Misión México Villahermosa
Free resources about the Mexico Villahermosa Mission:
Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión México Villahermosa:
- 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 Villahermosa Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Mexico Villahermosa 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 Villahermosa Mission
Av. Circuito C.D. Deportiva No. 206
Colonia Atasta
C.P.86100 Villahermosa, Tabasco
Mexico
Av. Circuito C.D. Deportiva No. 206
Colonia Atasta
C.P.86100 Villahermosa, Tabasco
Mexico
Phone Number: 52-993-317-7241
Mission President: President Karl N. Haws
Mission President: President Karl N. Haws
Mexico Villahermosa Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Mexico Villahermosa Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Villahermosa Mission:
Videos with Villahermosa RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Villahermosa Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
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 Villahermosa Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Villahermosa Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Mexico Villahermosa Mission Groups
Here are Mexico Villahermosa Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Villahermosa Mission.
- Mision Mexico Villahermosa Facebook Group (226 members)
- Villahermosa Mexico Mission Families Group (33 members)
- Rama el triunfo Mision Villahermosa Group (27 members)
- Villahermosa Mission Moms (LDS) Group (19 members)
- Mision Mexico Villahermosa 1975-1976 Group (9 members)
- Mision Mexico Veracruz/Villahermosa Group (8 members)
Villahermosa Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Mexico Villahermosa Mission!
Shirt designs include Mexico Villahermosa 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 Villahermosa missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Villahermosa Mission gifts
Villahermosa Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Villahermosa LDS Mission.
- 2016-2019, Karl N. Haws
- 2013-2016, Israel G. Morales
- 2010-2013, Nicolas Castaneda
- 1978-1981, Benjamin Martinez
- 1975-1978, Abrahan Lozano
- 1975, Villahermosa Mission created after division of the Veracruz Mission.
Mexico LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 1,368,475
- Missions: 34
- Temples: 12
- Congregations: 1,998
- Family History Centers: 268
Helpful Articles about Mexico
Villahermosa Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Mexico Villahermosa RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- August 2013 – August 2015 (Brandon)
- 2013 – 2015 (Tyler)
- 2013-2015 (Kylie)
- A year and a half (Katy)
- 2013-2015 (Steven)
- 1976-1978 (Paul)
- 1975-1977 (Lloyd)
- 1975-1976 (Juan)
What areas did you serve in?
- Minatitlan, Villahermosa, Agua Dulce, Coatzacoalcos. (Kylie)
- Parrilla 2, Comalcalco, Villahermosa, Minatitlan, Acayucan. (Katy)
- Ciudad Del Carmen, Minatitlan, Villahermosa, Palenque. (Steven)
- Acayucan, Veracruz; Tizimin, Yucatan; Merida, Yucatan; Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche; Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz; Minatitlan, Veracruz and Villahermosa, Tabasco. (Paul)
- Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz; Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas; Valladolid, Yucatan; Tizimin, Yucatan; Villahermosa, Tabasco; Merida, Yucatan; Tapachula, Chiapas. (Lloyd)
- Valladolid, Campeche, Merida, San Cristobal, Acayucan y Minatitlan. (Juan)
What were some favorite foods?
- Enchiladas con Mole, Milanesa de Pollo, Chiles Rellenos, Flautas. (Brandon)
- Memelas de carne chinameca (Tyler)
- Pozole. Memelas. (Kylie)
- Pozole y chilaquiles y any type of fresh juice (they are so refreshing!!!) (Katy)
- Tlayudas, Memelas, pozole, empanadas, tostadas. (Steven)
- Tacos al pastor, enchiladas, cochinita pibil, any kind of taco. (Paul)
- Carne asada, mangoes, black bean, horchata, home-made corn tortillas. (Lloyd)
What was a funny experience?
- When an iguana was in my cereal box! (Tyler)
- I woke up with a cockroach on my face multiple times! Funny now but scary at the time! (Kylie)
- One time my companion and I were walking around town and everyone was staring at us that day. My companion (from Peru) turned to me and said “Hermana, everyone is looking at you! It is like you are from…ummm… Halloween!” -Uh…gracias? -Halloween, the place where the stars live… -Oh! Hollywood! It was quite the laugh when I explained to her the difference. (Katy)
- First time tracting. (Steven)
- One slow afternoon in the mission offices we were taking a soda break. We would buy sodas at the small store across the street then sit in the mission office with the door open for a cross breeze and try to flip the soda lids across the street back into the store. When we manage to do so (it was a long shot and difficult to aim through the narrow door), the store owner would smile, nod a congratulations to us and throw the lid away. One afternoon, one of the elders flipped a lid just as a car drove by. The lid went out the door, entered the open driver’s side window, whizzed past the driver’s nose and out the passenger side window and landed on the floor of the store! The driver never even stopped. (Paul)
- We were teaching a family about the pre-mortal life and how we lived as spirits there. We were using the old flip chart pictures and showed that picture. The lady we were teaching looked very closely at the picture and said, “Yes, those are spirits.” (Lloyd)
What was a crazy/dangerous experience?
