INFORMATION FOR NEW MISSIONARIES
Welcome to the Spain, Barcelona
Mission! We are grateful that the Lord
has called you here, and we congratulate you for your preparations to be a full
time missionary!
Our mission is also called “El Faro,” or the
“Lighthouse Mission.” It is known for its devoted, hard-working missionaries
and for our tradition of teaching repentance and baptizing converts. The field
is white and ready to harvest in Barcelona!
In El Faro,
·
We are converted to the Lord.
·
We teach repentance and baptize
converts
·
We are exactly obedient and
diligent
·
We enjoy Spain. We work hard and we play hard!
As missionaries, our first responsibility is
our own conversion. As we come to the
Savior, we love others and teach with greater authority. When we continually repent, we teach
repentance powerfully. And as we honor
our covenants, we invite others to make and keep sacred covenants as well. We
invite you to continue growing in your own discipleship.
A mission is mentally, spiritually and
physically challenging. Before you enter
the MTC, we encourage you to study Preach
My Gospel, and The Book of Mormon. Where
possible, attend the temple, including as a temple worker, if that is an option
for you. Learn to discipline how and when you use technology and social media,
and avoid inappropriate material.
Improve your nutrition, and get sufficient rest
and exercise. All these efforts will
prepare you for mission life. And
remember, whom the Lord calls, he qualifies. You can do this!
You are beloved of the Lord. He trusts you to serve Him, and we do
too. We look forward to welcoming you in
Barcelona soon.
With much love,
President Craig and Sister Lark Galli
Spain Barcelona Mission
Important Information:
1. Passport
and Visa Applications: You will need a passport and a visa for Spain. It takes
up to 6 months to receive a visa for Spain.
Please submit all of your paperwork to Church Travel quickly. If you do not receive your visa by the time
you leave the MTC, you will be reassigned to another mission until your visa is
approved. Also, if you do not already
have a passport, apply for one immediately.
2. Phones:
Missionaries from the US, Canada, and some other countries are required to
purchase their own Samsung smart phones. If you are coming from another country
outside North America, please check the missionary portal to see whether one
will be provided for you. Phones may be brought from home or purchased in Spain
for 150-250€. Please check the
missionary portal to see which phones are acceptable.
3. Bankcards
and Mission Funds: It can be helpful to bring a personal credit card. Where
possible, your parents should know your bankcard, Social Security, passport and
visa numbers. Consider adding them to your bankcard account and inform the bank
that you will be in Spain. We recommend
that you keep a fund of around $200 USD on your bankcard. The mission office
pays for rent, utilities, phone data, cleaning supplies, doctors’ appointments,
prescriptions, and travel expenses. You
will receive 162€ per month on your church provided credit card for food,
laundry, haircuts, preparation day activities, and personal card items.
4. Packages:
Boxed packages usually do no arrive in Spain, or carry a very high customs
fee. You may receive up to 4 pounds of
materials in bubble wrap envelopes or order from Amazon.es or Amazon.uco.uk,
which are quick and reliable services.
5. Drivers
License: Few of our missionaries will drive, but it is important to be prepared.
Make sure your license is current, and unless you have an EU license, get an
international driver’s license, available in the U.S. from AAA at a modest
cost.
6. Physical
Preparation: Missionaries here often walk 8-12 miles per day, which puts tremendous
force on feet, ankles and knees. We
recommend you begin a running or walking routine in preparation. If you have
ingrown toenails, please have them taken care of before entering the MTC.
7. Communication:
You may communicate with your family on preparation day via letters, emails,
text messages, online messaging, phone calls and video chats. Your family
members should not initiate calls or chats but instead should wait for you to
contact them. Online messaging, phone calls, and video chats are not allowed
with friends. You may communicate with
friends by letter or email.
8. Visits. Generally, you will not be able to spend time
with visiting friends and relatives. To do so, you must receive special
permission from President Galli.
Recommendations from the Medical Team:
Medications: Most medications, vitamins and
supplements are easily available in Spain. It is almost impossible to receive
prescription drugs, vitamins or supplements through the mail. If you have
required medications, bring what you can with you, and bring a copy of your
current prescription(s). Our local doctor can work with you to get what you
need.
Recommended Personal First Aid Supplies:
• Acetaminophen
Regular strength (available in Spain, but bring a small initial supply). For
pain or fever, 2 tablets every 4-6 hours, NOT to exceed 10 / day.
• Ibuprofen
(available in Spain, but bring a small initial supply). For pain, fever,
inflammation. ALWAYS take with food and glass of water. 200-400 every 4 to 6
hours, NOT to exceed 1200 mg / day
• Benadryl
or other antihistamine: 4-6 in chewable or dissolvable forms for rapid use in
allergic reaction. This does not replace an epi-pen if you have known, severe
allergies.
• Antacid
(chewable) If this is not a frequent problem for you, you need bring only 6-10.
Tums, chewable Maalox, etc. for heartburn and upset stomach
• Triple
antibiotic ointment (small tube)
• Anti-inflammatory
cream betamethasone 1% (small tube) for rashes, skin irritations
• Electrolyte
powder or tablets (less expensive in US). Use for vomiting, diarrhea,
heat-related illness
• Band-Aids,
assorted sizes.
• Thermometer
• Tweezers
• Rice
sock Bring an empty tube sock which you can fill when you arrive. Heat in
microwave 60-90 seconds to apply to affected or painful area.
• Sunscreen
• Lip
balm
• Personal
medications (see above).
Keep these supplies in a re-sealable
plastic bag with the above instructions, and bring them with a two-week supply of any personal medications
into your carry-on bag
.
We love you and will see you soon!
Spain Barcelona Mission
Calle Calatrava 10-12
Bajos
Barcelona 08017
SPAIN
+34 932.116.762
2011255@churchofjesuschrist.org
elfaroespanabarcelona.blogspot.com.esInstaGram craig galli; larkgalli