Oh, I know not what to write...

Not really even a predicament, but my mind is blank; not a single
idea. I do love Padova and the work that we do here, but maybe I'm
just not in the mood. It's been a long, hot, hard week. I prayed for
rain, and there was rain, during the night. The days are just humid.
Last Wednesday we had dinner with an inactive member, we made
quesadillas and guacamole to show her Mexican food for some reason...
I know his is a lame email. Sorry to those who really care, but
sometimes I just have nothing to say.

I love this mission, I love this gospel. I don't love emailing on
Wednesdays, but I'm supposed to. I'm alive and well, and the church is
true? What else can matter? I apologize if I ever send another one of
these. Hopefully not soon. Love you!
Questions?
--Anziano Benge

The days fly, like drops of sweat

Whoa! It's already Pday again? I would like you all to know,
unbelievably, that this next Monday is my 1/5th done mark. I don't
know how, but I'm one fifth done with my time here among the saints of
Italy.
The speed has in fact made me reflect assuredly that the Mission is
too short in some ways. Then I think of how long away lunch is, and I
seem to change my mind... Funny how he body and world works isn't it?
È così.
Padova is fabulous, as anyone could expect, and my Italian is still
progressing although it seems like everyone here speaks English in
some way.
I'd say the most stressful part of this weekend was Sunday. (Short
Italian lesson: the Italian word for stress is: stress. And the
Italian word for weekend is: weekend. Go figure...)
Earlier in the week, we met a Russian member who is having some heavy
border-crossing problems. She wants to return to her home in Finland,
but her niece (of her guardianship custody) does not have the correct
papers to,return with her. The lady explained she's been sleeping in
train stations and with only a suitcase of clothes for a month... Yes
this lady is a member and she wanted help from the ward. Sunday, she
needed a ride, which we asked a councilor to do, and then our Swedish
friend that we met my first week also came. He is the one seeking
political asylum, and wants the churches help. Italy and Sweden are
wanting to deport him home to Iran, where he's wanted for being a
Christian, and will be killed. The only hope he had was for our bishop
to write a letter to validate his religious certificates from his
baptism and priesthood ordinations. Our bishop told him (translating
through us missionaries) that the church is not recognized as
politically responsible by Italy... Or something. The letter would do
nothing, and the bishop could only pray, and tell him to receive
political asylum from a job. Rojo, the swede, could only say he's been
trying for a job for 4 months. But really, there is no work...
Pray for the members, pray for our two country-crossed friends, and
pray for the Rome Temple... The members pray so,hard, and so often for
it to be completed...
This church is true and even these people in hard times hold fast to
the rod, why can't we? Keep your testimonies of Christ strong...
Sono grato per le cose che ho imparato, sono grato per l'amore da Dio.
Riconoscete la mano di Dio e le nostre benedizioni affinché
ricevessimo più!

--Anziano Benge

Everything has changed.

First off, this is not Milano, this is Padova. Super gorgeous and I
love it more everyday.
Secondly, I live in a apartment with the whole district (Anziano
Stoll, Anziano Moser, Anziano Driver, and I ) and we all share a
packed fridge.
Thirdly, I have a red one-speed bike that I take everywhere.
Just let me know if you have any questions, but this city rocks. The
archaicness (not a word) and the canals, rivers, streets, are all
super awesome, but so far the people are way nicer too.
On my second day, when we went and applied for a spot to set up a
table in Prato Della Valle, we walked past a indoor fruit market, I
saw they were selling fresh pears and papaya and mango and stuff, so I
slowed a bit. The store owner came out, and jokingly yelled at us
"comprate! Comprate! Comprate!" And explained I would return later. He
asked us who we were, so we gave a whole explanation and I asked if
when I came and brought fruit if he'd like a free Book of Mormon. He
said yes. That was awesome.
This man, Tiziano, two days later, took our Book of Mormon when we
returned. We didn't get a chance to give him a full lesson, but we did
give him reading assignment and the promise. As I turned, and tried to
buy 3 pears, he shook his head and said just take them. I resisted,
which just led to him throwing 2 huge nectarines, 2 plums, 5 apricots,
and 6 banana along with the pears into a bag for free. I want to feel
bad, but he was way nice, and I guess he knew the Book of Mormon was a
favor from us.
I ate 2 pears, both plums, and a banana that night. Yum.
Allora, this week was good, though we just did finding as usual.
Ever Saturday we have a 'mostra' in Prato Della Valle, and we just
stand, handing out things, with a table. We do English class twice a
week, but nobody comes to the basic class I'm supposed to teach.
That's about it...
I love it all. Also, I've never been happier...
Remember always that we are children of our Heavenly Father, and,
always change the world in the way it needs to be changed...
C'è sempre speranza, c'è sempre amore.

