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