Hello Villahermosa México!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

First Week in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz México!

Hello all, my first week in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz México went by fast! The first Sunday, Nov. 10th we had Stake Conference to attend. There are about seven wards/branches in Coatzacoalcos and nearby areas. This coming Sunday, Nov. 17th we will go to the Allende ward and meet some more members - that will be good. Nearby our apartment is a convenience store (the store, or la tienda ceiling is so low I have to walk bent down a bit or I hit my head) and an internet cafe next door that we use to make calls home and for emailing; both are owned by a family whose son is a return missionary. It seems like a nice business for them - the son helps run the internet cafe. We have a great time talking "smack" with each other. His name is Evan. He often brings burritos to us at our apartment - they are great!

Elder Smart, first day in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz México.

@MisionMexicoVillahermosa2019to2022

We taught a young boy and his family this past week. I thought it went well even though my Spanish is still coming along and getting better. This is a photo of the family's home we taught. Their home, in the foreground is to the far left, in the photo below.

Elder Cicerone, my companion from the CCM/MTC emailed me and said this about the Spanish language spoken in Villahermosa - which I think must be pretty accurate; the Spanish spoken here is like a Floridian - someone from Florida speaking with an Alabaman accent. I think my Spanish is getting better - when I sleep, I dream in Spanish, haha. I have also learned some Spanish cuss words - not by my own will but by others, haha.
The members feed us well too! I am thankful for that. They will often cook a dish that is pork, that has a bright red color to it, add some Feta cheese and eggs - not sure what it is called but is very good! Also, a jello-type pudding with fruit and nuts - fantastic! Have to figure out how to make that too! Have a great week!

New arrival missionaries to the mission home, Nov. 4th, 2019 - Villahermosa México - Elder Smart far right, front row.

Image by geezmx from Pixabay

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Mission Home and First Area Arrival!

Hello everyone, I'm finally in Villahermosa! - and when people said that it is super hot here, they were not lying. It is sooo hot. So far its been pretty good. I only got like 2 hours of sleep last night so I am pretty tired; it is so beautiful here though. It is very, very green and there are a lot of trees everywhere. It's been raining on and off since I've been here. I got here at like 8:30 am Central Time-CT. I got up at 2:30 am so that was awesome. I literally love it here already though. I met with the mission president, Pres. Whitworth for an interview and met his wife - they are both great! I heard that the people here don't fully pronunciate the words when they speak so its a little tricky to understand - but so far it has been awesome.

My companion is Elder Horn, he is my trainer. Elder Horn is from Waco, Texas. I come to find out he has a sister that is very near my home town - lives about 20 minutes away from where I call home.
I have been assigned to serve with Elder Horn in a town on the Gulf of México, northwest of Villahermosa, approximately 2 hrs 13 min. (166.4 km) from Villahermosa. It is called Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, México. I was able to call via Google Hangouts my family from a internet cafe near our apartment on Monday, Nov. 4th, which is our preparation day and visit with them. It was a great visit!

(Click to view) Location of Coatzacoalcos, México.

Meeting my trainer, Elder Horn - Monday, Nov. 4th, 2019.

@MisionMexicoVillahermosa2019to2022

I walked into our humble small apartment, and looked around, I then sat down and pulled out a cookie I had saved from lunch at the mission home and thought to myself, "I am thankful for my cookie." haha - I am thankful for my cookie, for sure. Elder Horn mentioned that there is no running water and that we buy water to drink and use a well with a 45 pound bucket to get water to take a bath with. Also, what happened that was funny is we have a domesticated cat that likes to live at our apartment. Elder Horn showed me my bed and then the cat jumped up on the bed and did a "poop" - luckily I brought some clean sheets. Sister Whitworth, the mission President's wife talked to all of the newly arrived missionaries, at the mission home, earlier in the day and said, "there are seven diseases that missionaries have to be careful of." I thought to myself, well I am on track to get all seven, haha.

I am grateful to be here and excited to serve the Lord! Tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 5th, this awesome adventure starts.

New missionary training and orientation - Nov. 4th, 2019.

@MisionMexicoVillahermosa2019to2022

(Left to Right) Elder Horn, Elder Smart - (Right Photo - Left to Right) - Sister Jennifer R. Whitworth, Elder Smart, Pres. Clark Whitworth.

@MisionMexicoVillahermosa2019to2022

D&C 12:3-4

3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.

Last Week at the México City CCM/MTC!