- I got robbed one time in my whole mission. These two guys who were super high on drugs came up behind us and threatened us with machetes. They took everything from us: our scriptures, back packs, wallets, phone, EVERYTHING. Afterwards, when they saw that all we were carrying was scriptures and pamphlets (unfortunately that day I decided to put my camera in my backpack…) they gave most of it back to us! I didn’t get my camera back though :(. (Brandon)
- Aggressive drunk men + missionaries = not always fun. (Tyler)
- We found ourselves in a situation where had we not be paying attention, we could have been mugged at knife point. (Kylie)
- During one of my last transfers, I had just gotten to a new area and my companion wasn’t feeling to well so she called the mission nurse to see what she should take, she bought the medicine and took it. In about 2 hours her lip starting swelling up, due to a allergic reaction from the medicine, it then went back down so we thought she was fine. We were wrong. Around 1 am I woke up and then saw my companion come running in from the bathroom her tongue was swelling and she was having trouble breathing. It was terrifying because I honestly didn’t know who to call to get us to the hospital and I didn’t know how long we had until her whole air canal was blocked. Gratefully, a member came to our need and we stayed the night in the hospital. (Katy)
- Getting chased by dogs. (Steven)
- Riding outside a crosded “urabano” bus in Villahermosa hanging on the the open window and standing on the lip of the corrugated side of the bus and leaning in so we wouldn’t hit light poles on the side of the road as we rode past them. (Paul)
- I traveled between cities by myself as the mission accountant with several thousand pesos in my briefcase I had received from a Branch President. (Lloyd)
What was a spiritual experience?
- There were SO many people that were so prepared in Mexico. We taught a woman that rejected us three times before she finally let us come to teach her the Gospel. She told us about a dream that she had. She told us that in her dream she was eating a plate of food that didn’t satisfy her hunger. Suddenly, two hands gave her a beautiful, appetizing plate of food, that she took and she was in a big white room. It was an answer from the Lord that what she needed to satisfy her hunger of truth was found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was baptized shortly after! (Brandon)
- Receiving the gift of tongues and being capable of bearing testimony to hundreds of people in another language. (Tyler)
- Every day was a spiritual experience. It started in the mornings with my scripture study, and continue throughout the day until we came home and said our prayers at night. It is what you make it. (Kylie)
- There were so many. One that I remember vividly was while we were teaching Hermano Raul. I always loved saying the First Vision because the Spirit always just filled the room and the hearts of those inside it and this time was no exception. While I was repeating the words of the Prophet Joseph the eyes of Hermano Raul filled with tears and so did mine and my companion’s. After we finished, I distinctly felt that we needed to invite him to be baptized that week and that he would be ready for then. So we invited him and he accepted. It was a huge testimony to me that when the Spirit touches someone and they are willing to open up to it, they are willing to do anything to keep it with them. (Katy)
- First baptism. (Steven)
- Too many to list but following the promptings of the Spirit once to locate a companionship of elders in Coatzacoalcos when we only knew which quarter of the city they were in. We had just learned that the Mission President, President Abraham Lozano, wanted to meet with us in a couple of hours that day and we had to find them and still make it to the chapel. We said a prayer and I said several silent prayers. I was District Leader. We found them in about 15 minutes and walked right to where they were working. Coatzacoalcos had about 300,000 inhabitants then. (Paul)
- We administered to a young woman. The Spirit told us before we went there that she was possessed of an evil spirit. Even though she was medicated and asleep, she awoke when we cast out the evil spirit and heard a gnashing of teeth. (Lloyd)
What are some interesting facts about the Villahermosa Mission?
