Hey Hey, Likely my Last

Hello everyone!

This is probably my last Pday Email to you. The last time I write a
group email in Italy. The last time that you have to read about a week
that's gone by.

I mainly just have to say that this mission has been so great. I
cannot express a fraction of the feelings that I have experienced or
now experience. Italy is beautiful, and the mission is even more
beautiful. These two years have really changed me.

Thank you Brad, Jarom, Jacob, Brody, Jeff, Jarrett, and other
missionaries that have finished their missions and been examples! And
of course the fabulous sisters that served and made such a difference
here in Italy; Heather, Sarah, Alyssa, Baylee, Whitney, and Abigail!
Thank you Anziani Hansen, Harris, Young, Wheeler, Freckleton, Green,
and Douglas who are all still serving the Lord and doing His will.
Keep it up my companions!
Thank you Mauro, Augustine, Iyke, Robert, my wonderful friends in
Toscana who have made the best choices and done so well! You're
amazing.
And of course Thank You, friends and family of Novara! Serena, Maryke,
Martie and Hans, Ting, and Ester. I think I only enjoyed those 5/6ish
months because of you!

And again, Mauro, Augustine, Iyke, and Ester. You are some of the
strongest members I have ever met! Remember how many people watch you
and your example. We will see each other again. Love you!

Sunday was awesome and spiritual, and after church was the American
Linger Longer, with delicious food and a great turn out!
Other than that, This last week I have nothing to report (except our
water is not working in our apartment, today for Pday we're doing a
baptism interview in Treviso, it's finally raining, and nobody answers
their phone.) so...I guess what a strange way to finish. Hopefully we
can meet with Felix, Elvis, and others before I go.

(No news of my Homecoming, I'll get it to you, maybe find me on
Facebook under my name)
May God Bless you All
--Anziano Isaac Benge

Milano, Padova, Muggiò, Firenze, Novara, Livorno, Pordenone. Tutti
undran la verità!
(A terrible IPad photo of Anziano Douglas.)

Approximately " " That Farther

Sorry everyone, the email sent with just that phrase. #awkward
#applesucksnotusererror

So, as I was saying. Approaching the end is strange because all the
good you do feels like a last ditch effort. Members come to the
missionaries, asking if we can be at a service project on Feb. 11th,
but I won't be there.

I gave my final talk in the Italian Ward on Sunday. I spoke about the
important topic of living prophets. One part went much like this:
Thomas S. Monson is a prophet, seer, and revelator for this world and
time, and is the only man whom we sustain as so. The twelve Apostles
are special witnesses of Christ, and they too are chosen and called
specifically for our day. Adam didn't receive revelation on how to
build an Ark, and Abraham didn't receive commands on how to free the
Israelites from Egypt. Just as it is today, the prophet of 2017 has
been set apart to give God's words to us today in our need. We cannot
fully compare a living prophet with a defunct one, for they are there
to give tailored advice for that generation.

I hope someone was touched in the Ward by my words, and more
importantly, by the Holy Ghost. For all you reading this, just follow
prophetic counsel okay? If you don't know what was last testified by
President Monson, go reread the Ensign or Liahona. It will bless you
as you follow direction and promptings you feel.

Other than my talk, our week was a simple repetition of passing by
inactive members as the Bishop has asked. Nobody really does member
reactivation or Family home or visiting teachings, so it falls on the
missionaries. I disapprove, although it gives some good practice and
something to do. The bishopric could pass all of the members in a week
with a car, but instead we bike hours to come to find that the address
isn't even valid. Bene, oh well, we use the outside time to talk to
random people out walking their dogs. Others see our name tag. I guess
that's success.

