Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
(Get this design on a T-shirt!)
Free resources about the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission:
Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión Ecuador Guayaquil Sur:
- 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: Ecuador LDS Missions.
Guayaquil South Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Ecuador Guayaquil 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.
Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission
Casilla 09-04-566
Guayaquil, Guayas
Ecuador
Phone Number: 593-4-228-2454
Mission President: President Pablo Moreno Hortua
Guayaquil South Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Guayaquil South Mission:
Videos with Guayaquil South RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Guayaquil South Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
LDS-Friendly Videos about Ecuador
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Ecuador. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Ecuador, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Guayaquil South Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Guayaquil South Mission Groups
Here are Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Guayaquil South Mission.
- Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission Facebook Group (1,138 members)
- Retornados Mision Guayaquil Sur Facebook Group (139 members)
- Mision Ecuador Guayaquil Sur Facebook Group (135 members)
- Mision Guayaquil Sur El Faro y Miembros SUD Group (57 members)
- Guayaquil South Pres. Pablo Fernandez 95-98 Group (54 members)
- Mision Guayaquil Sur (Presidente Caldwell) Group (10 members)
- Guayaquil South Mission- Pres. Walter F. Gonzalez Group (4 members)
Guayaquil South Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission!
Shirt designs include Ecuador Guayaquil 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: Ecuador Guayaquil South missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Guayaquil South Mission gifts
Guayaquil South Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Guayaquil South LDS Mission.
- 2016-2019, Pablo Moreno Hortua
- 2013-2016, Maxsimo C. Torres
- 2010-2013, Javier R. Montalti
- 2007-2010, Williams Scott Johns
- 2004-2007, Keith Birch Caldwell Jr.
- 2001-2004, Lance Tillman Willis
- 1998-2001, Robert S. Gabbitas
- 1995-1998, Pablo Fernandez Valenzuela
- 1992-1995, James A. Aulestia
- 1989-1992, Walter Fermin Gonzalez N.
- 1986-1989, J. Lynn Shawcroft
- 1983-1986, John Berge
- 1981-1983, James Jesperson
- 1981, Dale Inkley
- 1978-1981, William “Jack” Mitchell
Ecuador LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 229,294
- Missions: 5
- Temples: 1
- Congregations: 308
- Family History Centers: 45
Helpful Articles about Ecuador
Guayaquil South Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Ecuador Guayaquil South 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?
- 2014-2015 (Rebecca)
- January 2013-July 2014 (Sarah)
- 2010-2012 (Ty)
- 2009-2010 (Lane)
- 2001-2003 (Matt)
- 2000-2002 (Tyler)
- 1999-2001 (George)
- 1994-1996 (Chad)
- June 1993-1995 (Robert)
- 1991-1993 (Jared)
- 1996-1998 (Joshua)
- May 2009-December 2010 (Ann)
- 2011-2013 (Valerie)
- 2011-2013 (Anonymous)
- 1995-1997 (Ryan)
- 2012-2013 (Sara)
- 2011-2013 (Joshua)
- 2010-2012 (Daniel)
- 1998 – 2000 (Cesar)
- 1984-1985 (Melanie)
- 1972-1974 (Richard)
What areas did you serve in?
- Cuenca, Galapagos, Santa Rosa, Loja, and Pasaje. (Rebecca)
- Guayaquil. (Lane)
- Machala and Guayaquil. (Ty)
- Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Milagro. (Matt)
- La Troncal, Cuenca-Totoracocha, Puerto Liza, and Guasmo sur. (Tyler)
- Puerto Liza, El Cisne, Cuenca, Huancavilca, and Milagro. (George)
- Guayaquil, Babahoyo, Machala, and Pajan. (Chad)
- Milagro, Suburbio, Centenario, Letamendi, Santa Rosa, Azoguez. (Jared)
- Guayaquil, Milagro, Asoguez. (Joshua)
- Guayaquil, Milagro, Cuenca, Machala. (Ann)
- Milagro, Guayaquil, Santa Rosa. (Valerie)
- Milagro, Guayaquil, Machala, Cuenca. (Anonymous)
- Milagro, Santa Rosa, Machala. (Sara)
- Loja, Guasmo, la Troncal, el Triunfo, Milagro. (Joshua)
- Guayaquil: El batallon, La Isla Trinitaria, puerto Nuevo, río Jubones, Calderón. Machala: La Aurora, Puerto Bolivar. Santa Rosa. Arenillas y Huaquillas. KM 26. Loja. (Daniel)
- Sur, Cuenca, Salado, Piñas, San Carlos. (Cesar)
- Cuenca, Barrio Lindo, Loja, Catamayo, Asoguez. It was the Ecuador Guayaquil Mission back then. (Melanie)
- Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Milagro and visited most others as an Office Elder. Ecuador was just one mission back then. (Richard)
What were some favorite foods?
