New missionaries arrive

Dennis is preparing for the arrival of new missionaries.  We have to clear the room with a mosquito zapper.  We will then have the new elders and sisters come in so we can check their immunization record and review their food allergies etc.  We give some immunizations if they don't have them.   

Three bus loads brought 64 missionaries from the airport.  They all came in on the direct flight from SLC but all were not from SLC.  They had connecting flights from elsewhere.  Two missionaries came in later on different flights.  They were also picked up and went through the welcoming orientation process.  

Just as the newly arriving missionaries were getting off their bus the heavens opened and we had a torrential rain storm.  Dennis is soaked to the skin from bringing in luggage from the buses.  

Welcome to the raining season of Mexico City.  It will last throughout the summer.  The morning is beautiful but it usually rains in the afternoon and evening, sometimes harder than others. We are at 7300 feet in elevation and a sweater is often needed during the day or evening when it is cool. 

Yesterday 70 Latino missionaries came in and went through the orientation process.  They stay for 2 weeks where the North Americans stay for 6 weeks of training.  

Here is our apartment.

Here is our apartment.   Bright, clean and roomy.   

One week in the mission field has been very nice--pleasant and even peaceful.   Lot's of support as we begin to get involved in the clinic, in the branch of young missionaries, and in getting to know  the other missionary couples.     Yesterday a fun excursion to a small town outside of the city--Tepotzolan.    You can check it out on the internet.   But here are a few photos (I hope) of the sites and also of the training center.

Our CCM couples group at the Catholic Temple of 

San Franscisco Javier in Tepotzotlan, Mexico

mural at the Joseph Smith administration building

This mural is original from the time that the campus was an LDS school for Mexican Children

Green parrots at the CCM

There are beautiful green parrots all around the CCM.  Also bright red cardinals.

We made it!

After a pleasant 3 1/2 hour flight from Salt Lake City we arrived in Mexico City.    Lovely cool weather.   Brother Serrano met us and drove us to the  CCM, through congested streets and lots of sidewalk stores and vendors.   The CCM is lovely, so peaceful and tranquil, almost park like.   Welcoming friends met us with hugs and a welcome supply of groceries since it  was Saturday evening.     Our apartment is spacious, clean, and comfortable.   Today we spent the day in church with young elders and sisters, choir practice, a devotional, and a great class taught by Brother Stanton Call in the presidency.   Oh, and  great lunch in the cafeteria too.    Everyone is friendly and welcoming.   The young elders and sisters just glow.   We will be very happy here.  I hope to figure out how to post photos soon.    So nice to be on the internet.   Soon we will figure out the phone system too.  More to come.      

medical training by Elder and Sister Drake in SLC May 18-25 2015