Free resources about the Mexico Oaxaca Mission:

Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión México Oaxaca:

• 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: Mexico LDS Missions.

Mexico Oaxaca Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the Mexico Oaxaca Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Mexico Oaxaca Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the Mexico Oaxaca Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Oaxaca Mission:

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

Videos with Mexico Oaxaca RMs

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

LDS-Friendly Videos about Mexico

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

Mexico Oaxaca Missionary Blogs

Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Oaxaca 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.)

Mexico Oaxaca Mission Groups

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

1. Mision Mexico Oaxaca Facebook Group (330 members)
2. Mision Mexico Oaxaca 1997-1999 Facebook Group (176 members)
3. Missionaries of Oaxaca Mission (Pres. Ortiz) Group (166 members)
4. Mision Oaxaca Mexico 1993-1994 Facebook Group (163 members)
5. Mision Oaxaca 1995-96 Pres. Flores y Concha Group (119 members)
6. Misioneras Mision Mexico Oaxaca Facebook Group (89 members)
7. Mision Mexico Oaxaca 1999-2002 Facebook Group (60 members)
8. Mexico Oaxaca Mission Moms (LDS) Group (21 members)
9. Ex-Misioneros Peruanos de la Mision Oaxaca Group (13 members)

Mexico Oaxaca Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Mexico Oaxaca Mission!

Shirt designs include Mexico Oaxaca 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: Mexico Oaxaca missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse Oaxaca Mission gifts

Mexico Oaxaca Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Mexico Oaxaca LDS Mission. 

1. 2017-2020, Felix Conde Beltrán
2. 2014-2017, Lynn R. Madsen
3. 2011-2014, Enrique Leyva Jimenez
4. 2008-2011, Leobardo De La Cruz
5. 2005-2008, Jesus A. Ortiz T.
6. 2002-2005, Felix A. Martinez Decuir
7. 1999-2002, Leonardo O. Reyes
8. 1996-1999, Tomas Concha
9. 1993-1996, Filemon Flores Velasco
10. 1990-1993, Miguel Hidalgo

Mexico LDS Statistics (2015)

• Church Membership: 1,368,475
• Missions: 34
• Temples: 12
• Congregations: 1,998
• Family History Centers: 268

Helpful Articles about Mexico

• Oaxaca Mission President Shot in Legs While in a Subway Restaurant

Mexico Oaxaca Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Mexico Oaxaca 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?

• March 2014-August 2015 (Nicole)
• April 2014-October 2015 (Destiny)
• February 2013-July 2014 (Marie)
• 2007-2009 (Derek)
• November 2003-April 2005 (Yazmin)
• March 2007-March 2009 (Jason)
• 1992-1994 (Elder)
• 1999 to 2001 (Christian)
• 18 meses (Ocadiz)

Which areas did you serve in?

• San Francisco Ixhuatán, Oaxaca la Capital, Tehuantepec, Ixtepec, y Salina Cruz. (Ocadiz)

What were some favorite foods?

• I loved tacos durados. Those are pretty much taquitos but real and so much better! They also have great seafood like fried fish and shrimp. Oaxaca is especially famous for their tlayudas. (Nicole)
• Tlayudas, garnachas, tortas, memelas, tamales, atole, mole, aguas frescas. (Destiny)
• Tlayudas. (Marie)
• Tlyudas, street tacos, tortas. (Derek)
• Tlayuda, memelas, los moles, tejate. (Yazmin)
• Tlayudas, Tacos al Pastor, Mole Negro, Sopes, Mamelas, Agua de Marecuya, Agua de Pepino, Jamaica, Tacos, Gringas, Queso Fresco, Quesillo. (Jason)
• Tlayuda, mole negro, carnitas. (Elder)
• Tlayudas, from the istmos and Huatulco they are the best. 😁 The chapulines are awesome too. (Christian)
• Las tlayudas sin duda!. (Ocadiz)

What was a funny experience?