- Encebollado, patacones, yapingacho, caldo de bola, and crema de brocoli/espinaca con canguil. (Rebecca)
- Arroz con menestra, carne frita, patacones, sopa de queso, caldo de bolas, seco de pollo, salchipapas. (Sarah)
- Guatita, arroz marinero, encebollado, ceviche, pescado frito. The homemade juices are amazing! Also worth trying the chuzo and papipollo as well as Polaca that they sell in the streets. ALWAYS EAT ALL OF YOUR FOOD. THE MEMBERS WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT AND YOU WILL LEARN TO LOVE SOME OF THE NOT SO APPETIZING THINGS BY THE TIME YOU GO HOME. (Ty)
- Chicken and rice. (Lane)
- Arroz con menestra (rice and flavored beans), patacones and maduros fritos (different versions of fried banana), and cuy (roasted guinea pig – seriously, though, it was delicious). (Matt)
- Arroz con menestra Patacones Maduro. (Tyler)
- Carne Asada, Papa Crema, Corn Cob on a stick, Lentil Soup, Sopa de Maiz, and fresh bread from the local panaderia’s. (George)
- Carne Asada y Arroz con Menestra y Patacones. And dont forget the Ahi. (Chad)
- Seco de pollo (a chicken dish with rice), Maduros fritos (fried ripe plantains), patacones (cooked green plantains). (Robert)
- Frijoles, arroz con patacones y pescado frito Morrocho. (Jared)
- Arroz con menestra, patecones, guiño frito, arroz con pollo, jugo de maracuya, (Joshua)
- Patacones! Anything made with platanos pretty much, ceviche, pollo asado, pan de Cuenca, sopa de queso, menestra de frijoles, cangrejo! (Ann)
- Patacones, chifles, beans, chicken, beef, soups (cheesey noodle soup). (Valerie)
- Arroz con menestra y pollo frito, PATACONES, carne frita con la ensalada de remolacha. (Anonymous)
- Carne asada. Arroz con minestra. Caldo de pescado. Bread and pastries from little shops. (Ryan)
- Patacones (fried/smashed/fried again plantains) Menestra (can’t remember how to spell it) – basically lentils/beans in a sauce Arroz con pollo (rice w/chicken). (Sara)
- Cerviche de camarron. Sopa de queso. Encebollado. (Joshua)
- Carne asada, camarón apanado, jugo de maracuyá, jugo de coco, avena polaca, pan caliente….. and everything else. (Daniel)
- Patacones, Limonada en vaso de aluminio, huevos estrellados con arroz (con el volcán de arroz). (Cesar)
- Ceviche de cameron, Sorbete de guineo, menestra, yapingachos, (sp). (Melanie)
- All the fruit. Platanos in every form. Lomo a la Plancha. Ceviche. Chancho hornado. (Richard)
What was a funny experience?
- One time, I was in a new area and had to play the piano for a funeral. My last name means yesterday in Spanish, so the bishop of that ward enjoyed calling me “Hermana Yesterday” instead of “Hermana Ayer.” So at the funeral, he told the brother conducting that “Hermana Yesterday” would be playing the piano, thinking that the brother would still call me “Hermana Ayer.” No. That did not happen. He announced the program and said that “Hermana Yesterday va a tocar el piano.” How embarrassing! I started laughing because it was so ridiculous, and then remembered I was at a funeral and tried to stop, after making laughing eye contact with my companion and with the bishop. (Sarah)
- Dogs! Most anything that happens with dogs is pretty funny. Lot of them are some of the most hideous things you will ever see in your life. (Ty)
- My companion and I were walking down the road and two women were following behind us and were speaking somewhat loudly in Spanish about how attractive that they thought we were. It was apparent that they assumed that we could not speak Spanish. After letting them carry on a while, we stopped and said, “Do you realize that we speak Spanish and have understood everything that you have been saying?” The women were mortified and ran off laughing and blushing. (Matt)
- Companion throwing his lunch up on the side of the road, turning his back on it and kicking dust on to it. (Tyler)
- Anything along Malecon 2000. (George)
- Having the little kids try and speak English to any American elder. A guy getting on a city bus and doing cartwheels down the aisle trying to get money for performing. (Chad)
- Too many to list! Teaching a kid about the gospel my companion said, “someday you can be a missionary too.” And he looked super terrified, and he said, “I don’t want to be a prisoner!” He thought my companion had said ‘prisionero’ not ‘misionero’ we all laughed. (Ann)
- We ran four blocks after a bus because my companion left her planner on it. (Valerie)
- Mi compañera aplastó mi cara en mi torta de cumpleaños. Casi muero de sofocar. (Anonymous)
- Having a taxi in Loja trying too hit us. He drove around block and tried to run over us again. We were just too quick. I threw my banana at him and we laughed. (Ryan)
- So many things. Drunk people calling out to us (sisters) and saying, “Elderes, ya voy a la iglesia!” (Sara)
- Getting splashed with mud by passing buses. (Sara)
- Me cai de un puente en las invasiones de una altura de a 10 pies a lodo lleno de heces humanos. Luego, sin lavarme, tuve que repartir el sacramento con los pies oliendose de los mismos heces y causando que todos cubrieran su narizes por el olor tan terrible en el edificio alquilado por la Iglesia. (Jared)
- Everything. (Joshua)
- Mango fell out of tree and killed a rooster during a lesson. (Daniel)
- Estar en el parque central con las iguanas, de paseo en el cementerio. (Cesar)
- When an Elder wanted a tomato and instead of saying tomate he said te mato. the clerk held up his hands in mock horror and said Aye por favor, no. (Melanie)
- While I served as the Mission Public Relations Director, we arranged a meeting with Elder Harman Rector Jr and with the President of Ecuador (Guillermo Rodriguez de Lara). As I made the introductions, the Presidente shook with his left hand. I assumed it was a special dignitary handshake. I signaled to Elder Rector and my Mission President to shake with their left hand. Then I noticed in the photos later that the Presidente had a broken right hand. (Richard)
What was a crazy experience?
