A (Long) (Insane) Week

Last Tuesday we went to Firenze for an exchange, Wednesday last we
went to Siena, then Thursday we were told by the mission to clean all
day to have a perfectly clean apartment then had English class (it
went well). And then Sunday rolled around; the ticket bought us
tickets to Milano (a massive train ride, may I say?) and we arrived in
the Lampugnano area chapel to hear from one of our beloved Apostles,
Elder Holland.
No, I didn't get a photo of him, but I can testify how strongly he
brought the spirit. Elder Holland shared about how strongly his
mission affected his life and gave us a lot of good counsel. I don't
have lots of time, but I will say that he advised us to be obedient so
that we might have the Spirit. The Holy Ghost is the third member of
the godhead, and sometimes we take that for granted.
He also reminded us that we missionaries are apostolic. Like him,
we are called representatives of Christ and his gospel. That is our
Full Time calling.
He finished, he shook all of the missionary's hands (actually he shook
our hands before the opening prayer), and then the meeting was over.
The office had prepared for us sack lunches. Our train left at 5, but
we missed it, and had to take the next one, which was at 6. The office
had also chosen this train for us...and it was WAY to long of a trip.
We endured another 5 hours on that train and got home after 11pm.
Yuck.
Most of our appointments have fallen through, we don't have many
lessons, and we have to spend long durations being clever in how to
contact people. Anyway, I know this mission is the best for me. It's
really hard but the 'salvation of a soul is the most important thing
any person can participate in'.(Elder Holland).
love you all!
--Anziano Benge
(Our district after a long day and hike: Freckleton, Carter, Johnson, Me)

I was was lost but now I'm

Still lost, I haven't been sleeping well even when taking melatonin.
My head is swimming and normal cognitive abilities are a bit
difficult. But that is all good, it only means that today's email will
be short.
Thursday, we had a lesson planned, and he didn't show. We did finding
and then had English class which we have now started on Thursdays not
just Tuesday. Nobody showed to my base class.
Friday, two potential investigators didn't show up to our lessons. Two
more bidone, it's quite annoying. I'm losing hope to ever see anyone
progress in this city, but I just need to wash the slate clean and
start over. Before me there was a lot of disorganization going on and
even our 'strongest' investigators have no personal testimony they
just sit in on lessons and go back to their normal life afterwards.
Saturday, the summer holidays are officially 100% over. I don't think
we did anything memorable.
Sunday, Robert came to church which is good and I had to do
translation for him and a visitor from Rexburg. The rest of the day
was habitual proselyting with no recognizable success (although one
man and his wife did want to come to English: fast forward to
Tuesday--)
Monday: An awesome district meeting, I absolutely love this district.
Sorella Carter is the chill person that you just have to respect and a
really great missionary even though she's a greenie. Sorella Johnson,
the life of the party and the ward and everything. She's hilarious.
Anziano Freckleton is a great guy and just knows what to do, and gets
it done (or at least he calls those he remembers even if nobody
answers) and he keeps good discussions rolling. What a great district
Tuesday, like I said. Emily and Aldo came to English class and as I
taught them they became interested in my calling and the gospel. And
like that: restoration lesson

So, that's all, sorry. And no photos either. Love you all, stay strong
in the faith!
--Anziano Benge

It's good to write again

Even if nothing has happened...last week, if you heard, there was an earthquake.
In my area of Livorno, we felt nothing. So sorry, nothing exciting or
anything, and honestly I haven't heard any Italians talk about it.
(Thanks dad for being the only info supplier)
Yesterday- we had a zone training in Firenze. It was good to go home.
But the meeting ended an hour and a half late which was totally lame.
I don't want to complain, but sitting from 11 to 3 is really really
hard for me.
Sunday- People came to church, but like most Italians, many were very
non confrontational and didn't really want to talk to me. Even when I
tried. There are a few Americans in this ward though, and they all
came and I got to know their families.
Saturday- we made pizza and the sister missionaries made no bake
cookies and we watched Meet the Mormons with our African
investigators. It's sad because only Africans progress but none of
them can be baptized until they have documents. Even if they are
really really faithful, we just can't according to Europe's area
seventy's rule.
Friday- are appointments never showed (bidones) and a Romanian
Pentecostal talked at us for an hour. I bore testimony twice and then
he talked again, and we barely escaped before he started all over.
Jeez
Thursday- who knows, probably nothing way cool. We do a lot of finding
for English class.
Sorry, it's boring. But I have to go now. Ciao!!
--Anziano Benge
1-Ultimate in Pisa
2-the famous tower
3-me dressing up weird (i promise I didn't go out like this)

