Missionary Experience
Some nine years ago I left the United States to serve as a missionary
in Costa Rica for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
It was, hands down, the most challenging thing I have ever done, and,
with the exception of marrying, the most profoundly meaningful.
In some ways, work as a missionary gives a closer look at a foreign
culture than any other type of activity. You get to go into hundreds
of homes and talk to people about their lives, hopes, faith, and
occupation. You also come to know how to get around, where to stay,
what kinds of clothing and other necessaries to bring. In that sense,
someone who has spent two years as a missionary is in an excellent
position to advise a would be visitor.
For nitty-gritty, practical advice, travelers might well find a lot of
help by contacting a website set up for people who have served
missions. A list of such websites can be obtained at
Thanks for your story on today's show.
--Jesse
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