• My companion and I were walking to the bus stop one day and we say good morning to an older man riding his bike. We pass him, then he proceeds to pass while whispering in a Gollum-like voice, “Hello my beautiful angels who have fallen from the heavens. Come with me to the beach.” And rides on. (Nicole)
• Various times, it would rain without warning. We weren’t always the best prepared, so we’d have to preach in the pouring rain with dirty water up to our calves. Always wear shoes when that happens. Bring a plastic bag big enough for your bag. The people’s reaction to us still smiling and laughing in the pouring rain was always the best. You remember it, and they never forget it. (Destiny)
• When I had no water to drink and I ended up drinking the water from the tuna can. (Marie)
• More than one very drunk person thinking I was Jesus. (Derek)
• Los vientos del itsmo, los aguaceros y predicar bajo ellos, la convivencia con los investigadores, miembros y compañeros. (Yazmin)
• Sleepwalking and throwing Elder Herrejon’s wallet out the window in Pinotepa on accident. (Jason)
• Speeding to a lunch appointment, crashed into a dog, landed on my face. Later found out it was the member’s dog who was feeding us. The dog disappeared for a couple of days. But it returned and seemed to be in good health. My injuries also healed quickly ;). (Elder)
• I was walking on the street with my companion and I saw a big sign so I moved over but my partner did not see it and he stamped his face on it. Besides the big noise being recorded (I was recording some words for my family in a cassette ) the sign said in big word CAUTION ⚠! (Christian)
• Un día ,caminábamos de regreso a nuestra casa atravesando un puente en Tehuantepec,vimos a los misioneros en sus bicicletas que pasaron a nuestro lado a toda velocidad ,uno de ellos el que iba al frente, hizo una seña para que nos detuviéramos para entregarme una carta de mi familia, su compañero que iba atrás de el también a toda velocidad se quedó mirándonos y no se percato que su compañero ya se había detenido entonces chocó con el,eso fue muy gracioso pero no me pude reír al ver la cara de ellos. (Ocadiz)

What was a crazy experience?

• Thankfully, I didn’t have anything too crazy happen to me, but we were scared out of our wits. It was late at night and were walking past a sketchy area were many people had been robbed. We made it by okay, but afterward we heard deep breathing and someone running behind us. Turned out to be a woman running past the same spot but we thought someone was chasing us down! (Nicole)
• Getting robbed at gunpoint. Most missionaries just plain get robbed. Make sure you back EVERYTHING up and keep two copies at home. (Destiny)
• When a gas station exploded and we were like 100 meters away. (Marie)
• Riding in a bus over some pretty crazy roads. Not going out after dark in certain areas because of gangs. (Derek)
• Andar de noche en lugares sin gente. (Yazmin)
• Running into drug dealers when looking for a place to baptize people along the river in Cuajinicuilapa. We had to run through the woods until we found a road and hailed a taxi. (Jason)
• Riding a bike that was labeled from the factory 🏭 “Killer Bike”. I was on my way to church and going down hill and I could not stop and I ran into a pole that was on the ground and it through me off the bike 🚲 carisimo and I had to get a couple stitches in my forehead. (Christian)
• En una área en la que estuvimos por muy pocos días andábamos tocando puertas y había un grupo de muchachos que siempre que nos veían empezaban a molestarnos,pasaron los días y encontramos a una familia, así que forzosamente teníamos que pasar por ese lugar,entonces un día pasábamos por ese lugar y decidieron seguirnos ,le dije a mi compañera que justo cuando ellos nos alcanzaran y estuvieran detrás de nosotras íbamos a voltearnos y presentarnos como habitualmente nos presentamos los misioneros, y así lo hicimos, entonces ellos se quedaron desconcertados mirándose los unos a los otros y se retiraron ,y nunca más nos molestaron,eso fue algo loco que se me ocurrió en ese momento. (Ocadiz)

What was a spiritual experience?

