2/25/2019 Chat log from first Hangouts interaction, bummer no audio!

Us: chat while looking?
Erik: sure. Okay, does this work?
Us: we do not see you now. Can you see us?
Erik: Yeah, I can see you. I lowered the bandwidth as much as possible for this call. I don't know if you'll be able to see me.
Us: We see you!
Erik: If you speak slow, I can hear you.
Us: Just type
Erik: Sure. That's fine. I'll type. The internet really sucks here. I haven't been kidding when I say that.
Us: We need to figure out this tech problem.
Erik: Okay, I have been eating mother. Don't worry.
Us: Mom says good. You look like you've lost weight.
Erik: Yeah, I'm fast at typing. I did. Cool, huh?
Us: Not cool!
Erik: Very. I'm eating less.
Us: You're not a fatty. Don't eat less. Eat to survive. How's the heat?
Erik: I was 76 kilos at the mission home. They tried to kill us with food at the MTC. Hi Karissa!
Us: Food at the MTC is meant to help not kill!
Erik: So I'm eating enough food that it doesn't kill me.
Us: Are you eating better now that you're in Dar?
Erik: I'm eating a hEALTHY amount.
Us: Good! You look great! We are so proud of you!
Erik: I have a light breakfast and dinner and a heavy lunch. I just sent you an email Karissa.
Us: Look at all these people who are praying for you.
Erik: I can sorta hear you. I have my mic muted.
Us: unmute your mic.
Erik: You wouldn't be able to hear me anyway, there's a guy making music behind me.
Us. Try it!
Erik: Don't be jealous mom. I've sent you an email too. The heat? I AM IN THE ARMPIT OF HADES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Us: Good. Thanks. Don't send us emails like Chase.
Erik: It's humid beyond all belief. No, no longer sick.
Us: Are you still sick? Good.
Erik: I was laid out in bed for two days.
Us: Was it a reaction to the malaria pill?
Erik: That was the main cause of my weight loss. Nope. No issue with the Doxy.
Us: Did you throw up?
Erik: I caught two different bugs. Had diarrhea and a head cold. Told ya, the cause of my weight loss. (Us verbally: How is your companion?) We're both pretty calm. This is Elder Phokane. Well, I tried to call you at midnight. It'll slow down the connection. I couldn't get on. We went to the cafe at 10 this morning to email and the missionary accounts were having issues. Givie Kiki a good scquanch. All the cats here break my heart.
Us: Did you see the map I sent? Can you mark where your flat is?
Erik: They're all starving to death and spend their days begging at out-door cafes. I can't access the map.
Us: I emailed it
Erik: There is one kitten, smaller than the one I saved from the(Hollow) road, and it just cries all the time.
Us: Are you sleeping?
Erik: I know he emailed it. I can't access it. The connection is too slow. Hi Lacey!!! I'll say my hellos now. Hello Jordie and Zackie. Sleep? Not really. I try. I'm the lightest sleeper ever now. Just in the room I sleep. I can be standing in the direct breeze and still be sweating. (Verbal question from us: Are there mosquitos?). Not in this area. Elder Robinson has been bit 20+ times. He's in Arusha. (Verbal question from us: Have you been to zone conference?). I was sick in bed that day. For Zone Conference. (Verbal question from Us: How big is your branch?). 