Misión Perú Arequipa
Free resources about the Peru Arequipa Mission:
Aquí están algunos recursos gratuitos sobre la Misión Perú Arequipa:
- 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: Peru LDS Missions.
Peru Arequipa Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Peru Arequipa Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the mission address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Peru Arequipa Mission
Edificio El Pera
Avenida El Ejercito 710, Oficina 7031
Cayma
Arequipa
Peru
Arequipa
Peru
Phone Number: 51-5-427-1485
Mission President: President Douglas R. Johnson
Mission President: President Douglas R. Johnson
Peru Arequipa Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Peru Arequipa Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Arequipa Mission:
Videos with Peru Arequipa RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Arequipa Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews.
LDS-Friendly Videos about Peru
Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Peru. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Peru, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.
Peru Arequipa Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Arequipa Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Peru Arequipa Mission Groups
Here are Peru Arequipa Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Arequipa Mission.
- Mission Peru Arequipa Facebook Group (954 members)
- Mision Arequipa 1989-95 Pres. Gimenez y Puertas Group (599 members)
- Mision Arequipa 2004-07 Pres. Gino Galli Group (287 members)
- Reencuentro Mision Arequipa Pres. Gino Galli Group (272 members)
- Mision Peru Arequipa (1995-2000) Group (265 members)
- Mision Peru Arequipa Facebook Group (262 members)
- Mision Arequipa Pres. Romulo Casos 1983-86 Group (199 members)
- Mision Peru Arequipa Facebook Group (185 members)
- Mision Peru Arequipa Facebook Group (104 members)
- Mision Peru Arequipa (Presidente Zobrist) Group (40 members)
- Mission Peru Arequipa Facebook Group (19 members)
- Peru Arequipa Mission Moms (LDS) Group (3 members)
Peru Arequipa Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Peru Arequipa Mission!
Shirt designs include Arequipa 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: Arequipa missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Arequipa Mission gifts
Peru Arequipa Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Peru Arequipa Mission.
- 2016-2019, Douglas R. Johnson
- 2013-2016, Richard Zobrist
- 2010-2013, Arturo Fernandez
- 2007-2010, David J. Davis
- 2004-2007, Lorenzo G. Galli
- 2001-2004, Carlos F. Rivas
- 1998-2001, Julio A. Leiva
- 1995-1998, Willy Zuzunaga
- 1992-1995, Teofilio Puertas
- 1989-1992, Francisco G. Jimenez
- 1986-1989, James R. Young
- 1983-1986, Romulo J. Casos
- 1980-1983, De Lamar Jensen
- 1977-1980, Norval C. Jesperson
Peru LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 557,328
- Missions: 12
- Temples: 2
- Congregations: 774
- Family History Centers: 125
Helpful Articles about Peru
Peru Arequipa Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Peru Arequipa 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?
- 2014-2016 (Matthew)
- September 2007 – September 2009 (Brad)
- 2005-2007 (Melanie)
- 2003-2004 (Malesa)
- 1983-1985 (Gayle)
- 1982-1983 (Jose)
Which areas did you serve in?
- In Perú I served in Puerto Maldonado and Cusco. (Jose)
What were some favorite foods?
- Rocoto relleno Pastel de Papa Pastel de Tallarin Chairo Chupe de Camarones. (Matthew)
- Salchipapa, Papa Rellena, Papa a la huancaina, Aji de gallina, Lomo Saltado, Arroz chaufa, Mamut, Pollo a la brasa. (Brad)
- Aji de gallina, arroz con pollo, rocoto relleno, lentejas, ceviche, and tres leches. (Melanie)
- Green noodles with fried eggs. Chile relleno. (Malesa)
- Yuca frita, Papa de la huancaina, Arroz con pollo. Fresh avocados, mangoes, and papayas. (Gayle)
- In Perú the Ceviche And Inca cola. (Jose)
What was a funny experience?
