il District, la Zone

--Anziano BengeMe, Wheeler, Carnahan, Cabrera

And thus: Another week bites the dust

Anziano Isaac Wheeler from Orem and I both had a good week. This is
his second city, so he's having some time to adjust. I don't sleep
very well, but even that's gotten better. We're happy and working hard
in the terrible heat.
Today I would like to mention that a dear friend from home has
recently chosen to be baptized. I found out the wonderful news from
herself, and I was overjoyed. She's started her path just as many
others have and will...
Which leads us to Maryke. She has chosen a baptism date and will be
going forward with it when she gets home. She flys today to South
Africa, and we pray that she can return on time to be baptized the
23rd of August.
Ting is continuing to progress, we met with her at a shopping center
and had a lesson in a cafe. We introduced the Word of Wisdom, which
she accepted and promised to observe with little regret. She
immediately agreed to stop drinking tea as she was used to. At this
rate, I predict that she may choose a date for baptism within the
month.
We began the full lessons with Serena, with help from Maryke and
Isabella from the ward. Serena came to church, as well as Maryke. Ting
came to the young single adult activity that night. They're all so
blessed and understand why they come.

That's all for now, gotta go!
I love you all, and remember your prayers!!

--Anziano Benge
Novara alleyway
Novara buildings

Avvicinandosi al Crepuscolo

Ciao tutti. It seems that my companion goes home tomorrow. He is so
excited, for sure.
Saturday we received our transfer news and I am staying here in
Novara. Stale months of mugginess await, but my next companion is much
fresher in the mission. His name is Anziano —— Wheeler, he's from ——,
he's coming into his 5th transfer. that's it

Next week you'll have more for sure.
This week has been that week of awaited goodbyes and long-due
last-moment photos with Anziano Jaques and the people he likes here.
Sunday was fast and testimony meeting and he gave his last farewell at
the pulpit. He is currently packing.
Both Ting and Maryke came to church again, neither considered
otherwise, and they were very happy at the end. Ester will be gone
this next month but the other ward members have opened up and become
friends so we are not worried.

Yesterday we had lunch (sushi again, I'm so sick of going to sushi
buffets when I despise them so) at the mall with Victor, Ting, and
Maryke. Afterwards at Galliate we had a massive lesson with Maryke,
Ting, and Serena present. It was awesome, spiritual, and at the end
Maryke told us she wanted to be baptized on Aug. 23, which is the
Tuesday before transfers. She asked me to preform the baptism which I
will do gladly!!! I hope that it doesn't get pushed back or else I may
not be here to do it!
Serena wants to come to church next week, and It looks like we're
going to double the Relief Society within a year if they all get
baptized :)

Well, that's all for now. I do not have time to respond to every email
or to write everyone personally, but I do Thank You.
Love you all!

--Anziano Benge
Maryke, Alessandro, Serena, Ting, Anziano Jaques (not
pictured:everyone else) sitting at an outdoor bar where we may freely
teach lessons and not freely drink soda and eat chips

New Things

Nín hǎo, en welkom, to so many, culture diverse. (Chinese, Afrikaans,
English, Italian)
I guess I'm working this week with Chinese, Italian, Dutch, South
African, Nigerian, Gambian, Republica Dominican, Peruvian, German, and
American people. It is very hard to keep a straight mind with so many
different views and languages and accents, but it's also super fun.
Saturday was the big day this week. President Dibb is no longer here
and on Saturday we were in a zone conference at Torino to meet
President Allen and his wife!! He is so very different from what you
normally see in important men; meek, mild, intelligent and he and his
wife 'wear the pants' together in the marriage.
They are from Salmon, Idaho and love outdoorsy things. He just retired
as a dentist and sold his boat and home to come out here. He served in
the Italy south mission forty-something years ago.
Sunday, both Ting and Maryke came to church and enjoyed it. Ester is
their mediator for Relief Society, but the whole ward loves both of
them. Maryke is thinking to be baptized the end of August if things
turn out.
Monday, was Independence Day!!! We had a delicious BBQ in Galliate
with Maryke and Serena and their families. There was pasta salad, made
by Anziano Jaques. All sorts of meat, provided by the amazing BBQ
chef, Hans Van Der Vliet. Sticky buns (gigantic leavened cinnamon
rolls, I could only eat half of one) baked by Serena. And ice cream
and drinks, lamely bought by lanky Anziano Benge. Afterward we had
some photos with an American flag.
It was a good week, and we taught a lot of lessons. We met many new
people and did some good. Love you all!
(A shout out to all the missionaries that are finishing their missions
soon! Finish STRONG)
--Anziano Benge
A) the Allens
B) left, Afrikaans. Right, Dutch