Cáli Colombia Missionary Information

Page last updated on Thursday, August 23, 2001

So, you have been called to the Cali Colombia mission! For new missionaries and their nervous parents... RELAX. Colombia is a not only a great mission, but a wonderful country full of many sites to see, and people with a heart of gold. The Colombian people are generous, genuine, and friendly. Hopefully this page will give you some basic information about what you will expect to see while in Colombia. Congratulations and good luck!

Clothing

As far as clothing goes, there is a variety in the climate, but most of the cities will be mostly hot, (highs average from 80-100 and lows from 50-60 year round).  Remember, you are near the equator! Don't take lightly the fact that sunburns are quick to arrive and slow to go away. There are a few mountainous cities, like Manizalez, Popayán, and Pasto, that are a bit cooler.  I saw my breath vapor only once in my 22 months, so it really doesn't got very cold.  Our normal attire during my stay was white shirts and ties on regular days and a suit on missionary zone and church meetings.  Get a good, quality umbrella and even a raincoat if you have room.  The umbrella was the best investment I made for the many warm, rainy days you will experience.  Surprisingly, unless you get near the coast, which was not being worked while I was there, it does not get very humid, except during the rainy November to January season.

There are dry cleaners in most of the cities and rarely do you get to tract in any jungle areas.  The laundry is usually contracted out and is a great deal. Since most of the members live in the cities or just outside the city, most of your work is concentrated near them.

Mail

The mission mailing address is:

Cali Colombia Mission
Apartado Aereo 4892
Cali, Colombia S.A.

The office location can be acquired by sending me an e-mail.

Most cities have a post office and a P.O. Box, or Apartado Aereo. Letters take from 1 to 2 weeks for delivery. One of the best ways to get small items delivered in a package is by sending it in a Pringles can (wrapped in paper sack, and taped) because it will fit into the post office boxes.  Since it has been awhile since I've been there, I'll bet that there are new ways to get a package, so it might be best to wait and get the current advice from the missionaries there. Film developing was best done by sending it out for delivery to various labs in the U.S.

Food

Plan on a lot of rice, beans, and beef.  Platino, which resembles a banana in looks, is used as we use potatoes; fried, mashed, baked, etc.  They are good but some of the food requires adventurous taste buds.  They have a good variety of soda and bottled water on every corner to cool your thirst on hot days. We found some GREAT pizza places. If the Buho de Humo is still in operation in downtown Cali, I would recommend a visit.

Travel

I was once told that I would spend 1/3 of my mission waiting for a bus. While it's not quite that much, you will spend a lot of time on a bus, walking, or in a taxi. (In that order). Not much time is spent in private cars, other than when traveling in mission vehicles, such as from the airport or occasionally for official office business. Use the time wisely, and practice up on the cold contacting.

 

I hope that if there are any items that you would like more information on, that you could possibly e-mail one of the more recently returned missionaries, and that they might also let me know of any information that should be updated. Thanks again for supporting our pages.