one out on a preparation day! 5. There's a remote village called Bribri. It's an indigenous tribe. If you get a chance GO! (Garret)
• It's the best mission in the world! 🙂 It was recently split, due to the amount of growth. (Micah)
• I was freezing cold in one area (Naranjo) and I had to sleep with a jacket and three blankets on my bed. Not everywhere was super warm! (John)
• Most Costa Ricans are Catholic, the toilet paper cannot be flushed down the toilet but instead placed in a trash can, each ward or branch has their own building that meets at 9 am, geckos live in almost everyone's house, and there is no carpet. (Makensey)
• Sisters were not allowed to wear nail polish. We had great district and zone leaders. Traveling from island to island in a kayuka. Returned to the islands on my honeymoon. (Opal)

What was the weather like?

• Very, very hot and humid on the east coast and in the south by Panama but in the city it stays around the high 70's which was so nice. (Torrin)
• Rainy, hot and even cold sometimes. (Jason)
• Very humid. (Roger)
• Hot. Summer = dry. Winter = wet. (James)
• Warm overall; surprisingly chilly in the city areas some evenings, rainy in the city areas sporadically, hot and dry in Guanacaste; hot and humid in Guapiles/Limon. (Lynne)
• PREPARE FOR RAIN. Buy an umbrella when you get there and not a cheap little one. It will do you no good. (Daniel)
• 80ish every day. (Braydon)
• Tropical so can be great sometimes and others you want to stay inside. (Aitu)
• Rainy and hot. Very humid. (Trevor)
• HOT and HUMID. It rains for 10 months out of the year. (Kevin)
• 70s or 80s in the city with lots of rain. Hot on the beach with not as much rain but still a lot of rain. (Andy)
• Hot and humid for half the year. And then got  hot and humid and rainy for the other half. (Javier)
• It rains 6 months of the year and each day rain starts at nearly exactly the same time. (Ben)
• Tropical. May to October is constant rain and monsoon. November to April is dry and hot.  (Garret)
• In Guanacaste, it's HOT and dry. Other places are humid and hot. I've even been in really rainy places that rain all day in the rainy season. (Micah)
• Rainy for 6 months, less rainy for the other 6. (John)
• Mostly hot and humid. And rainy. Hot, humid, and rainy. (Makensey)
• Wonderful every day. (Opal)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

• Too many to list.... (Torrin)
• They were amazing, genuine and friendly. (Jason)
• The people are humble and want to learn. (Roger)
• Humility. (James)
• Very humble, genuinely sincere. (Lynne)
• I served in areas where the Gospel was practically all a lot of the people had. It was inspiring. (Daniel)
• Super friendly and kind. (Braydon)
• Chilled out, humble, happy for what they have. (Aitu)
• Very simple and easy going people. Pura vida! (Trevor)
• Just about everything except the food. The food isn't BAD, per se, it just isn't spectacular. (Kevin)
• The people are amazing. Always so nice. They live giving directions or doing something for you. The culture is very peaceful and laid back. The country is so beautiful. (Andy)
• The people are so easy to connect with. It's a very work hard, play hard sort of country. (Javier)
• I loved that nearly everyone has a common belief in Christ. I don't remember even once meeting an atheist. I appreciated that and it made it that much easier to build on common beliefs. (Ben)
• The people are SO friendly! Anyone you meet is happy to see you and hear about your message and usually, they offer you some cookies and a drink. (Micah)
• Very welcoming people. They are always friendly and patient with missionaries it seems. (John)
• The country is absolutely beautiful. And so are the people. I feel like the people are not so trusting with their belongings, but they are very trusting with their emotions and thoughts. They will tell you anything, confide in you, and want to be your best friend almost instantly. (Makensey)
• Very loving, curious about our lives in the United States. (Opal)

Any packing/clothing advice?

• Don't go cheap on shoes. Spend the money to get really sturdy boots or you'll have to buy 5 or 6 pairs while you're there and be uncomfortable the whole time. Treat your umbrellas well and they'll last. Only bring one suit. (Torrin)
• Take good shoes. (Jason)
• Polyester pants. (James)
• Practical clothing; avoiding clothing that is too dressy. We wore skirts and nice short sleeves (no collars - kind of like a nice t-shirt style), sandals (usually Tivas for durability. The Elders would hang up their suits from the Mission Training Center in the office closet when they arrived and would wear short sleeved white shirts with dockers and hiking boots usually. (Some durable church styled shoes.) (Lynne)
• Mesh garments, sturdy heavy grade umbrella, same goes for shoes and boots. Get a high quality waterproof backpack (not the one they try to sell you at Mr Mac). (Daniel)
• Get a towel that dries quick. (Braydon)
• Don't take a suit. (Aitu)
• Get umbrellas there. Bring 2+ pair of shoes that can get wet. (Trevor)
• Leave your raincoat at home. Spend a little extra to get a heavy duty umbrella too. Silk is a nightmare. (Kevin)
• Rain gear. Light clothing that can get wet. You will get wet and shoes will get wet a lot. During rainy season, we switched out three pairs of shoes. Giving each pair of shoes 2 days to dry out. (Andy)
• Bring nice durable socks. Seriously though. Don't go cheap. Forget about a rain coat and just invest in a nice umbrella and waterproof shoes. (Javier)
• Forget long sleeves and sweaters. Waterproof boots are great for the rainy season and well suited for regions away from the big city. Don't bring an umbrella from home, buy it down there, it is cheaper and better suited for the conditions. (Ben)
• Don't bring anything with long sleeves, don't bring a suit coat. If you do, ship it home when you leave the Mission Training Center. It's not a super developed country, but they have modern conveniences. So don't bring like, paper to write on. They have that. But do bring your favorite pen or whatever cause quality stuff is hard to find down there. (Garret)
• Crocs for sisters are a lifesaver! Don't worry about being the cutest. Practical is much more important. In most areas, I didn't even want to think about long sleeve shirts or jackets. A simple cardigan was more than sufficient for most my needs. Bring sunscreen and bug spray! (Micah)
• Buy thick socks. (John)
• Simple Crocs shoes for the girls, good umbrella that is small and lightweight, clothes that are breathable and don't require layering, large zip lock bags, a good medium sized backpack, and jewelry you don't care about. (Makensey)
• Be prepared to leave clothing in the mission when going home. Difficult to find clothing to fit for sizes larger that size 8. (Opal)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

• Self confidence and a solid love of and appreciation for the Lord and His church. (Torrin)
• Too many to name. (Jason)
• So many. The hardest two years of my life, but the best two years also. (Roger)
• Appreciating the blessings I have, the redemption of the Atonement, and the plan of salvation. (James)
• Learned Spanish, learned patience, learned forgiveness. (Daniel)
• Language. Loving people. (Braydon)
• My beautiful wife and my kids. I'm happy. (Aitu)
• One is a love of the Spanish language, which I use every day as a Spanish interpreter. However, my greatest blessing was the gift of coming to know who Jesus Christ is, and how much I love Him. (Kevin)
• Knowing another language. Loving people more than I knew I could. Happiness in serving. Learning how the church works. Learning to work with difficult people. (Andy)
• I don't know if I can number them. I am who I am today because of it. Life seems so much more clear. (Javier)
• How can I possibly answer that in this space??? 20 years later I still feel like I am learning from my experience in the mission. A strong testimony of the gospel is top, understanding and caring for others, learning to feel, recognize the Spirit, and how to follow it's promptings (but still learning that). (Ben)
• Endless! Mostly patience and long suffering :). It changed me in more ways than I can count and every one of those are a blessing. But most of all, when I see people join the church and reach their goals...there's nothing like that. (Garret)
• I truly came to know my Heavenly Father and love Him. I learned how to love other people and serve them. I learned more about myself and how being exactly obedient makes a difference. (Micah)
• Great job opportunities because of learning Spanish and other skills I developed. (John)
• Educational, spiritual, emotional, and physical blessings. I have found good work and education since returning home. And my understanding of the Gospel has grown immensely. I know have an eternal perspective and know why I am here. (Makensey)
• Love for the people, love for scriptures, appreciation for an inspired method of study, love and appreciation for my family. (Opal)

What are some skills you gained?

• Talking to people. Spanish. Social awareness. Relating to people. Empathy. Love for others. (Torrin)
• I still to this day, speak fluent Spanish. (Jason)
• Spanish. Leadership. Persistence. Love of others. Conflict resolution. Many more. (Roger)
• Speak another language, understand service, leadership. (James)
• Direction (they have no addresses), cooking, mowing grass with a machete. (Daniel)
• Talking to strangers and making friends. (Braydon)
• Your gonna struggle at times...it's part of the job so stop moaning and get on with it. (Aitu)
• Spanish speaking, interpersonal communication, compromise, and even crocheting! (Kevin)
• Spanish. Goal setting. Leadership. Public speaking. (Andy)
• People skills! Spanish language skills. I learned not to be a slob....etc. (Javier)
• Language skills, working with others, how to get along with a companion that is constantly with you. (Ben)
• Spanish, passion, and charisma. (Garret)
• I learned Spanish. I learned how to make tortillas by hand. I learned how to wash my clothes by hand. I also learned how to step out of my comfort zone in talking with people. (Micah)
• Spanish, hard work, how to care about another person and serve them, humility, listening. (John)
• Spanish, talking to strangers, dedication, obedience, cooking, cleaning, leadership. (Makensey)
• Espanol. (Opal)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

• Don't worry about numbers. Just talk to people and listen to them and love them. (Torrin)
• I wouldn't change a thing. (Jason)
• How hot if was. (Roger)
• Have a DEEPER testimony of the gospel. Oh, sure, I grew up in the church, and had always been faithful, but I wish I had a deeper spirituality. Understanding not how hard it would be, but also how "simple" it is. (James)
• That 9/10 weeks in the Mission Training Center (back then) did not make me an expert in Spanish...so much slang and many dialects made us feel like we were learning it from day 1 again when conversing. (Also the kids spoke "Ka" a lot so we wouldn't know what they were saying when we were new. It was like pig latin in English.) Wish we knew to bring American deodorant, toothpaste and soap. You could get it, but it was really expensive. (Lynne)
• It's not always a sunny experience. You will go through some of the toughest experiences in your life. Always remember that God is on your side, even when it feels like he's not doing anything to help you. (Daniel)
• My anxiety was going to be a big factor. (Braydon)
• Language. (Aitu)
• YOU WILL NOT BE THE BEST MISSIONARY WHO EVER WALKED THE EARTH. Consistency matters more than short bursts of productivity one day followed by lackluster service for several days. (Kevin)
• Setting goals before looking at what you have in your agenda for the day , and then filling it out to reach your goals. (Andy)
• I wish I knew how to teach people not lessons. And not to get so wrapped up in the politics of a mission...hoping to make the next "rank up". (Javier)
• Memorized the discussions, I wish I would have been more obedient to mission rules. Not just at the beginning, but I wish I would have worked even harder. (I worked hard but feel I may have been able to do more.) (Ben)
• I wish I knew how strong I could be. (Garret)
• I should have studied Preach My Gospel more before the mission. Also, I wish I would have made a scripture marking system. (Micah)
• Spent more time with the scriptures and getting closer to our Heavenly Father. Overall spiritual preparation. (John)
• Read Preach my Gospel all the way through before going, study Spanish before going. (Makensey)
• I wish I had learned to study before my mission. (Opal)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Costa Rica?

• You're going to absolutely love it. I struggled with Spanish for a couple months and those in my group were better than me and I was frustrated, but by the end I ended up being one of the best in the mission at Spanish and it wasn't a problem, so don't worry about that. The gift of tongues is 100% real. Love your companions. Become their friends. I'm getting married in 3 months and 3 of my 4 groomsmen are former mission companions. Love and appreciate the intricacies of the people and their culture. (Torrin)
• It's a great country with friendly people. Get used to rice and beans. (Jason)
• Be ready to teach and baptize. You need to have a strong testimony. The culture is very different than that in the United States. (Roger)
• Get your life in order, RIGHT NOW, know and love the scriptures, have a personal relationship with your Savior. (James)
• Get ready to never be the same again. (Daniel)
• Don't have any set expectations other than loving the people. (Braydon)
• Desire to remember you're there to work. If you don't like then love your job. (Aitu)
• Have fun, lose yourself in the work. It's hard but the best time of your life. I miss it a lot. (Trevor)
• Just because we have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, you are not licensed to talk badly or mock any other religion, no matter how tempting it may be. Let Heavenly Father direct the work. He will bless you. (Kevin)
• Love the people and they will love you. Don't worry about home, life goes on without you but nothing really changes. Enjoy the moment and love it because it goes by fast and you will miss it when you are done. (Andy)
• Exact obedience means nothing if you don't love the people. (Javier)
• Love the people and learn the language well (study it as much as possible). (Ben)
• Trust yourself and trust the Lord. Never give up. Missions are hard. You need to know how hard it's going to be so it won't slap you in the face when you get there. (It's really, really hard). (Garret)
• I loved the mission! I would strongly encourage every young person to serve! The mission can change you, but you must let it. Always remember the most important principles- faith, diligence, exact obedience and LOVE! For the work, for the Lord, for your companion, for yourself and especially for the people you serve. (Micah)
• If you choose to do so, you will love your mission. You will bless the lives of everyone you choose to love and in turn will be immensely blessed yourself. (John)
• Don't worry about the Spanish, it will come. The first few months are rough...know that. Decide now to stay out for the entire 18 or 24 months and keep that commitment. Do not go home when it starts to get hard. Know that this will be one of the hardest things you have ever done and push past that. The rewards outweigh the work by far. You will learn Spanish, you will start to like the daily routine, you will learn to teach with the Spirit, you will succeed. Be obedient and happy and you will succeed. (Makensey)
• Be positive and obedient. (Opal)

What was a funny language mistake?

