He's in Tuxtla!

Well, Alex made it to Mexico.  He called from the Salt Lake airport on Monday to say he was on his way and give an update on what  has been going on.  He called from the Mexico City airport too, but that call was really noisy and had a huge echo going on.  But, at least we know he made it to Mexico.  He was to arrive in Tuxtla Gutierrez at 1:50 a.m. 11:50 p.m. our time.

Just before he left he and his companion had some very spiritual experiences.  They were on their way home about 9:30 one night and felt strongly that they should visit a husband and wife that were investigators.  They were given permission and went to their apartment.  When they arrived, they could hear yelling and crying (general nasty arguing coming from inside).  The couple went silent when they knocked on the door.  They were able to give a blessing to the man, who has a long record of drug abuse.  In the blessing this fellow was told that if he would get rid of the drugs in his pocket right now, that his body would reject drugs of any kind and he would not crave them any longer.

Alex and his companion went home and flushed the drugs down the toilet. (I know, that part scared me too! They actually had the drugs on them until they got home, yikes!) But, they had just finished flushing them when the wife called worried because the man had started throwing up and was having a hard time stopping.  Alex and his companion thought it was because of the blessing and that his body was rejecting the drugs - proof of the power of that blessing and told the wife so. 

Also, another couple (unmarried) that Elder Norris and his companion were teaching have been dragging their feet about getting married and baptized.  Just after Alex and his companion gave them a lesson on chastity and obedience the man got up and walked out. It had been a very strong good lesson; the spirit had been very strong. So it worried them that he had just walked out. The girlfriend was not concerned and told them that he often did this, as he liked to think about things by himself.  About 20 minutes later he came back with a bouquet of flowers and a ring.  He asked the girlfriend to marry him right in front of those missionaries.  They are getting baptized and married on the 25th of this month.

Great stuff isn't it? Too bad Alex won't be there for the baptisms or the wedding.
 
So, Alex's mailing address for LETTERS will be as follows:

Elder Alexander Robert Norris
Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission
Apartado Postal 278
29000 Tuxtula Gutierrez, Chiapas
Mexico

Letters will need a minimum of $1.15 postage (for 1 ounce). Anything other than business-type papers & photos or cards will require PS Form 2976 (customs form). If  you are mailing business papers, write it clearly on envelope, please.

For PACKAGES use the following:

Elder Alexander Robert Norris
Mexico Tuxtla Gutierrez Mission
Calle Jazmines #210
Fracc, Los Laureles
29020 Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas
Mexico
You will also need this phone number (Mission Home) when sending a package with DHL or a carrier other than USPS: 52 961-671-9761

Please use padded envelopes if sending photographs, CDs, thumb drives.  Also, please visit the USPS website to check out what can and can't be sent to Mexico.  For example, chocolate has to have prior approval from the Secretary of something-or-other (some official). It helps to include some religious items (stamps, pass along cards, etc) and make note of that on the customs slip. It is much more likely they will get to Alex.

It can take from 10 days to 5 weeks for things mailed from the US to be delivered.

New Picture of Clearfield Mission

Here's a picture of Alex's current (temporary) mission.
Can you find his smiling face?