- When we talked to a drugged man on the side of the street at night who didn’t walk away. (Rebecca)
- One time, my companion and I were crossing the street with a member when a little mototaxi (motorcycle taxi) drove up behind us. A man got off the taxi, then got back on and drove away. My companion and I didn’t even realize this had any significance until the member told us we did a really good at job at keeping calm. We asked him what had happened and he said that the man who got off the mototaxi was on his way toward us and the guy driving said, “Not them! Don’t rob them!” So the man turned around, got back on the mototaxi and drove away. We were definitely protected by the Spirit to not realize the danger we could have been in, because I may have reacted differently if this man had tried to approach us and rob us. (Sarah)
- Had a gun pulled on me by a gang member asking for money. I told him I had a tiny bit of money but would much rather buy him food if he was hungry. He agreed to that and after that time he would always tell us the he was protecting us from other gangs and that he had our backs. (Ty)
- I was robbed 4 times, which was probably a little more than the average for the areas I was in, which were some of the rougher areas in the entire mission. I never had much. A few dollars and teaching materials. It sounds scarier than it actually was. Just give them what they want, and don’t carry anything of monetary value. (Matt)
- On a the last bus before a strike began, hanging on the handle that people use to get up the stairs of the bus and one foot on the bus floor. Rest of my body was outside the bus traveling for 15 minutes like this at 50 mph. (Tyler)
- Everything in Guayaquil South mission. Got bit by a 140 lb wolf-dog. Ate unpasteurized eggs, got a stomach bug for 4 days, lost 40 lbs. Walking on wooden bridges over water and falling through. Proselytizing in areas where un-employed males were constantly watching our every move. Riding in a taxi… (George)
- Traveling on the bus at night and watching the bus driver get beat up and robbed. Not fun for anyone. (Chad)
- I was hit by a car while crossing the street to go to the hospital for a clinic visit. (Robert)
- One time someone tried to rob me by taking my bag on my shoulder but I judo chopped his hand and he ran off. (Ann)
- I was tackled to the ground from behind when two guys attempted to rob us. All they ended up taking was my watch (inexpensive) and my companion’s money (like $1). Neither one of us were hurt. (Valerie)
- Only been out 3 weeks in the city of Pasaje. We were out tracting when a man on a motorcycle came up yelling. Su apartmento esta quemando. Your apartment is on fire! I didn’t understand what he said but my companion looked a little worried as he translated it. Ouch. It was everything on my side of the apartment I guess my fan started it. Welcome to Ecuador. Ah it didn’t… matter there was a seamstress in ward and I paid him to make me clothes and they were awesome. Don’t get too stressed …you are on the Lords errand. (Ryan)
- I always felt very safe on my mission. Although I hated all the dogs. (Sara)
- None! I felt safe! (Sara)
- Cuando me sali del apartamento casi a medianoche por la inspiracion del Espiritu en Centenario y pude intervenir y cesar una persona de asesinar a otra persona en la calle mientras otra gente alrededor estuvieron peleandose entre pandillas y lo desarme y lo devolvi a su casa como un saco de papas y todos no fueron danados. (Jared)
- Getting robbed. (Joshua)
- Ladrones, pueda ver la maldad en los ojos. (Anonymous)
- Robbed at gunpoint behind a cemetery. (Daniel)
- It was a time of political unrest. We were trapped in the meeting house in Loja when an angry mob gathered outside. They were angry at the United States and we missionaries were the only ones from the United States in Loja. We didn’t know what to do. But at 1:00, the mob dispersed for lunch and siesta. (Melanie)
- Working in the mission office (back then it was by the Hotel Quito), I was driving one of the two mission vehicles. The Assistant to the President and I dropped off some missionaries at the airport and, upon return, were hit by a drunk driver. The officer escorted us to a repair shop of the drunk’s friend. We went back some days later and the Jeep Wagoneer was all fixed. (Richard)
What was a spiritual experience?
