Hi, I’m Lily Estrada and in 2007 I entered the BIT to find preparation in both temporal and spiritual learning.

In the BIT I learned to be aware of the essential things, which today are a perfect match for my life, and to excel in this world that every day becomes more competitive. I had amazing teachers such as Orlyn Diaz, Edwin Giron, Evelyn Godoy among others, who dedicated their patience and love to all their students by going beyond their duty as teachers.

I met people whom I shared not only the same religious ideals, but also a mission and a vision of what was to improve in ourselves. They were more than my friends, they were also my support when needed, both in study such as in my spiritual life. It was amazing to know that I counted on them and I can still count on them even though I’m so far from my home country.

Classes at the BIT were sometimes difficult. It requires effort and above all, to have that discipline that characterizes the BIT. Just like us, a good percentage of students graduate and get to take advantage of this great opportunity.

Today, with the support of my family, and discipline that I implemented in my life, and because of the BIT and my desire to truly succeed, I obtained a scholarship to study abroad, now I have a scholarship from Taiwan’s government and I’m enrolled in my third year of Marine Biology.

I cherish good memories of my time in the BIT, for example, I remember when we had to serve by building houses for members of the church who needed them, when we repaired a nursing home and they started talking to us for hours while we painted, when Camilo invited us to dinner at Pizza Hut.

I am so grateful for having this great opportunity and even more, to be able to understand what can be overcome in life with great effort, dedication and desire to move forward with faith in God. Things can happen, our goals can become true and the doors will be opened unto to us.

BIT described in one sentence: “AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BETTER WORLD”, which we must take advantage of.

Truly, the BIT was an unforgettable experience!

First, because I could prepare myself intellectually. I acquired knowledge and this is helping me at this time to get a better job opportunity.

What I appreciate the most is the opportunity I had to be in the first generation of the BIT and that my testimony was strengthened by the principles of the gospel that were taught and reminded to us daily. I appreciate the opportunity to have had teachers who cared about teaching us the best, and something that will last forever in my heart is the desire to be strengthened in our service to others and that is why we being here helped me make many decisions and set goals. Now many of them have been fulfilled as I had the privilege to have served a full-time mission in Chile.

When we realize that we came to this earth to acquire the knowledge we need, then our desire to get it grows, “if we understand the importance of it, then we will act. ”

In life we obtain many opportunities that Heavenly Father gives us to grow spiritually and in the things of men.

I am grateful to Heavenly Father and the BIT for the opportunity that changed my life!

Adalia Ariday Córdoba
Student 2007
Pre-missionary 2008

My name is Denis Aguilera, I’m married to Angela Domínguez and have an 18 month old baby named Liz Marian Aguilera. I work with GRUPO LAEISZ as a business advisor I have worked for this company since August 2008.

The reason for this letter is to share my experience of the BIT.

When I found out about an enormous opportunity to study through a scholarship I was amazed and asked what it was about. I went and one of the local administration people gave me advice, the person who assisted me mentioned the degree of responsibility that I should have in order to become a student of BIT. I filled out the application and to my surprise I was selected and given this opportunity. I made a commitment to myself that I had to give my best and finish the courses BIT offered me.

The courses were intensive in the BIT. I admit that I was not the best of all the other students, but I did exceed my expectations of what was done that year, the physical and economic challenges and the goal of completion. Teachers were trained, skilled and committed to teach with patience and love. With this prestigious institution I recognized my challenges and I decided to improve. I improved in the areas of study and performance more than I imagined. The knowledge I had before BIT was scarce but through my effort and sacrifices I could take advantage of the program. What I learned in BIT helped me tremendously in my current job. I practice what I teach and as stated in our country “What you learn well, you will forget” and not only that, when applying for a job I put on my resume that had an intensive program of courses taught to me and this helped me to open the doors at work.

I continue to be grateful for the dedication and the way of how people that desire the welfare of others invest their resources in such significant opportunities. I took advantage of the opportunity and finished my education at BIT.

In the same year and at the end of my studies at BIT, I was given the blessing to marry my beloved wife. That was another goal to reach, and resulted in great success, with the support of the good advice of the Directors of BIT. I took that crucial decision designed in my life. My wife and I did not attend the graduation because that day we were getting married. My wife was also a student of BIT.

The atmosphere in the (BIT) and dealing with peers was an enjoyable experience. BIT is one of the places you want to be because of the human treatment, respect for each other and the fact that we have different views helps us to learn from one another. I liked the fact that most students are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Thank you for the tools you gave us to be able to have a job.

We are delighted to announce that the Utah State University and Weber State University LDS Institutes of Religion have graciously volunteered to participate in a service project that will benefit our pre-missionaries in Central America.  The goal is to collect 1,000 items that are needful for these young adults to acquire before they can apply for a mission call:  suitcases, white shirts, suit pants, ties, jackets, shoes, skirts, blouses, backpacks, etc.

On February 28, 2011 we met in Logan, UT with representatives from the young adult university stakes to kick off this event.  There was much excitement through discussions of how to get the word out to the vast numbers of university students.  And through these discussions, many expressed a confidence not only in attaining the goal, but also exceeding the number of items to be collected by April 25!

We are truly grateful for the efforts of these students.  But what we are most grateful for is to see the love and compassion they have for their brothers and sisters in Central America and their desire to help them attain the blessing of serving a full-time mission.  Thank you!

Luis Noel Barahona receives his clothing and luggage in preparation for his mission to Panama

The pre-missionaries that come to the Business Institute of Technology for assistance in preparing for a mission are given the necessities to present themselves ready to receive their call.  In return, these young men and women participate in service projects which promote self-reliance among the LDS members in their communities.  One such project is providing grow boxes for families so they will have the start of vegetable gardens.

Meet Erick Esau Fuentes.  Erick is a young man from Santa Rosa de Copan.  His family owns a humble carpentry business in which Erick works to help support his family.  With a desire to serve a mission and unsure of where those funds would come from, he visited his bishop who in turn introduced him to the Pre-Missionary Program at the Business Institute of Technology.

Erick is currently participating in our grow box service project and has built, planted and placed 5 grow boxes.  He has everything ready, except for his passport which will be issued on April 13.  Then, as all missionaries experience, he will get to wait with anxious anticipation for his formal mission call!

Erick has set some goals and has a clear vision of life after his mission.  He tells us that he will come back to attend the BIT because “I want to learn English and become a Civil Engineer.  I also have a goal to get married in the temple.  Without the pre-missionary program, I would not be able to serve a mission.  I am so grateful for this opportunity!”

Good luck, soon-to-be-Elder Fuentes!  We look forward to your call and can’t wait to hear where the Lord is ready to send you!