Elder Isaac Benge: November 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

South: guess where I am

A man and wife from Mississippi sat across from me on the train today. Why am I on a train? Good question.

A missionary was waiting for his papers to come to Italy, he got them and needed a companion to travel with him. The companion chosen was Anziano Foremaster's trainee... Which means I'm leaving...

Where am I? Good question.

The Trainer of Anziano Hansen (in his eight week) was asked to be in the mission office, they needed someone to finish training him. That someone was me. I am now senior companion, trainer, and also District Leader.

What on Earth is happening? Chaos.

I missed my train (it left early, curse Milano, it negates the ticket) and I only had €25, you cannot go to anywhere with €25 , Anziano Foremaster had a prompting to return, to check on me. He found me (without a phone mind you) asking people to borrow a phone. We pooled our money together and bought the 50 Euro ride with only 40 cents to spare between us. I boarded, and thus, I met these Mississippians.

I talked with them. I helped them find stuff, I shared the gospel. I thanked them as I got off. They asked: "so you mentioned that Italy is pretty safe."

"Yes, but I did get robbed last month." I say.

"So you don't have money?!" The wife gasps.

"No it's alright, the church office helps when our funds our low." I half lie, I currently have only copper coins in my pocket.

"Take this." The Mississippi drawl of the husband is interrupted as he drops a wad of Euro in front of me. It's fifty euro.

"I can't take this!" My stop is approaching and I'm protesting. These aren't members and I'm haven't even asked their names yet!

"Of course you can; and you will." The money is shoved into my bag before i can escape with my heavy encumbering luggage.

This is how I came to not be poor. What a blessed day.

Anziano Hansen comes from a family of 4 (a mom, and three brothers), he's the youngest. He's from Farmington and went to Davis. He's totally awesome, very energetic, and plays basketball and baseball.

Where am I?

(P.s. The work in Muggiò was really great too, lots of biking and lessoning. Anziano Foremaster is happy to have a trainee.)

1- outside my new apartment window

2- Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

3- Anziano Hansen and my weird selfie face

--Anziano Benge

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

You all thought wrong, I am sorry.

Wednesday night: Anziano Squire and I left at night to catch a train
to Milano. He is training a 'greenie' and I was going to be with
Hales. So I thought. That night, in the Navigli apartment, we got a
call from the mission president. Anziano Hales was having digestive
problems, and it hadn't seemed so serious, but the medical team the
church had just contacted him that night to tell us that Hales would
have to go home. He'll be able to come back out, but first he had to
resolve the sickness.
He was supposed to leave today, and we were going to be in a threesome
of missionaries up in the area of Muggiò. We arrived Thursday to
transfer circles to meet with Anziano Foremaster from Las Vegas, he
was instead going to be the senior comp. of us three and take us back
to Muggiò.
Thursday's chaos: on the train ride to the 'peasini' near Muggiò (the
work takes place in several tiny towns, the apartment is in Nova
Milanese) Hales gets a call and learns that there is a boycott for the
flight on Wednesday, he will instead leave on that Saturday. Whoa, so
we only get one day as a trio, then Hales would be home.
We teach an investigator named Francesco about the Word of Wisdom and
halfway through the lesson we get a phone call from president. We now
learn that Hales will not go home Saturday, but tomorrow, Friday the
13th with all the other returning 'dying' Missionari.
Whoa, they are going to take him to the mission home that night. We
run home, cancel an appointment, get together Hales' luggage and he is
whisked away without ado. Now you might be wondering: Who was
Foremaster supposed to be with? The answer is: he was supposed to
train a new missionary greenie as well, but his companion, Elder
Domes, had just received a surgery and would come a transfer late.
Friday: a normal day of missionary work in Lissone, Seregno, Muggiò,
etc. we bike everywhere at a hasty speed. So many kilometers are
covered and so many people are taught...
Saturday we get a call from president that tells us that SURPRISE,
Anziano Domes is coming on Wednesday (18th) and I am supposed to go to
Bergamo and be in a threesome there! I will be the senior companion of
three and I'm supposed to be in Bergamo until the end of the transfer.
President thanks me for being so malleable and flexible then hangs up.
So am I at Bergamo? No! He calls us again on Monday and tells us that
Domes is NOT coming, the mission office has changed their mind again.
Arghhhhh. Anyway. Until I get another surprise tonight or tomorrow, I
am serving in Muggiò with Anziano Foremaster.
I have to do much to unpack, and I don't trust that I'll be here long,
but.... Yeah
Saturday was the awesome day. I came here just in time to see our
investigator Benjamin get baptized and set apart on Sunday. We are
also working with Joshua (bapdate of Dec. 5), Francesco (to be
baptized in December), Nicola (a strong investigator), and many less
actives and members.
I already like this ward immensely.
Eventually I will stay put somewhere, but I know that the work is
going forth and I love it all the same. I hope I didn't confuse
anyone...
Vi voglio bene
--Anziano Benge

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Transfers: Farewell to Padova

Saturday morning: Jeff Tume shows up at the church, we started filling up the font a little bit late, its not quite full enough when noon rolls around. We proceed anyway, Jeff Tume was baptized here in Padova by my hand; we had to do the deed twice, because a knee popped up, but it was good.
He was confirmed and recieved the Holy Ghost on Sunday through Anziano Driver's blessing.
Later, during a short lunch with Brother Tume, we recieved our transfer calls.
I was expecting to stay here in Padova for one more transfer, but SUPRISE!!!!
I will be returning to Milano (darn) but in the area of Navigli, the southern part.
My companion will be Anziano Hales, and I will be senior companion (but only six transfers old?)
Yay, the problem is that the ticket costs more money than I had, after getting robbed, Milano costs way to much and so the Office is going to have to help me a lot. Anziano Squire will be training a greeny here in Padova, Driver and Scoggin are also staying.

The week has been sad, I wont see Tenal nor Voltalina get baptized, but it is all well. I love my calling, and I love the church.
You'll hear from me next in Milano! ciao

Anziano Isaac Benge

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Auguri

Thanks for all the birthday wishes, I believe this was one of the best
weeks but not because of my birthday....
The work is really great, Tenal is excited for baptism. Fratello
Voltalina is ready for next week. We are loving the Italian autumn.
Nothing could be better... But wait there's more

Sunday came along, Jeff (an investigator of the other Elders), he came
to me and asked me how I was. Then there was a surprise... Jeff is
being baptized this coming Saturday (7th) and he wants me to do the
honors of baptism! Whoa... I've never been to a lesson with him or
anything but he said that the spirit prompted him to ask me. Anziano
Driver and Scoggin might be confused, maybe even a little angry, but
I'm so excited!

Monday we went to the Zuppa family for a surprise party. Surprise, I
knew it was a surprise party. Trick is on them. The were kind enough
to buy me a cake and even a Tshirt. They are so nice.

Another cool couple, Stephano and Lorella, they are investigating the
church as well (the other Anziani's) but they bought me a hat. Driver
bought me a scarf, he even made me a peanut butter silk cake. What
huge gratitude I have to him! That was all yesterday.

I love this mission and I hope to change Italy for the best! Love you all
-1- real Italian pizza, finally
-2- Fratello Voltalina and his creamy cake of Nutella
-3- Italy graffiti in Padova
--Anziano Benge