As you all hopefully know, on Christmas day, missionaries are all allowed to Skype or Facetime or whatever (or call) home. This was, of course, the highlight of the week. I will now describe the WHOLE week, very briefly with lots of parenthesis---
The week, starting today and running backwards:
Today we tried to find a way into a castle, the door had construction blocking it, and there was no other way in, so that didn't work. But we DID see the Galileo Galilei Museum here on the River Arno. It wasn't as cool as the Uffizi Gallery, but any scientist would enjoy it.
Yesterday: We recieved two cancellations of our appointments (we were 'Bedoned' (trashed)) we had a fun lunch with Mauro (talked about the Plan of Salvation over Pizza). At night, we met with the new convert Iyke, who we love and he is totally awesome in every way.
Monday: a few other Bedones, and we had a good lesson with a few people (Lo Priore family, and John Bravo (who always makes us Ecuadorian snacks or meals))
The week, starting today and running backwards:
Today we tried to find a way into a castle, the door had construction blocking it, and there was no other way in, so that didn't work. But we DID see the Galileo Galilei Museum here on the River Arno. It wasn't as cool as the Uffizi Gallery, but any scientist would enjoy it.
Yesterday: We recieved two cancellations of our appointments (we were 'Bedoned' (trashed)) we had a fun lunch with Mauro (talked about the Plan of Salvation over Pizza). At night, we met with the new convert Iyke, who we love and he is totally awesome in every way.
Monday: a few other Bedones, and we had a good lesson with a few people (Lo Priore family, and John Bravo (who always makes us Ecuadorian snacks or meals))
Sunday: We were supposed to all have talks as missionaries. The bishop scheduled us all to give 5 minute talks about missionary work with members, christlike attributes, etc. He told me that I would fill in whatever time there was remaining. I figured Anziano Hansen and Castronovo would just give 2 minute talks (they don't speak italian because they are new), I was afraid I would have to give a 15 minute talk or something. Instead, the Sorelle talked over 5 minutes each, and I gave a 2 minute talk at the end instead. Yeah!
Saturday: hmmm, don't remember really. We do Correlation at out Ward Mission Leader's house every saturday (His name is Cristian and his house is along a beautiful ride near Arno), we speak of our goals, investigators, lessons, families, etc. We did a few pass bys and had success with one who wants to meet us later this week. We worked on one street in the Fog... it would have been more beautiful but we couldn't see much. Check it out on street view? Viadi Santa Margherita a Montici.
Saturday: hmmm, don't remember really. We do Correlation at out Ward Mission Leader's house every saturday (His name is Cristian and his house is along a beautiful ride near Arno), we speak of our goals, investigators, lessons, families, etc. We did a few pass bys and had success with one who wants to meet us later this week. We worked on one street in the Fog... it would have been more beautiful but we couldn't see much. Check it out on street view? Viadi Santa Margherita a Montici.
Friday: Christmas, we had a luscious Peruvian lunch with the Cabezas family (another breathtaking ride), we watched Big Hero 6, then went to the church to talk with our families. They are doing well... So am I
Thursday: We had a dinner with some great people (an American guy from Livorno dating a Sister Boschi here in Firenze) the food was great, the hospitality was amazing, we are grateful to the fullest degree. I am happy.
Sorry, no photos again. I am a little lame at that, but sometimes it is hard to send them.
Love all of you, gotta go!
Thursday: We had a dinner with some great people (an American guy from Livorno dating a Sister Boschi here in Firenze) the food was great, the hospitality was amazing, we are grateful to the fullest degree. I am happy.
Sorry, no photos again. I am a little lame at that, but sometimes it is hard to send them.
Love all of you, gotta go!
Anziano Isaac Benge
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Buon Natale Tutti e Tanti Auguri
Happy Holidays everyone, This week is very very busy with Christmas and we've been trying to hand out so many 'E Nato un Salvatore' cards. We go caroling all the time, we give the cards out to members, and yet we still have thousands to give in just a few short days... Not. Christmas lasts here until January 6th and they celebrate it the whole way. (Not really Christ's birth, just celebrating in general.)
A main part of this week, yesterday, was Zone Training Christmas. It was a normal zone training, and then at the end we had some wonderful homemade eggnog from the Sorelle missionaries and chocolate mousse. There was also a gift exchange (secret santa) and I got Dutch waffles, and gave a famous Firenze tie and some Top Ramen. Yeah! And yes, I got my mail.. yay!
It's been overcast, but I love the weather. The people aren't really friendly, but I love being a missionary!!! I hope I don't forget to write about Christmas, that would be awkward, but I am really excited because we have awesomeness planned.
Another weird thing. We went to the Istituto Prosperius to set an appointment for an MRI on my companions back, but they couldn't schedule one except the day of... so we worked out the insurance (in Italian) and then scheduled an MRI for 2 hours later (in italian). Let's just say that I grew my vocabulary a lot on Monday. We did the MRI and we get the results tomorrow.
I am very grateful to be here in Firenze this Christmas, (although I also have to give a talk next sunday, darn). I love the mission, I love the people. I love Austin and Iyke, I love Mauro (who got the priesthood last sunday!). I love Italy.