Saturday we spent up in the mountains, talking with investigators,and
then we had a BBQ dinner with Daniel and his military friends. Good
discussion there, and good steak. We took home 2 kilograms of steak.
Wow

On Monday we were blessed to finally meet with a Ghanaian, Elvis, who
lives next to a beautiful Catholic Church in San Giovanni di Casarsa.
It was a 25 minute walk from the Casarsa train stop, so we were
worried when he didn't answer his phone at all that day. We instead
showed up, were let in, and we gave a brief 15 minute restoration
lesson to Elvis and his wife. They were grateful, and promised to read
and meet with us next week. Cool! They both treated the Book of Mormon
preciously.
I'd like to point out that we met with these people because Elvis
requested a Book of a Mormon online. His words were "I was on the
internet, and I saw this book. I knew ai had to read it, so I asked
your church to send me one, or a Bible, or anything. God Bless you
that you came."

The lesson was short, and the Spirit was a brief fleeting tingle (the
only lighting was a disco ball and kids were wrestling each other),
but in that one moment we were a miracle to someone else.

Anyway, that is all! Here are photos from last Pday (Vittorio
Veneto/Serravalle) and Saturday.

Love you all!
--Anziano Benge
P.s - Again, I am sorry for the one-liner email, and especially those
who were unfortunate to get three emails from me today.

1- Ruins near Tramonti di Sotto, usually they're underwater, but the
lake is 9 meters too low.
2- Serravalle
3- Somewhere along the Meduna river?

Approximately " " That Far

It is quite a strange sensation approaching the end of a mission.

--Anziano Benge

Busier than Normal

Every day we've had stuff to do! Meno male! Admittedly, Thursday was
especially nice. We did a lot of passes of inactive members, Italian
Class for the Americans, and then we were at Marta's house until 9:30.
We snacked, talked with her friends, and of course HAD A BONFIRE. It
was for a holiday called Befana, or 'witch'. Only celebrated largely
here in Veneto and Friuli, Befana is a pagan tradition where a massive
fire is lit (usually a cross is burned, yikes) and if the smoke goes
towards the mountains it will be a good year of harvest.
Our bonfire had smoke blowing towards the sea, which denotes a bad
coming year of harvest. This doesn't surprise me much because Italians
keep telling me that this is the driest winter the area has had since
1862 or something.

Yesterday, we met a faithful Christian named Felix (feh-lis) from
Ghana. He called us because he was having a hard time and one of his
friends (someone I've never met) told him the missionaries would
surely help. He accepted the restoration lesson and said he'd come to
church and think about baptism.
Yay!

Anyway, we've been busy. Appointments every day, contacts everywhere,
and a package that I sent got lost in the mail. We're always doing
something. Right now we're on our way to Vittorio Veneto, for some
hiking and sightseeing. That's all for this week!

--Anziano Benge
1- I finally beat Brother Giurintano in chess. (Scaccomatto!)
2- We passed the Noncello River one day...
3- Befana bonfire

(Some clever subject line about) 2017

2+0+1+7 equals 10. That means 2017 is not divisible by 3. So sad... I guess that just makes it a prime year to get stuff done.

Our New Year Eve here in Pordenone was fun. At 8 a.m we had to be at the church to clean it. I vacuumed to whole church and did the trashes. It was fun, (well, boh, it gave me time to think). Then we had leftovers for lunch. At 4:30 there was an 8 yr old baptism for the American Ward and then everyone was off to New Year parties. The missionaries were asked to be inside by 7, unless there was a Ward party, which there wasn't. So, we sat inside, staring at the wall in the general direction of exploding fireworks until 2 a.m. (It finally quieted down so we could sleep).

The next day, Sunday, we had 6 hours of church because now we are the only missionaries over two wards. Yay. Fortunately the Bishop Kongaika (of the American Ward) brought us New Year leftovers from their party (ribs, BBQ, and islander foods) so that we could eat. Italian church went until 6pm. Oh well, whatever. I don't know if we can do 6 hours of church every Sunday, but we'll do our best.

Monday we found two new investigators, Boateng and Olivia. They are a Ghanaian family with a two year old son. They live up by Sedico, BL, Italia. And.. you know it was really really really time consuming to go up there and come back. It was beautiful, but they don't have a car so they'll maybe never make it to church. 2 hours in car, one way, makes that so hard. On train, it's the same or longer. Anyway, they loved the restoration lesson, and we'll be seeing them again in 2 weeks. They were referrals, and I just wished they lived closer. 