25 people. Less than that show. (Verbal question from Us: What do you do to help the branch? Bless sacrament? Lead music? Talk?). Try not to sleep. The entire thing is in Swahili. (Verbal question from us: Are you learning the language?). NO. I know three words. VERY HARD. NO ONE TELLS ME ANYTHING. (Verbal question from us: Does your companion speak Swahili?). He speaks more than I do. I might speak 6 words by the time I come home. (Verbal from us: Alekken is learning a native language in Vanuatu.). Tell him 'hi' for me. I finally got a break!!!!!!!!!! (Verbal question from Us: Are you teaching?) A little. This is a new area and most people speak Swahili. If we want to teach them we need a member. (Verbal question from Dad: Did you get the phrases I sent?). Phrases? Nope.
Us: upendo. habari gani?
Erik: There is one woman we are teaching named Veronica. She doesn't speak English, but she understands a little of what we say. I know Habari. Her brother is a recent convert named Kevin, and he helps us teach. The Lord has prepared her well, she reads everything we give her. There's a weird mix of English and Swahili names. We gave her a Swahili Book of Mormon. Had to order it online. (Verbal response from us: Wait, we thought you only teach in English because Swahili isn't a pure enough language to teach the gospel.?). We can teach in it, we just don't speak it. The mission has a stock of Swahili Books of Mormon. If we wanted one back home we would have had to order it. We need more for our mission. We ran out. I'm gonna cut it soon. He'll help. (Verbal question from us: Have you sent any more pictures or videos?). No. What was the last video you've seen? (Verbal response from us: The elder playing Curious George theme song on the guitar in the MTC. You sent it twice). That's my bad. Jordie should have recognized it though. (Verbal question from us: Are you taking pictures?). I don't take any. I don't carry my camera with me so it doesn't get stolen. (Verbal question from us: Have you been robbed?). (Visual head shake 'no' from Erik). (Verbal question from us: Will you stand up so we can see you?) Sure. (Verbal question from us as Erik grabs and tweaks his neck: Are you okay?). Popping my neck. (Erik stands up). I can see a few more ribs. I stopped pretty quick. (Verbal comment from us: We are going to send you a camera with WiFi so you can upload pictures and video) That would be nice. Maybe. We can try Skype next time. (Verbal question from us: Does your church have wifi?). Ours doesnt have wifi. Our church is two buildings. The chapel is a renovated store room, and the classrooms are in a house. (Verbal comment from us: I got you a 220 volt electric toothbrush). I saw that email. No wifi. It would help. Everyone here has white teeth. (Verbal comment from us: That's because they have dark skin). My companion gave me brushing advice. (Erik visually demonstrates brushing in circles). Circles. (Verbal comment from us: Be sure you are flossing well.). I floss way more here than at home. (Verbal question from Karissa: How are you getting along with your companion?). Pretty well. We don't fight or argue. Not even once. (Verbal question from us: What about your candy supply? Did you eat all of it?). Had to stick them in the freezer. My candy supply is still untouched. We weren't allowed to eat food in the rooms at the MTC. And we weren't allowed to leave our rooms after nine. (Verbal question from Us: What about cockroaches?). I have seen one cockroach. It was about as big as this. (Erik holds up one side of a pair of headphones). Bigger! What was the last question again?

