Greetings from Guatemala.

The following letter is from the Missionary Training Center (MTC) President in Guatemala, President Christensen. As many of you know, Elder Jensen was at the MTC in Provo, UT for the first three weeks of his mission, and he has just arrived in Guatemala earlier this week.

Dear Parents and Loved Ones:

Your missionary arrived "safe and sound" Tuesday night (after a significant delay in Dallas)--- arriving at the MTC after midnight... and was involved all morning  at the MTC here in Guatemala --- in orientation for their next phase of training. They finally got into the classroom in the afternoon and have started learning more Spanish & teachings from Preach My Gospel. I've attached a photo (three separate groups) of them out in front of the flags in the entry of the MTC here in Guatemala. Sorry, they are not  great pictures ---but enjoy!
 
You are no doubt very proud of your missionary. You should be! This is a very good group of 22 missionaries who join another extraordinary group of 5 North Americans who are in their final three weeks PLUS 42 missionaries from Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Chile, Panama, and other Latin American countries. 

Your missionary has Preparation Day on Tuesdays and will be writing to you then.  I know that your support through letters and emails bless your 'missionary' a lot  --- and will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for your missionary!!!  We come to love these missionaries a great deal and appreciate you lending them to the Lord for this season of their lives.

Thanks again!

President David A. Christensen

Write to Me!

Derek’s first choice for anyone who would like to write to him is to do it through Dear Elder while he’s in the Guatemala MTC. It’s easy to set up an account and send him mail and it’s FREE! Just click on "Pouch - FREE" on the right hand side of the page and then select "GUATEMALA MTC" from the drop down list on the next page. And then write your letter!

You may also choose to send letters through the pouch according to their set guidelines. This is a one page 8.5 X 11, triple-folded, taped or sealed with the address and stamp on the outside.

"POUCH" Elder Derek Kort Jensen
Guatemala MTC
P.O. Box 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

For the next several weeks you can ALSO send letters, packages, or other mail to Derek at the following address:

Elder Derek Kort Jensen
Centro de Capacitation Misional
Boulevard Vista Hermosa 23-71, Zona 15
Vista Hermosa 1 C.P. 01015
Guatemala Ciudad, Guatemala C.A.

It is recommended that we don't send anything to the above MTC address after July 24th or it may not arrive before Derek departs the Guatemala MTC.

You can also to go to the MTC President’s personal website. When you get to the site, click on “Guatemala MTC”. You can then browse around or take a tour of the MTC. Within a few weeks we may find Derek in one or more of the pictures. ENJOY!!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Hola! 

I did make a smaller copy of my Patriarchial Blessing, so don't worry about that. And the Guatemala shirt I sent is for you guys! Hope you like it!

Salinas is supposed to be really good this year, though...They have a couple real good guys. I need to know Dylan's stats after games, though, too!

I don't think I have met Taylor's friend, but I'm sure I will on Tuesday! I met three others going to the same mission, leaving the same day and everything. Really random...My current companion is going to Guatemala, Guatemala City North Mission, too, but I'm not sure if we will be companions at the MTC in Guatemala or not...

We have received our travel plans! I'll get them copied and I'll send them to you in the mail today! I know you will want them. Hah.

I don not need my CTR ring, but I would love some tweezers to help the uni once in awhile....And also some toenail clippers please. Sorry to keep asking for stuff!

I'm not doing much for P-day, just cleaning and stuff, but we do get to go to the temple again, so I'm excited for that!

I am getting blessed with the language and all, so right on! Hah...it's been nice for sure, though...

Oh, and make sure Aaliyah has to point me out and say my name from a picture or something everyday!

Oh, and I'd prefer people use Dear Elder because I get those everyday, but I can only check e-mail once a week....

I love you!

Elder Jensen

My Mission.

June 10, 2009

Well, I just did and am doing laundry for the first time right now and it isn't very hard at all so I'm kind of relieved about that. Last night we had our MTC devotional and President Bednar spoke right after his wife. It was so cool, Mom. He came in and everyone stood up for him; I had the chills for like three straight minutes all over - hah. And when he testified of something or promised something it was crazy how strong the spirit was. He was just crazy amazing...

I'm going to get ready to send a little package home because I have some stuff I don't need or can't use and it will be used at home. 

I actually have been writing in my journal everyday. Grandma and Grandpa bought me one before I went into the MTC, so I was good to go. But Stacie sent me one, too, so I don't think I'll need one again on my mission. If I finish the first the first one though I'll send it home so you guys can read it. 

Time is starting to go faster so it's been a lot better. New people come in today so I'll get to watch them be a little sad and confused at first. Haha. We do get to call I guess when we get to the airport or when we are in our layover, but I 'll find out more asap and let you know. 

My Spanish is coming along; my companion and I are pretty far ahead of our district, so we have to study a lot of separate stuff or we won't learn much. Haha. El don de leaguas es reál. Yea, I've been luckily blessed so far, a lot. 

Also, what's up with my visa? I guess guys going to Mexico are having a lot of trouble getting theirs. I have mine already, don't I? What does it look like and everything? Lol. Sorry...

Well, I love you all very, very much. I miss you guys and I'm thinking about ALL of you, EVERY day. Thanks for the prayers! I pray for you all everyday, too. Stay strong!

Love you,

Elder Jensen

Here I go!

On Tuesday, June 2, 2009,

I was set apart as a missionary for the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I have been called to serve in the

Guatemala, Guatemala City North Mission

for the next two years.