• Like most every other missionary, I didn’t speak nor understand the language very well. We were in a lesson talking about the Book of Mormon, and the man was telling a story about why he didn’t believe in the Book of Mormon. I didn’t understand much, but I understood that I needed to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon. It was one of my most memorable experiences with the language. (Nicole)
• An investigator in my last area was golden. She had been taught before by Jehovah’s Witnesses and was very confused by the doctrine we would teach her. But trying to explain the gospel in a manner that she would understand it, strengthened my own testimony about the simplicity of the gospel. The joy it brings us and the hope is gives. I finished my mission before I could really see her progress, but she’s progressing super well now (:.(Destiny)
• Every day had at least 3 spiritual experiences. (Marie)
• Going to a remote village where missionaries had not been for years and baptizing 6 people in a beautiful river. (Derek)
• Una noche ante una situación difícil con un investigador y después de una oración ver el cambio de este, de eso dependió que sus hijas asistieran a la iglesia y se bautizaran. (Yazmin)
• The whole thing. Finding Christ as my Savior. Learning that The Book of Mormon is true hundreds of times. Being an instrument in God’s hands to help people find His Church. (Jason)
• Trying to find a member’s home in a rural area with no address…led by the Spirit and walked straight to it. (Elder)
• Every discussion had that portion of a spiritual experience when the Holy Ghost testifies of the truth. (Christian)
• Llegué a mi área San Francisco Ixhuatán,Oaxaca el 9 de Septiembre de 1993,desde que llegué al Itsmo de tehuantepec fue como entrar a otra dimensión,por la diversidad de los colores ,la forma de vestir ,su forma de hablar, así que todo eso era nuevo para mí,fue algo complicado adaptarme al principio,éramos el compañerismo femenino más alejado de las oficinas y esa área era un tanto hostil ,había una cantina en cada esquina,las primeras veces que caminé junto a mi compañera por esas calles fuimos testigos de peleas con machetes entre algunas personas ebrias y eso me llenó de temor,las primeras semanas mi compañera daba las charlas y yo solo compartía mi testimonio al final,un día mi compañera dijo que yo daría la charla numero dos en donde se le invita a las personas a bautizarse,entonces yo pensé que no podría hacerlo y me dije a mi misma “trágame tierra”,llegamos con la familia y empezamos a hablar, todos tenían sus ojos puestos en mí,yo rogaba en mi mente y mi corazón que Dios me ayudara ,seguía hablando hasta que llegó el momento de hacer la pregunta,y dije-¿está usted dispuesto a tomar un bautismo como Jesucristo lo ha enseñado? ….y el hermano dijo SI…Yo no lo podía creer, había dicho que Si,entonces volví a explicar rápidamente el concepto del bautismo y volví a preguntar y el dijo -¿puedo bautizarme mañana como a las cuatro de la tarde en el río? y miré a mi compañera y les dije a toda la familia que eso sería posible ,que nosotras lo arreglaríamos todo para que fuera tal como él quería,no puedo describir la alegría que sentí en ese momento,nos despedimos y acordamos que al siguiente día los veríamos ,a partir de ese día no tuve más temor de hablar, entonces nos dedicamos a trabajar con verdadero propósito y al final de el mes de Septiembre logramos llevar a su bautismo a 15 personas,en Octubre a 15 personas ,en Noviembre a 20 personas y en Diciembre a 19 personas. Hasta que el presidente de la misión nos saco de nuestras áreas a toda la zona Zanatepec por los conflictos que comenzaron el 1 de Enero de 1994 con el EZLN (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional),mi compañera y yo trabajamos en Oaxaca la capital por unos pocos días y luego a ella la regresaron a la misma área,y a mí me enviaron a Tehuantepec,nunca olvidaré todas las grandiosas experiencias que viví en ese lugar San Francisco Ixhuatán , puedo escribir muchas mas experiencias que tuve en ese lugar pero no quiero hacer que parezca que estoy exagerando solo quiero decirle a los jóvenes, que vayan y encuentren sus propias experiencias que les servirán en su vida ,mi compañera siguió teniendo éxito en esa maravillosa tierra. (Ocadiz)

What are some interesting facts about the Oaxaca Mission?

• My Mission President took out senior/junior companions. We were all equal. Most of us end up buying and sleeping in hammocks. There’s lots of mission lingo mixed in with culture lingo. When you travel in between the three zones (city, Istmo, coast) it’s the longest car ride ever. Bring Dramamine. (Destiny)
• It’s the hottest mission in the world. (Marie)
• There are many ancient ruins and amazing tourist sights to see throughout the mission. Great P-day activities. Nacho Libre was filmed there. (Derek)
• Un lugar con muchas tradiciones arraigas y personas inteligentes que a pesar de su nivel económico saben lo que quieren y piensan las cosas bien. Su nivel de compromiso es tan grande que por eso piensan mucho el compromiso del bautismo. (Yazmin)
• There are three sections of the mission, the city, the Istmo, the coast. I spent most of my mission in the coast from Caujinicuilapa to Huatulco and everything in between, Pinotepa, Jamiltepec, Puerto Escondido, Pochutla, and Puerto Angel. I was only in the Istmo for 2 transfers. (Jason)
• It’s the best mission on earth…proven fact. (Elder)
• For more than a year during my mission, we are only Mexican missionaries teaching due to some conflicts that were going on with armed groups. For a long time, the mission only had about 80 missionaries serving while other missions had a lot more, even though the mission was still hitting baptismal goals as much as the other missions. (Christian)
• Yo nunca había sentido un temblor de tierra y los primeros días que estuve allí en mi primera área San Francisco ixhuatán hubo algunos,también los hubo en ixtepec y Salina Cruz.Al principio no podía dormir,pensaba que si me dormía no tendríamos tiempo de salir de la casa en caso de que esta se derrumbara,ya con el tiempo hice mi propia alarma contra temblores,ponía una tapadera de metal entre dos sillas apenas sosteniéndola de los bordes, en caso de algún movimiento ligero esta caería y me despertaría rápidamente. (Ocadiz)

What was the weather like?

