Guided by the Lord



Elder Dagrou and I walking after we met Elder Mundu and Elder Kabedeh in the street



Well, I officially finished my Missionary Planner as of yesterday!  (There are six weeks in each planner.)  Only 16 more to go! 

This week was great!  Elder Dagrou and I definitely had some times where we were guided by the Lord to the people that we should talk to.  For example, Friday evening we had an appointment set up with two 16 year-old boys that were just recently baptized and two of their friends of the same age.  They are on a soccer team together and live close together as well, so they're all best friends.  We got to Landry's house and they weren't home.  We waited for a bit, but still they didn't come.  We decided to just head off to our next appointment.  As missionaries, we try to always look for people to teach while walking.  As we were walking down the street, I saw a man sitting on a bench and I had the strong impression to talk to him.  I asked my companion and he said if I felt like we should then we should.  We walked over to talk to him, talked for a bit, but not much came of it.  He said he was interested, but doesn't really have time.  I knew that we had stopped to talk to him for a reason, so we decided to just keep walking to our next appointment.  As we crossed the street, a moto pulled up next to us and the man riding it began talking to us.  He said that he has a lot of respect for us and what we do, how we sacrifice so much to go to a foreign country and serve the Lord.  We then asked if he was a member of our Church (normally it's just members that stop to talk to us like that), and he said no but that he had met with the missionaries a couple times before about a year ago.  We chatted a bit more and he said that he's a journalist here in Lomé and was going to Kara (a big city up ine the north part of the country) to do a piece this week.  But he would love to meet with us again when he gets back. 

After we had talked with him a bit we decided to keep going to our next appointment.  About 6 steps later, we heard the familiar call of "Elder!"  We looked back and couldn't see anyone, but then I spotted Yannick, one of the 16 year-old boys that was just baptized, a little ways back and across the street.  Not too far behind him were Landry, Stefan, and Stan, his friends.  We knew that now was the time to go and talk to them, and we ended up having an incredible lesson, especially for having four 16 year olds, a 19 year old, and a 22 year old all talking about God and prayer.  It was truly remarkable. 

We went about the rest of the evening with our normal planned schedule.  However, as I was thinking back on the day a bit back at the apartment, I realized how special our evening had been.  Of all the things that transpired, none of it would have happened if we were not in those exact spots at those exact times, which only happened because the Lord guided us where to go.  I was very, very grateful for that divine help.

It's weird now how normal Africa has become for me.  Everyday we leave the apartment, it's pretty weird how normal I feel being here.  Oh by the way, another tender mercy just happened.  As I was sitting here typing this, World Champs came on the TV right next to me.  The Cyber is on the French sports channel, and all of the sudden I saw some guy that was drenched and shirtless being interviewed in a press situation.  I then realized it was Yannick Agnel!  Naturally, my eyes are focused on the TV now, and they showed a few highlights of races and the results of all of the high-profile French swimmers.  Pretty weird seeing swimming, not being able to do it at all, haha.

Well, that's been my week.  I love you and miss you all and I wish the best for everyone who reads this.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

playing marbles with some kids outside Frère Atiougbé's house

Our street during the big storm that hit Wednesday morning, 07.24.13

Semken Ramblings 07.21.13

members of the Cococodji Branch

July 2013

     I take this moment to inform you that today the Cococodji Branch was created.  A long time member and friend, Paul Dansu, is the new branch President.  He is our egg man.  He started an egg farm with the encouragement of the Southams and has done well.  His first counselor in Elvis, a young returned missionary, he and his wife recently had their first child.  

     This is the first branch that Francine and I had an opportunity to have a lot of involvement.  The missionaries were assigned to this area only in February of this year (2013).  The mission president had a tug-a-war as to where we should send two sets of missionaries because of the very limited number of missionaries in the field.  He could have sent them to Porto Novo which was the expected place to send them since their are several members there.  Another area that was a possibility was Calavi. The members out in Cococodji were being serviced very well by the Menotin Branch.  The President sent me out to explore all three areas with an office elder.  A set of Assistants to the Mission President were also sent to Porto Novo to get their opinion.  Our reports said that all three areas could support missionaries.  The President consulted with the Branch Presidency.  There input was invaluable.  They liked Calavi and Cococodji.  The President then decided after careful consideration and imploring with the Lord what he should do.  He decided to send them to Cococodji.