- Teniamos que subir un cerro y era muy cansado, pensamos que demoraríamos mucho. Al empezar a subir unos perros nos quisieron morder y subimos corriendo , cuando nos dimos cuenta ya habiamos llegado a la cima en menos de tres minutos. (Matthew)
- As missionaries we would kick rocks between each other’s legs as we walked. On time a missionary in our district kicked a rock that hit a women. The missionaries quickly apologized, contacted her and set up an appointment. Five weeks later she was baptized! (Brad)
- When I was in Puno there was a street where people raised pigs. There were some huge ones! Sometimes they would just be sitting in the middle of the street and we would have to walk right by them. One day, we went to visit a family that lived on that street. The father was up on the roof and they told us to go up there to meet him. Well we got up there and he had just finished slaughtering one of the pigs! Good thing I like my bacon or I would have had a hard time. It was such an awkward moment. Hey should we talk about your baptism before or after you clean that pig blood off your face? 😉 (Melanie)
- Someone asked me what I liked for breakfast in my first area when I was brand new. I said, “Jabon y huesos” (soap and bones) when what I meant to say was “jamon y huevos” (ham and eggs). They were confused at first and then couldn’t stop laughing. Ironically, ham and eggs aren’t even my favorite breakfast. It was just one of the few things that I knew they made for breakfast there, that I felt like I could say. (Malesa)
- I was leaving a discussion in Pino and it had been raining hard. The water was going down the side of the hill we had to walk down. Sure enough I slipped and fell. My front was completely covered in mud. Two more steps and I fell again covering the back of me with mud. You can imagine the stares I received when I got on the bus to go home. (Gayle)
- Once we were knocking on doors and a guy answered us. Then we introduced ourselves as representatives of Jesus Christ and the guy replied; “and I am Peruvian catholic and apostolic, I am not roman because I wasn’t born in Rome. (Jose)
What was a crazy experience?
- The street dogs were constantly a dangerous experience. Also, crossing Avenida el Ejercito to get to saga Falabella from the office. I also opened the area on Isla Amantani after 15 years, which was a very crazy experience. We had no electricity and no running water. I was the Branch President and was set to open up the area and establish the church again on the island. (Brad)
- I encountered drunk people all the time. Most of the time the drunks were sad about something or confessing their love for us. Once, however, we encountered an angry aggressive drunk. Walking home at 9pm we encountered this man and he walked right toward us. He reached to grab my bag but only grabbed my water bottle out and threw it at us. We got around him and ran home. The next day at church he was still drunk and happened to follow us again into the church and made a huge scene. Luckily that time we had the members there to help us out. (Melanie)
- The dogs! They are crazy and dangerous. We carried our water bottles around with us to scare off the dogs more than to drink from. If you spray your water towards them from your water bottle, they will keep their distance. (Malesa)
- In Perú we were almost ran over by a motorcycle. (Jose)
What was a spiritual experience?
- Too many to possibly count. I had amazing spiritual experiences every day. One of the best was when we started teaching a girl in Puno who was a friend of a member in Barrio Los Incas. She overcame many trials and difficulties with her family and was baptized. She became a very active member and has since been married and sealed in the temple! (Brad)
- There were too many to count! Having the Spirit be our constant companion was a life saver. Once we went to pick up a family of three for their baptism. When we got to their house the mom said to just take her kids and that she wasn’t going to go. We talked for several minutes and just couldn’t figure out what had changed her mind. We stood silent for a minute and the Spirit gave us the answer. We asked her if she needed a dress to wear. This poor lady had no dress to her name and was too embarrased to show up to her baptism in her sweat pants. With the help of the Spirit we were able to identify her concern and help her meet her baptism date with her children! (Melanie)
- Tons! Seeing how the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and powerful and can really cleanse/change a soul. (Malesa)
- I was teaching about the First Vision and Joseph in the grove of trees when I felt the Spirit so strong that I wouldn’t have been surprised if the light had appeared and I were to see Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. That feeling stayed with me for a long time. (Gayle)
- Testifying about the Book of Mormon on night to a family of four. It was a little bit dark and when I finished my testimony the whole family was in tears and also my companion. (Jose)
What are some interesting facts about the Arequipa Mission?
- The culture is rich and runs deep. Even though many of their celebrations revolve around Catholic figures or events, their costumes, dances and music are amazing! (Melanie)
- Mount Misti is an active volcano and you can see smoke coming up from it most mornings. Every now and then, you will feel a little tremor. (Malesa)
- When I was serving, Howard W. Hunter came and made Cusco into a stake. Now a temple is being built in Arequipa. The growth of the Church is incredible. (Gayle)
- Baptizing some people but also my own inner change. (Jose)
What was the weather like?