• It gets HOT. I worked mostly at the coast and it was humid. The city of Oaxaca was cooler at night though. (Nicole)
• It’s humid. On the coast and in el Istmo, you’re always, always, always sweating. No breaks from the heat unless it’s raining (then it gets even more humid the day after) or it’s windy. The city is a bit cooler. But not by much. The only difference in the city, you’ll see at night when it actually gets a little cold. (Destiny)
• Hot. (Marie)
• Basically 2 seasons. Hot and rainy. (Derek)
• En la ciudad de oxaca fríos, en el itsmo y la costa caluroso. (Yazmin)
• Hot hot hot, rainy and hot during the summer. (Jason)
• Basically awesome. In the capital city Oaxaca, expect 70 degrees year-round. Some rain at times and minor earthquakes weekly. In the Isthmus, it’s frequently hot and humid. In the mountains, it can be cool sometimes. (Elder)
• So good, cold in the Sierra, hot at the beach. (Christian)
• Muy caluroso,pensé que sería un problema este tipo de clima, y lo fue al principio, pero toda esta incomodidad queda atrás cuando nos enfocamos en nuestras prioridades como misioneros. (Ocadiz)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

• They are noble-hearted. They will offer many things to strangers-fruit, water, a moment inside the shade. You really grow to love the people, even though not all will accept the gospel. (Nicole)
• EVERYTHING. The places were BEAUTIFUL. The scenery is awesome. The culture is so rich. Even though most people rejected us, they’re so very humble and they love to give you things. They’re so giving in many different ways. The culture shock is a bit hard at first, but you learn how beautiful it is and you learn to love it. (Destiny)
• The people are amazing. (Marie)
• EVERYTHING! Amazing, selfless people willing to do/give anything and everything for you. The poorest people will literally give you the food they were going to eat and go without. (Derek)
• Personas amables, generosas y humildes de corazón, el lugar con bellas tradiciones y lugares bellos. (Yazmin)
• I loved serving in the coast and getting to know the people there. I love that everything is slower and not as serious as I used to think. The most important things in this life are family and faith. Slow down and enjoy your time. (Jason)
• People are kind and generous and open to receive the gospel. (Elder)
• The people are really friendly and open to the teachings of the gospel. They are humble. (Christian)
• Las personas que conocí en mi primera área ,San Francisco Ixhuatán,al principio muchos fueron hostiles con nosotras,pero después de un mes de trabajar con alegría en los quehaceres cotidianos de estas personas ellos empezaron a apreciarnos ,a cuidarnos y ayudarnos llevándonos con familiares y amigos,siempre compartieron sus alimentos gustosamente con nosotras ,nos llevaban comida a nuestra casa y algunos pequeños regalos,materialmente no tenían mucho pero todo lo que nos daban lo hacían de corazón,nunca los olvidaré. (Ocadiz)

Any packing/clothing advice?

• Generally pack clothing for hot weather. However, I heard from other missionaries that they were pretty cold during winter time in the city of Oaxaca. So bring warm sleeping stuff for that, at least. (Nicole)
• Pack light. It’s hot down there. Make sure you have sturdy luggage, nothing super fancy, but something that will last. For sisters, American clothing is super cheap down there and pretty. Shopping is fun. Just make sure you bring tons of plain color shirts (Down East Basics and the like) (white, black, tan, etc…) and slips. Long slips (to the knee) are a huge must and you won’t find very many down there. Cheap shoes wear down very quickly (it’s a walking mission) If you’re like me and don’t like the clunky, durable shoes, I recommend more pairs of the cheap shoes and three pairs of insoles for support. Hair is usually up because it’s so hot. Earrings, headbands, simple jewelry is nice to have so you look nice without so much effort. Medical kit is a must. (Destiny)
• Fresh clothes! (Marie)
• Waterproof shoes, sturdy clothing because you will probably be washing by hand and you’ll want things to last. Only 1 suit. You won’t wear one that often. (Derek)
• Ropa fresca para las zonas calidas, impermeables, zapatos para lluvias. (Yazmin)
• Rain coats, great shoes as you will be walking everywhere. Eccos are worth the money. (Jason)
• Sweaters might not seem necessary but you never know. (Christian)
• Solo lleven la ropa y los artículos que les son requeridos en la lista de la misión a la que vayan ,si llevan demasiados terminarán siendo una carga muy pesada, especialmente para las misioneras,y las maletas en la misión se vuelven como tus pecados ,nadie puede cargar tus pecados, solo tú. (Ocadiz)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