• I kept asking a new mother how she felt Jesus going through her baby. The mother gave me a blank stare like, what? I tried several more times unsuccessfully. A new missionary thought the word for "groceries" would be grocerias but that means swear words, so that was pretty funny during a lesson on tithes and fast offerings. (Torrin)
• Oh goodness. So much slang is used. I made many mistakes. (Jason)
• Thinking I was telling someone that I had already paid for an item, when in fact I was telling him I already hit the guy. (Roger)
• Confusing the word "embarrassed" with the the word "pregnant". Lol (James)
• If you're ever at a wedding remember this: rama is branch, ramo is bouquet. Don't mix the two, or you'll be telling everyone that the bride wants to throw the branch... Still haven't lived it down. (Daniel)
• Huesos y huevos. (Trevor)
• I told a family we had pan cacas for breakfast instead of pan queques. (Andy)
• The first lesson I taught I explained that God had a body of "carne y queso" which is meat and cheese. I meant to say flesh and blood "carne y hueso". (Javier)
• Instead of asking where the investigator worked, she asked where he bathed. (Micah)
• A companion said the platypus was the only mammal "con juevos" instead que "nace de un juevo" (juevos means eggs, but is also slang for testicles). (John)
• I told my companion that I wanted to bathe her. I told my companion that I wanted to eat my future children. I told my companion that it was a very spicy day today. (Makensey)
• I wanted to say I was embarrassed but told a family I was embarasada. (Opal)

Here are free resources about the Chile Vina del Mar Mission:

• Mission address and phone number
• Mission map
• Missionary blogs
• Facebook groups
• LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
• List of past mission presidents
• Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
• Survey with RMs

*Other Mission Pages: Chile LDS Missions.

---

---

Chile Vina del Mar Mission Address

Here's a recent address for the Vina del Mar Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it's a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Chile Vina del Mar Mission Map

Here's a link to the mission map for the Chile Vina del Mar Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Vina del Mar Mission:

1. Log into your LDS account here.
2. Click here.

Vina del Mar Missionary Blogs

Here's a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Vina del Mar Mission. This list includes the missionary's name, URL and when their blog was updated. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Elder Trenton Hope	eldertrentonhope.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Caden Aston	elderaston.blogspot.com	2017
Sister Leah Kelson	hermanakelson.blogspot.com	2017
Sister Laine Miller	hermanamillerchile.wordpress.com	2017
Sister Emma Terry	emmasmissionblog.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Fausett	elderfausettchile.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Nicholas Rabow	elderrabowmission.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Dax Thompson	elderdaxthompson.weebly.com	2016
Sister Larah Browning	mymission.com/sisterlarahbrowning	2016
Sister Brittany Huntsman	hermanahuntsman.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Daniel Cheney	elderdanielcheney.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Quinton Dickerson	elderdickerson.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Ellen Logan	sisterlogan.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Logan Passey	elderloganpassey.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Wyatt Allred	elderallredinchile.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Taylor Nielson	eldertaylornielsonchile.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Parker Groneman	elderparkergroneman.blogspot.com	2016
Elder James Biesinger	jamesbiesinger.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Robert Crofts	elderbobbycrofts.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Zachary Frampton	zacharyframpton.blogspot.com	2016
President & Sister Kahnlein	misionvinadelmar.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Megan Carlson	hermanamegancarlson.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Kamryn Watt	kwattmission.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Samantha Evans	hermanasamanthaevans.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Hayley Hansen	hermanahayleyhansen.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Kenny Pedersen	kennysmissionlife.wordpress.com	2015
Elder & Sister Poulsen	poulsen2chile.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Sara Coray	saramarieinchile.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Mason Barton	masonbarton.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Kegan Enright	enrightmissionaries.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Tynan Hamilton	elderhamiltonchile.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Hannah Avery	loveourmissionaries.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Eliza Andreasen	mymission.com/ElizaAndreasen	2014
Elder Ronnie Perez	elderrapjr.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Mark Hall	eldermarkhall.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Matthew Weidman	elderweidmanchile.blogspot.com	2014
Sister Katherine Pendleton	sisterpendleton.blogspot.com	2014
Sister Amy Schrader	theschredder.blogspot.com	2014
Elder & Sister Schramm	schrammparentsmission.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Austin Alonzo	mymission.com/elderaustinalonzo	2013
Sister Katelyn Smith	hermanakatelynnicolesmith.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Eric Goodell	missionsite.net/elderericgoodell	2013
Elder Nathan Hales	dearelderhales.blogspot.com	2013
Sister Natalie Sargent	vivavina.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Andrew Newbold	missionsite.net/elderandrewnewbold	2013
Elder Caleb Tonkinson	eldertonkinson.wordpress.com	2013
Sister Amanda Siler	sistersiler.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Caleb Whittle	missionsite.net/eldercalebwhittle	2012
Elder David Stringham	missionsite.net/elderdavidstringham	2012
Elder Andrew Mackay	missionsite.net/elderandrewmackay	2012
Sister Chelsea Ellsworth	missionsite.net/sisterchelseaellsworth	2012
Sister Jayne Boud	missionsite.net/sisterboud	2012
Sister Tiffanie Lichty	tiffanielichty.blogspot.com	2012
Elder Justin Erickson	chile2011-2013.blogspot.com	2012
President & Sister Gillespie	vinadelmarmission.com	2012
Elder Kenneth Millard	elderkmillard.blogspot.com	2012
Elder Troy Teeples	rteeples.wordpress.com	2011
Elder Spencer Stevens	missionsite.net/elderdizz	2011
Elder Dallas McManamon	missionsite.net/eldermcmanamon	2011
Elder Dylan Greer	missionsite.net/elderdylangreer	2011
Elder Truman Rowley	eldertrowley.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Steven Richardsen	missionsite.net/elderrichardsen	2010
Elder Ryan Stratford	missionsite.net/elderstratford	2010
Elder Matt Horspool	matthorspool.blogspot.com	2009

Chile Vina del Mar Mission Groups

Here are Chile Vina del Mar Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Vina del Mar Mission.

1. Vina del Mar S.U.D. (Pres. Eduardo Lamartine) Group (321 members)
2. Mision Vina del Mar- Presidente Wilhelm Group (265 members)
3. Mision Vina del Mar 2012-2015 Facebook Group (232 members)
4. Chile Vina del Mar Missionary Moms Group (128 members)
5. Mision Vina del Mar (Pres. Killian y Taylor) Group (117 members)
6. Chile Vina del Mar Mission Facebook Group (44 members)
7. Vina del Mar Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (23 members)
8. Misioneros Retornados Vina del Mar (1990-95) Group (1 member)
9. Mision Vina del Mar 1989-90 Facebook Group (1 member)

Chile Vina del Mar Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Chile Vina del Mar Mission! Shirt designs include Chile Vina del Mar Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. *The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Chile Vina del Mar missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. *Click here to browse Vina del Mar Mission gifts

---

---

Fun fact: Brad Wilcox served in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission!

Vina del Mar Mission Presidents

Here's a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Vina del Mar LDS Mission.

1. 2015-2018, Raúl Díaz Navarro
2. 2012-2015, Federico M. Kähnlein
3. 2009-2012, Richard W. Gillespie

Chile LDS Statistics (2015)

• Church Membership: 579,235
• Missions: 10
• Temples: 1
• Congregations: 604
• Family History Centers: 99

Helpful Articles about Chile

• 20 Funny Spanish Mistakes From LDS Missionaries In Chile

Vina del Mar Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Chile Vina del Mar RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it's like to live in the mission. *Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission. When did you serve?

• 2006-2008 (Tyler)
• 1990-1991 (Amy)
• 1980-1982 (Blaine)
• 2006-2007 (Beckie)
• 2007-2009 (Kaylee)
• 1989-1991 (Roger)
• 1979-1981 (Keith)
• 2012-2014 (Jeremy)

What cities/areas did you serve in?

• Quillota, Valparaiso, La Serena. (Tyler)
• 1.Marga-Marga, Quilpué 2. Centenario, Los Andes 3. Agua Santa, Viña del Mar 4. Ovalle 5. Villa Alemana. (Amy)
• Coquimbo, Valparaiso, Llay Llay, and San Felipe. (Blaine)
• La Ligua, La Serena, Limache, Castillo Blanco. (Beckie)
• CoQuimbo, La Serena, San Pedro, ConCon, & Quintero. (Kaylee)
• Villa Alemana. (Roger)
• Vina, Valpo, La Serena, Villa Alemana. (Keith)
• In Viña Centro, Chorillos, Forestal Alto, Las Torres, Rodelillo, La Parte Alta en Coquimbo and El Belloto. (Jeremy)

What were some favorite foods?

• Empanadas! Completos! Fresh bread, Casuela. (Tyler)
• Cazuela, Empanadas, Sopaipillas. (Amy)
• In the 1983 were not to eat the outside of the pension. Therefore the variety of food was limited to the repertoire of our momita. I loved Sopipias, empanadas and torta de mil hojas. (Blaine)
• Members served so much delicious food I gained 20 lbs the first half of my time there. The problem lots of us had was eating bread at night. When you get home in the evening, eat some fruit instead. Changing that habit (and all the walking!) helped me get my weight back down before I went home. (Beckie)
• Empanadas!!! 🙂 Lo Mejor! (Kaylee)
• Completo. Manjar. (Roger)
• Empanadas, pan amasado. (Keith)
• Pan, porotos con longaniza, completos italianos, cazuela, zapallo italiano relleno. Manjar. (Jeremy)

What was a funny experience?

• We were walking in the wet forested hills of Villa Alemana. I slipped in a poso -a rocky puddle- and landed on my behind with my legs in the air. I heard laughter but couldn't tell where it camed from. We met up with our Stake Missionaries shortly after and they started to laugh. They said they visited a lady who was cracking up at watching a gringa caerse de puro potito (fall on her bum). (Amy)
• The funniest experience I had was on my first day, in my first area in Coquimbo. I had been sent from the mission home with two other elders on the bus to La Serena and Coquimbo. I was unaware that I should have gotten off the bus in La Serena, a few miles away from Coquimbo. The elders that were to meet us there, including my companion, were late getting to the bus stop so the other two elders got off the bus and I stayed on to go to Coquimbo. By the time they found this out and got a ride back to Coquimbo, I had been picked up by a "helpful" sister of the ward. She and her husband (a colectivo driver) took me to her house they had no idea where I was and I thought she was sent to pick me up. When I got to her house, it was clear her husband was not a member of the church and she had teenage daughter living there. There was no telephones, it was dark and I could not Spanish very well. What could I do? I prepared to bed down and wait until morning light to start looking for my companion. Just as I was about to get ready for bed there was a knock at the door and there were three desperate missionaries looking for a lost Canadian missionary. I was very happy to see them they were happy to see me. They had to use all their efforts to find out where I had gone. One of the false trails that was worrisome was the trail that led to a downtown bar. Another person said they saw a gringo hop in a taxi with a woman. That lead eventually led them to finding me. It is a great story to tell now, but I was scared then! (Blaine)
• In one sector (word used instead of "area"), we had a huge ant problem. Every morning there would be hundreds covering our kitchen table. So when we came home with a few extra empanadas the next day, I had the great idea to put them in a plastic bag and hang them from the wall instead of leaving them on the table. Silly me--ants can climb walls! Next morning, yes, it was no longer a white bag, it was black. Gross! (Beckie)
• My companion and I were headed back to the church to prepare for Talent Night, and she decided to be brave and rode her bike over a small wood bridge (about 6 inches wide) over a creek, ya, well, she fell in. I went around and we had to go to the Talent Show that we were hosting while she was soaking wet. (not enough time for her to go home since we were on bikes and head back to the church for the activity even though I offered) (Kaylee)
• Referring to a grandma as the old lady, la vieja. (Roger)
• The office in general was a funny experience. It depends on the people there but if you make it funny you just laugh all the time. (Jeremy)

What was a crazy experience?

• Had my bag stolen off my back. We chased the kid down to his house (about two blocks over) and his mom made him give it back. Lol. (Tyler)
• 1/2We heard rumors that the US was going to war but we didn't believe it. Then our Mission President told us that if we heard that the United States had gone to war that we were to remove our name badges immediately and head directly to our pensiones (homes). We did. 2/2 We were walking downtown when the Bishop pulled over and asked us to go with him on a visit. We visited with the wife while the Bishop ministered to the husband who was suffering from PTSD as a result of being tortured during the Pinochet regime. He was a court reporter who had been imprisoned for his knowledge of court cases. (Amy)
• Walking home in the dark through the dirtier part of town, a woman came up to us, linked elbows with me and started skipping. And singing. My companion did her best to keep up. We were pretty sure she was high. So I started to sing along, only I changed the song to the only one I knew in Spanish: Families Can Be Together Forever. She thought that was hysterical, until she suddenly stopped and threw up on the side of the road. We hurried home. (Beckie)
• My companion, haha same one as above, went up to a drunk guy to share the gospel. He basically grabbed her arm and threatened to break it. Luckily he didn't. We've been followed home on certain occasions too. But God blessed us every. single. time. (Kaylee)
• There was a fire in one of my areas and it burned the majority of the hill that we proselyted on. Cleaning up after it was fun and dangerous because there were a lot of hot spots still and the fire actually turned around and started to head back to where we were helping. (Jeremy)

What was a spiritual experience?