    As I have mentioned the first week we had 47, then 54 and today there was 103 on a rainy day.  Last week there were 110.  

    Getting the building we now meet in was an interesting event as well.  Today was the first day of meetings in this beautiful building.  This building can accommodate two branches at the same time.  The lot is beautifully landscaped.  I love it!  And I have some new ideas that I could incorporate in my yard.  Not that I could have the same vegetation, no palm trees grow where I live in Utah.  Nevertheless I have some new ideas.  Oh dear, says Francine.  

     The available buildings for a branch were in reality not in existence.  We us Paul Toffi to help us find apartments.  I requested his assistance.  In a day or two he was at the office explaining to us what he had found.  Now it seem that Paul knows everyone.  He found a building that was occupied some Chinese road consultants that were about to vacate the building.  He found the building because he knew someone who knew about this landlord.  So we entered negotiations.  The price was way to high which is normal. We got it down to where we could be serious about it.  The members in the area frequently could not go to the Menotin Branch building because of its cost.  So, Paul went a days journey north to visit the landlord (the wife and owner)  her husband was in Liberia.  As it turns out the village Paul went to is where Paul had lived and he knew the wife.  They agreed on a price and then he brought the proposal back to which we negotiated the final agreement.  The Lord absolutely knows and directs people to fulfill his purposes.  He is involved in the details.  I am but an instrument in his hands for I could never have known about this place, I didn't know the landlord, I didn't live in their village as a youth, I don't speak French.  Stop and think how things can turn out.  

     Yesterday, Saturday 20 July 2013, the elders and I went to prepare the building for the meeting.  We had to make five trips to take chairs, etc.  I wasn't surprised when many members just showed up to work.  Youth and adults and a couple of babies.  I had Elder Welch be the supervisor.  His companion Elder Mulumba was the chief coordinator to the members.  The work that was completed was nothing short of spectacular!  People just went to work! Willingly!  A couple of sisters swept the entire long driveway (125 yards long)  and the walkways that beautifully mark the attractive landscaped facilities.  Of course the women were their beatiful clothes to perform this service.  They do not wear "grubbies" for work done for the Lord.

     I am so touched by the respect that they have for the church grounds and that they know that the Lord is well pleased.

     Today, there was adequate room for everyone.  They were as excited as children opening presents on Christmas morning.  Though that for them is but a dream.  But, they feel and felt the need to be there to perform this task.  

     I took a lot of pictures.  After the meeting everyone wanted their picture taken.  It really started when a father requested (in French, but I understood perfectly what he wanted) that I take his picture with his family.  You see this marks a great day in the lives of these people.  And it does.  It also, makes a great day in Francine and my life as well.  They were very reverent and respectful during the services.

     Thank you for your missionaries and for your support and prayers,

               Elder Semken

Tender Mercies

at Landry's baptism 07/20/13 with Elder Dagrou

Wow!  It's hard to believe I've been in Africa for a whole transfer (6 weeks) now!  It's amazing how quickly the time is going by!  This week has been a bit interesting.  At the end of last week/ beginning of this week, I got a bit lazy with my cooking and was missing a lot of protein.  Needless to say, I was getting very tired very easily.  However, I want to write a little bit this week about what the scriptures call "Tender mercies of the Lord."  Tender mercies are really just the small and simple things in life, but I've spent a lot of this past week looking for them and recognizing God's hand in my life.