The cockroach was about as big as this!

Us: Its name is Pohito?
Erik: NO! It was in our kitchen. (Verbal question from us: Did you kill it?). No.
Us: Picture?
Erik: I didn't have my camera. I haven't seen it since the second day I got here. (Verbal question from us: Is the mission field better than the MTC?). In some ways.
Us: No longer prison!
Erik: I wish for the days of lesser humidity. (Verbal comment and question from us as Erik takes a drink from a water bottle: I see you have a water bottle. Do you get plenty of water to drink?). Yeah, I have a 1.5 liter bottle in the fridge. I fill the smaller one with it. I use filtered water already. (Verbal question from us: How do you get around? Do you walk a lot? Do you need a bike? Do you use a bus?). Do I walk a lot???? The church and the store are both a mile away. (Verbal comment and question from us: Ther is a university close to you. Do you know?). I know it. It's Dar Es Salaam University. (Verbal question from us: Do you know where you live? Are there any street signs or buildings? We're trying to find you on Google maps). The housing is garbage, but the tech is pretty up to snuff. Hafford Health. That's the hospital less than 500m from my flat. (Verbal question from us: Have you eaten Pap in your area?). No. It's called ugali here. I haven't had it yet. I have rice and beef for lunch. Dinner and breakfast is bread and an egg, fried. I try to eat fruit with every breakfast. Yes. Don't worry. My weight is fine. I'm losing the audio. That guy is still 'making
Us: Are you able to see your blog or is that a no no?
Erik: I haven't seen my blog yet.
Us: Everything is on it.
Erik: K. Get me an MP3 of 'He's a pirate' (from Pirates of the Carribean).
Us: We are going to Ridgeline's play tonight. Shrek the Musical.
Erik: Oh, that one.
Us: Zack's friend, Oren, is in it.
Erik: Perfect casing. He's Shrek, right?
Us: I don't think Julia is in it. No.
Erik: Okay. Add a Tanzanian flag. (to his blog)
Us: He's a pig.
Erik: Well, that makes no sense. Looks good. Sorta. He's a Pirate. (Erik holds up another Elder's name tag)
Us: What?! We saw his mom's name somewhere.
Erik: Cool! The name of the song I want is 'He's a Pirate' from Pirates of the Carribian. It should be approved. I have a short version of it already. (Verbal question from us: You can listen to that?!). Yes, lots of music. Send me the mp3 file.
Us: You want to make a list (of songs) and we'll send you an SD card?
Erik: Also, 'Glorious' by David Archuleta. Just those two. Email them to me.
Us: Okay.
Erik: I'll put them on the SD card from that mom (meaning SD card he already has). No. Anyway, I gotta go. End it quick. I don't know. 6 A.M. next week.
Us: What time?
Erik: 4 P.M. here. Love you bye!

2/18/2019 I am in the Armpit of Hades.

Hear ye, hear ye! My toothbrush charger is dead. Mr. Toothbrush charger leaves behind a wife (Mrs. Toothbrush), and faithful companion (Elder Benson). Though he is dead, he is never far.

How am I? I'm sick. Woke up at 5 and couldn't sleep past 5:50. I have an aching head, fever, plugged ears and nose, and have lost the will to move. It doesn't help that Tanzania is 300C with 2Billion% humidity. Aside from that? No complaints, but please do pray for me. I need it. (I have already received advice mother, no need to worry.

I have gotten to lead two lessons since I got here, they didn't really feel like lessons, but they went well.

I get along with Elder Phokane (po-Kah-nay), and we work well enough together. He's South African.

I won't be able to video call (or call) until I get it all sorted out. There really isn't anywhere that I know of at this point.

I'm glad Gpa is okay, he's been on my mind as of late, get well as fast as you can Grandpa!

Sorry that happened to ya Jordan! Be careful what you eat!

Sorry this email isn't too long, The computer I'm using is slow, has issues, and my head is throbbing. I'll try to send a few of my videos.

I love you all!
Elder Benson (Changombe (sha-gom-bay), Tanzania, The Armpit of Hades.)

2/12/2019 Flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, Kenya

2/14/2019 Elder Benson has arrived safe to the Kenya Nairobi Mission

Dear Family of Elder Benson,

Greetings form the Kenya Nairobi Mission.

Elder Benson has arrived safe to the Kenya Nairobi Mission.

Please find attached letter to you from President Msane.

We hope you enjoy the pictures we took last night at the end of his training.

We are grateful for his service to his Heavenly Father and the people in this mission.

He was the only one that helped me do dishes, I love him, he is awesome.

Have a most wonderful day!!!

Love,
Sister Sutherland
Secretary, Kenya Nairobi Mission

2/12/2019 Group Photo of Missionaries Headed to Kenya!

2/11/2019 Last Day in Prison

Well, I was able to email you on Monday, it makes me rather happy that I was able to do so. I've recorded quite a few videos, and some of them are rather unpleasant, others are really happy. I just hope that they'll upload in time.

If they don't finish uploading today, I'll take care of them next week.

I do love you all, and I'm sorry that we don't have much time to email this week. I'll be leaving for Kenya tomorrow, and I'm glad to recieve all of your emails!

Karissa, don't stress too much about the ACT. You know everything in it already.

Sorry about all the animal...leavings Mom. I wish you the best with that.