- We taught an atheist who had quite an interest in reading the Book of Mormon. He finally came to church instead of going to work… then he started repenting and got baptized! (Rebecca)
- One special experience in particular started when my companion and I were assigned to an area where all the sisters had previously been taken out and we had to pretty much start from scratch. There was stake conference that next Sunday, so we spent most of our time that week inviting people to the conference. When Sunday came, there was a family in another ward who brought a cousin who lived in our area to the stake conference. This 22-year-old girl looked like she would be the last person on the earth to be interested in our message—she had multiple piercings in her ears, a nose ring, ripped jeans, and dyed hair. We got her information, visited her that week, and that lesson was one of the most powerful lessons I had been in. We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, and when this girl heard about the possibility of finding faith in Christ, the reality of repentance, and the opportunity to be baptized in His church, she started to cry and said that is what she wanted. The whole lesson was directed by the Spirit, as well as every lesson following it. This girl had to face her parents, bear her testimony, and let them know of her real interest in becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When they saw how much she wanted this, they gave her permission and said they would all work toward becoming members of the Church as well. (Sarah)
- Every day is a spiritual experience as you serve among some of God’s most humble children. (Ty)
- So many to choose from. Every day was packed full of them. A highlight for me was seeing a family that I baptized earlier in my mission get sealed a year later in the Guayaquil Temple. My mission president was kind enough to let me take the time to attend their sealing. (Matt)
- Watching an evil man slowly be converted to the gospel over a period of four months. He was bad news before we came at his wife’s request. He took his family to the temple one year later. (Tyler)
- Ecuador Guayaquil Temple. Bringing the gospel to investigators. Baptizing new members. Everyday was a blast. (George)
- That moment when you asked an investigator to get baptized and you knew what the answer would be before they even said yes. (Chad)
- We were knocking on doors to see if anyone would listen to our message. We were not having any success all day, and we were very discouraged. That day it was raining, it was cold, and we were discouraged, so we decided to go back to our apartment. As we turned to walk away, I felt a distinct impression that we should knock one more door. We knocked one more door and a woman came to the door. She stated her daughter was not home, so we should come back later. Her daughter was a less-active member. We shared our message with her, and she was baptized. Her daughter returned to church and brought many friends. Many people were baptized because of this one door. She eventually became a temple worker and remained faithful to the Lord. (Robert)
- Escuchar la voz de El Senor guiarme a familias escondidas detras de la catedral Catolica , en medio de un campo de maiz, en Azogues quienes aceptaron el evangelio. (Jared)
- Ummm… the whole mission! Haha! It was one big ball of spiritual. (Ann)
- We had a 15 year old boy who desperately wanted to be baptized but his mom knew that meant he would serve a mission eventually, so she didn’t want him to be baptized and leave her. The boy fasted and prayed for weeks (so did we) and the night his mother finally gave her consent is one I will never forget. We had watched a church movie about the Savior and the spirit was so strong. Both she and her son were crying, and she gave her consent. (Valerie)
- Encontrando el hombre y su familia que había visto en un sueño.. Y se bautizó! (la esposa fue menos activa). (Anonymous)
- The Bishop and I gave Dora a blessing. We had taught her for 3 months then she hurt her back and wasn’t able to walk for a week. She stood up afterwards all pain left and she was fine. We baptized her the last day I was in the area. Spirit was so strong. During baptism that there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. (Ryan)
- So many. Teaching people every day. Singing hymns, hearing them pray. (Sara)
- Everything. (Joshua)
- Finding chosen people through miraculous spiritual experiences. (Daniel)
- Ver la construcción del Templo y entrar. (Cesar)
- When my companion and I prayed for inspiration and went to the park and found over 20 references. (Melanie)
- Baptizing the family of Manuel Villacis and Ricardo Villacis in 1973. They were truly a golden family. Without the communication options of today, I lost track of them long ago. (Richard)
What are some interesting facts about the Guayaquil South Mission?
- Every zone in the mission had assigned missionary nurses to take care of our needs. (Rebecca)
- Guayaquil is the city that baptizes most in the world. There is one area in which the people speak Quichua, a relative of the Quechua language. (Sarah)
- I’m not sure if it is still this way or not, but at the time I served the Galapagos Islands were in my mission. I never got to go but it was fun to wonder if I’d get sent there each time transfers came around. Picking your nose was okay and not considered gross, but it was very impolite to not cover your mouth while yawning. (Ty)
- We have the Galapagos Islands! (Lane)
- The famed Galapagos Islands are have an area where missionaries serve there (only two elders who serve in the branch presidency during my mission years). (Matt)
- The Spanish spoken in the coastal areas sounds like the Spanish from Mexico. The Spanish spoken in the mountain regions sounds very different, and takes time to understand. (Robert)
- Las invasiones estuvieron expandiendose y pudimos charlar en qualquier lado. (Jared)
- I don’t know what kind of interesting facts you’re looking for. Everything was interesting, it was Ecuador! (Ann)
- It was hot and carnival was crazy fun. We threw hundreds of water balloons. They were just starting a temple when I left. In Ecuador, it was crazy dirty 3rd world. I’ve been told it is clean now. We used sucres as money. Everything was very inexpensive. NOT SO NOW. (Ryan)
- It’s crazy hot. (Joshua)
- You will never be dry for 2 years. If you come chubby, you leave skinny, if you come skinny you leave chubby. (Daniel)
- Bautisar a una familia que tenían integrantes inactivos. (Cesar)
- Under President Berge, we had an unusually large group of sisters and most of us were Welfare Services missionaries which meant we served 50% of our time on welfare issues. (Melanie)
- I’m sure it’s changed a ton since I was there. We had about 50 missionaries covering the entire country. All the LDS churches were very small, rented buildings. There were no LDS buildings. We opened lots of cities to the work in my two years there. After leaving the mission office assignment, I spent my final 4 months opening the city of Milagro and baptized the first members there. I visited pretty much every city in Ecuador where missionaries worked from Ibarra to Cuenca to Portoviejo. We climbed Pichincha and visited Chimborazo, Tungurahua and drove all over the country on assignments. (Richard)
What was the weather like?