Hello all, I can not believe that this is my last week here at the México City CCM/MTC. The time here has gone by super fast. I can't remember if I mentioned that Elder Cicerone is my companion here at the CCM/MTC. He is great companion and friend. All these Elders in our room have been awesome and we have had some crazy fun experiences while here. Our CCM/MTC district did get to go to the temple (México City, México LDS Temple) Oct. 24th, which was pretty awesome! The Spanish language is going pretty good (Elder Monson, Elder Nicks, Elder Cicerone, Elder Smart - share same dorm room at the CCM/MTC). Elder Nicks got hurt playing volleyball the other day. He sprained his collar bone and/or shoulder. He has to wear this brace for 3 weeks. Elder Monson got way sick Monday morning. He was throwing up all morning. Hope they both get feeling better soon.
Talk to you all next week! I will be in the mission field - I am excited to talk to people and teach them the Gospel!

(Left to Right) - Elder Allen, Elder Cicerone, Elder Smart, Elder Nicks at the México City, México Temple.

Elder Smart - México City, México Temple

México City, México Temple

Alma 5: 1-3

1 Now it came to pass that Alma began to deliver the word of God unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and from thence throughout all the land.

2 And these are the words which he spake to the people in the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, according to his own record, saying:

3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.

Monday, October 7, 2019

First Two Weeks in the México CCM/MTC.

Hello it is Elder Smart. I tried calling my family via Google Hangouts these past couple of weeks
but could not get through. Here is a short email to keep everyone up on how things are.
Hope everything and everyone is good. México is crazy! There is graffiti everywhere
and you can hear what sounds like gunshots, haha - yet it is fireworks since September 16th is Independence Day, a national holiday here. I’ve really liked it here. It’s
been a really awesome experience! I’ve already memorized the First
Vision and My Missionary Purpose. Spanish has been really easy for me -
the Gift of Tongues is real and i’ve learned a lot already. However, haha, the food
is really not my favorite here at the CCM/MTC - I will get used to it. I’ve heard there are a lot of missionaries that are going to the México Villahermosa Mission. I have met several. The weather is "hit and miss" but it’s not to bad. I've met a lot of cool elders and the missionary life is
pretty cool. I don’t really get that much sleep which makes it kinda
hard to focus throughout the day. My companion is pretty "chill" we get
along pretty well. I missed talking with my family which I was looking forward to - that’s alright I guess; I will try again this coming Thursday which is my preparation or p-day.
One of the elders I met here gave me this bracelet and it says on it "never give up" so I’m going to wear it until I can teach someone and when they need a little encouragement, I will give it to them. Anyway hope all is good. I will talk to my family this coming week on Thursday.

(© Copyright 2019 - Facebook - Mexico MTC / CCM Mexico @mexicomtc)

México City CCM/MTC arrival photo - Elder Smart, far upper right, second row from the back, on the end.

Image by Yloma from Pixabay

Arrival in México!

On September 24th, 2019, I left the United States and my home state on an early flight departure of 7:00 a.m. to serve the people of México. My family and I had to get up very early to be able to get to the airport and do all that airport stuff. It has been a busy several weeks to get prepared for serving a mission. It will be an awesome experience! Also, I am grateful for many of my friends and family that were able to be in attendance to hear me talk at my mission farewell; each has and will have supported me in many ways. I am thankful for the love and support. Also, it was very awesome to have my sister's homecoming talk that same day as we were both able to talk together in sacrament meeting! She arrived home from the Brazil São Paulo South Mission on September 11, 2019. It was great to spend some time - just short of two weeks with her before I left on my mission.

Elder Smart and former Sister Smart - México and Brazil proud!

After arriving in México City, I was able to send my family short email to let them know that I had arrived noted below as follows:

Sent: Tue, Sep 24, 2019 at 5:49 PM

Subject: MTC/CCM - México City

hey hey familia and friends i made it safely to the Mexico MTC just wanted to let you know. i will email you guys next week. love you guys

Below are some photos taken early in the morning at the airport prior to my flight to México.

(Left to Right) Elder Smart, Mom, my sister Marissa, Dad

I will miss my family, yet I am excited to serve my Savior and the people of México! Thank you for all the love and support!

Mission Call!

Our son, Elder Zach Smart received his mission call via electronic delivery (approx. May 2019 opened it on June 2, 2019) to serve as a full-time missionary in the México Villahermosa Mission! After an early flight at 7:00 a.m. on September 24th, 2019 he will arrive in México City, México. He will spend a few weeks at the México City, México Missionary Training Center - MTC/CCM learning the Spanish language prior to serving.

"Dear Elder Smart,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the México Villahermosa Mission. It is [...]."

[The text below is from a social media post dated June 19, 2019]

Our son recently got called to the México Villahermosa Mission and will report to the México City MTC/CCM on September 24, 2019. We understand that a new mission president will be there as of July 2019, Pres. Clark Whitworth, and Sister Jennifer Whitworth and will succeed President Kasey N. Haws and Sister Julia W. Haws. Any tips and words of advice as we prepare for his mission is greatly appreciated. He is excited to serve the Lord in Mexico! His mom, dad and family is excited to be a part of this mission family!

Elder Smart reading his mission call.

Image by DavidRockDesign from Pixabay

México Villahermosa Mission map.