 

The first one that I really recognized was Wednesday.  I was still feeling really tired at this point, and every lesson that we were teaching was kind of just dragging along and I wasn't really following them too well.  My french was also lacking in my tiredness, so I was having a lot of trouble communicating as well.  Finally, after one lesson that I had slightly dozed off in, I prayed that I would be able to wake up and get some more energy.  As we were walking down the street, I heard a very, very familiar song that I hadn't heard in a little while.  Two steps later, I recognized it was "On Top of the World" by Imagine Dragons!  Two steps later, I was almost running to the source.  One thing about Africa (or at least the small part I've seen of it) is that there's these small huts every so often on the sides of the streets attached to a wall of a house or parcel or something.  Inside these huts are 2 or 3 old TVs with a few gaming systems.  The source of the music was the newest edition of FIFA (what is it, FIFA14 now?).  Many of you know that Imagine Dragons is one of my favorite bands, and "On Top of the World" is probably my first or second song by them (If you haven't heard it before, look it up and listen to it, you'll like it).  It's just such a happy song that has changed my mood many, many times.  I ran up to this little game hut and started freaking out to all the kids inside who were playing.  They kind of just stared at me as I'm sure my french wasn't making much sense because I was freaking out so much.  Anyways, I listened for a little bit but then had to leave to go to our next appointment.  As I left, I was singing along, and kept singing for quite sometime, every little detail of the song renewed in my head.  For most of the rest of the evening, I just smiled and smiled because of that song.  Definitely an answer to my prayers, and definitely a tender mercy of the Lord.  Also confirms to me that the Lord works in mysterious ways.

 

The second came at the baptismal service Saturday afternoon.  Oh, by the way, I had my first baptism as a missionary this week!  His name is Landry, and he's 16 and a blast to be around.  Quite a good footballer from what I've seen and heard as well.  Anyways, the baptismal service was held in Kégué, about 3 kilometers north of my area.  The church building in Kégué is the only building that was actually built by the church in both Togo and Benin.  They finished building it just a few months ago, and it is nice!  Cleanest and most proper building I've been in the whole country.  As it is the only building that the church actually owns, this is where they keep all the nice stuff.  For example, pianos.  We don't have any real pianos here in the church buildings.  They're all electric pianos without pedals.  However, one of the pianos in Kégué is probably the nicest semi-portable electric piano you can buy, with weighted keys and a pedal.  After the baptismal service, I sat down at the piano and let loose.  Oh my goodness!!!!  Many of you know that music has a special place in my heart with piano being at the center.  While I've been able to keep that space partially filled with my iPod and singing, there's is nothing like the piano for me.  Oh how glorious is was to make music like that again.  It's amazing how much of a difference weighted keys and a pedal can make on the piano.  Every key I touched felt like a real piano.  I can't really explain the feeling in words, but there's just something about creating beautiful music that fills my soul with joy.  Again, definitely a tender mercy of the Lord.

 

I have really seen a difference in the world around me looking for all of the tender mercies of the Lord, both big and small.  These are just two examples many, many tender mercies that I've seen around me.  I promise all of you that you too can find more happiness by looking for the tender mercies of the Lord around you.  When we look for things to brighten our day, there are always more than we expect, even if they're just small and seemingly non-important.  I've seen that in my life this past week, and what a wonderful blessing it's been.  I love and miss all of you so much!  May God be with you all this next week to brighten your day even if in the simplest way!

 

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

 

(note from mom:  Elder Jenkins said he is doing quite well!  Today had been a more relaxing day, which he has needed.  He said President Weed had called this morning to say that the missionaries are to stay inside all day on Thursday due to the elections.  It sounds like Thursday will bring a lot of excitement in Lome.)

 

a new friend I made at Soeur Dope's home

An African sunset taken from the top of the building where I go to church

I love the African children!

the river (or lake as the Africans call it) that runs through Lome, not far from my area

with Elder Owusu (taken for CJ Lewis who's last area was Elder Owusu's home ward in Ghana - CJ is married to Preston's BYU teammate, Taryn)

with Elder Peterson

getting a haircut from Pres. Ruben on 07/22/13 (Pres. Ruben is the 1st Counselor in the Branch Presidency - he's a renaissance man - a barber, an artist, an electrician and is pretty dang smart)

defending Ambriose on 07/15/13

 

 

Semken Ramblings 07.16.13

Elder and Sister Semken work in the mission office and he sends these emails out every couple of weeks.  He gives a perspective to living over there that adds what Elder Jenkins sends home and helps with understanding the culture, and I thought it would be fun to add to his record.  

