Misión Chile Viña del Mar
Here are free resources about the Chile Viña del Mar Mission:
Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión Chile Viña del Mar:
- 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
4 Norte 1112
Casilla 631
Vina del Mar
Valparaiso
4 Norte 1112
Casilla 631
Vina del Mar
Valparaiso
Chile
Phone Number: 56-322-976-080
Phone Number: 56-322-976-080
Mission President: President Raúl Díaz Navarro
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:
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.
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.
- Vina del Mar S.U.D. (Pres. Eduardo Lamartine) Group (321 members)
- Mision Vina del Mar- Presidente Wilhelm Group (265 members)
- Mision Vina del Mar 2012-2015 Facebook Group (232 members)
- Chile Vina del Mar Missionary Moms Group (128 members)
- Mision Vina del Mar (Pres. Killian y Taylor) Group (117 members)
- Chile Vina del Mar Mission Facebook Group (44 members)
- Vina del Mar Mission Moms and Friends (LDS) Group (23 members)
- Misioneros Retornados Vina del Mar (1990-95) Group (1 member)
- 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.
- 2015-2018, Raúl Díaz Navarro
- 2012-2015, Federico M. Kähnlein
- 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
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)
- Four 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)