--Anziano Benge

Expectations (paragonare alle realtà)

Transfer calls, everyone totally expects to go into transfer 3 with a
new companion. We all knew Anziano Crowther would leave, and as
normal, me, fresh out of being a greenie, would stay in Lampugnano. I
presumed I would be staying, along with all the members.
Calls for transfers came on the Third, and they tell me our copia
(companionship) is being closed, we have to empty our apartment
because there are no elders coming to replace us.
Anziano Crowther is going to Pordenone, as zone leader, he gets a car,
and he's next to a military base so he gets a real American church,
with a basketball court, carpet and a water fountain. He's really
excited about the car though, because there's not a lot of areas with
cars.
You all probably don't care about that though... You might wonder wear
I'm going... The answer is Padova, or in American English- Padua.
That's about all I know, except I leave tomorrow, and my companion is
Anziano Stoll.
So yeah, that's cool... :) my second city already.
Much of this week we've been packing and cleaning the apartment and
passing food, and investigators, papers, and notes to the other
Anziani.
Yesterday we ate with the Cuba family, to say goodbye kind of, and
when we finish emails we are going to go play basketball with the 15
yr old son,
Other than that this week has been slow, and hard. I did a scambio on
Friday with Anziano skinner, walking forever to pass by an inactive,
that was fun. Um, yeah, we've taught some lessons on the street, but
now that we have to pass everyone, it's been nothing personal... I
don't know? Send me questions if you want to know anything more.
Keep praying, keep singing, and continue to persevere in all, allowing
none to lead you astray!
Remember, scripture study is the most powerful prep for a day!
--Anziano Benge

Long time

I feel like I've been in Lampugnano forever, and now that we get
transfer calls soon, it feels even longer. I will probably stay here,
but who knows?
For those who write to me, thank you tons. We were told to change our
schedules for next week, and we will be having Pday on Tuesday next
week. So if you want me to respond, please write Monday evening or
before.
Also, my knee feels way better, went from pain when I walked to
nothing overnight! Awesome stuff.
We've done lots of finding here, and on Sunday we were supposed to do
a ward Mostra (a display) at Parco di Trenno, but nobody showed up
except Brother Lauriola, the ward mission leader. We didn't have a
table or anything, so we just did finding work with this 55 year old
member, in the heat, with this huge bag of Books of Mormon and
pamphlets. Lauriola is super funny, shoving pass along cards into
hands, and then asking them if they know Mormons, then before they
could answer, he'd step aside and gesture to us. Hmmm, it was silly,
and hardly worked. We handed out 1 book and got no numbers, but it was
still good.
Monday was district meeting, as usual, and then we did an exchange (or
scambio) with the other Anziani, I was with Anziano Robb in his
apartment, and it was fun. That night, we met in it ha man named Vito,
and was super ready. He kind of said he wanted to know our church was
right, so he just asked lots of questions, but then we asked him to
read a restoration pamphlet, he said yes, but he'd also start the Book
of Mormon, we had no objections to that.
Yeah, that's the week, lots of finding, lots of canceled appointments,
and street lessons, but I feel the work could suddenly spike soon. (
hopefully before August when everybody disappears for vacation )