3/11/2019 Update Blessings, and a Talk

I got to give a talk yesterday, I only found out an hour before though. My companion told me that I did a good job, which made me very happy. I was speaking about the Book of Mormon, and I just made it up as I went. All I can say on my end: it was a little rambling, but there was some treasure among the trash.

Something really funny happened yesterday while I was doing training with my companion. For training, we watch some videos that the church recorded some...13? Or so years ago. President Hinckley was still alive. Anyway, while I was watching the videos some familiar faces appeared. It was the Brown family! They were talking to the missionaries about referrals. It had me so shocked that we had to stop the video till I stopped laughing from shock.  [The Brown family lives in Erik's home ward.]

So apparently, I'm a 'Cheena' or Chinese. When people see me, first of all: they stare, second: they want me to greet them, third: they'll usually say 'Cheena' or Mzungu (White Guy). I hear China a lot more than I hear Mzungu. I even told one Sister that I was from America, and she asked if my parents where Chinese. It really amuses me to see and hear all this, because I've been asked on more than one occasion by AMERICANS if I was Japanese. I guess I'll get it everywhere.

So, let me be blunt (as if I'm not already): I hate it here. I really hate Africa. I didn't have anything like culture shock, but it's just different enough here for me to hate it. It's too hot and too humid. The power has gone out 20+ times since I've gotten here and it went out last night while I was showering. Which means that my cold shower ended rather abruptly.

But! For as much as I hate Africa, I love the work. There is nothing more satisfying than teaching a lesson with the Spirit. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone you invited to show up to church! There were two people in particular that stand out to me that showed up for church: Brother Laudain, and Brother Dennis.

Brother Laudain is a Less Active member that served a Mission in Johannesburg. He is a sweet and gentle man who has just wandered a little, and he joined us in church yesterday! It was quite unexpected. I had him fellowship Brother Dennis. Someone E. Phokane and I have been teaching. It was really satisfying.

Okay. I've been getting this question for a while (mostly from my Mother): Are my showers hot, or cold? Answer: look at the sky. Is it cloudy? Then cold. Is it raining? Unbearably cold. Sunny? Confusing. You won't be able to tell if it is hot or cold.

Well, I'm outta time for this update. See you in a week!

Elder Benson

The Chang'ombe meetinghouse

A large pepperoni pizza costs 19,000 TSH (Tanzanian Shilling).
Currency conversion:  19,000 TSH = 812.12 KES (Kenyan Shilling) or $8.10 USD.
The monthly missionary funds allotment is 15,500 KES.  So purchasing large pepperoni pizza
consumes just over 5% of his monthly budget.  He is saving up for pizza!  Hope he's not disappointed!!