- Pretty hot and dry for most of the mission. The coast could be humid and the altiplano could get a little cold (I believe this pertains to the Cusco Mission now). Overall hot and dry. (Brad)
- With the high altitude it could be really hot in the sun, and then freezing in the shade! But in general it was never too bad either way. Bring sunscreen though! (Melanie)
- Dry. Hot in the summer but not humid, so it’s not too bad. Cold in the winter. Up in Puno it’s cold enough that it will snow and people will put on heaters if they can afford it. In Arequipa, hardly anyone has a heater. You just get used to the chillier weather, but it also doesn’t get cold enough to snow. (Malesa)
- There are four seasons, depending on where you serve. I experienced weather that was very cold, had lots of rain, and was very hot in the desert. I’m from California so I know hot and there was lots of heat in Tacna and Camana. (Gayle)
- In Perú it was hot and rainy in my first area. In my second it was very cold. (Jose)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- Everything!! I loved the people, the food and the culture. Perú is full of amazing culture, amazing people and amazing places!! (Brad)
- They were so friendly and inviting. They have so little and would still give you everything they had. I learned so much from their example of humility and kindness. (Melanie)
- They are open to conversation and listening. They are sincere. They are loving. They are beautiful. (Malesa)
- I love the humility and love the Peruvians innately have. Abancay was one of my favorite areas. There was only a small branch, yet the members were strong and willing to serve. There were a lot of indigenous people in Abancay and I loved the humility of those special people. (Gayle)
- In Perú the way they accepted the Book of Mormon. I think they saw their ansestors as they read it. (Jose)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Remember you can buy anything you need there! Don’t pack too much and don’t pack as much cold gear as called for in your packet. If you are in a cold area you can buy items there for a fraction of the cost. (Brad)
- Bring several pairs of shoes, or shoes with sturdy soles. My favorite pairs of shoes quickly got holes in the bottom from all the walking! (Melanie)
- Just follow what the mission advice is. (Malesa)
- Pack lightly. You need a good raincoat. Use layers for warmth. You can get a nice alpaca sweater and gloves rather inexpensively there. I would get any electrical items, such as a blow dryer, there in Peru. (Gayle)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- I see the blessings of a mission every day. It taught me to love, be patient, trust the Lord, talk to people, budget my money and be independent. My mission impacts my daily life. Plus, I learned Spanish which lead me to meet my wife! The blessings of serving a mission are endless! (Brad)
- Lifelong friendships! Learning to persevere in extremely testing circumstances. Relying on GOD for everything! (Melanie)
- So many. A stronger testimony of how the Gospel can change lives. A love for Peru, it’s people and the Spanish language. A completely different perspective on life. A feeling of gratitude for the things the Lord has blessed me with. (Malesa)
- The blessings never stop. The kindness and love that started to grow in my heart on my mission just continues to grow. I learned Spanish that I continue to use even today. My faith and testimony continue to grow. I am forever grateful for the lessons I’ve learned. I can’t imagine going through the trials I have experienced without that strength and my relationship to my Savior. My trials have given me greater compassion and understanding for those around me. (Gayle)
- A stronger testimony about the Savior and his church, more knowledge about the scriptures and the gospel, I learned how to love people no matter their beliefs or if they think different. (Jose)
What are some skills you gained?
- Spanish, time management, talking to people, teaching, learning, studying, organization, communication, resolving differences. It truly is a life university that teaches you so many relatable skills. It will impact your life forever. (Brad)
- The ability to talk to people I never knew and learn to relate to them. (Melanie)
- Spanish. Improved people skills. Knowing how to scare off dogs. (Malesa)
- My Spanish has been one of my most valuable skills. I have gotten three different jobs and received promotions. My work ethic and study skills that were improved on my mission have served me well in my jobs inside and outside the Church. (Gayle)
- I can teach, talk, lead, comunicate better. I am not shy anymore. (Jose)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- Talk to everyone!! Don’t be afraid, open your mouth and speak with everyone you come in contact with. It will change your mission! (Brad)
- I wish I knew that people are more important than numbers in your planner. (Melanie)
- I wish my faith had been a little stronger in the Lord and myself. (Gayle)
- I wish I was 45 years old at the beginning of my mission because I would have brought into the mission all the matureness and all the life experience of that age. (Jose)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Arequipa?
- Like I have mentioned, my mission changed my life. Although every single day is not amazing, it will truly be the best two years of your life. The Church is true and serving will change your life forever. (Brad)
- Your mission will be the most amazing experience. The people will love you and do anything for you if you love and serve them first. Work hard every day because soon it will all be over! (Melanie)
- If you haven’t already received a confirmation of the truthfulness of the Gospel, then do so now. You owe it to yourself and the people you will meet to have your own convictions and testimony. Also, pray for confirmation that you will know you are going where the Lord is sending you. You need that to help get through the time of adjusting to your mission and culture. (Gayle)
- Just make sure you know the purpose why you are called to serve. (Jose)
What was a funny language mistake?
- I had many companions say they were “embarazado” (embarrased), but that really means pregnant!! (Brad)
- One of my new companions was asked if she would be able to date and marry someone there and she hesitantly said “yes”…I quickly said “No!” And I later explained what they were saying to her :). (Melanie)
- Sometimes the gringos didn’t pronounce the name of some foods correctly. But I never laughed about it. (Jose)