Congratulations to Z! Getting 100% on a math test is great!

Looks like I won't have enough time to upload everything this week, but I have 6 more I can get you. Plus whatever else I'll record.

Love you all!

Elder Benson

2/10/2019 Closing Devotional - Elder Benson sings with the choir

2/3/2019 FHE Videos at MTC

1/27/2019 FHE Video at MTC

2/11/2019 Final MTC Video-Departs for Kenya on 2/12!

2/5/2019 P-Day Video

1/29/2019 P-Day Videos

2/5/2019 Day 6897...or Day 2...or Day 13 not sure which.

Ho boy. It has not been long since I got out here, but it feels like forever.

The MTC (Missionary Training Center Karissa, not Missionary Training Camp) has been fine so far, I have been cleaning my plate (must've eaten 20+ pounds of fruit by now) and yes Jordan, you can HAVE my old snowshoes. I've outgrown them. I'm glad to hear KH actually exists and is in my room, that'll be fun to get home to.

The video I sent this week wasn't really well thought out or anything, but I wanted to send something quick. Also, there are two photos of papers, try and read them. One of them is a spoof on the thirteen articles of faith that was written by missionaries (made all the Elders bust a gut when it was read out loud, myself included), and the other one is a parody of 'I hope they call me on a mission' that one was pretty funny too.

I also wish I had brought my mini hymn book, but I should be able to pick one up later this week at the distribution center for (wait for it) 270 Rand. That is very expensive, but I don't have anything else to spend the 410 I got from dad, so I'm not too worried.

Could you please set up a blog or something like that to put my videos and these mass emails, and let me know when you've done that? (Please include Julia in that too). I'm intending for this email to be put on that blog.

This week has been pretty spiritual overall. There is an interesting rule where missionaries aren't allowed to join the prayer circle at the temple, and the temple there was very small. I sent quite a few photos of it in this bunch, so you'll get a good look. Choir practice was fun, and FHE was hectic (I think you'll see something on facebook about that). Aside from that, we've been attending a lot of lessons, and stuff.

Here's something fun about South Africa: The D word, and the H word, are not swear words here, so all the African missionaries sound like major potty mouths to the American Missionaries, and the word 'Bloody' is a swear word, so I sound like a major potty mouth to the SA missionaries. Kinda a funny relationship.

Sleep is still hard, I get up at six because my companion suggested it, and I agreed. It lets me take a long shower.

I also discovered my biggest trial on this mission: Pap. See the included video for more details.

I feel pretty blessed to be going to Kenya. Of the different missions I've been hearing about, it is the safest (i.e. the one with the least amount of muggings), and there still is some danger, but it isn't as bad as some of the stories I've heard, and they are NASTY. Won't get into details here, but ask me more later.

Thank you for that wonderful email Karissa! It meant quite a lot to me.

Also, when I get home, ask me to show you how to do the SAMTC handshake. I'm curious to see if I'll still remember it...

Now, I'm sharing this story because I trust you guys. This story is NOT to be shared with President Bester, both sides were in the wrong for different reasons, and both sides had reason to believe they were in the right, but the issue has been resolved, and all hard feelings have been forgiven. Okay? Good. (This is especially directed at you MamaBear, you need to show me here that I can trust you with negative stories)

District One, and District Two (my district) were lectured very harshly yesterday for over an hour, here's what happened: We had finished comp. study and had some free time, so we decided to play spiritual hangman. We had received permission from our RM (Returned Missionary) teacher to do this before, so we didn't think much of it. After we were playing for a little while (less than five minutes) a RM teacher came in (not our usual one) and dragged the two district leaders out into the hall to 'talk' with them.

They came back in a few minutes later, and he began to lecture the entire class. My strategy at first was to just respond to him the way he wants, and the whole thing would be over faster, but after 20 or so minutes of this long winded (and fueled by the devil's angels) lecture he noticed that I was checking my watch every once in a while, since we were late for the next lesson, and he got mad at me, told me it was rude and asked why I kept checking my watch. I told him that it was because I wanted to get onto the next lesson and so he sent my companion and I into a room across the hall to get started on it.