• I had someone- one of the people I taught- whose son had been taught by the missionaries for two transfers. When I showed up to teach her son a lesson (he was a less active from over a year ago that was wanting to get more active) she surprisingly decided to sit with the lesson, though her husband continued to ignore the missionaries. I had not realized she had never joined in, and decided to review the First Vision. Several meetings later, she diverged that she had DREAMED ME bringing her a message she HAD to learn. She was baptized the week after I left the area by her son. When I returned to Chile after my mission, I found her husband had been baptized as well and they were planning on going to the temple to seal themselves together, and the son, getting ready to serve his own mission (ended up going to Argentina). Furthermore I found out that when I had started teaching her, the husband was an alcoholic, and she was ready to end their marriage. He told her people couldn't change. She changed, and showed him that people could, so he decided he could too! (Tyler)
• So, so many. Cristian had a dream which led to his baptism. Also, we prayed that Cristian would not sleep in but would come to all of his Sunday meetings. He woke up but couldn't sleep so he started to read the Book of Mormon. That evening at a baptism, he told us he couldn't sleep and we told him we had prayed for him. He asked us not to pray for him again. Lol. Then he told us he was ready to be baptized. He did. As did his wife and in-laws. (Amy)
• I had several spiritual experiences that strengthened my testimony. There were several opportunities that while teaching, the Spirit taught me what to say and it was edifying to myself and those whom we taught. As a convert to the church I had about two years experience in learning the doctrine of the church. I knew very little. During my time in Llay Llay my companion and I had to step up and run the Ward because of difficulties with the Ward leadership. We had several opportunities where the Spirit directed us on what and how to do the work. My companion and I needed all the help we could get. (Blaine)
• I'll never forget teaching a father and his 8 year old son the plan of salvation while the other son, 14 years, pretended not to pay attention in the corner. Bringing out the cheesy visuals changed that, though, and caught his attention for the first time. He asked deep sincere questions about death and brought the Spirit to the home. I'm so glad we were prepared with different strategies. (Beckie)
• Going to an area with 7 active members, and leaving it with 30 active/converts. Probably the most humbling experience for us ever, to realize that pride can really bring you down. And it's always time for us to be humble, to realize that God is more important in our lives than other things. (Kaylee)
• We met this man that was high and drunk, (not a good combo). My companion thought he was crazy but we talked to him, he gave us his address and we didn't go there for about a week or so. Then I felt we should go. My companion said no, I said your just judging him. So we went, he said that he had been waiting for us to come by. We taught him how to pray and the next time we came by we saw a difference in his life, he had truly made a connection with God, although he did not get baptized I feel that he was truly benefited by learning to communicate with God. (Jeremy)

What are some interesting facts about the Vina del Mar Mission?

• The people are spiritually minded, humble, faithful and visionary. The country is geographically varied and beautiful. I was in a valley in the Andes, in the coastal city of Viña del Mar, inland near rural and forested hills... It is a democratic country with deep memories of a communistic dictatorship. The people work 6 days a week. They stop everything for almuerzo (lunch) from 1-3. (Amy)
• Toward the end of my mission there were two Canadian missionaries serving in our mission: Elder Jeffery Hamilton and myself. Elder Hamilton and I were the zone leaders in the southern part of the mission which we called the "Canadian Zone." That was a great experience and after our missions we became great friends. With only five months left on my mission the church changed time of service from 2 years to 18 months. Those of us who had already served 18 months were given the option of choosing the end date of our service. (Blaine)
• It's the prettiest place in the world. NO JOKE!!! Everyone travels from around the world to see it! (Kaylee)
• There is the house of a famous poet named Gabriel Ministral. There are rich and poor spiritual and not, dogs are all over the cities and you can judge the wealth in the area by the number of food in the street. (Jeremy)

What was the weather like?

• All kinds. Cold was not fun due to lack of good walls. But just bundle up! Little snow in my area. (Tyler)
• The weather in the 5th Region was nice for me because I was inland in the winter and on the coast in the summer. It was like California, where I'm from. (Amy)
• Coming from Canada and comparing the weather I thought the seasons in Chile were always always great. Even the one day it snowed in San Felipe, the weather was always enjoyable. The winter months were cooler, but we had Chilean sisters who made us sweaters that kept us warm. (Blaine)
• It is like Utah weather except very humid. It gets VERY cold at nights and in the morning, and during the day, very hot. So I remember taking a coat and carrying it with me most of the day.... It also depends on which part of Vina del Mar you're serving in, because the mission is about 7 hours from south to north. I remember north being extremely cold/extremely hot. (Kaylee)
• 4 seasons. (Roger)
• Very much like the weather in Hawaii! (Keith)
• The weather varies. In the winter it rains and you will get wet. In the summer, it is hot but not really hot. It is temperate. (Jeremy)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

• Everything!! Very friendly! (Tyler)
• Chileans are spiritual, faithful, visionary people. They are humble, generous and kind. They are loving, giving and ooen hearted. The country is like the people-spiritual and beautiful. (Amy)
• I love the Chilean people. Their openness and warmth was exceptional and I always felt safe. One of the most difficult things was to have to refuse food or drinks when we visited people's homes. It is not the case now, but at the time we were not allowed to eat or drink outside of the pension. This was obviously a cultural barrier for us and the Chileans. (Blaine)
• Chileans are so hospitable that sometimes when you compliment something they own, they will try to give it to you! Do your best to limit such offers. (Beckie)
• VERY, VERY loving. They love people so much they drop their work just to talk and serve you. I have never met a more loving people. (Kaylee)
• Very humble and caring. (Roger)
• Weather was great! I could almost always see the ocean. People were very open, friendly, loving and family oriented. (Keith)
• The people are very kind, if you ask for a little more food be careful because they will give you a full plate. I love the hills in Viña and Valparaiso, they are so colorful and full of life. (Jeremy)

Any packing/clothing advice?

• Decent sweaters, you will use them most of the winter as it didn't get too cold in most areas. (Tyler)
• Thick soled walking shoes. Good winter clothing. Flea repellants: Mentholatum is the best. (Amy)
• There were times in the southern part of the mission when it was cold and raining. Very good shoes that you could waterproof is a good idea. There was not a lot of rain but it always was cool to be walking in the winter time. (Blaine)
• Buy galoshes when you get there. When it rains, it pours, literally. (Beckie)
• SHOES. Shoes is honestly the most important thing. You're feet will hurt, blister, if you don't have good shoes. I even brought old shoes at first because I thought "they're broken in" so I thought they would work great. NO, they did not. They hurt me pretty bad my first couple of months in the mission field. Make sure you buy new, good brand shoes. Go super expensive on the shoes out of anything you have to buy. And make sure you wear them a good 2 weeks before your mission so you break them in. (Kaylee)
• Flee collar. (Roger)
• Save some of your white shirts and or bring a few more to be opened only after a year. The things in the packet were sufficient for me although you might want another pair of shoes. Alternating wearing them every other day. Have a good (non mesh) fabric sack to put your clothes in to be washed by the members. (Jeremy)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

• Strengthened testimony. I learned to open my heart and to love generously, to serve unconditionally and to give with my whole heart and soul. (Amy)
• The blessings I received as a missionary are innumerable and have blessed my whole life. Becoming acquainted with the workings of the Lord through the Holy Ghost was exactly what I needed. The life lessons of getting along with a companion has helped me in fostering relationships with my wife, children and family members. I also learned that as I put the Lord's work first, all other things will fall into place properly. (Blaine)
• Honestly, I'm still receiving blessings from my mission and I've been home for 7 years!! There is no end to the flow or blessings that I have received. I still hear from someone else who got baptized after I've left. And I think of the many blessings God has given me to be a mother to our new family. There is no end to God's love. Definitely serve a mission. Stick it out to the end. (Kaylee)
• Patience. An appreciation of people over material things. (Roger)
• Stronger testimony of the gospel. (Keith)
• I received the blessing of many friends. There is also the huge blessing of being able to communicate in Spanish and to relate to people that are Latin American. There is more trust when you speak someones language and you can speak it as if you were from there. I gained a greater knowledge of my savior and I understand the scriptures much more and know how to apply them in various situations. (Jeremy)

What are some skills you gained?

• I learned to build on common ground which has served me my whole life and upon which I have built a career. (Amy)
• One of the best lessons I learned on my mission was to listen to the Spirit and obey His prompting quickly. I also learned that when I put myself in the position to serve, the Lord will bless me to fulfill his mandates. If I proceed to do the work in spite of my shortcomings and try to do the work in the Lord's way, he blesses me with what I need when I need it. I have also learned that teaching by the power of the Holy Ghost is much more effective than relying on my own skills and abilities. (Blaine)
• Spanish, and love. I've learned that love is what changes the heart (mine and others). It's interesting, since I've been home, I watch fellow members and I realize some of us (me included) don't understand the capacity to love. If we want to make changes, we are the ones who should love others. The people of Chile helped me learn that. And Brigham Young was right, South America WILL BLOSSOM AS A ROSE. No doubt. They know where goodness is. It is in loving/serving others. (Kaylee)
• Interacting with people. Public speaking. (Roger)
• Spanish language. (Keith)
• I gained the skill of speaking to anyone in Spanish and being able to communicate more clearly what I wanted to say to people as well as learning how to mix cement by hand and how to use creativity to solve problems. (Jeremy)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

• Remember, LOVE the people, everything else will come into place. (Tyler)
• How to enjoy the moment. (Amy)
• I wish that I knew how to rely on and teach by the power of the Holy Ghost before I went on a mission. (Blaine)
• I wished I had known that sarcasm is a United States thing. Outside of our culture, most people aren't sarcastic. Don't be sarcastic. Also, in Chile if you put your hands in your pockets it's a very "rude" thing to do. Shows you're not paying attention to them. Whereas in the United States it shows you're comfortable talking to someone. So make sure to keep your hands out of your pockets, and always down by your side. (Kaylee)
• Served the people more. Found an orphanage to support. (Roger)
• How to talk with strangers and to strike up conversations about anything and relate it back to the gospel. (Jeremy)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Vina del Mar?

• Trust your training. The MTC, the scriptures, the Mission President, the General Authorities, the white handbook... They all teach the truth. Trust them. (Amy)
• My advice for those preparing to go on a mission to find opportunities at church and with missionaries to teach several times before going to the MTC. Find several opportunities to bear testimony of the restoration, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. (Blaine)
• Oh, boy. What advice to give? Honestly, my sister is getting her mission papers ready and something I told her. If you're learning another language just read the Book of Mormon out loud. You learn to speak, hear, and read it. There's nothing better than that. Plus on top of that study you will be given knowledge of what to share your investigators that will help you so greatly you won't even realize you were the one speaking when you did. I've never felt more like God helped me move mountains than he helped me change hearts. People who told me they never thought they'd stop yelling at their kids and their family, were able to with the Book of Mormon. People who were so convinced they were Catholic never knew they would change religion until they read the Book of Mormon. People will go to church, and be converted if they read the Book of Mormon. Pray, because like God says his angels have ALREADY prepared souls for you to teach. You're job is to preach, and find the ones are ready. Realize in Chile, you will need the gift of Discernment to find those that are ready because you will be so overwhelmed with those that are ready, you will have to see those who are less prepared a little less frequently than you would to those who are ready. Notes, and things like that any way you can keep in touch with people and DO IT. Every single day you need to see those who are so close to ready. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Even if you have to only leave a note because you don't have time. (Kaylee)
• People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. (Roger)
• Lose yourself in the work. (Keith)
• Work your hardest, don't try to control things that are not in your power to control, be obedient and love the people. It is hard at times, but if you have your eyes focused on the Savior and the reason you are there, your life will be blessed and you will bless the lives of many other people. (Jeremy)

What was a funny language mistake?

• It was a cold winter day and when I shook a lady's warm hand I told her she was "caliente", which means warm or hot, but is also slang word for sexy. She turned red and started laughing. My companion also laughed. (Amy)
• At one point I confused the word for "sweater" with the word for a young Chilean. When I told my momita and my companion that a sister in the Ward want to make a sweater for me, it came out that a sister in the ward wanted to make a little Chilean with me... embarrassing! (Blaine)
• Oh, my goodness. I can't even remember. I need to pull out my journal. I think one of them was saying something about an outhouse instead of a church house though or something like that. 🙂 (Kaylee)
• Don't say huevón to anyone. Even though lots of people say it, it is not for you to say. And try to avoid the use of Po(a filler word that means nothing) unless you are trying to be funny. (Jeremy)

Here are free resources about the China Hong Kong Mission:

• Mission address and phone number
• Mission map
• Missionary blogs
• Facebook groups
• LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
• List of past mission presidents
• Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
• Survey with RMs

---

---

China Hong Kong Mission Address

Here's a recent address for the China Hong Kong Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it's a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

China Hong Kong Mission Map

Here's a link to the mission map for the Hong Kong Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Hong Kong Mission:

1. Log into your LDS account here.
2. Click here.

China Hong Kong Missionary Blogs

Here's a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Hong Kong Mission. This list includes the missionary's name, URL and when their blog was updated. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Mission Alumni	mission.net/china/hong-kong	2017
Elder Joseph Chou	elderjosephchou.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Ian Taylor	elderiantaylor.blogspot.com	2017
Sister Vaimeho Colombel	sistercolombelhk.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Ryan Woolley	elderryanwoolley.blogspot.com	2017
Sister Maggie Shiffert	sistershiffert.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Thomas Cox	mymission.com/elderhttpwwwmymissioncom	2016
Sister Aurelia Wilcox	aureliahongkong.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Hannah Sharp	sisterhannahsharp.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Gordon Walker	eldergordonwalker.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Mindy Mint	sistermindymint.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Leah Crockett	leahcrockett.com	2016
Elder Colton Sargent	eldercoltsargent.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Ammon Forston	homestyletofu.blogspot.com	2016
Elder & Sister Holbrook	scottandjoymission.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Jayzon Sy	eldersyhk.blogspot.com	2016
Elder & Sister Coffey	coffeysmission.blogspot.hk	2016
Sister Rebecca Stromberg	sisterstromberg.wordpress.com	2016
Sister Lauren Leonard	sisterleonardinhongkong.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Cassie Escher	sisterescher.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Spencer Hafen	elderspencerhafen.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Karli Bosler	sisterkarlikimbosler.blogspot.com	2015
Elder John Morrell	hongjohnkong.blogspot.com	2015
Sister BriAnna Crook	sistercrookinhk.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Zachary Cederlof	zcederlof.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Tessa Hadley	sisterhadleyinhongkong.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Jared Cordon	elderscordon.com/category/jared	2015
Elder Bronson Osborne	elderbronsonosborne.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Justin Mikesell	elderjustinmikesell.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Christine Posadas	sisterposadas.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Zachary Phillips	elderzacharyphillips.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Elizabeth Warner	sisbizwarner.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Connor Townsend	elderconkong.blogspot.com	2015
Elder & Sister Harrington	harringtonsinhongkong.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Samuel Arrington	elderarrington.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Travis Woodburn	eldertraviswoodburn.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Kyle Allen	mynameiselderallen.wordpress.com	2014
Sister Ashley Palmer	ashleyrpalmer.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Christopher Brown	elderbubbabrown.wordpress.com	2014
Elder Tragen Herrick	missionsite.net/eldertragenherrick	2013
Elder Sammy Brailsford	missionsite.net/eldersammybrailsford	2013
Elder Jordan Bingham	jordanroe.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Garrett Hazen	elderhazen.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Joshua Sutherland	missionsite.net/elderjoshuasutherland	2012
Elder Matthew Liu	eldermatthewliuhkmission.blogspot.com	2012
Elder & Sister Davis	elwinandshirley.blogspot.com	2012
Elder Chris Carey	eldercarey.blogspot.com	2012
Elder & Sister Sackley	kelpetesackley.blogspot.com	2011
Sister Sara Black	sarasmission.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Jeffrey Wright	elderjeffreywright.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Noah Kershnk	eldernoah.blogspot.com	2011
Sister Rachel Simkovits	missionofsistersimkovits.blogspot.com	2010

China Hong Kong Mission Groups

Here are Hong Kong Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Hong Kong Mission.

