Wednesday, July 3, 2013

A Welcome Letter from Sister Prince

We are excited to be serving the Lord here in the Colombia Cali Mission with Elder Lyle. He arrived in a world completely different than this own tired but ready to work. After having an interview and training with President Prince, he has now gone off to his first area, Americas in Popayan, with his companion, Elder Borg, who is from the Dominican Republic.

I have attached a picture so you can see that he actually did make it! We have all fallen in love with Elder Lyle and appreciate him pitching right in to clear dishes and help out. He is doing excellent with his Spanish and is ready to work!


Elder Lyle getting to the Cali Airport
Having lunch with the Prince's after arriving in Cali
President & Sister Prince with Elder Lyle
The Elder's looking over the city of Cali
The new Elder's & Hermana's from the MTC in Bogota
Getting ready to meet their trainers
Meeting his new companion/trainer
Rawly with his new companion Elder Borg
Everyone getting to have lunch together and get to know each other
Rawly seems to be telling a story, which is so him
And as you can see...he is still talking :)
Getting instruction from President Prince
Rawly 2nd over 
Hanging out in class
There is still more to learn

If you are interested in following our mission comings and goings (and occasionally finding a picture of your missionary posted!) you may check out our blog at: http://colombia-cali.blogspot.com/ (it has been a busy week...be patient while I try to get all the pictures posted!) I think you already know about this!

I am including below a few helpful tips for mailing packages to Colombia (it can be complicated and expensive!!)

We are grateful for you prayers and support.

Un abrazo, 
Hermana Prince

The best mailing address for your Elder is:
Elder Lyle
Colombia Cali Mission
Avenida 2 Oeste #10-130 Oficina 201
Edifico Tempo
Barrio Santa Rita
Cali, Valle, COLOMBIA

If you ship a package with a private courier, you will need this phone number 57 2-892-1709. 
This is the mission office address. You may mail letters and packages to this address.
To mail a letter of normal size and weight it costs 98cents to mail it here.

You can use the church pouch mail for letters at the following adress:
Elder Lyle
Colombia Cali Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

Pouch Mail Instructions: To prevent possible fines, only postcards and letters that are single sheet, folded into three-panels, and taped at the top only (no envelopes) may be sent through the pouch. Packages cannot be sent through pouch mail.

Here are some hints we have learned about the mail system to/from Colombia:
It is better to send things in padded envelopes rather than boxes. If the packages weigh less than 2 kilos (about 4lbs) they usually arrive without the missionary having to pay a fee to get it out of customs. you should declare ANY package at a value LESS than about $20 to also avoid paying a customs fee. 
Most letters and packages are taking about 14 or 15 days to arrive.
Our missionaries have to PAY ON TOP of what you have paid to ship...just to receive the package...IF it is too heavy or worth a lot. It is better to send 2 envelopes than to pay a lot and send a big box.

Mail leaving Colombia for the USA is VERY VERY expensive. I tried to mail a regular letter to my brother and they wanted 77 mil pesos or about 40 dollars to mail it. I did NOT mail it.
The best way to communicate with your missionary is via email.

Once a package arrives in the office it can take up to a month to get it out to the missionary as we have to wait until we can get it to the zone leaders at a conference or take it when we are traveling.

If you want to send something for Christmas, plan accordingly for the time it might take and mark the package FOR CHRISTMAS.

Please remember that many of his companions will be Latins who may never hear from home or receive a package...if you want to inclue a little something for the companion it is always a kind gesture.
I hope this helps.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you so much for the advice. I will plan accordingly.

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