The Church News invites mission presidents returning from their fields of labor to share their experiences.

The first thing missionaries notice as they arrive in the Mexico Tampico Mission is the heat. Sweltering, scorching, withering heat.

"When I first arrived, I wondered why every missionary had a worn handkerchief dangling from a pocket," said President Dean Curtis as he looked back on his time as a mission president from 2003-2006.

"I learned that before missionaries knock on each door, they draw the handkerchief from their pocket to wipe perspiration from their brow.

"Heat is an issue," he said. "They must learn to adapt before they can serve.

"You get used to working wet," President Curtis said, quoting counsel he received from missionaries after he arrived.

The Mexico Tampico Mission extends along the Atlantic Gulf Coast of Mexico. By car, the mission is about nine hours of travel from top to bottom, and up to four hours from side to side.

Tampico is located roughly in the center of the mission and is the most populated area with approximately 800,000 people. This safe, secure city surrounded by vast farm lands reminds President Curtis of a mid-western city in the U.S., like Omaha, Neb.

To the north is Victoria, a city set in terrain similar to Arizona. To the south is Poza Rica, a more tropical, jungle-like area. "Tamales in the south are wrapped in banana leaves," President Curtis said. In the arid north, they are wrapped in corn leaves. "With Tampico situated in the middle of the two cities, people would debate their preferences and ask me which I liked best," he mused.

The mission averages 175 missionaries, approximately 65 percent are native.

"Mexicans are a warm, loving people," President Curtis said. "Spiritual confirmations are a common occurrence. Some members are third generation, but most are first."

As circumstances permitted, President Curtis would tract and teach with the missionaries, averaging a night or two each month. "It's a great experience teaching with the missionaries. After attending discussions with elders I could tell they taught with the Spirit. You could feel it. They have a mantle of authority."

Members, too, felt that authority.

"I could see they were saviors on Mount Zion to the members," continued President Curtis. "Members take strength from the missionaries. They take confidence. The men dress in white shirts because the missionaries dress in white shirts."

The summation of three years of service, said President Curtis is seen in the atoning blessings realized in the lives of those who hurt and are struggling with the circumstances of life. "It's real," he said. "The Church of Jesus Christ is real. It really was restored. Jesus Christ really lives today."

E-mail to: shaun@desnews.com