- Hot chocolate was invented in one of the states included in the mission (the state of Tabasco). They drink this drink made up of ground up corn, cacao, and (sometimes) sugar. It’s called “pozol”. There are lots of Aztec ruins in the mission boundaries! Many people have Aztec names. (Brandon)
- Awesome ruins, beautiful beaches, humble people and delicious food!! (Alex)
- It is said that the Olmecas, which was a tribe that lived in the city of the mission home, could have been and were most likely the Jaredites from the Book of Mormon. (Kylie)
- It covers the whole state of Tabasco and parts of Veracruz, Chiapas, Campeche, and a little tiny tip of Oaxaca so it take four hours in bus from tip to center of the mission. The people of Tabasco are known as “Chocos” for the way they speak (it’s something special). (Katy)
- It includes many Mayan ruins, some of which are believed to be Nephite ancient cities. (Steven)
- The first stake in the mission was organized in Merida, Yucatan by Elder Howard W. Hunter and the second in Minatitlan, Veracruz. Before my mission was over, Tapachula was made a stake. We routinely had 200 to 300 baptisms a month with just 70 to 80 missionaries. The mission covered everything from the Istmus of Tehuantepec to Guatemala. I was the elder released from Villahermosa before they moved the headquarters to Merida. (Paul)
- There were probably more Mayan ruins in the mission than most other missions. The largest city in the mission, Merida, was actually farther north than Mexico D.F. because of the way the Yucatan peninsula curved north. The tip of the peninsula is closer to Cuba and Florida than Texas. Although Spanish is the main language, Mayan is still prominently spoken throughout the Yucatan peninsula, too. (Lloyd)
What was the weather like?
- It was hot and humid! You get used to the humidity after a while though. It also rained a lot of the year. (Brandon)
- Humid and hot. All day every day, all night every night. (Tyler)
- Hot and humid all of the year. The winter there is their rainy season and the streets flood with so much water but because the ground it so porous it would usually soak into the ground within a few hours. (Kylie)
- Hot. Hot and humid. Hot and rainy. All year long. The hottest months are April and May where it gets so hot that the pavement can burn your feet through your shoes. (Katy)
- It’s blazing hot in the spring, summer and fall. And only really hot in the winter. (Steven)
- Hot, humid, hot, humid…(Paul)
- Weather was usually hot and humid, but some areas, in the mountains, also got cold. The rainy, hurricane season was very rainy. (Lloyd)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- I loved living in the jungle! The fruit was one of the absolute best parts. It seemed like I discovered a new kind of fruit every two weeks! (Brandon)
- Most people are incredibly humble (but not always) because of their poverty. They are good people and deserve to know the truths of the gospel. (Tyler)
- Everyone is so friendly when you get to talking with them. They will treat you like family and give you the shirt off their back. (Kylie)
- Everything. It is the most beautiful, green place I have ever seen, any seed you toss on the ground turns into a plant so you can literally pick fruit off the trees on every corner. The people are so loving and friendly, and they will remember you forever, they never forget a face. (Katy)
- Kindest people on earth! (Steven)
- I am biased coming from Chihuahua, Mexico but I love the Mexican people. Hospitable, loving, family centered with a great sense of humor. (Paul)
- Most of the people were very open and friendly. (Lloyd)
- Most of the time the people were very kind and open. (Juan)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Make sure to take a good rain coat, and a sweater, even though it doesn’t get “cold”. You will acclimate and want to keep warm during rain season. (Brandon)
- Hmmm- don’t stress too much. Plan on everything you own getting wet and bring a few pictures of friends and family to keep you going. You almost never use a suit and don’t bring American cash because it’s worthless. (Tyler)
- Pack shoes with a thick sole because they will wear out really fast. Don’t worry about how stylish they are because the dirt roads will dirty them up fast. Also, find shoes that are perhaps waterproof for when it rains and the streets flood. In the mission packet, it says to bring rain boots but they are very uncomfortable. (Kylie)
- Get good, sturdy shoes. All you do is walk and the pavement burns through your shoes very quickly if they aren’t top quality. Also, for any sisters going, find short sleeve shirts that aren’t sheer, the less layers you have on the better for you because it’s hot. Also, bring a light rain jacket, you’ll be glad you did. (Katy)
- Because of the heat, it’s really important to buy light and cool clothing as far as shirts and pants go. Mesh tops and cotton poly bottoms were the best garment combo in my opinion. (Steven)
- Pack light and buy a good hammock to sleep in. (Paul)
- Prepare for anything, especially needing to carry everything a long ways between airport or bus stations. (Lloyd)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I established SO many good relationships on my mission. The Mexican people as a whole are SO loving and accepting! (Brandon)
- Self confidence, physical health, second language, leadership capabilities, compassion, respect, common sense, and above all a profound respect for God and the love and mercy that He has for all of His children. (Tyler)
- It has blessed my marriage as I have had to communicate and work alongside my husband. I’m a better companion for him and can set a better example for my future family because of my mission. (Kylie)
- Oh so many. I have been blessed with a greater understanding of the promises found in The Book of Mormon, I have been blessed with a deeper love of God’s children and an understanding of His desire that all can return to Him. I have been blessed with a fuller comprehension of Christ’s atonement and how it applies to me in my life. Honestly, there are too many to name, but overall I can say that I have been blessed with joy, more joy than I can ever express. (Katy)
- Learned a new language, developed many characteristics I didn’t know I had, strengthened the ones I did have. (Steven)
- Too many to count. One of the three best decisions of my life: to serve a mission, to marry my wife and to get my masters degree at Texas A&M. (Paul)
- Spanish fluency, a love for the gospel and the Mexican people, talents and abilities to live and work with people and my current profession. (Lloyd)
- The Joy to know one of the families (in Merida) and their children (11) have been on a mission somewhere in Mexico! (Juan)
What are some skills you gained?