A main part of this week, yesterday, was Zone Training Christmas. It was a normal zone training, and then at the end we had some wonderful homemade eggnog from the Sorelle missionaries and chocolate mousse. There was also a gift exchange (secret santa) and I got Dutch waffles, and gave a famous Firenze tie and some Top Ramen. Yeah! And yes, I got my mail.. yay!
It's been overcast, but I love the weather. The people aren't really friendly, but I love being a missionary!!! I hope I don't forget to write about Christmas, that would be awkward, but I am really excited because we have awesomeness planned.
Another weird thing. We went to the Istituto Prosperius to set an appointment for an MRI on my companions back, but they couldn't schedule one except the day of... so we worked out the insurance (in Italian) and then scheduled an MRI for 2 hours later (in italian). Let's just say that I grew my vocabulary a lot on Monday. We did the MRI and we get the results tomorrow.
I am very grateful to be here in Firenze this Christmas, (although I also have to give a talk next sunday, darn). I love the mission, I love the people. I love Austin and Iyke, I love Mauro (who got the priesthood last sunday!). I love Italy.
Questions, comments, ideas, I'm always here:
-- isaac.benge@myldsmail.netAnziano Isaac Benge
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Florentino Fun
I definately sent an email last week; where it went, I know not.
Anyway, the good news for this week is that I am in Florence, (Firenze) and that we got transfer calls, and Anziano Hansen and I will be both staying here. Joyous news!
Other really goodnessess: Mauro is being baptized this Saturday by Anz. Hansen because he's been interviewed (surprise) and everything was just thrown together, but here we are! That will be great to see.
Good news: Tomorrow I should have my Permesso di Soggiorno again, I'll be heading up to Padova really early in the morning to get my replacement. It will be so nice not to worry about that! Friday we have a doctor appointment for Hansen's knee, and hopefully that will happen and we can figure that all out too.
The work is really steaming down the track, we get wrapped up tight and do work in the cold and it's so fun and happy. truly
We meet with Fratello Bravo, he's from Ecuador and we made him American Bacon Jalepeno Burgers with Scamorza Affumciata as the cheese. That was super good! I miss burgers sometimes. I bore my testimony in church. Pdays we visit museums (like: The Uffizi and Piazza Vecchia and Galleria Accademia), I couldn't be happier.
Tuscany is amazing, the people are amazing. The mission is amazing.
This week the Sorrelle Missionarie had a really good idea, they decided to wrap our Christmas Bigliettini (pass along cards) in gold wrapping paper, tied with a silver bow. The message is of Christ: christmas.mormon.org
or here: natale.mormon.org
and we took the Gift of Christmas to Piazza Sant'Ambroggio and did some caroling in Italian! We handed out so many of those gold wrapped cards! It was amazing and spiritual, the best part was that 2 random men jumped in and sang with us on one of the Italian hymns. We are definitely doing that every Sunday night now! Very effective and heart-warming.
Shout out to Anz. Hansen's mom who gave us 25 small gifts for Christmas, we open one every day as directed and it makes our mornings!
I love you all, I hope I explained enough because I gotta go! Any questions, ire, comments, or rhetorics?
--
Anyway, the good news for this week is that I am in Florence, (Firenze) and that we got transfer calls, and Anziano Hansen and I will be both staying here. Joyous news!
Other really goodnessess: Mauro is being baptized this Saturday by Anz. Hansen because he's been interviewed (surprise) and everything was just thrown together, but here we are! That will be great to see.
Good news: Tomorrow I should have my Permesso di Soggiorno again, I'll be heading up to Padova really early in the morning to get my replacement. It will be so nice not to worry about that! Friday we have a doctor appointment for Hansen's knee, and hopefully that will happen and we can figure that all out too.
The work is really steaming down the track, we get wrapped up tight and do work in the cold and it's so fun and happy. truly
We meet with Fratello Bravo, he's from Ecuador and we made him American Bacon Jalepeno Burgers with Scamorza Affumciata as the cheese. That was super good! I miss burgers sometimes. I bore my testimony in church. Pdays we visit museums (like: The Uffizi and Piazza Vecchia and Galleria Accademia), I couldn't be happier.
Tuscany is amazing, the people are amazing. The mission is amazing.
This week the Sorrelle Missionarie had a really good idea, they decided to wrap our Christmas Bigliettini (pass along cards) in gold wrapping paper, tied with a silver bow. The message is of Christ: christmas.mormon.org
or here: natale.mormon.org
and we took the Gift of Christmas to Piazza Sant'Ambroggio and did some caroling in Italian! We handed out so many of those gold wrapped cards! It was amazing and spiritual, the best part was that 2 random men jumped in and sang with us on one of the Italian hymns. We are definitely doing that every Sunday night now! Very effective and heart-warming.
Shout out to Anz. Hansen's mom who gave us 25 small gifts for Christmas, we open one every day as directed and it makes our mornings!
I love you all, I hope I explained enough because I gotta go! Any questions, ire, comments, or rhetorics?
Anziano Isaac Benge
The Uffizi museum
other casual famousness at the Galleria Accademia
the Cathedral from vantage of the tallest tower at the 'Town Hall'
The Uffizi museum
other casual famousness at the Galleria Accademia
the Cathedral from vantage of the tallest tower at the 'Town Hall'
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
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
--
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
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
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