- In the mountains, it was rainy and cold but suddenly it would flash sunny hot. In the coast it was hot and humid and sometimes sprinkle (almost always gray clouds overhead). On the islands, barely ever rained and sunny all the time with a nice ocean breeze now and again. (Rebecca)
- The weather is a constant 85-90 degrees on the coast and 55-60 degrees and rainy in the mountains. So you need clothes that can get hot, sweaty, and dirty on the coast as well as clothes to protect you from the rain and cold of the mountains. (Sarah)
- Really hot and humid. It sucks at first, but you just get used to sweating all the time in a white shirt and tie. (Ty)
- Hot and humid. All the time. (Lane)
- Weather depends in part where you are serving. In the mountainous areas like Cuenca, Loja, etc., it never really gets too hot. If you’re on the coast somewhere like Guayaquil, I remember two main seasons (instead of 4). Its really rainy, humid and hot during the rainy season, and dry and less hot during the dry season. I thought it would just rain less during the dry season, but in fact, it literally never rained at all during that season when I was there. (Matt)
- Two seasons. Hot and wet. Hotter and wetter. (Tyler)
- Hot. Humid. More Humid when it rains. (George)
- Hot and muggy in the summer months. Then hotter and muggier during the winter months along with the downpour of rain. Stayed on the coast my entire mission so I never got cold or wore a jacket. (Chad)
- Very hot, especially during the months of OCTOBER-FEBRUARY. The sun rises and sets at 6am and 6pm every day of the year- it never changes because it is on the equator. (Robert)
- Calor, lluvia, calor con lluvia, un poco menos de calor. Estuve durante el tiempo de El Nino y llovio muchisimo en las costa, especialmente cerca de la 3ra callejon P y el otro lado de la carretera. (Jared)
- Hot! Humid! Hottttt! But the mountains area in Cuenca was cool and sometimes cold at night. Fluctuated between hot and cooler, which felt cold after being in the heat. Rained occasionally in Cuenca as well. (Ann)
- Hot but dry during the U.S.’s “fall season” and then hot, rainy, and humid during the “spring season”. (Valerie)
- CALOR!! (Anonymous)
- Hot everywhere. But Loja got cold. (Ryan)
- Hot – but I like the hot weather. Always. I served in Milagro, Santa Rosa, and Machala. (Sara)
- HOT. Rainy. Hot. Muddy. (Sara)
- Crazy hot. Crazy humid. (Joshua)
- Hot and humid during one season…. hotter and more humid during the other. (Daniel)
- Mayormente con calor, lluvia y frío en Cuenca. (Cesar)
- The weather was very humid half the year and dry and a little cooler the other half. However, I served most of my time in the mountains and it was warm during the day and cooler at night. (Melanie)
- The mountain areas have spring-like weather year round. The coast is hot and humid. I imagine the weather hasn’t changed much. (Richard)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- They showed their love by sharing food with us. They were warm and friendly (for the most part) even to us foreigners/strangers. (Rebecca)
- Everyone is so generous and kind! They will give you the little food they just made for their dinner and then just eat rice with a fried egg on top for themselves so that they can serve you. Everyone is very faith-filled in Ecuador, whether they just believe in God on the coast or are very Catholic in the mountains. (Sarah)
- The people are some of the most humble you will ever meet. They will always say hi and ask how you’re doing even if they don’t know you. Love them and they will love you back ten times as much. (Ty)
- Ecuador is a cool country. I unfortunately didn’t get to see much of it, partially due to having to return early due to my aforementioned sickness, and partially due to the ridiculous constraints placed on a missionary’s schedule. (Lane)
- People in Ecuador in general are very nice and generous (even though they may not have a lot). It was extremely common to hear the Ecuadorian version of “mi casa es su casa.” In Ecuador I regularly heard “estan en su casa”, or you are in your house. (Matt)
- Humble. Simple. Caring. Thoughtful. In despair and in need of the gospel. (Tyler)
- All of the people were nice and humble. Nobody hated the Mormons or the Americans. They always seemed to be happy too even if they lived in poverty. (Chad)
- They are very humble. They are the most humble people I have ever met and they live in the most humble circumstances I have seen. (Robert)
- La gente responderia a los saludos aun si no quisieron y si no nos conocieron. (Jared)
- Such kindness from the people, very loving, friendly, and welcoming. I loved being with them, in their homes and wherever. (Ann)
- People, for the most part, are very friendly and inviting. Humble. (Valerie)
- Su amor. Siempre estaban dispuestos de compartir lo que tenían. (Anonymous)
- PEOPLE WERE WONDERFUL. Humble. I hardly ever knocked on doors just mingled with the people. We wore out the hymn books singing. I’ll bet we sang more than we prayed. I still years later sing some of the songs in Spanish when at church. They were better in Spanish. (Ryan)
- So friendly – they never want to tell you no. They love to feed you – I felt bad because they didn’t have a lot – but they would feed us. (Sara)
- Very humble and friendly. (Sara)
- The people are the best ever! (Joshua)
- Humility and love of Christ has them prepared to accept the message before you ever get there. Natural abundance and beauty everywhere you look. (Daniel)
- Personas cariñosas y humildes. (Cesar)
- The people were so open and warm. (Melanie)
- The mountain areas like Quito are beautiful. The people are amazing. I love the Ecuadorians. (Richard)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Roll up the clothes and research whether there are cold/hot areas in your mission because you sometimes think only about the main city of the mission and forget about the areas you’ll be serving in. (Rebecca)