1. China Hong Kong Mission - All Facebook Group (1,241 members)
2. Hong Kong Mission Pres. & Sister Chan Group (202 members)
3. China Hong Kong Mission - Van Dam Group (195 members)
4. Hong Kong Mission (Armstrong Era) Group (102 members)
5. Hong Kong Mission (Let's Stay Connected) Group (96 members)
6. Hong Kong Mission alumni Pres. & Sis. Ong Group (20 members)
7. Hong Kong Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (19 members)
8. Hong Kong Mission 81-83 (Pres. Mitchell) Group (18 members)
9. Hong Kong LDS Mission President Goo Group (9 members)
10. Hong Kong Mission alumni Pres. Hinton Group (8 members)

China Hong Kong Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the China Hong Kong Mission! Shirt designs include China Hong Kong Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: China Hong Kong missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. *Click here to browse Hong Kong Mission gifts

---

---

*Click here to see our new shirt design for the China Hong Kong Mission:

---

---

Hong Kong Mission Presidents

Here's a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Hong Kong Mission.

1. 2015-2018, Maurice M. Lam
2. 2012-2015, Val Don Hawks
3. 2009-2012, Simon Yue-Sang Chan
4. 2006-2009, Lee H. Van Dam (Listen to an interview with the Van Dams)
5. 2003-2006, Ted Hop Ong
6. 2000-2003, Donald Ray Hinton
7. 1997-2000, Stanely Tak Chung Wan
8. 1995-1997, John M. Aki
9. 1992-1995, David Leishman Lowe
10. 1989-1992, Kwok Yuen Tai
11. 1986-1989, Charles W. H. Goo
12. 1983-1986, Brent Armstrong
13. 1980-1983, Gary Mitchell
14. 1977-1980, David Chen
15. 1974-1977, Jerry Wheat
16. 1971-1974, William Seely Bradshaw
17. 1968-1971, W. Brent Hardy
18. 1965-1968, Kieth Garner
19. 1962-1965, Jay Quealy
20. 1959-1962, Robert Taylor
21. 1955-1959, H. Grant Heaton
22. 1949-1955, Hilton A. Robertson

Hong Kong LDS Statistics (2015)

• Church Membership: 24,746
• Missions: 1
• Temples: 1
• Congregations: 37
• Family History Centers: 4

Helpful Articles about China

Coming soon..

Hong Kong Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from China Hong Kong RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it's like to live in the mission. When did you serve?

• May 2012-June 2014 (Spencer)
• June 2013-December 2014 (Elle)
• 2001-2003 (Adam)
• April 2009-May 2011 (Chad)
• 2010-2012 (Christopher)
• 1993-1995 (Angelina)
• April 2012-April 2014 (Chris)
• 1982-1984 (Rich)
• 2003-2004 (Brice)
• 2000-2001 (Chi Ming)
• 2002-2004 (Jeremy)
• 2010-2011 (Sara)
• 2001-2004 (Mike)
• 1985-1986 (Paul)
• 1984-1986 (Carl)
• 1984-1986 (Gloria)
• 1983-1985 (Lori)
• 1983-1985 (Robert)
• 1983-1984 (Jennifer)
• 1983-1984 (Gillian)
• 1983-1984 (Jennifer)
• 1969-1971 (Peter)

What areas did you serve in?

• Tuen Mun, Butterfly, Tin Shui Wai, Kwai Fong, Tsuen Wan, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Tai Po, Tai Wo, Sheung Shui, Macau (both international and Cantonese) and Hong Kong island international. (Sara)
• Shatin, Pok Fu Lam, International, Homantin, Kwai Fong, Causeway Bay. (Mike)
• Kowloon and new territories. (Paul)
• Hong Kong Island and New Territories. (Carl)
• Central, Westpoint, Hung Hum, Tai Bo, Tuen Wan. (Gloria)
• Kowloon, Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, Chai Wan, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan. (Lori)
• Tauren Wan, Sha Kei Wan, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Kwun Tong, mission office. (Robert)
• West Point, Central, several areas in Kowloon, Macau. (Jennifer)
• Nagoya Tao Gok, Tsam Tsui Bo??? (Gillian)
• I served most of my mission in West Point and my last months in Macau, but I was also on special assignment with Sister Knight. We were able to travel throughout the mission to serve with a variety of sisters. (Jennifer)
• Un Long, Tsuen Wan, Aberdeen, Kowloon Lai Chi Kok. Started out in Southern Far East Mission then Hong Kong-Taiwan and finishing in the Hong Kong Mission. (Peter)

What were some favorite foods?

• BBQ pork with rice. (Spencer)
• Egg Tarts, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Street Waffles, Tam Zai, Korean BBQ. (Elle)
• Cha Siu Faahn. THE BAKERY BREADS!!! Anything cooked by Filipinas. Cool soda flavors not available in the USA. (Adam)
• Cha Siu (barbecue pork), Siu Maih (steamed snacks), Maih sin (the best noodle soup you will ever have in your life), Gaai meih baau (coconut bread that will make your heart stop), Shake shake fries at McDonalds (they come for one month every year and will haunt your dreams the rest of your life), Saan Juk (Mangosteen, the best fruit you'll ever have, short season of availability- get it while you can). (Chad)
• Home cooked Chinese (of course). Real lemon chicken (fried), fried fish with green onions, Chinese spinach, and home made noodles, are just a few. If you must eat out, the Taahm Jai maaih sin (noodle soup) with "sour cabbage" is exceptionally good. For everything in between, there are Maxim's ice cream moon cakes, cheuhng fan, yeuhng ji gam louh, either BBQ pork or custard steamed buns; seafood pizza, squid, cuddlefish, octupus, Chyun Waan handmade dumplings, saai maaih louh, fresh Indian curries (made by people from India), and flower teas. (Christopher)
• Bok choi, street vendo rice boxes. (Angelina)
• Curry chicken. Dim sum. Pineapple bread. (Chris)
• Gaimei Bau, Sweet & Sour Pork, Peanut butter & sweet cream pancakes, Egg tarts, BBQ Pork. (Rich)
• Cha siu bau; Shrimp wonton; Pork chop rice lunch; curry beef with naan bread; fried bread buns and dumplings; ginger beer. (Brice)
• Cheap food and home cook. (Chi Ming)
• Eggplant with Pork (I still dream about it all the time) Chaa Siu Faahn (char siu - BBQ pork - rice) Gaai Mei Baau (butter coconut rolls) Bo Lo Baau (pineapple bread) yaahm chaah (dim sum) - haa gaau (shrimp dumplings) (Jeremy)
• Tam jai rice noodle soup, most of the breads, char siu pork on rice, juk (congee), water spinach, the list goes on and on. (Sara)
• Chicken tail bread. BBQ pork rice box. (Paul)
• Street waffles, gai mei bao, really anything, it was all great, even the tripe! (Mike)
• GaiMeiBau. (Carl)
• The gai mei bou (not the correct pinyin) the buns in Ho Min Tin area. I took a whole box of them home with me to eat on the plane when I went to the Hong Kong Temple dedication. Absolutely delicious. The coconut muffin like bread. The stir fry that our Ahma made while in Tai Bo. (Gloria)
• Cha Siu Bau. (Lori)
• DimSum. Bolo bau, char siu rice box. (Robert)
• Stir fried noodles. I also loved the digestive crackers. I grew to love chicken curry with potatoes. (Jennifer)
• Back Chou. Char Sui. Coconut bread. (Gillian)
• Stir fried noodles were my favorite! (Jennifer)
• Won Ton Fan. Gai Laan Choi. Haam Yue. Ngau Yuk Chau Choi. Most everything except thousand year old eggs and Moon Cake. (Peter)

What was a funny experience?

• Companionship exchanges, preparation days, early morning exercise with an elderly man and woman. (Spencer)
• People's reactions to Foreigners speaking Chinese. (Elle)
• Plenty of tone mistakes. (Adam)
• Playing Chinese chess in the parks with old men as a finding activity. They love seeing random Americans that know how to play their game. (Chad)
• Trying to speak a tonal language. There are some words that are easily messed up—really easily messed up. (Christopher)
• Because of my height, the umbrella I used was so useless. Everyone's umbrella dumped rain right on my face . It rained so hard sometimes I remember it feeling like it was raining from the ground up. I always gave up and just got wet. (Angelina)
• An old man tried to kiss me. (Chris)
• When I gave my companion a haircut. It didn't turn out well. (Rich)
• Lost on Lantau Island and chased by wild dogs. (Chi Ming)
• Having subway attendants with white gloves help press as many bodies as possible into each subway car in the northern Hong Kong Island subways at rush hour. (Jeremy)
• One of my companions thought she had correctly rescheduled an investigator and a member present, but when two members showed up realized that because everyone has the same name, she had rescheduled the member who was originally to be accompanying the lesson, and then found a member to attend the lesson. She was devastated that this investigator had ditched her appointment, when really it was just a misunderstanding because there are a ton of Sister Leungs. (Sara)
• Sitting on a bus in a part of Hong Kong where no one was a foreigner. I started to wonder why all these Chinese people were looking at me weird. I had totally forgotten I was a Caucasian American sitting in the middle of Hong Kong! I even asked them what they were staring at! (Mike)
• Having my companion point and ask for $5.00 of Choi Sam... But instead said Saam (which changed it to $5.00 to take off her shirt). (Paul)
• Companion shaking a front door gate in the walled city and having it come loose on him. (Carl)
• My companion, Marianne Jones, I think and myself being chased by dogs in the Tai Bo area while in some of the villages (which sadly are no longer there). A man at the end of the trail cussed us out and told us that if we didn't run, the dogs wouldn't chase us. I wasn't going to take that chance. (Gloria)
• Tripping up the steps of a shanty town in Kowloon. (Lori)
• WuKaiSha. Mission conference and sporting competition 😎. (Robert)
• I picked up a toilet plunger in our bathroom in Macau when I first arrived there only to discover it was a cover for a nest of cockroaches, the size of small animals. It was like something out of a horror movie. It as covering a hole in the floor that went through to the ground underneath. (Jennifer)
• First day I was there, a cockroach as big as my hand walked up and over my suitcase, later I tripped over a cow's head laying in the market and splashed blood up my leg which stayed there all day. (Gillian)
• Wearing long johns, sweats, a coat, and gloves to bed because it was so cold in the winter time. We didn't have any heat in our apartment. I borrowed my companion's water bottle to sleep with as well. (Jennifer)
• One day, my companion and I were peddling our bikes out in the New Territories on a concrete pathway adjacent to a field. There happened to be a man pushing his cart coming in our direction. Elder Riley stopped his bike to let the gentleman pass. However, I needed to show my prowess in handling my bicycle in tight places. I intended to slip right by the cart on the field side of the path, no problem. Nothing was further from the truth. I made it part way passed then the peddle hooked underneath the cart which sent me careening over the edge. I rode the bike all the way down. (Peter)

What was a crazy experience?

