Short Message From Michael

This morning we received a brief email from Michael:

They told me to email you and tell you I am alive and doing well.  Lima is nice and the plane was aight. The board is a little different than USA. My P-Day is on Monday,thats when I´ll be on next. Im going on like 3 hours of sleep cause my flight got in really late this morning. I just got my nametag for my suit its sweet!!

Elder Wilde

You can see Michael's humor in the first sentence. I'm not sure what the "board" is. Room and board, boarding the plane?

Michael's prep day (P-Day) when he checks his email is on Mondays. If any of you want to contact Michael, you can email him at wilde (dot) michael (at) myldsmail (dot) net.

Michael is in Peru

Michael landed about 10 minutes ago in Lima, Peru and his plane is taxiing to the airport gate. From the airport, he will travel to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Lima. During his 6 week orientation at the MTC, Michael will go through training to become familiar with Peruvian culture and customs, learn more about the missionary work he will be participating in and get as much as he can out of a Spanish language crash course.

Missionaries do their best to focus on what they came to do - help others in whatever way possible. To this end, missionaries have part of one day per week in which they go grocery shopping, clean their apartment, tour sites of interest and email family and friends. All other time is devoted to teaching, service projects and spiritual development. We expect that Michael will be able to email us each week and we will relay his progress and stories here on this blog.

Half Way There

Michael's 3rd flight today has crossed the midpoint of its journey and is projected to arrive just before 1 AM local time. He is approaching Panama.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL151

Leaving Atlanta

In about 40 minutes, Michael will be leaving Atlanta for Lima, Peru. His flight will take him on a path South of Georgia over Florida, Cuba, Panama and Ecuador before arriving to Peru's capital, Lima. His flight is scheduled to land in Lima at 11:41 PM local time.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL151

In Atlanta, GA

Michael's flight has landed in Atlanta, GA and is taxiing to the gate. He will have a layover before resuming his journey to Peru. Hopefully he finds something tasty for lunch in the airport!

UPDATE: Thanks to another kind stranger for sending me these photos.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL14

Flying over Arkansas

Michael is now flying over Arkansas.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL14

Off to Peru (via Atlanta)

Michael is now flying from Salt Lake City to Atlanta. I am tracking his flight as he is crossing Oklahoma.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL14

Off to Peru (via SLC)

Early this morning, Michael flew from Sacramento, CA to Salt Lake City, UT where he changed planes.

A stranger in the Salt Lake City airport texted me this picture of Michael with some of his new-found missionary companions.

Officially a Missionary

Tonight, Michael was officially set apart or designated as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon church). Friends and family members were there to wish him well and say their goodbyes. We will certainly miss this fine young man. For the next two years, he will be known as "Elder Wilde."