- Bring clothes that can get hot, sweaty, and dirty while you’re on the coast as well as clothes to protect you from the rain and cold of the mountains. They give you a pillow when you get to the mission, so don’t worry about bringing one of those. Also, don’t worry about bug spray because you can get a pretty good bug repellent down there. (Sarah)
- Take at least 2 pair of good shoes and rotate them. Everyone swears by Ecco shoes, but mine fell apart. I had some waterproof rockports and they lasted my entire mission. (Ty)
- No, the packet they give you is a decent guide. (Lane)
- Take multiple durable shoes. I went through 3 sturdy pairs. Keep in mind that there is (at least there was) a lot of walking in this mission. No bikes or cars. Sometimes bus. Lots of walking on paved and unpaved roads. Unpaved roads in the wet season mean muddy roads. Your shoes will take a beating. (Matt)
- Stay dry. Invest in gold bond. ALWAYS sleep with a bug net. Only drink water from known quality source. (Tyler)
- Pack light. Bare necessities. Bring good pictures to motivate you. (George)
- Get some good shoes like Doc Martins. Had two pair of Doc Martins and they lasted the entire mission. Other elders brought dress shoes and they lasted 6 months…and at the time you really could not buy a good pair of shoes that would last long. Take a few pair of Dockers pants…whatever color you prefer. We couldn’t wear dockers in the MTC, but the moment you get to Ecuador all the elders were wearing them and I wish I would have had 2 or 3 pairs of them to use. (Chad)
- You won’t need a lot of warm clothes. Good, sturdy, shoes are very important, because they do not have cars or bikes in these areas, so you do lots and lots of walking. During the rainy season it is very muddy. (Robert)
- Ropa durable; especialmente zapatos si uno tiene pies mas del tamano 10 en EEUU. (Jared)
- It’s hot if you’re on the coast and humid so wear breathable clothing. I recommend a jacket if you’re in the mountains at all, it gets fairly chilly. (Ann)
- Don’t bring silky garments. The best are a type of cotton blend (they dry faster after sweating and washing). Pack clothes that breathe well and don’t wrinkle easily. (Valerie)
- Telas que puedan aguantar y que serían fáciles lavar por mano. (Anonymous)
- Get good walking shoes. Docks. I would suggest crocks. Expensive but cushion is awesome. (Ryan)
- Bring good shoes. Bring light clothing and maybe some warmer clothing if you end up in Cuenca or Loja. (Sara)
- There are cold and warm places in the mission. Bring clothes that dry quickly and also bring a few jackets to stay warm if you go to Cuenca. (Sara)
- Breathable, light clothes with tough, durable shoes. (Joshua)
- Don’t waste weight or space on products like shampoo or soap.. they have plenty there. Bring extra shoes, socks, and garments. Smaller the camera the better, but nothing pricey. (Daniel)
- Normal; para servicios tenis, playera y pnataloneta o pantalon de lona; para proselitar camisa manga larga si no se quiere quemar o usar protector solar, buenos zapatos es decir suela gruesa, pantalones de tela formal como de costumbre. (Cesar)
- Well when I was there, our clothing was all washed in cement basins and our garments wore out. I needed extra pairs. I don’t think that is the case now. (Melanie)
- It’s all changed now I’m sure. (Richard)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I received the blessings of a better relationship with my family and my Heavenly Father. (Rebecca)
- I have learned so much about the simplicity and importance of the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My testimony of my Savior and His Atonement has deepened, as well, and I now realize the importance of having a Church, because without the organization of the Church, we could not receive all the ordinances necessary to attain exaltation. (Sarah)
- A beautiful wife and son. A desire to stay faithful to my covenants with the Lord. A desire to serve God and continue doing missionary work throughout my life. Lost a lot of weight 🙂 (Ty)
- The blessing of perspective. I saw people in the poorest of conditions still able to be genuinely happy through their obedience to the gospel. I realized, through this new perspective, that material things are not necessary to achieve true happiness. (Matt)
- A much more firm testimony. (Tyler)
- Spanish language mastered. Higher level of Gospel knowledge. Friends for Eternity. Great network for future. Strengthen testimony for future. (George)
- Almost everything that is a blessing to me regarding my testimony, marriage, and church calling…are a result of faithfully serving a mission. (Robert)
- El saber que Dios esta con nosotros aun en los momentos mas olvidables y que nos guiara si deseamos la guia. (Jared)
- Psshhh… my whole life has been blessed from serving a mission. It has been the greatest, most rewarding experience of my life. I think about it or someone from my mission every day. The blessings are too many to name, the person I am now I owe to having been a missionary. Strengthened my testimony like none other. My faith will never waver. (Ann)
- A greater knowledge of the gospel and an increased ability in recognizing how the Spirit talks to me. An increased love of the scriptures, and also a better idea of how members can best help missionaries in the work! (Valerie)
- Conocí a mi mejor amigo! (Anonymous)
- An increased testimony of the Savior and His Atonement. Joy from seeing others change their lives. (Sara)
- Too many. (Joshua)
- Everything. My testimony, marriage, work ethic, and life skills were either found or honed during my mission. (Daniel)
- My biggest blessing was learning Spanish. I continued to improve after my mission and it has opened many doors for me. (Melanie)
- The many spiritual experiences provided me a solid foundation for the rest of my life. I still tell mission stories after 43 years. I built life long relationships with other missionaries and I’ve used my Spanish throughout those 43 years. (Richard)
What are some skills you gained?