• A change in myself was the biggest blessing. Bit by bit, the Lord changes his servants to be more worthy, more able, more like Him. It’s only possible through tests and trials, but we always leave a little better. I learned many different things as well-like the importance of obedience, Sabbath day, and loving others. (Nicole)
• I met some of the greatest people ever that changed my life for the better. My testimony grew. I became a better person because I realized the worth that I have to my Heavenly Father. I appreciate the gospel because I realize how richly I’ve been blessed by it. Eternal family = my goal. (Destiny)
• Everything that I have today is because I served a mission. (Marie)
• Humility, gratitude and unconditional love. I learned to both give and receive it. (Derek)
• Una conversión personal mayor, crecí como persona, madure y la felicidad de servir. (Yazmin)
• Hot wife, good job, good education, good testimony. (Jason)
• Testimony of plan of salvation, priesthood, Atonement, scriptures, service. Español…coincidentally, married to a native Spanish speaker born in South America. (Elder)
• The opportunity to get to know my Savior and Redeemer. (Christian)
• La bendición más importante que considero que recibí,es la de tener la certeza de que Nuestro Padre Celestial nos escucha,yo sabía de la existencia de El y de Su Hijo Jesucristo ,pero tener la certeza de que nos escuchan y que podemos tener nuestra propia revelación para guiarnos en nuestra vida ,es el tesoro que más aprecio. (Ocadiz)

What are some skills you gained?

• I learned how to be more direct with people. I tended to beat around the bush, but thanks to my companions, I gained the courage to be more bold with others. It’s a sign of faith to be bold! Just don’t be over-bearing. (Nicole)
• Talking to complete strangers and learning a lot about them in five minutes. Confidence in self. Being bold. Multitasking. Planning ahead. Budgeting. Speaking Spanish. Loving strangers as children of God. (Destiny)
• Patience, love, diligence. (Marie)
• Speaking Spanish. Talking to strangers about anything anywhere. Sleeping in taxi’s and buses. (Derek)
• Habilidad para relacionarme, madurez para tomar decisiones. (Yazmin)
• Communication with people of different experiences and backgrounds. I learned how to prayerfully set goals for myself and listen to the Spirit guide me. (Jason)
• Awesome legs from biking all the time. Español. Serving. (Elder)
• Facility of speech. (Christian)
• Pienso que desarrollé la capacidad de hablar con las personas y ayudarles a reconocer las impresiones que son dadas por el Espíritu Santo para reconocer las cosas buenas y verdaderas,en general yo no hablo mucho y cuando estuve en la misión ese fue uno de mis problemas, pero ahora cuando preparo un discurso o hablo con alguien del evangelio de Jesucristo mis palabras son las apropiadas y aptas para expresarme y siento que soy clara en lo que digo ,además de algunas habilidades que he desarrollado para aprender mas rápido.Si nos esforzamos por mantener con nosotros el Espíritu Santo podemos aprender cualquier cosa que sea de nuestro particular interés. (Ocadiz)

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

• I wish I had practiced how to teach others before my mission. Family Home Evening is a great time to learn the doctrine taught in Preach My Gospel then practice with others. (Nicole)
• We had a saying: Obedience brings blessings; exact obedience brings miracles. Work hard. Get used to the routine. You will face rejection more often than not. You will get sick from the food for a while. Wear sunscreen. Have FUN. (Destiny)
• That it would be really hard. (Marie)
• A better way to send photos home. (Derek)
• Como se vive la misión y las charlas misionales o como hacer los bosquejos de enseñanzaa. (Yazmin)
• I wish I knew Spanish at the beginning of my mission and not at 6 months. (Jason)
• More prayer and scripture study. (Elder)
• Being more knowledgeable with the scriptures. (Christian)
• No me gustó estar en el CCM me sentía como prisionera ,pero al llegar a la misión después de unos 20 días y las experiencias que tuve ,me sentía libre,libre de expresar lo que yo sabía de la existencia de Dios y de Su Hijo Jesucristo sin que me miraran con reproche, en el lugar en el que vivo la mayoría de las personas son católicos o testigos de Jehová y eso no ha cambiado desde que mis padres aceptaron el evangelio cuando yo tenía 10 años en 1978 y es difícil la convivencia con las personas con diferentes creencias y costumbres,la capilla a la que asisto se encuentra a unos siete kilómetros de este lugar, ha habido algunas ramas en este pueblo incluso mi casa fue casa de oración en 1985 por unos dos años, pero no había muchos miembros y todo se fue enfriando hasta que decidieron las autoridades quitarla ,así que al comienzo de mi misión me llevé la gran sorpresa de que en lugares tan alejados había pequeñas ramas con hermanos dispuestos a servir. (Ocadiz)