The next referral we are supposed to meet is a resident in Portogruaro, another even more unreachable town. Sighs all around.

We do lots of work with inactive members, and we'll be busy with two wards. I'm no longer sick, and my companion is hale as well.

Really nothing more to say. (Today for Pday we're...doing housework, ooh exciting)

Love you all!
--Anziano Benge

1-combined district meeting yesterday.

2-near Belluno

3- our stop at Sedico

The Happy Holidays

I am talmente stufato with writing emails. But hey, it's all good. I
only have a few left.

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year. I will recount the
holidays, and that should be all.

Christmas Eve, we went over at 11am to the Senior Couple's home.
Sister Rust had prepared lunch for us, and it was a delicious lunch if
I may say. We then played cards with them, and their daughter who was
visiting. We rode our bikes home, and then had to catch a bus an hour
later to Aviano. We met Renato at a Pizzeria for dinner, shared our
Christmastime testimonies, and Anz. Douglas gave him a copy of Jesus,
the Christ. Since Renato is an English-speaking Italian, the copy was
in our native tongue, and should help him practice !

Christmas was nice, a beautiful Sunday. We made it to both Ward
services; the Italians read scriptures, The Americans had a musical
program. Then we took ourselves out to The Moschetta family's home.
She is an English student, who's always loved the missionaries, but
never has been interested in being a member. She made us Hungarian
dishes (where she's from originally), and also Italian dishes. They
were all so good! And the best, Ravioli with Gorgonzola and Walnut
inside....oh so delectable. We stayed and talked after dessert (a
Hungarian poppyseed roll) and they showed us almost every photo from
their vacation to Argentina...but hey, It was really fun. It was nice
to meet her son and husband, and to bring a joyful spirit into their
home. (It's a rare wood home...while most in Italy are cement) oooh

Of course, that night after we made it home, we were able to bike to
the church and Skype our families. They're doing great, and in my
opinion it was the best video-call session I've had in the
mission...the last one!

Cool, that's all for now. Love you!
Don't forget to make someone's day.

--Anziano Benge
1- La vigilia di Natale, Anz. Douglas presents Jesus, the Christ to Renato
2- Natale. Il pranzo. The Moschetta Family (the son took the photo)

Christmas, Sickness, it's the time of the year...

Another Pordenonese week over here for me! How is everyone doing?
For those lucky enough to Skype me on Christmas, you can tell me on
Sunday! I am extremely happy to have a mission in a country where
celebrating our Savior's birth is a big thing!
Last Thursday we went to a Mission Conference in Modena (home of
Balsamic Vinegar!) and met with Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy.
It was by far one of my favorite conferences! He is a very intelligent
man, and a very good teacher. I was able to walk away at the end with
ideas on how to serve better here in Pordenone. Of course, the office
had bought our tickets home, which means everything was ill timed. We
ended up getting home from Modena at 11:10pm...exhausted, and tired of
trains.
Friday was less appealing. We did visit Renato in Aviano. But the
rest of the day was phone calls. Saturday was finding and showing the
Christmas video on the street. Then I made phone calls to prepare for
Sunday.
And kaboom, Sunday worked out perfectly. We had a wonderful sabbath
meeting, and a new move-in inactive named Daniel showed up, (the main
calls I made on Saturday were to him). Afterwards he was happy and we
took Luca (a strong new convert who hopes to move to the U.S.A soon)
to visit Daniel's new home and get to know him. He hasn't been active
for almost four years, but was extremely impressed with every member
he'd met and wanted to take baby steps to becoming active again. It
was a really good visit. After that, we had a delicious dinner with
the Senior couple Rusts, and Luca. (Sesame Chicken, just like my
mom's)!
Monday I was sick. I think it was food poisoning, but my stomach
was NOT ok. Darn that Chicken. It's the only thing I can openly blame.
Anyway, Monday night was also the Ward party for the Italians. We
went, and it was a really good experience, there were a handful of
non-member youth that came. (And some how I beat them all in Foosball)
Yesterday was just our normal meetings, with District meeting, and
Correlation with the Ward mission leader, and the Family Home Evening
thing we did. But different than normal, we had a service project from
8:30-11 in the morning. Lifting all the furniture tore some of my
muscles, and I'm pretty sore now. But everything is ok.
Nobody expect me to return with massive bulging muscles, cuz it's not
going to happen. Even with all these furniture movings up flights of
stairs and the morning exercise, I seem to only get weaker.