- I learned to be more long-suffering and a better listener. (Rebecca)
- I was never scared of talking to people, but my mission made me even less scared to talk to and get to know people. I approach giving talks in a different way and am more eloquent when I bear my testimony. I also have learned how to be proactive in my life, manage my time, live on a budget, and create and follow a schedule. My mission has helped me spiritually as well as temporally. (Sarah)
- Spanish language, good work ethic, cooking skills, learning to love other people. (Ty)
- Spanish. (Lane)
- Speaking Spanish is the obvious one, that I still use today. Planning and organizing a schedule, public speaking, and carrying on a conversation. (Matt)
- Confidence and work ethic. (Tyler)
- Spanish proficiency. Networking skills enhanced. Socialize skills enhanced. Lost weight… (George)
- Spanish was a great skill to learn and I still use it 20 years later. Knocking doors and talking to people you don’t even know helped me when I went back to college, and in my career, to not be afraid to approach anyone or ask any question. (Chad)
- Spanish- obviously. Learning how to cook rice. (Robert)
- Entender la cultura de los quienes hablan Espanol y el aprender como hablar, escuchar y utilizar el lenguaje que he usado desde antes de la mision. (Jared)
- People skills, not being afraid to talk to anyone. Better fluency in Spanish. Not being afraid to stand up for my beliefs and tell others about them without fearing their reaction. Confidence in who I am and my life. Tons and tons of patience. (Ann)
- Scripture study skills, also how to incorporate gospel topics into everyday conversation. (Valerie)
- Por estar en situaciones difíciles, aprendí poder sobrellevar las pruebas difíciles. Siempre con la ayuda del Salvador. (Anonymous)
- Spanish, bravery, patience, charity (obviously haven’t been perfected yet). (Sara)
- Confidence, Charity – ongoing process but you definitely feel it a lot on the mission. (Sara)
- Spanish. Climate survival. An endless pitted stomach. (Joshua)
- Planning ahead and working the plan. Working through adversity and seeing the big picture. Accepting others’ authority over myself or having authority over others. (Daniel)
- Conocer más al Señor por medio de la oración. Amar más a los hijos de Nuestro Padre Celestial. El valor del sacrificio. (Cesar)
- Again speaking Spanish. But I also learned to get along with anyone. That has served me well. (Melanie)
- Spanish. Working as the Public Relations Director for 7 months provided me business and interface skills I used in business during my career. (Richard)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- That serving the Lord really is short on the mission and that you’ll miss it when you go home… so enjoy it while it lasts. (Rebecca)
- I wish I hadn’t been scared to open my mouth at the beginning of my mission. I held back a lot because I was sure I would say the wrong thing or wouldn’t know what to say, but I wish I had been more fearless and trusted more in the Spirit. (Sarah)
- I wish I would have had more trust in my ability to receive help from the Lord and be able to teach his children. (Ty)
- Nothing, really. I suppose I could say something about the language, even though I think my mission was great without changing a thing. I would have loved to have been more comfortable with the language at the beginning of my mission, though. I think one key to effective missionary work is being able to communicate. Communication is a two-way street and I often wonder if any potential opportunities were missed because I was learning the language during my entire time there. Bottom line, the better you’re able to communicate, the better you’ll be able to preach the gospel, assess investigators’ feelings and needs, and appropriately respond. MTC did a fabulous job, but still, I wish I had dedicated more time early on to getting a jump start on learning the language. (Matt)
- Wrote in more journal more frequently. (Tyler)
- You cannot fix stupid. You cannot choose your path. You cannot change your companion / his/her ways of doing things. Every great person had a start…and they pretty much sucked at what they did. (George)
- I would have been more patient and not expecting everything to go perfect. I think that comes with life and something that is hard to accept as a 19 year old….but if I could go back I would not be so anxious to get discussion and baptisms and just focus more on enjoying the experience. (Chad)
- I wish I had understood the crucial importance of being obedient with exactness. It took some time to learn this on my mission. (Robert)
- Desearia saber como llevarme mejor con los quienes no los caiga bien. (Jared)
- People have agency, their choices don’t change the amount of love I or our father in heaven has for them. Everyone wants someone who cares about them and will listen to them and that’s sometimes why we are meant to talk with certain people. My worth and my purpose doesn’t change if people don’t want to listen to the gospel. The Lord’s timeline is the one that matters not my own. He has a purpose for me in His time and a purpose for each one of His sons and daughters in His own time. I must be patient. (Ann)
- Started speaking only Spanish (to the best of my ability) instead of using my American companion as a crutch and speaking English at our apartment. Learn to discern better (the Spirit will tell you) who will progress and who won’t, and then being able to let go of the investigators who don’t progress. (Valerie)
- I was 100 percent obedient. (Ryan)
- How to teach and find people. Become friends with the members. Love everyone. I wish I already knew Spanish. (Sara)
- Don’t be too hard on yourself. Do your best to learn. Sometimes, the most important people on your mission are your companions. Love them, serve them, forgive them. Make sure you have a testimony. Pray when it gets hard. Pray when it is easy. Pray always. (Sara)
- Spanish. Scriptures. (Joshua)
- Planning. (Daniel)
- Caminar mucho Servir a los demás. (Cesar)
- That the mountain people mix Spanish with Quichua. No one told me that and I was initially confused. (Melanie)
- Deseo que hubiera estado dispuesta al principio de pasar las pruebas con humildad y una buena actitud, de estar preparada para aceptar cualquier circunstancia que Dios me diera con gratitud. (Anonymous)
- I wish I had learned more about their culture and history but there was no internet back then. And I wish I had learned more about the geography. And of course, I wish I had a broader gospel knowledge base. (Richard)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Guayaquil South?