- Increased social skills. Better work ethic. I learned how to live independently. (Brandon)
- Before you go to the bathroom, always turn on the faucet in the bathroom just for a second to see if there is running water. If there isn’t, look around for a full bucket of water, otherwise your going to have to hold it because it’s rude to go in someone’s dry toilet. Sleep with a fan on to avoid heat and mosquitoes and BUY A HAMMOCK. It is life changing. Respect your leaders, take care of your sheep, be obedient and laugh every day! (Tyler)
- I learned a new language, I gained greater confidence, I became an excellent teacher, I’m more organized, and I can better manage my time. (Kylie)
- I can speak Spanish now. That’s a plus! I can also approach people more easily and just talk to them about anything which helps in developing more relationships. Also, Mexicans know how to cook and I learned lots of recipes, so I can cook better. (Katy)
- People skills, the ability to listen and react based on what the Spirit told me. (Steven)
- Confidence, understanding of people, a better understanding of the gospel, especially how Christ can improve our lives. (Paul)
- Humility, study skills, cooking skills. (Lloyd)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- That the mission ends as quickly as it begins. Success and happiness are determined by faith and determination. Fat people get skinny (I lost about 70 pounds). (Tyler)
- It will all work out. Don’t stress the small stuff. (Kylie)
- I wish I had tried harder in the MTC to speak Spanish…it was hard to do it around so many other Americans. I wish I had written more in detail to my family so they could have known more what was happening. I wish I had gotten over my fear of just talking to people (even in my broken Spanish) sooner so that I could’ve been a more effective missionary. (Katy)
- How to contact! (Steven)
- I wished I had saved more of my own money and studied the scriptures more. (Paul)
- Humility, study skills, cooking skills. (Lloyd)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Villahermosa?
- Just keep a good attitude. The mission is what you make it. Enjoy every second you have. Don’t count the days. (Brandon)
- It is what you make of it! Buckle up…it’s going to be an adventure! You will miss it like nothing else when it’s over. Write in your journal every day. The lord will protect you, even in the darkest (and most life-threatening) of times. BE HAPPY!!!! (Tyler)
- Give it all you’ve got. Your mission will fly by before you know it and you’ll look back and think about your mission every day of your life. Work your hardest, have fun, be obedient, and be a good friend to everyone. Don’t think about home or get easily upset with yourself. Enjoy the ride because it’s a short one! (Kylie)
- Love it. It will be hard, really hard, you will never feel so much pain and heartbreak as you will in your mission but it is so worth it, only if you love it. If you don’t love it, it will be hard in a different way. Make sure to live it with no regrets, give everything you can and I promise you that you will become more of the person that you need to be. Also, you will never learn to love so much as you do in the mission. You will come to know the Savior more personally and feel of the love that He has for everyone you are around. (Katy)
- Be patient! (Steven)
- Gain a testimony before your mission. You are there to teach and testify, not to get your own testimony. (Paul)
- Go prepared to love the people, focus on your mission and your language. Leave all else behind. (Lloyd)
- Know the needs of the people first , make friends then by the Spirit apply a lesson. (Juan)
What was a funny language mistake?
- One time we were in the MTC, and an Elder in my District was describing how the Spirit felt in his heart. He said “Senti un infierno en mi corazon” which means “I felt a hell in my heart”! (Brandon)
- Besides the accidental swearing, one time I told a young man to apply the ham of Jesus Christ to his soul so he’d be purified inside and out. (Tyler)
- Instead of telling people how embarrassed I was, I ended up saying I was pregnant! (Kylie)
- Too many mistakes to remember most, but instead of saying that I liked the music of a singer, I said I liked that singer. It was a guy and brought a few smiles. (Lloyd)