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.

Wifi and Transfers and Pulizia

So you might be wondering why I don't write emails, and the answer is
because there is no place to send them. Our new church has opened and
it's gorgeous but the last thing on the priority list is Wifi.
Vercelli and Novara will be without wifi for up to four months, so ha.
We've done scavenging to find public wifi, and they are all extremely
slow, or don't connect. I'm supposed to see you're even reading this,
it means I have somewhat broken the barrier of discombobulated
communication and succeeded somewhere.
Last Pday we went to Domodossola and hiked a bit, learned the area up
near Iselle and had fun. This pday we cleaned and I packed and we took
apart three broken fans and made a 'robot sculpture'.
Wait...packing?! Yes, we received transfer calls on Saturday last and
they told me that I'm going back to Toscana!!! My city will be
Livorno, just south of Pisa. I'll finally get to see the Mediterranean
and I can visit La Spezia, Pisa, and Siena on Pday. I think in
English they monikered (stupidly) the city as 'Leghorn?'
This week I've had to say goodbye to everyone, except there is no one
because it is Ferragosto, also known as "leave and don't come back in
August" holiday. Maryke returned today, so I'll be saying goodbye
later.
On Sunday we had the blessing to take part in a baptism of 2
eight-year-old girls and Ting was there to watch as well. Sofia, on of
the baptized, lives with non members but comes to church with her
grandma. I was the one that began the lessons with her, even though
she knew everything, and we got permission to baptize her on her
birthday.
Ok, gotta go, I am super excited to get back on my feet and take on
another city as district leader and Senior Companion, serving with
Anziano Freckleton.
I'll update you next week!
Love you all
--Anziano Benge
1-Sofia, the 8 year old covert that we taught
2- Domodossola
3-'robot' That is definitely not a robot.

This Summer Passes Faster than Last

Our old church has been abandoned! We are officially moved into the
new church at Via Leblis/via Monfalcone in Vercelli. Our week
consisted of service, an exchange, heat, the sun, lessons with Ting
and Serena, me going insane, and heat.
My scambio (exchange) with Carnahan was very eventful as we passed by
two inactive members who lived in Lesa. Well, we took many trains, and
had an hour 'layover' in Cuzzago which is in the middle of nowhere.
Awesomely we explained our church to 8 or so new people today. And
then we exhausted ourselves by climbing to Massino Visconti to find an
inactive (who wasn't home, but we left a note)
We decided to hitchhike back to the train station instead of walking
an hour back down. (We found later that it's illegal?) but on our
third try a nice couple helped us, and we had yet another gospel
conversation.
This past week and so we've finished almost all the lessons with Ting,
though she hasn't decided on a baptism date. Serena is becoming more
interested, and our other lessons have not shown up.
We received 3 referrals from an anonymous person...all three were
uninterested...?
Ester looks like she won't be returning until school (heartbreaking)
Maryke can't return for her baptism it seems (dreadful)
And I've been sick a few days (meh)

I don't know what else to recount to you.
I love this mission though! I swear it gets harder everyday, but I see
the change that I'm making and that's what's important!!
--Anziano Benge, I love you all!
(Anz. Wheeler, Anz. Carnahan, Victor Sponton, Anz. Cabrera, me
At a national park north of Alagna) today

The actual best pday ever

--Anziano BengeYou have to guess where we went today...based of these photo clues.
(Hint: we reached 2070 meters altitude)