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

• It’s normal to be nervous. It’s normal to be a little scared. Take baby steps and don’t expect yourself to know everything all at once! The best missionaries are always learning and becoming better. Have ways to handle stress and hard moments because they will happen. And most importantly, don’t forget that the most important thing is to love others, even if they aren’t baptized. It makes a bigger difference than you think. (Nicole)
• Study, study, study. Ask questions, find your own answers. Ask Heavenly Father for help. Prayer is key. Prepare to be humble. The people can tell when you’re not and it will be that much harder for you to work with them. Expect to learn A LOT from your companions. You’ll meet that one (or two) people/companions that will change your life. You pick up a lot of other things from the rest. Learn to work with your leaders. The people are adapting their lives to the gospel. It takes time. Patience is a celestial virtue that you will begin to cultivate. Love everyone and they will feel that love. Don’t hold back your message. Be bold. You are literally a representative of Jesus Christ. He needs you there for a reason. You have something to offer those people that they need, even if they don’t know it. You’re going to face a lot of rejection. Have fun. You tried. Every ‘no’ is just one step closer to the ‘yes’. Learn from your companions. They teach you valuable lessons for post-mission life. Don’t think about home too much. They’re fine. They will appreciate your growth when you give yourself fully to the Lord. Once in a lifetime opportunity. Enjoy yourself. I testify about my Savior. He loves me. If I can teach repentance to another person, it’s because I myself believe I can be forgiven. People make mistakes. We’re not perfect. But the Perfect One died so that one day we can be like Him. The gospel is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. The Bible is correct, when interpreted correctly. We need a living prophet. God Himself calls him. He loves His children. He loves you. (Destiny)
• Get ready to walk miles and miles and more miles under a super bright sun. (Marie)
• You can do hard things. (Derek)
• Servir al Señor en una misión no es un sacrificio es la bendición Más grande que se puede tener, jóvenes no son vacaciones, las personas no son números, son almas que necesitan las bendiciones del evangelio, vayan por convicción no por cumplir y ya, amen a la gente que sirven y a sus compañeros y vivirán la experiencia más maravillosa de su vida. (Yazmin)
• Best mission ever. Get over yourself. The three relationships you need to maintain on your mission are first God, second yourself, third your companion. Relax…you and your companion will do things differently. It doesn’t mean you or they are wrong, say a prayer and ask for humility to do it His way, which is usually letting go of pride and getting along with your companion. (Jason)
• Get yourself a strong testimony and pray always. (Elder)
• The Lord loves all of us, but he does not trust everybody, so be trust worthy and loved. (Christian)
• Aprendan de todo lo que vean, de todo lo que escuchen, de todas las personas. (Ocadiz)

What was a funny language mistake?

• My Spanish was all backwards when I started my mission. I grew up with Spanish as my first language, but we stopped speaking it for a long time for medical reasons on my brothers behalf. I always understood it, but could barely hold a conversation. So when I arrived in Mexico, my Spanish was awkward and they would understand me but everyone would laugh at me because my Spanish was very Americanized and just funny. (Destiny)
• My American companion once said: yo sé que Jesucristo es un libro! Haha I know that Jesus is a book. haha. (Marie)
• I asked a lady to mámela when ordering a mamela (type of taco). Check it out. When ordering gringas (other type of taco/quesadilla), I ordered a gringo instead, lots of gay jokes after that one. Stay away from tacos, or don’t because they are delicious. (Jason)
• I had 4 years of Spanish from 7th-10th grade. I passed up that knowledge in the 1st two weeks at the Mission Training Center. Arriving on the mission, you will get used to understanding the way your companion speaks, but a new person’s style will be harder to understand. Also, when you meet an investigator, sometimes they will not understand you because you are a gringo, even when you speak the language well, because that fact will distract them from everything. (Elder)