16 July 2013

Hello to all of you,

      Yesterday was a very unusual day.  All of the missions were given some direction to provide or make available more zone activities on a regular basis.  So about once a quarter a zone (about 12 missionaries in our mission) will have some kind of activity.  Like playing basketball, or going somewhere or to the beach.  Benin and Togo are not teeming with very many interesting places to go like in the U S.  In the U S they can go to museums, they can go to Mormon Night baseball, they go air craft carriers,  they go to state parks, they can visit the Empire State Building etc.  None of that exists here in the cities of Lome nor Cotonou.  Our two cities are concrete and dirt. But, this one zone was informed about some valley near Porto Novo that was unique.  It was told to them that there are only 2 valleys like this in Africa.  One of the valleys is in the Nile River drainage and the other here in Porto Novo.  This valley I am told by the member, who is reliable, that this valley has rich and fertile soil.  Most of Africa's soil has been used over and over and over.  There is no resting of the soil for a season like in the US.  We have winter and the soil rests.  Well they put together a zone activity with the member's help.  Francine and I were the bus drivers.  The location is 80 km (50 Miles) away.  It takes  about 1 1/2 hours to get there.  This means we had good roads for Africa. The member got us to the valley and sure enough it looks great.  But, what do we do now that we have seen it.  I suggested to this member that maybe we could find a road on one of the hills of the valley so that we could hike for a while.  We went back across a bridge and found a path that we might take.  So we did.  As we walked we found a river on our left side.  We walk about 1 km and could see a small village.  It has about 25 members.  The children came to greet us.  A little timid at first.  Then we shook their hands.  It was obvious that they hadn't seen very many white people and one or two had never seen a white person. Three women came to see what was going on and two men then came a met with us.  The member visited with them.  And they were friendly enough. They spoke Fon.  One of many tribal languages.  So, I asked if we could visit the village.  They said yes and they would take us to the river.  We walked into the village which was right next to a river.  Not the same one we saw we hiked next to on our way in.  The hike was not extreme in the least.  It was more like a stroll along an irrigation ditch.  This river was about 100-150 yards wide.  We did a little looking around and visited and asked questions and took pictures.  One of the elders from Scotland asked about animals and they said that their were crocodiles.  I couldn't confirm if this was a current sighting or in the past.  They did say that their used to be many croc's but they were hunted and are nearly gone.  They told me that they had a farm across the river. I asked what they grew.  Maize, beans, casaba, etc.  I asked if I could go to the farm when I came back.  They said yes.  

    The river was about 5 to 6 feet (2 meters) below the bank.  In the second raining season (about September)  the river generally will rise about three feet (1 meter) above the river bank.  Wow, would this be an impressive sight to see!  I hope to go there then as well.  I then examined their huts and sure enough they have been build up on bricks or mounds of dirt so they won't be flooded.  They then get to the road by canoe.  If this is the case then I can see why this would be such a fertile valley.  

     I took several pictures and they said that they would love a copy when I came back.  We found two or three species of birds that I haven't seen.  I am sure that there is a lot that I didn't observe. I also found a couple more butterflies and flowers  Back to the river.  They are sandwiched between two rivers.  We will look on google earth to see where we were.  They do not have any water, other than the river and they do not have any electricity.  This village, though small, is what one we might think of when we read about African villages.

     The valley was very beautiful.  The earth is full and there is enough, and to spare. 

     As I asked the missionaries if they enjoyed the trip.  Without exception they thought this might be the best activity they had.  One of the new elders said; this is a most welcome relief, it came at a good time for me. 

     One more thing, apparently we are in a severe drought.  This is the second year in a row.  With this year being more severe.  From what I can piece together the crops for this harvest will yield very little.  Even if we got rain now, it wouldn't help for the current crops and of course would benefit the next crop.  Things to grow year round but even so, there are seasons.  Not like in the US or Canada nor Europe, but seasons when things grow better than others.  

