Every missionary loves receiving packages and getting money is the best thing that can happen to a poor Elder or Hermana in the field. There are some things that parents should watch out for, however, if they want to make packages and money a blessing rather than a burden.

In the past, packages going to El Salvador needed to weigh less than 4 lbs. This may have changed, but you should stick to this rule for several reasons. Once your package exceeds four pounds, the shipping costs are out of this world. The shipping on the package will most likely cost more than the contents! Also, once the package arrives in El Salvador, it is picked up by the mission office. The mission then has to send it out to the missionary. Heavy packages cost more to ship in El Salvador as well, so you're requiring the mission to pay more. For this same reason, avoid bulky or awkward packages.

Remove any new materials from their packaging. If you are sending a white shirt, open it from its plastic covering. New materials are often stopped in customs and delayed because they are seen as items eligible for resale. This means your missionary will have to pay a hefty tax to get them through customs. Sometimes you're lucky, but it's better to be on the safe side.

Do not ship UPS. UPS has their own offices in El Salvador and in nearly every case, the missionary is required to travel to the airport to pull the package through customs and pay entry fees on it. Use the USPS to ship to El Salvador, or if you are in a hurry, use DHL International Shipping for quick service. USPS is very reliable and your packages are less likely to get held up in customs. DHL is also very reliable and is faster, but will cost you more.

Do not overdue it. Missionaries, despite what they may tell you, do not need packages every week. This begins to become a burden on the other missionaries who have to pick the packages up and deliver them to your missionary. It also becomes a burden for the mission to have to get these out to their areas. Frequent packages can also become a distraction for your missionary. Remember as well that they may be serving with a missionary whose family cannot afford to send him a single package during his entire mission. Companions that are spoiled on the mission have a hard time adjusting to the culture, country, people, and end up spending more time concerned about the mail than their investigators.

Always put something in the package for the companion. Whether it is a bag of candy, socks, a tie, anything. It is always nice to be able to open the package and give something to your companion, especially when the companion rarely gets packages of his own.

Money

We will not tell you missionaries don't need money while they are in country. Each missionary gets enough money to take care of personal neccessities during the month like soap, shampoo, deodorant. Rarely, however, do missionaries have money to develop photos, buy film, replace scriptures or hymn books, or buy a needed shirt, pants, or shoes. You should not make a habit of sending money on a regular basis, but occassionally it is nice to have a little spare change for a treat.

If possible, Zion's Bank in Utah makes it very easy to send money to missionaries. This method is usually hassle free but may take several weeks before your missionary receives the money.

An easy way to send money is through your missionary's checking account here in the United States. Local ATM's at the Banco Cuscatlan in El Salvador will pull money from US Checking Accounts as long as you have a debit card with the VISA or MasterCard symbol on them. The transaction fee is usually nominal (around $2.00) and you can withdraw within 24 hours of depositing. Make sure your missionary keeps his ATM card at the mission office and does not carry it with him.

Avoid Western Union. Their rates are extremely expensive and it is no easier than some of the cheaper methods available.

Never send money in letters or packages. Especially if the letters come through the POUCH mail system. This is highly illegal and you, your missionary, the mission, and the church can get into trouble if you are caught mailing money using the POUCH. Furthermore, if local mail employees discover that there is money coming in letters for US Missionaries, you can expect the amount of letters that reaches your son or daughter to decline.