Well. Sorry. That was a lot to read. Love you all! I know God's
kingdom is here on the earth! Do what you can to build it!
Arrivederci
--Anziano Benge
No new photos

The Endless Week

I'll keep this week's email sweet and succinct. 

(Ed in italiano per loro che abitano qui)

Tengo quest'email settimanale che sia dolce e succinto.

We spent a majority of our mornings in the Questura, the government offices, trying to figure out Anz. Douglas' permit to live here.

Trascorrevamo la major parte dei mattini alla Questura, provando a quadrare il Permesso di soggiorno di Anziano Douglas.

No luck. We're supposed to wait for an appointment that they wrote and sent in the mail, but A) we don't have a key to our mailbox. And B) Douglas' name isn't on the mailbox. So, this should be a strange week.

Senza colpo di fortuna. Dobbiamo aspettare una lettera su cui è scritto il nostro appuntamento, però, (A) non abbiamo una chiave della cassetta postale e (B) non c'è il nome di Douglas sulla cassetta neanche al citofono. Dovrebbe essere una strana settimana a venire.

Thursday we had Zone conference in Mestre (along with a Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner together.) and it was a good day. Sunday night we had an exchange with the Venezia zone leaders, so we had to go to Mestre again until Monday.

Giovedì facevamo la conferenza di zona a Mestre. È stata una buona giornata ed c'era la cena natalizia insieme nel mezzo. Domenica sera siamo andati a Mestre di nuovo fino a Lunedì di fare lo scambio di colleghi.

It was actually the best exchange i have ever been on, and I've never had some much success as a missionary while finding. We were using this year's Christmas video, and in one hour we had several people stop!

Veramente è stato lo scambio migliore di ciò che mai ho fatto; non ho mai visto successo così facendo la ricerca per strada. Usavamo il video natalizio #SiiunaLuce ed in un'ora singola, parecchia gente si fermavano!

I have seen this gospel change people, and it's changed me. Be a Light and see what you can change, see who's heart you might touch.

Ho visto i cuori cambiare dal Vangelo, eppure mi ha cambiato. Sii una Luce e vedi che cosa puoi cambiare, guarda per chi la verità tocca.

Vi voglio tanto bene!

P.s (shoutout to Mauro and Ester, both recent converts who have been members now for just about a year!)

P.s (auguri a Mauro ed Ester, i convertiti che compirà un anno nella gregge di Gesù! Vi voglio bene. Un abbraccio a ciascuno!)

--Anziano Benge

1-Sunset after a late lunch. Tramonto dopo un pranzo tarde

2- Cose natalizie a Pordenone. Christmas stuff in Pordenone

3- the zone. La zona di Venezia (Pordenone are the first 2 missionaries on the left in both the M and F rows)

Italy Treats one Well

And insipidly, another week has fled.
And I don't have any more photos for you, I'm sorry.

This week our ward was on a trip to the temple. So we focused our week
on passing by long-missing members. We traveled to Porcia to pass by
them. En route, we met a man named Robert. He is from Ghana, and
really didn't speak English that well.
At one point in our discussion, Elder Douglas said "Awesome!" And
Robert thought that he had said a word in the Twi language "boasom" or
something. Which means "I love you."
So of course Robert just starts cracking up, and couldn't even finish
the conversation because he's laughing. He left us like that, without
us getting his number, but at least he was in a good mood.