     We are getting ready to occupy a new branch building in Cococodji in the next week or two.  Remember, this area was opened for missionary work in Feb/Mar.  The first group meeting was held in May.  There were 47 in attendance.  From the very start the room we met in was not able to hold the number who attended.  Last week there were 110 in attendance.  35 inside and 75 on the patio.  It is a marvelous thing to see the literal fulfillment of prophesy.  The gospel is being taken to the whole world.  

     We are now preparing the required paper work to organize a Stake in Togo.  I wouldn't be surprised that this will be ready by the end of the year. I don't think that I will be here for the first stake in Benin, but just 3 months after we complete our mission and just before the President has competed his assignment, their could be a Stake in Benin.

     All of a sudden, it seems as their has been several illnesses.  Most can be treated like the flu.  I hope they get over it soon.

     As reported we are having 24 missionaries go home over the next 2 months, 6 left this past week.  I thought we would drop down the missionary count of when I first arrived (about 90).  But, as of yesterday when the final 6 of the 24 go home, the next week we will get 16 new ones and with the other 6-8 we will be at 104.  It now appears as if we will climb to 120 over a period of time.  

     Well, the elders are faithful in these trying circumstances.

                Elder & Sister Semken

Parfaite = Perfect!

Elder Dagron and Elder Jenkins

Bonsoir mes amis!

Well, another week past, and they're really starting to fly now.  It really feels like just yesterday that I was writing last Monday.  This week has been a bit of a down week because we had a lot of emergency transfers happen with visa problems.  Transfers in this mission take quite a long time because we have 2 countries, 2 timezones, and 4 hours of driving between the two proselyting areas.  For this reason, it takes 2 days to do all of the transfers, which leaves a lot of down time for those waiting for their new companion, like me.  My new companion's name is Elder Dagrou, and he's from Cote D'Ivoire.  I absolutely love working with him!  He and I both have such a great love for the gospel, and so our daily study time together always passes by quickly because we both have so much to share together.

I realize that the past few weeks I've been focusing quite a bit on myself, so this week I want to share a little about those around me.  We have three investigators right now that have dates set for baptism.  However, Landry, the first, wasn't at church this week, so we're going to have to push his back again.  Charlotte, the second, is traveling to Europe, so we haven't seen her for a week.  And José, the third, hasn't accepted the invitation to come to church yet, even though she's accepted to be baptized.

We have two really progressing investigators right now, Marie and Parfaite.  Marie is best friends with a member in the other branch in our area, Soeur Tchothco.  However, we found her by tracting.  She was a little skeptical at first, but the more we've taught her, the more she has come to love the gospel.  She came to church for the first time last week, and decided that she wanted to get up and bear her testimony, as an ami!  In her testimony, she said that there were a lot of things that could have stopped her from coming to church that week, but she was determined to go because she had promised us that she would be there.  She then said as soon as she walked in the building, she heard a whisper in her head that told her, "Marie, this is your church.  You belong here."  What an amazing testimony of the truth that she has already received!  I was very happy for her, and just about the whole congregation turned around and smiled at my companion and I when she shared that.  She has accepted to be baptized, but doesn't want to set a date because she wants to know when she is ready with God to make that decision.

Our second ami en progrès is Parfaite.  The word parfait translates to perfect in English, and that about describes her right.  We've only met with her twice, but both lessons have been absolutely amazing.  She shared with us this past lesson that she normally doesn't like the people that pass by her small restaurant-shop that preach of God, but when we passed by, she felt something inside her that told her to call us over, and how grateful she was that she had!  Both of these amis have shown me how the Holy Spirit works in many people aroudn us to prepare them to receive the message of the restored gospel of Christ before we even bring it to them.

Well, that's all I have time to share this week, but I love and miss you all so very much, and I hope that everything is going well over there across the pond.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Love the smiles!

One of the things he was looking forward to the most were the kids.