• We had encounter with Hong Kong gangs call Triad. And had some problems with people who were possessed. (Spencer)
• We were followed a few times. It was creepy. (Elle)
• Drunk Pakistani confrontations just after 9/11. (Adam)
• Hong Kong isn't really a dangerous place. Other than coming across the occasional stray dog pack out in the boonies, you probably won't experience anything dangerous. There is this guy in Gun Tong they call "the grabber"... You'll have to keep an eye out for him. Basically he will not let go of your hand once you shake his. (Chad)
• We hiked in an old bomb shelter/barracks thing in Macau, and there was a real, black snake (probably four feet long) slithering in there. They also have these huge black and yellow spiders that live on all the banana trees growing there. While they aren't what most people think of when they hear "banana spider," we didn't know their real name and called them that anyway. They are huge and terrifying—like the cockroaches under the kitchen sinks! (Christopher)
• I don't remember ever feeling like I was in danger. But it was incredibly uncomfortable while on a crowded street car during summer, when smelly armpits were exposed while hanging on the hand straps. (Angelina)
• Trying to get home during a typhoon. There was lots of debris flying through the air that we had to dodge as we ran to our apartment. (Chris)
• Seeing an old man at the bottom of some stairs. He had just fallen down and cracked his head open and died. (Rich)
• Getting attacked by monkeys. (Brice)
• Lost on Lantau Island and chased by wild dogs. (Chi Ming)
• Tracting into a couple Triads (hahk seh wuih - "black society" - Hong Kong mob) members who taught people how to gamble in the casinos in Macau. They were really nice, and paid a bunch of people in cash that delivered things to their doors while we were there. (Jeremy)
• Honestly, I don't think I ever felt unsafe in Hong Kong. The typhoon that hit while I was in Macau kept us inside and was really cool, but I never felt like we were in danger. (Sara)
• Elevator disconnecting and dropping a few floors with us in it. I still hate elevators to this day. (Mike)
• Climbing lion rock, taking pictures sitting on the ledge. (Paul)
• Being in an area we were just opening up, and walking into the courtyard of an bunch of apartments and having a chair being thrown at us from an upper floor, and just turning my head a fraction and being missed by a bottle being thrown at me. (Gloria)
• Looking for a member living in Kowloon Walled City. We were with some Elders but it was a very sketchy place! (Lori)
• Riding the siu Ba to Stanley Market. (Robert)
• When I first arrived in Hong Kong, we were staying in the YMCA before being assigned to our companions. They had a #10 typhoon that blew my window in and carried my missionary name tag out, never to be seen again. My companion and I hid in the bathroom to avoid scattering glass. I can still remember the building swaying. From that point on, I would use duck tape to tape up the windows anytime there was a typhoon. I still don't like strong winds. When I lived in Hawaii, I survived Hurricane Iwa. It reminded me of the scary typhoons during my mission. (Jennifer)
• Riding in a taxi! Was in two crashes! (Gillian)
• I saw a lot of rats running around our area when I was serving in West Point. I believe there were several areas in Macau that would be considered dangerous by today's standards, but, at the time, I felt confident the Lord would protect us. (Jennifer)

What was a spiritual experience?

• Too many to count! Lessons, baptisms, personal study, zone meetings, and leadership council. (Spencer)
• Teaching people from Mainland China. (Elle)
• My first baptism. Strong spirit. Straight to the heart. (Adam)
• We helped a man quit smoking in less than a week. He asked for our help and we taught him about prayer and told him the next week we would come with a lesson tailored to quitting smoking. When we saw him next, he said he had quit. He told us every time he wanted to smoke he would pray and the craving would disappear. He never went back. (Chad)
• Meeting people ready for the Gospel and seeing them be baptized—even thousands of miles from Utah. (Christopher)
• One day a Filipino woman working as a maid approached us while we were going right off the subway station. She said "I just had a feeling to get off the subway, I never get off here...I must have needed to talk to you today." (Angelina)
• We worked really hard to get investigators to church, but when it started, there was nobody there. During the opening prayer, I said a final prayer and asked God to help these people get to church. When I opened my eyes, three investigators had walked in the door. (Chris)
• Teaching a family about prayer and having the young daughter in the home give a prayer...sweet and pure and filled with the spirit. (Rich)
• At the Mission Training Center. (Chi Ming)
• Seeing people have experiences with reading the scriptures, praying, and receiving answers from the Holy Spirit. Being able to share the first vision, and share your testimony. (Jeremy)
• All of the little things. I used to tell my missionaries I taught at the MTC that some of the best spiritual experiences on the mission are things that feel so natural as you're guided by the Holy Ghost. It becomes a part of you. I remember going running one day and noticing a swing set for the first time on our run even though we did the same path every day. I felt like swinging! Totally natural, right? Well turns out there was a girl who came by maybe 1 minute later to swing and had some questions about missionaries/God. It wasn't like a huge thing- no voice or angel or anything, but simple. In hindsight, I can see that because I was worthy the Lord was guiding me (almost without my notice) to meet that girl and countless others throughout my mission. I literally have no clue what happened to her spiritual path because she was just there for a trip and was from mainland China... But it is a great example of how the Lord guides his missionaries, and might I add, members, to help people everywhere come closer to Christ. (Sara)
• Talking with people who'd lost hope or were discouraged. Often our message wasn't what they needed at the time, but instead just someone to be nice to them and listen to how they were feeling. Often I felt closest to God by being present with people in their life's trials. If my message of the restoration fit, it would come up, but I found when I stopped trying to preach and instead listened to what was really going on for people, I was a better missionary. It made it much easier to preach when people were receptive because it was genuine. (Mike)
• Going over the old contacts, having all the lines go grey, except for one. Called the number, and having the contact pick up on the first ring, and tell me she has been waiting for us to call... Immediately taught her, was baptized in 3 months. (Paul)
• I remember one month my companion and I came up short of money at the end of the month. We decided we needed to pray about this dilemma and shortly thereafter we were on our way back to the apartment and were in the subway station. Usually this would be full of people but we found ourselves alone on the platform. I look down and find a $100 HK bill. Not much today but as a missionary that was enough to get us through the month. (Carl)
• Teaching a family who lived in the mountains, in a part cave, dirt floor, and eventually baptizing the entire family of mom, dad, and two little boys. We had contacted the father in a park in Tuen Wan. There was something about him that made me stop him and talk to him. (Gloria)
• I had been in Hong Kong for only a few months. My companion and I had been teaching a young student the missionary lessons. He enjoyed attending church and the social activities with the ward. He had new friends and felt included in all areas. However, he wasn't committed to our challenge for baptism. My companion wanted to drop him as an investigator because he wasn't progressing towards baptism anymore. I remember standing outside the chapel building waiting for a bus home. I earnestly bore my testimony in my limited Cantonese to him on the importance of prayer. He was able to feel the Spirit strongly enough that he was impressed to take serious our challenge to read The Book of Mormon and to sincerely pray about its truthfulness. The next day he shared with us his desire to get baptized as soon as possible. This was beautiful music to our ears!! (Lori)
• Most of the time there... Loved teaching testifying and sharing the Savior's love for those humble, wonderful people. (Robert)
• I don't remember a specific one. I just remember that sweet, warm feeling that followed being set apart as a missionary. The mantle of a missionary is a very special calling and the Spirit that is felt is very profound at times. (Jennifer)
• Seeing in my mind, a door with a number while we were tracting and then finding the door, finding the three orphans behind it and teaching them the gospel and watching them be baptized. (Gillian)
• When I was serving with Sister Kenyan in West Point, we met three sisters, the Sheh girls, who let us in their home immediately. They said it was because they were curious about my long hair. While my long braid got us in the door, the Spirit took over. We challenged them to baptism the first visit and they accepted. (Jennifer)

Any interesting facts about the China Hong Kong Mission?

• The first missionaries in Hong Kong came in the 1850s and left 3 months later. The mission was organized again in 1949. I would suggest that you visit everything, especially Mongkok. (Spencer)
• Dedicated in the 1920's, but missionaries did not come until the 1950's. (Elle)
• My Great Great Uncle opened the mission. (Adam)
• Hong Kong may be the closest knit mission in the world. Unless you are in Macau, you will never be more than an hour train ride from the mission home and every other missionary in the mission. They used to hold full-mission activities and conferences once a transfer. They don't do that anymore, to my knowledge, but the fact is while in other missions you could go the rest of your two years without seeing your MTC companion, in Hong Kong you will probably see them at least once every transfer. (Chad)
• Cantonese. Wan Chai was bombed by the Japanese in WWII. The (one) temple there was or is the designated temple for half of the world's population (China+India+Indonesia+so many others...). (Christopher)
• There were so many choices for transportation. All were so fun to travel on. I loved the tall buildings and riding the elevators to the top to get an ariel view of the land. Sometimes with so many people on the street it was like looking at an ant farm. The city was busy all the time. (Angelina)
• Mission area covers China, but doesn't allow the missionaries into mainland. The mission also includes the Portuguese founded country of Macau. There are lots of people from the Philippines. The horse people have the opportunity to have church service on any day of the week, not just Sunday. (Chris)
• It is very, very small and compact. Anybody can get to the mission office in less than an hour. Because it is such a cosmopolitan city, it has opportunities for "international work" where during a transfer or two you try to teach everybody who is NOT Chinese. (Brice)
• Not only to meet the true me also made a lot of true friends. (Chi Ming)
• Hong Kong/Macau are the only parts of China that are currently open to proselytizing in China, a country of over 1 billion people. Hong Kong is a melting pot for Southeast Asia, where you will meet people from all over the world, and yet feel extremely safe at all times. (Jeremy)
• Cantonese has 9 tones, but you're lucky because you only have to learn it with 6 to be decent. It is, as far as I know, the only place where they have church for the domestic workers every day of the week besides Mondays. (Sara)
• Super small mission with a tons of people in it. The "international zone" aka English speaking area, had church every day of the week. That was really cool. (Mike)
• Safer to walk the streets than almost anywhere in America. (Paul)
• So much has changed there, when there it was an interesting mix of modern and ancient China. (Carl)
• The temple is now resting on the place where the mission home was when I was serving. The day of the dedication, I remember getting off the Da Ha Tien (subway) and walking down the road, turning the corner, and seeing angel Moroni, and catching my breath. I never thought I would see a temple in China. (Gloria)
• We split into 4 stakes while I was there. Elder Maxwell visited and promised a temple in Hing Kong in the near future if we were faithful and worked hard. (Robert)
• The temple now stands where our mission home stood. I thought because I was English and Hong Kong was then under British rule, everyone would be able to speak some English!! Ha! (Gillian)
• Hong Kong is one of the most fascinating places in the world. It is a mixture of the modern skyscrapers and sampans in the harbor. (Jennifer)
• At the time of my calling, it was the largest mission in the Church. (Peter)

What was the weather like?

• The weather is tropical. It has very high humidity. It is 10 C – 35 C (50 – 95 Fahrenheit). It rains a lot in the spring and summer and has typhoons. (Spencer)
• Hot and humid in the summer. Very cold in the winter. Lots of rain during the wet months. (Elle)
• Hot, humid. (Adam)
• Hot and humid in the summer, comfortable in the spring and fall, COLD and humid in the winter. You wouldn't think 50 degrees would be that bad, but with 90% humidity, it cuts right to your bones. (Chad)
• So great. Don't be fooled by the humidity, it gets cold in the winter. Summer is tolerable if you're in the shadows of the main city's buildings, but gets hot out there in the sunshine/on the beaches. (Christopher)
• It was hot and humid and it rained a lot. (Angelina)
• Really hot and humid during the summer. Very rainy during the spring. Cold and humid during winter. There aren't any heaters there. (Chris)
• Warm and humid. Sometimes cold enough for a sweater in the winter, and often rainy enough for a long coat. (Brice)
• The weather is like everywhere in the world, sometime raining, sometime sunny and super hot, sometime windy and dry. (Chi Ming)
• Mostly extremely hot and humid (4-5 months of the year, but you get used to it), it gets cold in the winter for about 1-2 weeks, warm temperatures for 2-3 months, and relatively cool, comfortable temperatures for 2-3 months. (Jeremy)
• Humid and hot in the summer, humid and cold in the winter-- not temperature cold really, but you feel SO cold because of the humidity. Prepare to sweat. (Sara)
• Hot and humid all the time, but lovely just the same! (Mike)
• Hot and humid. (Paul)
• Always humid, mostly hot. But in winter it could get cool, but still humid. (Carl)
• Hot in the summer, wet in the fall and winter. I remember wearing plastic shoes and wading through water coming back from appointments. Wearing my sweats pushed up underneath my long skirt to add a little warmth. I already had on a couple of other layers. Wearing the gloves with the fingers cut out so that I could flip through pages of the scriptures when we were teaching and not have to take off gloves. (Gloria)
• Humid!! The humidity makes the cold weather feel colder and the warm weather feel warmer. Be prepared!! (Lori)
• Muggy in summer, windy in winter but half the time it was paradise. (Robert)
• Hot and humid in the summer. I suffered from prickly heat rash when I first got there. Then, in the winter, I slept in a coat with sweats. It was freezing. We didn't have any source of heat. (Jennifer)
• Coldest winter recorded the first year I was there...I did not expect that! Monsoon weather was crazy...very hot and humid. (Gillian)
• In the winter, it is damp and bone-chilling. In the summer, it is damp and hotter than Hades. (Jennifer)

What are some things you love about the area/people?