Saturday we had dinner with the Giurintano family. And Elder Douglas
had his first experience with trying to play chess with a 90 year old
Siciliano. I usually play, but I escaped it fortunately.
Sunday was really nice. Belal, from Pakistan, came to all three hours
of church and participated in the lesson. He says he likes
Christianity, but still doesn't quite understand Christ. Of course, do
any of us? As we learn, you can only teach someone as far as you know
for yourself. We did our best, bearing testimony in Gospel Principles
class, but it still seems he uses church only as a past time.
For dinner, we were invited to the American bishop's home, and we ate
South Korean food, and Philippine food, and then went to another
member's home for pies, pies, and more pie.
Americans are so awesome in a completely different way than Italians
are, but it is very hard to switch cultures like that for me.
Yesterday we had troubles with Elder Douglas' documents, so we have to
go in Friday this week. Aye, I've spent too much time in government
offices. Beh, persevereremo

Va bene, quel è tutto per questa settimana.
Sii una Luce. Sii come Gesù, la Lace del mondo.
Tvb
--Anziano Benge
(Austine, a recent convert in Firenze, emailed me this photo of him,
Iyke(far left), and Rocky(middle).) they are all new converts and I
really miss that city! Him and Iyke just received the Melchizedek
priesthood.

Time Surpasses

Wow, another week gone by! Sure enough, we spent our last Pday in
Venice. This Pday was in Claut, and all this travel is so fun. I must
admit

Thursday we had a SUPERB thanksgiving with the Hart family. And we
jammed together, making music with so many instruments and voices. So
cool. I feel like that was my first thanksgiving dinner inside of a
home. My only memories of other dinners have happened in churches. So,
yes, this was a triple special experience. The Harts are an amazing
American family. Again, such a good night

The time has raced by, and we've kept ourselves busy. Friday, we
spent our day in Maniago. It is Italy's knife/steel capital (who knows
why), and we did finding and passed by an old investigator. We didn't
find him, sadly. It always seems to happen that way. We got home cold
and wet, but it was fine.

Saturday, we decided to pass an inactive Roberto who lived in a
distant place called San Vito al Tagliamento. (You can look these all
up if you want.) The city was a 22 km bike ride from our apartment, so
we got there and we were exhausted. We rang, knocked, and there was
nothing, so we went and got gelato. When that was done, we tried
again, riding once more from the city center to his home. No luck, so
I began writing a note about how'd we missed him.
A couple passed as I was writing and I said, "Scusate" (okay I'll just
tell you in English)
I said "excuse me. Do you know (said Roberto)?"
They said, "Yes."
Me, "We are missionaries from his church and wondered if he'll be back soon."
He said, "No he won't.... Ha, just kidding it's me!"
I laughed, asked how they were, and then told them of how we had
ridden 1.5 hours to find him. He said he didn't have time and escaped
inside. What?!?
HOW DISAPPOINTED we were. I mean, come on!
We rode back (in the dark, with only one working light, yikes) and got
dinner at an "American" Diner. So sad, but we did give an English
class flyer to the waitress and talked with her. So that's good

Sunday, was fine. Nobody we've invited showed up though.
I can't remember anything special Monday. Tuesday, we had district
meeting as usual. Then at night we ate with another American family,
the Gublers, which was also way fun. All the Italians are on a temple
trip, so this week will be slow with the member work. I love this city
and the people.
I can barely believe how great God's work is though! There is so much
more good than bad, so much more light than darkness. Remember which
side you're on. A man cannot serve two masters.
Love you all!
--Anziano Benge
1-San Vito al Tagliamento
2-Claut Forest
3- Venice

A Green Missionary's First Lesson

Dear Readers,
As you have probably noticed, the work in Pordenone is a bit slow. We
get lessons, but not as often as other cities. So with this in mind,
you must realize that my new 'Verdino', fresh out of the MTC
companion, had his first lesson in Italian on Monday.
And of course, it was a Siciliano man, that neither of us could
understand, and he's Xmafia, explaining how many people he's killed.
But don't worry he's reformed now, though he won't come to church
because 'the bishop is evil, and the members are all afraid of him.'
Oh well, we did our best, and although he's done 15 years behind bars
and committed every known crime, he's a really sweet guy with a really
well-raised family. Anziano Douglas (my trainee's name) liked the
lesson a lot. Welcome to Italy...

