RM shout out

[_sunstoned]

"Oh, and by the way, we TOLD your father.

This would totally piss me off and is unacceptable. That is one thing about the morg. They have no concept of personal boundaries. Good for you for telling them to shove it.

[_Tarski]

Japan around 1976, 1977

[_mentalgymnast]

I served in the Washington D.C. Mission from 1973-1975. Worked as a missionary tour guide at the Washington D.C. Temple before it was dedicated.

Regards,
MG

[_Willy Law]

I will wager that I taught more and baptized more than any other participant of the forum.

I will wager that I taught less and baptized less than any other participant of the forum.

Rome, early 90's

[_Analytics]

I entered the MTC to go to Argentina in 1989, was in Argentina for a year, had some health issues, and was sent home, but not released. I spent 6 weeks at home living mission rules more or less, and hung out with the missionaries in Utah a bit. I was then called--litereally called by the Church HQ on the phone--and told to pack my bags because I was off to Arizona to finish my two years. After a few months a new mission was carved out, and I found myself finishing in El Paso Texas.

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Lima Peru South '90-'92. Like Dr. Shades it was a profoundly formative experience for me (good and bad). That said, if I had to do it over again I most definitely would decline and focus immediately on my career. For Mormons outside the Morridor I can't really see the upside of serving a mission, and delaying one's education or other opportunities.

That said I got to see and experience:

The unending slums of Lima, Peru (plus a couple nice parts).
The Incan city of Cuzco (and Maccu Piccu).
The desert cities of Ica and Nazca (love those Nazca lines).
The coastal mining town of Marcona (loved never ending avian migrations).
The amazonian province Madre de Dios (Brazil was juuuust over the river).

Not bad. Got some happy snaps. Got robbed a few times. Baptized a few people. Got hit on my hot girls looking for a green card. Fun times...

- Doc

[_Tchild]

Buenos Aires, Argentina late 80's. I got to watch an attempted military coup live on T.V, and experienced hyperinflation.

Hated the LDS mission religious stuff to the core of my soul. Loved every part of the mission that was unrelated to Mormonism...except other missionaries, whom kept me hinged into reality when i thought I might go insane.

I still love to eat Argy food. As a matter of fact, I bought a dozen empenadas and half a dozen facturas just this morning on my way to work. Friggin' delicicious.

[_ludwigm]

Near East, in early 90s.
I can not say anything the exact date and place, because it was a military mission. And I wasn't called missionary. I was an expert...

But, its side effect isn't a military secret.
I had then a very limited contact with my family, and during that 18 months (yes, eighteen months) mission, my wife was trapped by TheOnlyTrueChurch.

If I had been at home then...
Forget it. If something did happen, there is no place for what if it wouldn't.

[_Rollo Tomasi]

I served a mission long ago. I wanted to serve, but, in hindsight, I was extremely naïve and innocent. It was a hard mission -- incredible poverty and awful living conditions. But, overall, a great experience that taught me a lot. I do NOT regret going, although I do regret some of the things I did (such as falling for the guilt trips laid on by leaders and falling under the spell of "numbers equal success"). It was during my mission that I first saw the underbelly of Church administration: correlation, politics, lack of real discernment, punishment, inequality, and a general void of Christlike behavior. It was a real wake-up call for me. I came home still very much a believer, but better able to see the negative in the Church as my life moved forward.

[_Zim]

Mexico Veracruz mission in the 80s. It was a largely positive experience for me. I learned a language that I still use all the time. I've made friends and had opportunities that would never have come about had I not known Spanish. For that reason alone I don't regret it. I was moderately successful as a missionary. I wouldn't pressure people or use any kind of trick to get them dunked. I stopped counting converts at 42. I would almost guarantee that the majority are no longer active. I can think of three or four that maybe are. I've not kept in touch with families there at all, sadly.