- Don’t complain… it doesn’t get you anywhere. Challenge yourself EVERY DAY and the joy will come in the journey. (Rebecca)
- Make sure you read Preach My Gospel before you go! And remember that a mission is hard! It will be the hardest thing you have done in your life up to this point, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t love it at times. Satan will work hard on you because you are doing the most important work you could do! Remember to find small things to love every day, follow the Spirit in everything you do, and be exactly obedient. You will have a better relationship with the members, with your companion, and with your Father in Heaven. You will know He is pleased with your efforts, and that is the most rewarding feeling you can have. If it weren’t so important, it wouldn’t be so hard. If it weren’t so hard, it wouldn’t be so rewarding and fulfilling. (Sarah)
- Learn to love the people and their culture. It will help you understand bow to better relate the gospel to their lives and be successful as a missionary. (Ty)
- This is THE best mission in the world. The country is beautiful, people are so nice and pleasant to be around, and you’ll be able to build lasting relationships with people while strengthening your testimony and theirs. I witnessed several miracles on my mission and would not trade that time for anything. (Matt)
- Gain your testimony now. (Tyler)
- Be open to a whole new world of change, personal development and dedication to the Lord. Pray every day. Learn to LIST WHOLE-HEARTEDLY to the Holy Ghost! God will only lead you when you do that. Love your companion… Let your companion be the boss…even when they are wrong…they will be humble to realize that they are not perfect, and neither are you! Love the people you serve. Don’t act like a fool or make fun of other missionaries…he/she may become your companion one day! Awkward! (George)
- Read the Book of Mormon in Spanish every day if you are going on a Spanish speaking mission…you will learn the language faster and understand the gospel principals in Spanish a lot quicker. (Chad)
- Love the people! They will love you. If you do not love them, they will not listen to you. (Robert)
- No juzgas la gente por ser de otra cultura o manera de ser; es posible que sean mas inteligentes de que les de credito. (Jared)
- You’ll love it. Things will be different but go with the flow and be obedient and you’ll have the Spirit helping you. Work hard and do all you can and be content with that, some things are not in your control so trust the Lord’s timing for you and your investigators! Enjoy it! Have fun, be happy! You’ll love it so much! The people are the best and the experiences you have will change your life, if you let them. (Ann)
- Don’t be discouraged when you are welcomed by so many people but then they don’t keep commitments. It is a big part of the culture to welcome people into your home and say you’ll do things (go to church,etc) and then not do it. It isn’t you, so just be in tune with the Spirit to know who to continue teaching and also have the faith to let go of those the spirit tells you isn’t progressing at this time. (Valerie)
- Sean humildes. Muestren amor para la gente. (Anonymous)
- Love the people and build on common beliefs. Don’t Bible bash. Share our message… it’s awesome. Remember you are finding the elect people…the ones that are prepared. (Ryan)
- Get ready to: be freaking hot, eat a ton, have crazy fun! (Joshua)
- Don’t worry about logistics…. prepare spiritually and learn to love others. (Daniel)
- Sirvan con amor. (Cesar)
- Be open and humble and ready for new experiences. (Melanie)
- Learn and prepare to love unconditionally. As you love and serve, you will have success and blessings too numerous to count. (Richard)
What was a funny language mistake?
- In a practice, I was trying to tell my companion that instead of drinking coffee, she could drink an herbal tea… but instead I said she could eat a little child. Whoops! (Rebecca)
- I didn’t make any crazy mistakes, but I did say some things wrong and people laughed at me, and it was fine! I still kept talking and making a fool out of myself occasionally, and people appreciated the effort I made to learn Spanish and speak to them in their language. (Sarah)
- We were doing a follow the iron rod themed ward activity where members/investigators would be blind folded and have to follow a rope to the tree of life. I was relatively new, and somehow found myself giving directions to those in attendance. I told them that all that they had to do was follow the rope, or at least that’s what I thought I had said. I mixed up the word for rope and the word for blind lady (soga and ciega). So, when I actually told them to follow the blind lady, they all laughed. When I realized my mistake, I laughed too. (Matt)
- One sister tried saying she was embarrassed by the bishop. She actually said “I’m impregnated by you”. Embarazada means impregnated. (Tyler)
- Not understanding tenses and verb conjugations correctly. Some last names mean weird things in Spanish. (George)
- In Spanish, make sure to not say you are “embarazada” if you are embarrassed. That means you are pregnant, not embarrassed. (Chad)
- The word for counsel is consejo. The word for rabbit is conejo. Accidentally mixing the words up resulted in an interesting twist on the scripture: “To be learned is wise if they hearken unto the RABBITS of God.” (2 Nephi 9:29, rabbit added) (Robert)
- Siempre: La broma de hacer repetir un greenie por decir en vez de “me siento avergonzado” se dice “me siento embarazado”. (Jared)
- I sorta mentioned that above, there are many but don’t worry about them, they happen to everyone. Don’t be afraid to speak. Speak every chance you get. Open your mouth and the Lord will fill it, even if you don’t know what you’re going to say ahead of time. (Ann)
- I told a lady on the bus that I liked her purse, but the word I learned for “purse” actually is more commonly used in that area to mean something inappropriate. (Valerie)
- I said it’s over my head. I don’t understand. Arriba de mi cabeza. Yah that don’t translate. Translation is hilarious. Have fun with it… gringos can get away with slaughtering the language. (Ryan)
- Saying te amo rather than te quiero. (Joshua)
- My companion once said “Soy aburrida” The member we were with replied “No lo dudo” Translation I am boring and the reply, I don’t doubt it. She wanted to say, “Estoy aburrida” which is the proper way to say I am bored. She had trouble choosing between ser and estar. (Melanie)
- In the charlas there was a part that said the Lord “Puso las manos sobre las cabezas y los ordenó.” But instead my companion said, “puso los monos sobre las cabezas y los ordeñó”. (Richard)