Anziano Douglas is from the Riverside area in California. He's fresh
out of High school, is a gym/beach/videogame type of guy, and is
really strong in his testimony. We're very different, but have enough
in common to teach awesomeness.
(His mom is from Napoli, but she never taught him Italian, though he
speaks it extremely well already)
I picked him up Thursday from Milano and have already showed him
around the city. Sunday we had a lunch with members in Budoia,
tomorrow for Thanksgiving we have lunch/dinner with an American
family, and last night we ate with the Rust Couple. At least we're
getting fed!

The work is picking up steadily, 3 non members came to our Italian
Ward, and it's exciting. One other funny part of the week is that we
discovered that Anziano Douglas' IPad they issued him is completely
busted. It has no camera app, can't download anything, has no
Bluetooth, and no Siri. It's useless except email. Haha, we'll get a
new one later, but for now I am the only one with the Area Book App.
As the mission has gone fully digital, it's a bit hard to have only
one functioning device for Area Book, when we need two!

Other than all that, life is good. We Pdayed in Venezia, and I think
that's all for today.

E pluribus unum, Doctrine and Covenants 38:27.
"Unity, harmony, goodwill are virtues to be fostered and cherished in
every home. Slander is poison to the soul." President David O. McKay

--Anziano Benge
(Mountains are always nice
Anziano Douglas and I (the two in the center) when I picked him up in Milan)

What Brings You Joy?- Happy Thanksgiving

Another week blows by in the wind, another chill sweeps through the air.

My scarf doesn't keep out the bitter cold bite, but I don't really care.

   On Saturday we received our transfer news, and as suspected, Anziano Green will be leaving to Vercelli. I will be finishing my mission here as a New Missionary Trainer. Whoa...quite the change I may say. I take a train today after 4pm to Milano and I'll pick him up tomorrow morning! So exciting.

   Sorella Barlow, the British sister in my district, is going home. Today is her last day. The sister that will be coming up to replace her is Sister Carter! The same Carter that I just had in my district in Livorno! So yeah, both the sisters (Carter,Marshall) will be in their fourth transfer and neither speak the language too well. Likely I will be the only one in the district to speak Italian unless my newbie missionary somehow already speaks it.

   This last week we did a lot of saying goodbye, and Anz. Green finally finished the process with his Residency Permit and has it now. I'll have to do this process again with my new companion, which really sucks because doing the math, I have already spent 60+ hours inside the immigrant office/questura during my mission.

Anyway, I am loving this mission even though it's difficult. I am excited to train. Please remember that all the unfairness in the world is made up through hard work and then, the Grace of our Loving Heavenly Father and the Son.
Stay happy 
--Anziano Benge

(Autumn Dolomites, up by Claut)

A sick daze

Green had a sore throats and cold symptoms all last week. Now it's
been passed off to me. And I spent all my time writing to family, so
it'll be a short email. Sorry.

Pordenone is cold, and so is Trieste (what we did last Wednesday was
tour there). The work has been slow because it seems everyone is sick,
but Monday we saw the Giurintano family and ate a lentil pasta with
them. Every time I go over the grandfather plays two games of chess
with me. Let's just say I need to practice.

Last week there were a bunch of cancellations just as we'd be leaving.
It's so annoying when that happens.
The biggest change of all is that we've gone all digital now. We spend
many hours taking our Area Books and transferring the paper
information to our iPads. We no longer use missionary planners, as it
is all on our new app. The conversion process is difficult, and fairly
boring. It doesn't help that I have to do it all on an Apple device.
(Sorry for those who prefer Apple), but I mean there are way to many
glitches. There's also no reason my iPad should freeze when ever I use
the mail app or Area Book app, I have several GB of free space still.
It's started happening that when I try to add a new person or lesson
on the app, that my whole iPad crashes...and of course, Non esiste il
tech support.
This conversion is going to take me a very long time.
The Bora hasn't hit yet. I am suspenseful for that.
Next week are transfers, I will let you know next Wednesday. I will
very very very likely be staying here (although I thought the same in
Livorno).
Until next week!
--Anziano Benge
1- Anz. Green admires weapons in Trieste; S. Giorgio castle's museum
2- Trieste (not my favorite pDay)

