The Dry Sea

Livorno is a desert. I haven't seen so much yellow grass and dying
palm trees in my whole life! It really needs to rain.
This week I'll be explaining a lot, so if you have questions, let me know.
Firstly, Livorno is a coastal city and our area extends south all the
way to the mission border. We have inactive members that live in
Piombino, Grosetto, and as far south as Orbetello (the mission
boundary). Within my area is also the Island of Elba, the Island of
Montecristo, all those other islands nearby, and all this coast. On a
clear day, I have already seen as far as Corsica as well as the
aforementioned islands . So yes, I have seen a French island, how cool
is that?
Secondly, our district is Anz. Freckleton from Ammon, ID. And I, and
then the two Sorelle: Sister Johnson from Kaysville (I've met her
before the mission, and she was best friends with most the people who
I worked with at Dairy Queen), and Sister Carter who recently moved to
Utah from Alaska. It's a really great and fun district and the next
few weeks we'll get a lot done.
Thirdly, Michele is a member that I taught in Bologna on exchanges
before he was baptized. Just to reinstate, he was baptized exactly a
year from this coming Monday. I've seen his entire process from
investigator to full time member!
The work here is picking up, and I wish I had more time to write but I
will just say that A) we teach lots of Africans that can't be baptized
until they get out of their immigration camps. But we had 4 people who
take lessons at church on Sunday. B) speaking of Sunday, almost no
members came and I was even asked to give a full talk even though I'd
never met any of them til that day. C) every Tuesday we have English
class at night and do service in the morning at Caritas di Livorno
(soup kitchen for the homeless). That was interesting.

I have to go. Remember that those who have questions or troubles in
their lives may turn to our Savior. Emulating him brings us peace and
salvation. I love this mission.
Until next time
--Anziano Benge
1-Parco Parterre, it used to be an old Zoo.
2-Castiglioncello, where we had a lesson with Michele.