• The people are incredibly busy; however, they love their family members and are very thoughtful. Chinese festivities! (New Year’s, Mid-autumn Festival, and Ancestor Worship) (Spencer)
• Hard-working, energetic people. (Adam)
• The wards LOVE the missionaries. The whole city is full of nice people who are willing to help each other out. They can be stubborn, but they are good people. (Chad)
• They are a hard-working people. They love their family members. They don't compromise their long-held values. They have way better food than we "Westerners" want to admit. 🙂 (Christopher)
• They were so encouraging with the language. If you made an effort to learn, they praised you. Many shared traditions of the people, foods and made us feel at home and welcome. (Angelina)
• They are so accepting and loving of Americans. They want to help you learn the language and also love practicing their English. (Chris)
• They don't abuse you, the just ignore you. (Brice)
• I love Hong Kong. (Chi Ming)
• The Chinese people are very warm and gracious, once you get to know them, and understand the culture. They are quick to laugh, when you try to make any jokes or say any Chinese idioms. (Jeremy)
• One thing I love about the people is the respect for the elderly. You can get on a train, and even if you think that teenage boy is 100% glued to his phone, he'll notice right away if an elderly person gets on and give up his seat immediately. About the place, I love the mountains. Pretty much everywhere you go, you're just a few minutes from some of the best day hikes in the world. I also love the food. It can take a bit of getting used to, but Hong Kong has some of the most delicious food in the world. (Sara)
• Often very nice, would often slow down their Chinese to help us out. Often very family oriented. (Mike)
• Everything. (Paul)
• Always hard working and industrious. Good people. (Carl)
• The Chinese were gracious people. They were grateful for the efforts the Americans took to learn their language. They loved having you in their home. They walked in the evening in their pajamas, with their birds. They did Tai Chi in the early mornings and evenings in the parks. They were humble people. (Gloria)
• The Chinese were gracious people. They were grateful for the efforts the Americans took to learn their language. They loved having you in their home. They walked in the evening in their pajamas, with their birds. They did Tai Chi in the early mornings and evenings in the parks. They were humble people. (Gloria)
• Humility, diligence and love. (Robert)
• I can't put into words how much I grew to love the Chinese. When my mission was winding down, I was anxious to return to America and emotional and depressed at the same time. It was so difficult to leave those people I loved so much. (Jennifer)
• The Chinese people are amazing, very humble and smart, hard working. I loved the way girls would run around holding hands. Once they are converted they are solid. (Gillian)
• I loved Hong Kong. I loved the busy, exciting atmosphere with all the swarms of people and open markets. I loved the humble people with all my heart. (Jennifer)

Any packing/clothing advice?

• Bring a waterproof suit coat and more breathable clothing. I didn't need I-pad speakers for music listening. It was difficult to find good deodorant and Dr. Pepper. (Spencer)
• Bring a good trench coat. Buy plenty of white shirts, but only open half of them. Save the other half for your one year mark. Save the packages for your best-fitting garments for easy reordering. (Adam)
• The missionary booklet covers what you really need. Keep in mind that Hong Kong is a hub for clothes. If you happen to be able to get down to Mong Kok, you can get suits, ties, and white shirts for really cheap. Mong Kok may have special rules for how many times you're able to go there per transfer if you aren't serving in that zone. Avoid heavy socks that don't breath. You will sweat. A lot. (Chad)
• Nothing super thick (one coat maybe being the exception). (Christopher)
• Get really good shoes and then be prepared to get more. The thing I loved- not sure if they still do this- was clothes swapping for the sisters. We would leave clothes we didn't want anymore in the apartment and there were always clothes left at the new apartment. It was like a new wardrobe every transfer. Also, the clothes were really cheap there. (Angelina)
• You can buy almost any clothes there. Bring ziplock bags for when you move. I had a bottle of contact solution open mid travel and ruin some books. (Chris)
• Nothing special. You basically can buy everything here. (Chi Ming)
• I wouldn't bother with a long trench coat, pack all short-sleeved white shirts, you will only wear a suit once a month or so, except in the winter when you want to layer up with a suit, and thermals. (Jeremy)
• Breathable garments. Well... Breathable clothes in general. Again, sweat. (Sara)
• Don't bring a stupid rain jacket or really anything to keep warm. You're in China, where it's all made anyway! If you need it, buy it there. Comfortable shoes are a must, spend more for better shoes now, you'll likely walk a lot. (Mike)
• No wool. Cotton and silk. (Paul)
• I leaned how to cook Chinese food. I learned how to speak Cantonese. I learned how to write characters. I leaned how to read and study the scriptures in a whole different way. I learned how to get along with others better. I learned how to study better. I learned how to teach better. I learned how to approach people and start up conversations. I have always been a journal writer, but my mission taught me to really capture the most important moments. (Gloria)
• Mesh Garments. Good shoes. (Carl)
• I would pack long thermals for the winter, a down coat, a hot water bottle. I slept with one at night. (Jennifer)
• Pack light! Please pack light...transfers are a nightmare if you don't. Buy shoes there. Don't take mesh garments! (Gillian)
• Be sure you have warm clothing for the winter. Long johns and a warm coat are essential. You will do a lot of walking so make sure you have supportive, comfortable shoes. (Jennifer)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

• I continue to find blessings from missionary service. The greatest blessings have been the strengthened relationship with God, my family, and the Chinese people. (Spencer)
• More confidence/self esteem. People skills. Making great friends. How to interact with people. How to plan and stick with the plan. (Elle)
• I am now a Chinese language teacher. (Adam)
• Everything I have in my life came from serving a mission. I drew closer to the Lord than at any other time in my life. I became very familiar with how the Holy Ghost works with me on a personal level and this has been the most invaluable blessing I received. (Chad)
• I realized a greater vision, especially regarding human potential. Even though I wasn't the brightest person, working hard makes a huge difference in other people's lives. (Christopher)
• A really strong testimony. 20 years later I am still serving. I have been sealed to my husband. I have always had a temple recommend in my pocket, a strong family and I owe it to the discipline, hard work and focus I learned on my mission. (Angelina)
• I became a more confident person. I gained a strong faith and the ability to push through trials. (Chris)
• Real true friend forever. (Chi Ming)
• Got to share the gospel, gained invaluable life experiences, learned what I value in others, learned to be a good roommate, learned what attributes I liked and disliked in others - which allowed me to grow and become the person I wanted, learned to manage finances, learned another language, learned another culture, gained new perspectives, learned to love others as much as myself. I made great friends and relationships that persist today. (Jeremy)
• Greater understanding of my place in the world, cultural understanding, some of the most amazing friendships of my life, tenacity for hard things, more humility than I had before, learning to forgive and learning to love. (Sara)
• The biggest one was feeling like I found myself, not necessarily religiously, but as a fellow human in this great gift of life! I found peace in imperfection and how acceptance is a profound characteristic. I sat in awe as kids would transition between being a Buddhist monk and then back to schooling as they were making their way through life. I'd always assumed people started on a path and stuck to it until they switched; being multifaceted and ever changing and that being okay, was a great perspective change and a huge blessing. (Mike)
• Best thing I could have done. (Paul)
• Built my testimony for life. (Carl)
• Every day of my life is a blessing. I learned how to work hard. I learned how to serve. I learned how to recognize the Spirit and depend on it in my life. I learned how to open my mind to others who seemed so different from myself, and yet, know that we all have so much in common. I learned how to love people in ways I did not know I could do. (Gloria)
• Was my dream since I first knew I wanted to serve to serve in Hong Kong. So I pretty much was blessed every day just being there. (Robert)
• I learned to recognize the Spirit, love other cultures, love diversity, and love speaking a foreign language. (Jennifer)
• I served 33 years ago and it has shaped my life ever since. It has made me a better member missionary, better wife, mother...better everything. Would do it all over again. Can't wait to serve with my husband when we retire. (Gillian)
• A testimony of the restored Church. (Peter)
• I gained a love for diverse cultures. It has blessed me throughout my life. As a registered nurse, I serve a demographic that is very diverse. I have carried that love and compassion over into my practice. (Jennifer)

What are some skills you gained?

• Intercultural communication. Language skills. Self-discipline. Scripture knowledge. Ability to navigate through a large, foreign city. (Adam)
• I served in multiple leadership roles, and the experience I had prepared me for my university studies and leadership roles at work. Cantonese is a beautiful language, but it is incredibly difficult. I learned 3,000 characters when I was there and achieved a high level of skill in the language. After I got back I took Mandarin and, despite the differences in the spoken language, because I had learned characters, it was a cake walk. (Chad)
• Bartering, Cantonese, cooking and social skills. (Christopher)
• Early rising (always difficult for me). Talking to people in general (I am on the shy side) and specifically about the Gospel. Getting up in public and speaking with confidence. How to be kind and keep my mouth shut when I want to criticize. (Angelina)
• Speaking Cantonese. (Rich)
• The Cantonese language is awesome, and it inspired a desire to learn more languages. (Brice)
• Talking and suffering. (Chi Ming)
• Public speaking, the art of conversations, the ability to give presentations, the ability to be a good leader, language skills, etc. (Jeremy)
• Chinese, goal-setting/planning. (Sara)
• Ability to work way too hard! Ability to talk to anyone at any time. And ability to talk my way out of things. Sometimes religion has some not so happy aspects that have to be addressed; mission showed me how to address them without having to argue. (Mike)
• More outgoing. (Paul)
• Not afraid to talk to anyone. (Carl)
• I leaned how to cook Chinese food. I learned how to speak Cantonese. I learned how to write characters. I leaned how to read and study the scriptures in a whole different way. I learned how to get along with others better. I learned how to study better. I learned how to teach better. I learned how to approach people and start up conversations. I have always been a journal writer, but my mission taught me to really capture the most important moments. (Gloria)
• I gained the ability to talk with strangers in a sincere way. I continue to use this skill throughout my life. (Lori)
• Language, overcame fear of public speaking, confidence in hard work and sacrifice. (Robert)
• Multiple language skills. I got good bargaining for deals too. Relating to diverse people and appreciating our differences. As a registered nurse, I work with many diverse populations and I enjoy it immensely. I really learned to love people from different backgrounds. (Jennifer)
• Planning. Doing tough things. Getting along with people of all walks of life. (Gillian)
• Language skills, people skills, especially tolerance and compassion, and being able to be flexible. I certainly learned to endure through adversity. I spent 17 years caregiving to my elderly parents. It was a difficult but very rewarding time. I learned to serve on my mission. The greatest times in my life have been in the service of my God and I felt closer to Him when I was brought to my knees seeking his guidance and support. (Jennifer)
• The ability to speak a foreign language and mimic native speakers of Cantonese. (Peter)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

• I wish I had known Chinese and how to teach by the spirit. (Spencer)
• Don't stress about saying things right. It will ruin you. (Elle)
• Keep a daily journal. Don't stress about perfect entries; just get two or three sentences down on paper. (Adam)
• I wish I knew how to truly listen to the Holy Ghost and how intimately our Heavenly Father really knows His children. It took me a while to figure this out, and if I had known early on it would have made me a much more effective missionary. My advice is to take some time to include God in your plans in your life. Put yourself in environments that are conducive to the Spirit and give the Holy Ghost opportunities to help you out. Listen carefully and focus on what you feel and the thoughts that come to your mind. Find out how the Spirit works with you. (Chad)
• I wish I knew Cantonese, and wish I had humbled myself a little bit more. (Christopher)
• I wish I knew that the language will come with time. That I would make the best friends of my whole life while serving. That crying is okay....you don't have to hide it. But, don't let frustration distract you from your work. (Angelina)
• Teaching skills come through experience, spend your prep time learning the doctrine. It isn't a fun two years. There are fun moments, but for the most part it is very hard and trying work. (Chris)
• Acceptance is the answer to all of my problems. (Rich)
• For Cantonese, really focus on learning the sounds and tones really well, I didn't realize I was making some of the sounds/tones incorrectly until I was a year into my mission. Be loving of every person you meet and serve with, you don't always know their past experiences/backgrounds, and I wished I would have been more understanding and loving of everyone. It took awhile to get to that place. (Jeremy)
• Not to worry so much, that you can have fun, be obedient and spiritual, and work ridiculously hard all at the same time. (Sara)
• Learning Chinese characters would be a fun hobby but truly useless unless you were certain you wanted to study it for a lifetime. Almost all missionaries should not spend anytime on the characters. The cultural norms in China are a huge thing and that it's perfectly okay to teach a lot of people who can't get baptized because of family issues. (Mike)
• Study the language hard, I had a real trial with the language. (Carl)
• A mission is the hardest thing I've ever done, and it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything in the world. (Lori)
• Wish I did more "sounds and tones" prior to arriving. (Robert)
• To not take myself so seriously. To enjoy the experience and just love the people without getting too caught up in the less important aspects of life. (Jennifer)
• Left home behind sooner, left myself behind sooner. Knew more Chinese. (Gillian)
• To not take myself too seriously, to focus on loving the people and cherishing it. The time really flies. (Jennifer)
• I wish that I had at least read the Book of Mormon and had become more familiar with its message. (Peter)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Hong Kong?

• Immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of the people. This will help you understand them and connect on a deeper level. Learn to eat anything. It is impolite to turn down food, and you will get very strange food. I wish I had studied Preach My Gospel more in-depth. Read and study Preach My Gospel chapter one, “What is a successful missionary?” (Spencer)
• Love the people, don't stress about the language, and listen to your Heavenly Father. (Elle)
• Save some money for souvenirs. Get a good camera and record names and contact info for friends, members, investigators. (Adam)
• Don't bring cotton! It will mold. Bring tights for the winter months.  A rain jacket is nice. Don't bother bringing an umbrella. You can buy one in Hong Kong for cheaper (plus, it will break, promise). No rain boots, too bulky. Buy rain shoes in Hong Kong. (Elle)
• Enjoy to the end. Hong Kong is a strong, obedient mission. The city is truly one of a kind and you are so blessed to have been called there. Not many people get a chance to serve in such a holy place. It's also one of the funnest missions! You will get much closer to the missionaries you are serving than with any other mission I've heard about since I've been home. You'll make lifelong friends from around the world. Enjoy it while you can, don't take yourself too seriously, breathe it in while your there. (Chad)
• Don't doubt—just lead and they will follow you... (Christopher)
• You will love it and hate it at first. Just keep going and doing what you are supposed to do. (Angelina)
• Love your mission. There will be many times you get discouraged but remember that the people don't know better. If they honestly knew better, then they would change. Your work isn't to change people. It is to teach, encourage, and give people the opportunity to change. If you did those three things, you will be successful regardless of how many people accept the gospel in their lives. (Chris)
• Get good shoes. (Rich)
• You need to prepare yourself and think is that what you really want to do. (Chi Ming)
• Consistently strive for empathy for the people of Hong Kong, and for your fellow missionaries. (Jeremy)
• Don't forget to be grateful. Even if its hard and you might think you don't like it or whatever individual challenges you have... when you leave, you will miss it, so remember to love it and be grateful for it and embrace all the crazy and weird that is the mission experience. Be yourself, be obedient, and love the people (that includes yourself and companion). You're going to one if the most incredible and important places in the world, which is a huge responsibility but a great gift, to take advantage of the time you have. (Sara)
• It's going to be hard, but it's an amazing journey. Don't compare your mission to your friend's (even if they're in Hong Kong) because it's your experience, not theirs. It's truly one of the most unique missions in the world, you'll understand that when you return home, but while you're preparing and going just embrace it and love it without a care in the world! (Mike)
• This is a hard mission, but the people need what you are sharing. Those who accept the message will make a real change in generations of their families' lives. (Carl)
• Study the language as much as you can. Study the scriptures. Know your lessons. Learn about the culture of people you are serving. Develop a dependence of the spirit to make your decisions. (Gloria)
• Work as hard as you can, play as hard as you can (on preparation day). (Paul)
• Read The Book of Mormon with a desire to know the authors of the different books. Their testimonies are meant for your benefit. (Lori)
• Know the scriptures and be confident in your testimony of the Atonement. (Robert)
• Just love those you serve. Do your best and leave the rest up to the Lord. (Jennifer)
• Be Obedient. Be Obedient. Be Obedient. I testify that this is God's work. If we get out of the way and let Him work through us, we will see mighty miracles. Angels can and will attend you if you seek them. Just give your whole heart to the work and your life will be forever changed ❤️ (Gillian)
• Learn to serve, learn to put yourself second. Learn to be a peacemaker. You will have conflict on the mission and you need to learn to love your companion and get past your own needs. (Jennifer)
• When learning to speak Cantonese, listen to the children. Their speech is so much more clear than adult speakers. Swallow your pride, forget about yourself, your feelings of negativity, remember whose children you will be interacting with(Heavenly Father's). OBEY THE RULES of your mission, every jot and tittle. Have fun and smile...a lot. (Peter)

What was a funny language mistake?

• There are different tones to pronounce a sound. For instance “jyu” can mean Lord, house, and pig. You wouldn’t want to say, “Jesus is pig” instead of “Jesus is Lord.” Sometimes Elders use the wrong tone. oops (Spencer)
• "Spreading dog feces" and "missionary" are dangerously similar in Cantonese. Also, I told a guy the The Book of Mormon was like the Bible and that it was translated by Mormon, an evil prophet. (Adam)
• LEARN YOUR TONES. Many normal sentences can take a bad turn very quickly. Speaking Cantonese is like singing and you have to be very exact with your tones. Know that English has it's own tones and be aware that you have to overcome your natural language tones to speak Cantonese well. Tones in Cantonese are not used to express emotion as they are in English- they have modifiers that you'll learn about- do that. TONES TONES TONES. Everyone makes mistakes that they'll laugh about. Swear words have sounds that are similar to words you will use all the time if they're not spoken with the correct tone. (Chad)
• I said I would like the tohng (candy) when I was trying to ask for tong (soup). (Christopher)
• The way to say pregnant and stinky is similar...that was uncomfortable. (Rich)
• Get your tones right. "Going fishing" with the wrong tone is an f-word. "Missionary" with the wrong tones is "spread dog poop". (Brice)
• You don't want to know. (Chi Ming)
• It is very easy to mispronounce words, and the wrong tone/sound can transform an innocuous word into profanity very quickly, so you need to be careful. (Jeremy)
• I thought people were talking about crab at dinner one night when they were talking about shoes (haai 5th tone versus haai 4th tone). And contributed to the conversation that I liked to eat shoes. Mmmmm. (Sara)
• A roommate told a story in Gospel Essentials about going fishing, but in Chinese the act of fishing also sounds like our equivalent of a very bad swear word. So for five minutes he talked about how he could feel Heavenly Fathers love through doing terrible things to fish over and over again all day with his friends. Everyone was dying of laughter. When every sound has seven tones it's easy to mess it up, even if you're about to go home! (Mike)
• My first prayer in the MTC. Bless... "Juk fuk". Yup, I said it... Even the teacher was literally ROFL.... LITERALLY. (Paul)
• I think I was teaching about Jesus Christ and said the character of Christ incorrectly with the wrong tone, which I think said pig. My teacher in the Mission Training Center started to laugh. (Gloria)
• Learn your correct sounds and tones!! (Lori)
• I used the word for Savior and pig incorrectly so I was representing a pig! (Gillian)

Here are free resources about the Colombia Bogota Mission:

• Mission address and phone number
• Mission map
• Missionary blogs
• Facebook groups
• LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
• List of past mission presidents
• Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
• Survey with RMs

*Other Mission Pages: Colombia LDS Missions.

---

---

Bogota Mission Address

Here's a recent address for the Colombia Bogota Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it's a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Colombia Bogota Mission Map

Here's a link to the mission map for the Colombia Bogota Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Bogota Mission: *Mission does not currently exist. (Browse LDS.org mission maps)

Bogota Missionary Blogs

Here's a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Colombia Bogota Mission. This list includes the missionary's name, URL and when their blog was updated. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Elder Connor Ross Tracy

elderconnorrosstracy.blogspot.com

2016

Bogota Mission Groups

Here are Colombia Bogota Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Bogota Mission.

1. Mision Colombia Bogota 1988-91 Group (118 members)
2. Colombia Bogota Mission -- Pres. Kirt M Olson (1977 - 1980) Group (36 members)
3. Reencuentro Mision Colombia Bogota 1984-1987 Group (23 members)
4. Colombia Bogota Mission 1974-1977 Group (1 member)

Bogota Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Colombia Bogota Mission! Shirt designs include Colombia Bogota Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Colombia Bogota missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. *Click here to browse Bogota Mission gifts

---

---

Bogota Mission Presidents

Here's a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Bogota LDS Mission.

1. 1992, Mission renamed Colombia Bogota North Mission.
2. 1991-1994, William L. Riley
3. 1988-1991, Bruce F. Carter
4. 1986-1988, Frank E. Barrett
5. 1983-1986, David H. Pratt
6. 1980-1983, James Dunn
7. 1977-1980, Kurt M. Olson
8. 1974-1977, David K. Richards
9. 1974, Mission created.

Colombia LDS Statistics (2016)

• Church Membership: 193,350
• Missions: 5
• Temples: 1
• Congregations: 264
• Family History Centers: 51

Helpful Articles about Colombia

Coming soon..

Bogota Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Colombia Bogota RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it's like to live in the mission. *Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission. When did you serve?

• 1987 (Liliana)
• 1981-1983 (John)
• 1980-1982 (William)
• 1978-1980 (David)
• 1977-1978 (Helena)
• 1978-1980 (Steve)
• 1978-1980 (David)
• 1969-1971 (William)

Which areas did you serve in?

• Bucaramanga, Bogotá. (Liliana)
• Bogota, Barranquilla and Bucaramunga. (John)
• Valledupar, Cucuta, Bucaramunga, Barranquilla, and Bogota. (William)
• Sogamoso, Ibague, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, Bogota, (2) Monteria, Pitalito. (David)
• Bogota, Bucaramanga, Ibague, Tunja, Sogamoso, Tierradentro. (Helena)
• Barranquila, Soacha, Giradot, Ibague, Nieva, Monteria, Garzon. (Steve)
• Cartagena, Bucaramanga, San Gil, Bogota, Barranquilla, Ibague, Kennedy, Neiva. (David)
• Cali, Medellin, Manizales, Bogota. (William)

What were some favorite foods?

• Changua. (Liliana)
• Arepas with eggs. (John)
• Arepa. Fruits...all of them. (William)
• Arroz con Pollo, Yucca, Pony Malta, Colombiana, Plantains. (David)
• Arepas and guava! Cheese bread in Sogamoso. (Helena)
• Not Arepas or Mondongo! Everything else was great!! (Steve)
• Believe it or not, I love rice and beans!! Tostones. Fried plantains. Arepas Santandereanas. (David)
• Empanadas from Manizales. Fruit juice (every home has electric blender) juice de mora (like raspberry). I'm from Texas and like rice and beans .  In Cali, you could get steak at the restaurant on the top of the Hotel and the price was less than a hamburger in the states. (William)

What was a funny experience?

• Ir a pescar. (Liliana)
• Zoo monkeys throwing feces on us. (John)
• Carnival. Maizena in the face. It was so absurd...and surprising. (William)
• Being suspended from the ceiling in a makeshift chapel in Monteria dressed as the Angel Moroni, during a show for the members. (David)
• Dog bite and military escorts. (Helena)
• I had Elder Catron dress as a lady...he was over 6 feet, in a play we conducted in Soacha. The local towns people loved the play and laughed hysterically at such a large person playing a female. But we got the spiritual message across and we converted many in that small town. (Steve)
• Not so funny in 1970, but my companion told me I had to explain to new convert (black 19 year old girl) that she couldn't go to the temple to be sealed . . . before the 1978 revelation on the Priesthood. Brother Brown (senior missionary - retired) gave a black baby blessing and promised him he would get the priesthood at age 12. Afterwards, the young missionary explained that the boy was black and could not receive the priesthood. . .  "No my problem, I was inspired to say that and now the Lord will take care of this matter." (William)

What was a crazy experience?

• Preparar un pavo para el acción de gracias. Un misionero se corto su dedo meñique. (Liliana)
• A group of youth were sizing us up to do us harm. Luckily, they did not. It could have been bad. (William)
• Being accused of being a spy by a troubled man who was armed with a pistol. (David)
• Anything in Tierradentro. (Helena)
• Being threatened by the Cartel to get out of Santa Marta! So we returned and served in Barranquilla. Then there was the time that I was to fly from Barranquilla to Bogota and the airport went on strike, so I took a bus! I was missing for days as the bus ride went from B'quilla to Cucuta, to B'munga, to Bogota. The mission was looking for me! It was a wonderful experience seeing Colombia by land!! (Steve)
• My companion and I were stoned (not the marijuana kind of stoned) in San Gil. (David)
• Nothing dangerous . . . not one time in all my mission was I sick . . . and we ate food from street vendors. Our President's wife said we would get sick and not to eat from those vendors. One set of elders lived above a rich home (mansion) . . . after the Presidential Election, he saw (from their apartment window) a body guard shot and killed. DO NOT GET POLITICAL IN COLOMBIA. (William)

What was a spiritual experience?

• Personas aceptando bautizarse inmediatamente después de las charlas. (Liliana)
• Helping an almost nun join The Church. (John)
• People willing to change. They could lay it all on the line to change. We changed a lot too. (William)
• Many baptisms and wonderful discussions. Seeing complete families baptized. (David)
• Baptizing a young couple, the Rodriguez family, with two very young children and finding out years later that over 75 members of their family have been baptized and some have served missions, become Bishops, been in Stake Presidencies, and been temple workers in Colombia and that now Barranquilla will soon have a temple. (Steve)
• A good friend from a ward in Bogota had a brother-in-law in Barranquilla that he took me to see. It was the most spiritual charla I was ever involved it. Sadly, he was way past feeling. (David)
• Getting a letter from a convert who said, "I have not been inactive for even one day!" His wife said she was born Catholic, raised Catholic, and would die Catholic. END of Story . . . After I left Cali, she was baptized and they went to the Washington DC Temple and were sealed together. :). (William)

What are some interesting facts about the Bogota Mission?

• Crecimiento espiritual, conversión de las personas, metas y hechos cumplidos, prueba superada. (Liliana)
• As a mission, we baptized over 500 people in a month, many times. (John)
• The beauty and diversity of the landscape in Colombia. The people are very beautiful too. (William)
• I was in 8 cities and was with the group that opened Monteria. I was a zone leader in Barranquilla. (David)
• It was an exceptional opportunity to learn and grow and many of the skill sets to think "outside the box" and resolve difficult problems came from my time as a missionary. (Steve)
• The grandson of a couple I baptized in Bogota was my son's District Leader in Lima. (David)
• David O. McKay called me to serve and I think that got me out of the War in Viet Nam. I got back and finished BYU about the time the war ended. I never spoke great Spanish. A teenager told me I spoke like her 3 year old brother. Then she said it didn't matter . . . "he understands us and we understand him, and that is all that matters". (of course this is my translation from Spanish to English) (William)

What was the weather like?

• En Bucaramanga, bastante calor. (Liliana)
• Bogota was cloudy, cool and often rainy. Barranquilla was hot and dry. But when it rained, it poured and the streets would fill up with rain water. Bucaramunga had perfect weather almost all the time. 72-75 almost every day. (John)
• Warm on the coast. Cool in Bogota. (William)
• Cool in the South. Warm in the North. (David)
• Nice, hot, cold depending where you are sent. (Helena)
• Weather was dependent upon the location. As you have highlands and cool temperatures to the Amazonia region and hot and wet climate. (Steve)
• The only places that really stood out were perpetual spring in Bucaramanga and incredible heat in Cartagena. (David)
• Perfect weather in Cali for me. Being from South West Texas and living in hot . . . hot weather . . . Cali was perfect year round. Bogota is famous . . . many are called, but few are frozen. (William)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

• Hermosos lugares y la gente avida de conocimiento. Su amabilidad, cariño. (Liliana)
• They would do anything for you. They'd prepare juices and nice meals for us and then not eat themselves because they didn't have enough. Very humble and loving people. (John)
• Made me feel at home. They were looking out for me in the same way my family would have been looking out for them. (William)
• Everything. (David)
• Great people. (Helena)
• The Colombian people are a loving and gracious people. It was an honor to serve them. (Steve)
• Very sweet people. I love the Colombian people. (David)
• Colombian's average height is less than my short 5' 9" . . . In school, I was the short kid. (William)

Any packing/clothing advice?

