From:  Robbi White dwhthouse@jps.net

Last year our YM/YW planned a missionary road rally. Some ward families were contacted ahead of time and asked to put together something for the missionaries serving from our ward. The kids were given clues at each location and ended up at the church. My son happened to be one of the missionary recipients and he really appreciated their efforts.

Of course they always need stamps, stationary, etc. I also found a cute book of missionary ideas that I use. There are scriptural references in it, i.e.

D & C 89:20 Gatorade (the dry packaged stuff)
"...and RUN and not be weary, and shall WALK and not faint."

Alma 32:28 Sunflower seeds
"...give place that a SEED may be planted."

Proverbs 25:25 Envelopes, stamps
"...good NEWS FROM AFAR"

1 Corinthians 10:3 Jerky
"...did all eat the same spiritual MEAT."

There a tons of reference scriptures that you can use. We did this again as a YW activity and had the girls attach scriptures to items they each brought. We sent the box to the airport with a mother whose son just left for Moscow, Russia. He loved it and it gave them something to do while waiting for his plane.
I did the same thing last year for some missionaries (my son serves in the Maryland Baltimore Mission) and did the 12 days of Christmas, They loved it. I continue to make and send jerky to them and that seems to be their favorite package to get.

To make jerky for our missionaries I look for London Broil on sale...1.98 a lb. is a great price  (in California). I then put it in the freezer until it is firm (this helps for slicing). I was fortunate to have an electric slicer until just a couple of months ago. I now hand slice it which still works. I make mine about 1/4 inch thick. Trim the excess fat (london broil has very little). Place meat in the marinade and let sit 2-4 days. I then place it in my dehydrator and rotate trays every two hours. Mine is ready (ten trays drying at a time) in 5-7 hours. It will vary depending on your dehydrator. I've heard you can dry it in the oven at a VERY low temp for several hours.

Marinade: (all measurements are approximate as I tend to dump and add as I go along)
(4 lbs. meat)
3 C. teryaki sauce
1 C. Italian salad dressing
2 tsp. liquid smoke flavoring (optional)
1/2 C. A-1 sauce
1/2 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. Worsteshire Sauce
1 C. BBQ sauce
Season with garlic powder and pepper (be generous with garlic)

I just package it in zip-loc baggies and send it in a manila envelope. You can be very creative with your marinade and also simplify it, too. The missionaries send regular requests for it especially at the end of the month when money is tight.

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