An Extremely Short Email

I just threw some random contacts on this email, so I hope you don't mind!
As always, I am doing well. I'm keeping this email short because of
technical problems and time. Today's Pday was up in Barcis, so I tried
writing this on a bus, but it kept crashing. Sorry
We had our American Military Ward Halloween party, lots of people came
and we met many contacts. I got to go on Base and did some shopping at
the commissary (peanut butter, root beer, pop tarts, Jalapeño cheetos)
for things that I haven't had here.
We had a lesson with a newly moved in member named Race, from Idaho.
What a cool guy.
That's all. Love you all

--Anziano Benge
(Me forgetting to smile at Barcis with the district)

A Long Move

The most memorable day was Saturday.
Waking up at 5:30, we hitched a ride with some members and drove the
long (circa) 1 hour 40 minute trip to Belluno to help Isabel and Mario
move. In the misty, dewy morning, the Dolomites were beautiful.
Hopefully we weren't distracted too much as we hauled boxes and bed
frames, washing machines and cabinets, downstairs to load them in a
truck. (Also a fridge and a table, and two massive red couches
(massive for Italian sizes at least(actually small))). The truck, of
course, arrived an hour later and then we loaded and made the drive
back home.
Once again, we emptied the truck and this time had to bring it all
upstairs to the second story (third floor in U.S measures).
Fortunately for the men that were there, they had a lunch prepared for
us when we were finished.
Sunday was fantastic because so many members are bringing their
friends to church. We are contacting them all, and most said that
they'd be here for the dual-ward party this Saturday (which us
missionaries will be the judges for a chili cook-off competition).
There will also be a trunk-or-treat.
We've had many dinners (Italian on Friday, Senior Missionary Couple on
Monday, American Restaurant with an Airman yesterday) and we do a
'Family Home Evening' at the church on tuesdays, so yesterday I taught
that lesson.
For Even more news, we had a surprise exchange with the missionaries
in Mestre on Thursday to Friday, so both of us were there for that
night. Then, yesterday morning and afternoon was a Zone Conference in
Mestre for all the missionaries from Trieste to Bologna. Yes, I've
been to Mestre twice in the last week, hard travels!
So yeah, we've been busy, and I don't have much more to write. Today
for our free day we haven't decided what to do...so..until next time!

I love this gospel, and I KNOW it's true
--Anziano Benge
1- Driving home from Belluno
2- Driving through Cet (Belluno)
3- View from my apartment balcony. (Pordenone)

Pordenone, God Bless America

The work is very different here. Very productive.
My companion is Anziano Green, from Palmyra, NY, although his family
moved to Clarksville TN while he was out here. We get along super well
and this is going to be a really good transfer, we laugh often and
think alike.
I am the only westerner in the district though. Sorella Barlow, this
is her last transfer, is from Great Britain. Sorella Marshall is from
the Toronto Canada area. So, they often make fun of the USA, and more
especially Utah.
But guess what, too bad, because they serve over the American ward
here. There is a large military base here in Aviano, and it makes
things so fun. Yesterday we went to Burger King and it was paid for by
the members. The young single military men often invite us to shop on
base with them at the commissary, so we can get anything we want for
cheap. Though, honestly, Italian food is just fine

Thursday's we visit Renato Leban, a locally renowned artist who is a
convert. Wednesday nights we teach English to Italians. Thursday's
nights we teach Italian to Americans.
Tuesdays we have a 'Family Home Evening' serrata familiare , with
anyone from either ward. Last Saturday we painted a house for service
of some Portuguese people, (there was no communication between us,
perbacco!). Lots of people we talked to in parks, on the street, and
then lots of people came to church that were invited by members. The
work is slow but we may say that the field is ripe.
Questions?

Cool, love you all, remember your prayers!
--Anziano Benge

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.