I had hoped that everyone else would come too, so the situation would be ended faster, but we were the only two who left. I felt bad, and my companion convinced me that we should just stay with the rest of our class. I agreed, and we were back in the room less than a minute after we had left. I tried to extend a peace offering and invited this Brother to join us for the next lesson. My thinking was 'if he's so worried about us wasting time, then he should just join us,' but that just made him more angry.

The lecture went on for a little while more, then he singled me out. The second he singled me out, my strategy was: 'keep my mouth shut' and 'don't break eye contact'. I only found out later that maintaining eye contact while being rebuked is a challenge of authority her in Africa. Well, he kept tearing into me, and I kept quiet. One of the other Elders complimented me later on for not showing any weakness while he was doing so, and it was a small blessing that I was the one singled out, because I had a few of the other Elders telling me that if they had been in my shoes, they would have torn into this Brother, they wouldn't have taken it.

Well, eventually he tells us all something along the lines of "you aren't out here for the right reasons, whatever reasons you have, they aren't good enough." That was what sent one of the other Elders over the line, and he pulled out his scriptures, and ignored the Brother. I later learned that he was looking up scriptures about teaching by the spirit to use them to attack this Brother, but he never got the chance to use them.

Two of the Elders had started crying during this whole situation, his lecture had brought on a bit of PTSD from these two Elders who had the worst of home and family life, and I felt really bad for them.

Anyway, he kept tearing into me and called me 'prideful' and that I 'wouldn't make it in this mission.' (put down the phone MamaBear, and keep listening) I just kept my mouth shut, and I didn't care about what he had to say, looking back on it, some of the stuff he said was good, but it was told with the wrong intent, and with an evil spirit.

So, after he called me prideful, I asked him HOW I was being prideful, and HOW he wanted me to fix it. He just kinda laughed at me, and resumed lecturing the class. It ended not long after that, and by the end he had calmed down a little, and was actually able to say something worthwhile about putting others before yourself, before he walked out.

I then offered some blessings of comfort to the rest of the Elders in the room, and nobody accepted. It was weird hearing the opinions of the other Elders after the experience, a few of them said I was a 'Saint' and that they wouldn't have taken what this Brother was throwing. Well, I didn't care to fight back, it wasn't worth the time or effort. It wasn't that I was too good, but that I was too lazy (yes, that's also why I'm wearing the same tie).

Well, RM teacher (our usual evening one) mediated the whole thing, and heard both sides of the story, he explained why we were wrong, and why that Brother was wrong.

The Brother that lectured us yesterday, was our sub teacher this morning, and he had actually had the spirit this morning, and he got to know us. Once he knew us, I think he realized that a lot of what he said was uncalled for, and both sides forgave each other. I am not mad, nor bitter, but if he had addressed us yesterday, like he did this morning, then I wouldn't have felt the need to share this story.

So, I would like to leave you all with this one little lesson I learned from all that: "Even if the words you say are great, if they aren't spoken with the Spirit, you CAN'T teach others. It just can't be done." For good or for bad, I hope you all remember these words when you have to teach or speak in church.

(I'm outta time!) I might be able to email next week (I'm not sure), but I am thinking of you guys, and wish you all the best!

Elder Benson

1/29/2019 First P-Day!!

I will only have two P-days in the MTC, and they are both on Tuesday, so I'll get any emails you send in a week. The timing matches up pretty well if you want to make a family home evening activity out of it. I've uploaded some videos to drive that have more details. I don't have time to take a picture of my schedule, and send it right now, but if I remember, then I'll send it next week.

It's cute that Kiki slept in my bed, is she still doing that?
As far as food goes...not a fan. I've eaten pretty much everything put in front of me, and I've probably eaten 20 or so pounds of apples (I have one with every meal). Of the stuff we've eaten, the stuff I hated the most was Shepard's Pie, which had a ground meat base, covered in a layer of potatoes. The texture was abysmal.