A glimpse of the area he is living





Eating grilled fish and hot pima sauce (apparently very hot) - did he really eat the fish, head and all, or does he just want us to believe he did?





Oh, how I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the plate of pima and fish was set in front of him and the fish was staring back at him (photo borrowed from Elder Hawkins blog)

Elder Hawkins give a little more detail on this meal in his post last week.  You can read about it here:  http://eldertrevorhawkins.blogspot.com/2013/07/unforeseen-circumstances-and-looking-on.html

Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers!

Wow!  What a crazy past few days it has been!  It started on Thursday when we had interviews with President Weed, who is the father figure for all 104 of the missionaries in Benin and Togo.  He takes care of any of our needs, and he is also here to counsel and guide us.  Also, he is in charge of all missionary work in the 2 countries.  I love President Weed very much, and given my situation for the past couple of weeks, he gave me some great counsel of how to deal with it myself.

Then, every Friday morning we have our weekly planning session where we set out a basic plan of what we are going to do and who we are going to teach the following week.  Throughout most of the session, my companion was not showing me very much respect at all.  While I was still disappointed, I didn't get mad or angry like I usually would when someone disrespects me.  In fact, I let it go, and just turned to the Lord and asked for help with loving my companion.  The immediate answer was to just give service.  Serve, serve, and serve some more.  I started applying this, and I was amazed to see how much happier I was myself!  Though my companion really hadn't changed, I was so much happier with the situation.

The second answer to my prayer came Saturday night with a call from the assistants to the President, two missionaries assigned to help President Weed fulfill his responsibilities.  Elder Poll is the American assistant, and I have already established a good relationship with him.  He told me that there are a lot of emergency transfers of missionaries between Togo and Benin because of missionaries who are returning home or missionaries whose visas have expired.  Anyways, I received the news that my companion is being transferred!  That means that as of Wednesday I'll have a new companion!  Instead of changing me to deal with a companion who wouldn't changed, the Lord just sent me a new companion, which I found quite humorous.  After that, I think I was a little happier than I should have been, but it's helped the past few days get by.

Another thing with the transfer is that they'e combining my area with the neighboring area, so my day tomorrow will be spent learning the new area so that I can teach both areas to my new companion.  It's quite a bit of responsibility, but I know I can do it with the Lord's help.  If there's one thing I've learned from being a missionary, it's that the Lord takes care of his servants.

Anyways, that's all I have time for today, but I hope all is going well over there in the States, and happy 4th of July everyone!  Elder Seidl and I celebrated with Elder Poll (the Assistants stayed at our apartment that night) by having pizza delivered.

I love and miss you all so much, and I wish I could share every experience with you all!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

If we keep our testimony in our heart and in our mouth, nothing canstand in the way of our happiness . . .

Where I've been spending a lot of my time

Bonjour mes amis!  What a wonderful week it has been!  I don't have too much time to write, so I'll try my best to get down what's important.  This week, I've had some very hard trials.  However, I have been the happiest I have ever felt.  While some of those around me may not have the same spirit of the work as I do, I've come up with a sort of motto that has kept me happy and smiling most of the time.  If we keep our testimony in our heart and in our mouth, nothing can stand in the way of our happiness.

One story that illustrates this occurred on Thursday.  We were teaching a lesson to a man who really likes to bash and refute everything we say.  Finally, I bore him the most powerful testimony of the truthfulness of our message and purpose, and he laughed at me.  I was not angry or upset, but still happy.  While I was taken aback by his response, I was still very happy inside in my heart because I know that I have the truth.  After we left, we were walking down the street, and almost everyone said hello to us.  I realized then how happy I am to be here surrounded by such a happy people.

Like I said, I don't have terribly much time to write today, but I love and miss you all so much!

Also, my story and journey are being recorded in a blog at elderprestonrileyjenkins.blogspot.com, if anyone of you are interested.  You may also write me at preston.jenkins@myldsmail.net.  Until next week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Borrowed from Elder Hawkins blog - the entire zone - Elder Jenkins is in the middle very back