• Llevar almohada facil de comprimir. (Liliana)
• Never expect to get packages. The mail system is terrible. (John)
• Depends. If you will be serving in a warm mission (Barranquilla), pack light clothing. If serving in Bogota, pack for cool fall weather. (William)
• Everything is available in Colombia. I had beautiful suits made there. (David)
• Roll it up, light weight, you have to be able to carry it in cities, jungles, and mountains. (Helena)
• None. As a Boy Scout; always "Be Prepared." (Steve)
• Great wool suits in Colombia and less expensive. Take good walking shoes . . . my best shoes were USA made. (William)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

• Salud, conocimiento, prosperidad, buenos amigos, la compañía del Espíritu Santo; mi vida al servicio de La Iglesia. (Liliana)
• Learned to speak Spanish. Made great friends. (John)
• Lifelong friends. An understanding and love of the gospel. (William)
• My family was blessed by my service as was I. Many people were open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and many accepted baptism. (David)
• Too many to count. (Helena)
• I was blessed to serve the Colombians and got to know some very wonderful people and had the opportunity to convert many during my mission. (Steve)
• It changed my life completely. (David)
• My knowledge of the gospel went from 10 to 100. I always believed the Church as true . . . but know I know it is true. Learning Spanish is great second language. It gave me several college credits for taking a short test at BYU. (William)

What are some skills you gained?

• Amar a mi prójimo, servir a los demás, conocimiento del evangelio, expresarme en público. (Liliana)
• How to wash clothes by hand. (William)
• Mastery of the Spanish language. (David)
• Language in Spanish and Paez. Survival skills. How to do radio programs. How to build a baptismal font in a river. (Helena)
• My mission served me well and prepared me for a career of diplomacy and diplomatic missions in Latin America, North Africa, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. (Steve)
• I use my Spanish all the time--35 years later. (David)
• Being able to talk to anyone in any place on any subject. A mission is a time of learning and learning helps keep you young. Keeping a journal was never something I did before my mission, but now I enjoy this exercise and find it helpful in so many ways. (William)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

• Que la misión es la mejor parte de nuestra vida para desarrollar nuestro amor a nuestro Padre Celestial. (Liliana)
• Do more street contacts. (John)
• How to play the piano. (William)
• More about the culture. An better understanding of the political process and the Catholic Church. (David)
• Don't eat strawberries and cream. (Helena)
• Nothing! Better to go into your mission with a "clean slate" than preconceived concepts or ideas that will limit your experience. (Steve)
• It will be harder than you think, but it will be far more valuable as well. (David)
• The more you know the Book of Mormon, the better. I wish I had done more scripture study before my mission. (William)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Bogota?

• Que El Señor les cuidara y entre mas dedicados sean a las enseñanzas del Evangelio en su vida recibirán las bendiciones que recompensaran su tiempo y esfuerzo. (Liliana)
• Colombia has a huge range of classes of people. From the poorest to the wealthy. Expect to see it all within a few blocks. The people are warm and welcoming and will make you feel at home. They (non-members) will also want you to marry their daughters, so be sharp. Expect to walk a lot and in mud. Expect to have fleas in your bed. Expect to be on crowded buses. You will ride a lot of buses. (John)
• Love the people as your own. (William)
• Learn the Gospel and learn to recognize the Spirit in your life. (David)
• Work hard and do your best, be fully committed as it is a wonderful experience. (Steve)
• On Christmas day in 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball came to the MTC to speak to us. Among the many things he shared was something that has blessed my life tremendously: D&C 62:3. He said that it was a true promise and applied to us as much as to the missionaries to whom it was directed. We were directed to take advantage of our opportunity to bear witness of the truth of the Restoration. (David)
• I do believe that a mission of two years is better than four years of college. A mission helps you prepare for marriage and family. (William)

What was a funny language mistake?

• Palabras que en Ingles que se parecen en Español pero significan algo diferente. (Liliana)
• Many words in Spanish can be guessed. "Embarrassed" is not one of them. The Spanish "guess" for embarrassed is embarazada....which means pregnant. One way or another...you will probably experience that faux paux. (William)
• I was taught a song only sung in Cantinas by my first companion for a branch talent show. I have got a lot of mileage out of that one. (David)
• I asked a lady in the grocery store if, "Si tiene Leche?" instead of "Si hay Leche? I got slapped and did not know why at the moment, won't make that mistake again!! LOL (Steve)
• A member of my MTC district was confirming a new convert and he said: "colocamos nuestros cabezas sobre tus manos". (David)
• When I spoke Spanish with my Texas accent, the people thought I was speaking English. (William)

Here are free resources about the Colombia Medellin Mission:

• Mission address and phone number
• Mission map
• Missionary blogs
• Facebook groups
• LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
• List of past mission presidents
• Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
• Survey with RMs

*Other Mission Pages: Colombia LDS Missions.

---

---

Colombia Medellin Mission Address

Here's a recent address for the Colombia Medellin Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it's a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Colombia Medellin Mission Map

Here's a link to the mission map for the Colombia Medellin Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Medellin Mission:

1. Log into your LDS account here.
2. Click here.

Colombia Medellin Missionary Blogs

Here's a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Colombia Medellin Mission. This list includes the missionary's name, URL and when their blog was updated. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Elder Jayden Drake Dawson	elderjaydendawson.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Nathan King	eldern8king.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Joshua Harris	elderjoshuamichaelharris.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Bryan Ralphs	bryanralphscolombia.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Jayden Wadley	elderjaydenwadley.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Kai Hicken	elderkaihicken.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Elias Bobadilla	snsmissionaries.tumblr.com	2016
Elder Spencer Johnson	mymission.com/elderspencerjohnson	2015
Elder Alec Meyers	aleccolombiamission.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Jayden Rucker	elderjaydenrucker.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Nicholas Staley	missionsite.net/elderstaley	2014
Elder Jonathan Toronto	missionsite.net/elderjonathantoronto	2014
Elder Sam Milliron	samscolombianmission.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Cameron Strahm	missionsite.net/eldercameronstrahm	2012

Colombia Medellin Mission Groups

Here are Colombia Medellin Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Medellin Mission.

1. Misioneros Retornados Mision Medellin Group (144 members)
2. Medellin Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (3 members)

Colombia Medellin Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Colombia Medellin Mission! Shirt designs include Colombia Medellin Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Colombia Medellin missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. *Click here to browse Medellin Mission gifts

---

---

*Click here to see our new shirt design for the Colombia Medellin Mission:

---

---

Medellin Mission Presidents

Here's a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Medellin LDS Mission.

1. 2015-2018, Víctor R. Calderón Punto
2. 2012-2015, Roberto O. Pitarch

Colombia LDS Statistics (2016)

• Church Membership: 193,350
• Missions: 5
• Temples: 1
• Congregations: 264
• Family History Centers: 51

Helpful Articles about Colombia

Coming soon..

Colombia Medellin Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Colombia Medellin RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it's like to live in the mission. *Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission. When did you serve? What were some favorite foods? What was a funny experience? What was a crazy experience? What was a spiritual experience? What are some interesting facts about the Medellin Mission? What was the weather like? Any things you really like about the area/people? Any packing/clothing advice? What blessings did you receive from serving a mission? What are some skills you gained? What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission? Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Medellin? What was a funny language mistake?

Here are free resources about the Colorado Denver South Mission:

• Mission address and phone number
• Mission map
• Missionary blogs
• Facebook groups
• LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
• List of past mission presidents
• Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
• Survey with RMs

*Other Mission Pages: Colorado LDS Missions.

---

---

Denver South Mission Address

Here's a recent address for the Colorado Denver South Mission. We try to keep this info up to date, but it's a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Colorado Denver South Mission Map

Here's a link to the mission map for the Colorado Denver South Mission (LDS). To access the official LDS.org map for the Denver South Mission:

1. Log into your LDS account here.
2. Click here.

Denver South Missionary Blogs

Here's a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Denver South Mission. This blog list includes the missionary's name, URL and when their blog was updated. *Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Sister Ana	sisteranacolorado.blogspot.com	2017
Sister Madeline Richards	sistermaddierichards.blogspot.com	2017
Elder Nathan Turner	mymission.com/eldernathanturner	2016
Elder Dillon Franklin	elderdillonfranklin.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Dallin Pulsipher	dallinpulsipher.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Leona Voss	sistervosssunshineonmyshoulders.blogspot.com	2016
Elder Brennon Brimhall	brennonbrimhall.wordpress.com	2016
Sister Sherilyn Harper	hermanasherilynharper.blogspot.com	2016
Sister Bryana Parslow	mymission.com/sisterbryanaparslow	2015
Sister Erica Pierce	hermanapierce.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Katherine Koenig	sisterkoenig.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Jennifer Joslin	sisterjoslin.wordpress.com	2015
Sister Allison	sisterallison.blogspot.com	2015
Sister Kylie Hansen	kyliesbookofremembrance.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Jake Rogers	elderjakerogers.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Brendan Gilbert	missionsite.net/elderbrendangilbert	2015
Sister Mikilah Gregerson	sistergregerson.blogspot.com	2015
Elder Nicholas Austin	eldernickaustin.blogspot.com	2015
Mission Alumni	mission.net/colorado/denver/south	2014
Sister Emily McRae	sistermcrazy.wordpress.com	2014
Sister Kaylee Johnson	sisterkayleejohnson.blogspot.com	2014
Sister Andersyn Adair	missionadventuresforsisteradair.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Alec Bowler	elderalecbowler.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Arthur Gonzalez	elderarthurgonzalez.blogspot.com	2014
Sister Sarah Noakes	sistersarahnoakes.blogspot.com	2014
Elder Bruce	cdsmbruce.wordpress.com	2014
Elder Anders Jacobson	missionsite.net/elderandersjacobson	2014
Elder Jacob McGee	missionsite.net/elderjacobmcgee	2014
Elder Peter Redd	elderpeterredd.blogspot.com	2014
Sister Kendra Gampe	kendragampe.blogspot.com	2014
Sister Kristy Partridge	missionsite.net/sisterkristypartridge	2013
Elder James Messina	missionsite.net/elderjamesmessina	2013
Sister Kayla Marshall	missionsite.net/sisterkaylamarshall	2013
Elder Joshua Hatfield	hattyincolorado.blogspot.com	2013
Elder Brandon Bringhurst	elderbrandonbringhurst.blogspot.com	2013
Sister Allison Spencer	saucyscientist.blogspot.com	2012
Elder Tanner Scheurer	missionsite.net/eldertannerscheurer	2012
Elder Benjamin Dale	missionsite.net/elderbenjamindale	2011
Elder Austin Cox	missionsite.net/elderaustincox	2011
Elder Matthew Watkins	elderwatkins.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Damon Janis	damonsmission.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Thomas Stevenson	elderstevenson.blogspot.com	2011
Elder Garth Forsyth	rexnbet.typepad.com/blog	2010
President & Sister Christison	christisonsmission.blogspot.com	2008

Denver South Mission Groups

Here are Denver South Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Denver South Mission.

1. Denver South Mission - Pres. Maynes Group (328 members)
2. Denver South Mission (Ludwig) Group (155 members)
3. Denver South Mission (Fleming Years) Group (139 members)
4. Colorado Denver South Mission Moms Group (90 members)
5. Colorado Denver South Mission 2007-10 Group (5 members)
6. Colorado Denver South Mission 1996-01 Group (4 members)

Denver South Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Colorado Denver South Mission! Shirt designs include Colorado Denver South Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL.  The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you. *Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Colorado Denver South missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments. *Click here to browse Denver South Mission gifts

---

---

Denver South Mission Presidents

Here's a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Denver South LDS Mission.

1. 2016-2019, Kirk D. Gifford
2. 2013-2016, J. Blake Murdock
3. 2010-2013, Alan R. Maynes
4. 2004-2007, Roger B. Wright
5. 2001-2003, Robert Ludwig
6. 1996-1999, Royall E.S. Charsley
7. 1993-1996, Donovan Fleming
8. 1990-1993, William K. Farrar
9. 1987-1990, Nile A. Sorenson
10. 1981-1984, Rulon E. Rasmussen
11. 1978-1981, Jack R. Wheatley
12. 1975-1978, Lambourne B. Gerald
13. H. Lamont Matkin

Colorado LDS Statistics (2016)

• Church Membership: 151,580
• Missions: 4
• Temples: 1
• Congregations: 312
• Family History Centers: 63

Helpful Articles about Colorado

Coming soon..

Denver South Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Colorado Denver South RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it's like to live in the mission. When did you serve?

• 2013-2015 (Terrance)

What were some favorite foods?

• Sushi, steak, potatoes and fajitas. (Terrance)

What was a funny experience?

• One time we jumped bikes with some kids behind their house and totally wrecked. (Terrance)

What was a crazy/dangerous experience?

• I had a super safe mission. The most dangerous thing I ever did was eat sweet potatoes. I HATE sweet potatoes. (Terrance)

What was a spiritual experience?

• I loved listening to converts bear their testimonies in church meetings. (Terrance)

What are some interesting facts about the Denver South Mission? What was the weather like?

• Sunny 300 days/year. (Terrance)

What do you like about the place/people you served?

• They are very kind and generally Christian. That made things easier. (Terrance)

Any packing/clothing advice?

• Follow your manual. It's pretty well put together. (Terrance)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

• Faith in Jesus Christ and a greater love for people. Also I feel confident in the Lord's ability to support me. (Terrance)

What are some skills you gained on your mission?

• Teaching experience. Decision making. Priority setting. Planning abilities. (Terrance)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

• What I knew at the end..haha. Actually I wish I'd been taught more effective teaching methods. (Terrance)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Denver South?

• Learn to work hard. Work ethic is everything. (Terrance)

What was a funny language mistake?

• Didn't know what Rocky Mountain oysters were. (Terrance)