The video I sent says more, but I definitely had a rough patch on Sunday, I was feeling really overwhelmed, and I ended up crying (hard to imagine, but I did). For the moment, I'm feeling pretty good. The second video (the one outside) has more details. You may want to end up moving the videos into different folders.

Happy Birthday to Grandpa!!! Hope he had a good party. I'm glad you all looked like you were having fun.

Good luck to Drake! Getting a job can be hard, but he's a really good welder, so I don't know if he needs luck (especially my luck ) 

Thanks to K, J, Z, Mom, and Dad for your emails!!

 (I won't be changing the email password Dad, don't worry)

As far as sleep...what sleep? It never feels like I'm able to get enough sleep. It doesn't help that my district and I can't get to bed on time. I can be in bed at exactly (give or take three minutes) 10:30, and the rest of my district won't be in bed with the lights off till 11, or later. It has been the cause of quite a bit of frustration, plus the fact that I spend about an hour tossing and turning (with melotonin, and without, I've tried both ways) before falling asleep. It also doesn't help that my companion and I get up at 6 in the morning (instead of 6:30) so I'm getting even less sleep. I also feel justified in my argument about 'jet lag helping me adjust to a missionary schedule'. I was right!

My district is nice enough, but they're all jocks and extroverts, so it can be pretty tiring at times. In my district there is: Me, Elder Zikalala (from south of Durban 'Native') , Elder Chapman (from Arizona), and Elder Esquivial (District Leader, from Utah). Being with a companion all the time is emotionally exhausting, even if we don't fight or argue or anything.

What I really need is a good way to unwind. P-Day should help, but I don't really have any of the books or games I usually use to relax, so I think I'll use the extra journal Mom sent me with to work on my book (the plot line), as well as any other ideas I have. 

We get an hour everyday for physical activity, so I've been splitting that between working out (my choice), and playing games (companion's choice). So I'm sore AND tired all the time, but pretty spiritually enriched if I'm being completely honest.

Look to the videos I sent for some of the ways I'm being spiritually enriched, but aside from what is mentioned there, I'm also studying the BoM all the time. I've also been working on getting some stuff memorized to be a better teacher (it's homework), and I've been doing a pretty good job at keeping a journal. In addition to all that, we suddenly got new copies of preach my gospel today. Now, I gotta transfer all my notes from my old one, to my new one.

Overall, I can't wait to get outta the MTC. It's a little suffocating here. Also, I'm hearing rumors that I'll be coming home in December of 2020. I don't know if it's true or anything, but it would be nice to spend Christmas with you all if it's true. I don't know why, but the second I heard that, my mission felt like it was so much shorter. At this point, that feels like a good thing, but once I get out and working, it might become a bad thing.

I won't be checking my emails on any day, but P-Day (doing otherwise is against the rules), so if you want me to see them, send them before 3am (your time) on Monday evening.

I love you all and am glad you're doing well. I wish you all the best with your goals and activities, and I'm praying for Dad's company!

Talk to you in a week,
Elder Benson

1/23/2019 I have arrived.

I'm in Kenya, and I'm safe. The flight was quite simply inhumane.

Yes, I've taken a few photos, and Mom should have received one via a kind lady who took a photo of our group. Aside from that nothing interesting has really happened. It doesn't feel like I'm in Africa, it feels like I'm in a weird hybrid of Virginia, St. George, and Japan. I'll explain why later (in a proper update email, not this quick note).

I love you all and I hope you're doing alright.

 Video confirmation that he made it! "Hi, Mom. We made it!"
 Paired off as companions for a "get to know you"

1/22/2019 Elder Benson's departure to the MTC, Johannesburg, South Africa

Elder Benson departed on his mission January 22, 2019.  He flew from Salt Lake City to Atlanta to Johannesburg.

 

The following photos were sent by kind travelers.    

SLC Airport

Atlanta Airport