For those of us heading to Peru…and other foreign places

So, you’ve put in your mission call and then the envelope you’ve been waiting for and dying anxiously over finally comes in the mail. You’re so excited when you find the envelope in the mail box that you let out a scream that can probably be heard by all of your friends, but you don’t care, you’re that excited. You wait anxiously all day until all of your family and friends have arrived at your home to share this special moment with you, a moment that will literally change your life. Finally, it’s time to rip open the envelope. You rip it open and the call says…Peru?

How in the world do you begin to prepare to go to a place like Peru for eighteen months?

That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out over the past couple of months. It’s one thing to search for the right clothes, music, and other things to bring. It’s a whole other thing to prepare yourself to enter an entirely different culture, with different people, different customs, different food, different everything. So, are you ready for some good tips I’ve found around the web? I know, I can see you jumping for joy, but seriously these tips helped me gain back some of sanity after the initial panic of preparing to leave the country.

1. You’re never alone. That was my first issue I panicked over upon opening my call. How in the world was I going to navigate my way to Peru when I’ve never even stepped foot in an airport before (I know, shocking), but after doing some research I know it’s going to be okay because someone is always going to be there for you, the Lord will guide someone into your path to help you begin your mission. And in my case I get to meet up with a whole bunch of other missionaries at my connecting flight, which is pretty cool.
2. If you’re going to Peru be prepared for the wild dogs. I’ve heard about several missionaries getting bitten in the mission I’m going to, but amazingly there is a product that scares away dogs. You can find it on amazon for a pretty reasonable price. It’s called a “dog dazzer” and from what I hear it really does work.
3. Be prepared to get sick. And to work your way through it. I’m sure this is true for plenty of other missions, but I’ve heard from several RM’s that served in my missionary to be prepared to face illness. The food there has different bacteria, then it does here in the states and it normally takes missionaries a few months to adjust, so in other words pack the pepto…
4. Get ready to eat a guinea pig. Am I ready? No way. Apparently they’re a delicacy in Peru. Who knew? Each mission seems to have its crazy food that a missionary has to try at least once during the time of their service.
5. Preach my gospel can help you through anything. It’ll give you a clear idea of what you will be teaching investigators the moment you enter the MTC. It’ll teach you correct principles and give you spiritual inspiration when you’re feeling like maybe this whole mission thing wasn’t the best idea after all. It’ll help you learn the language of your mission, but more importantly it’ll help you to learn the language of love. Because, in all honesty none of it matters if we don’t open our hearts and love those that we come into contact with. The gospel is love.

I love my Savior so much and I’m so excited to serve him two weeks from today. May you find success as you prepare as well. Enjoy the tips!