Our Christmas Miracle

Well, I've been pondering a bit on what to say this week, and I'm slightly at a loss.  I think it partially may be because I've got a headache from being out in the sun for multiple hours today.  My words may be a bit short today, but I'll tell my week through pictures.  After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?

I will explain one miracle that we had from this past week--from Christmas day actually.

In preparation for calling home on Christmas day, we searched for and found (through some members) a very good cyber just outside our area.  We went to it last Monday and it was phenomenal.  The connection was outstanding, there was air-conditioning, and the chairs were very comfortable.  As we left, I was confident that I would have a sucessful Skype chat with my family three days later.

So then Tuesday comes where we had the Mission Christmas Party.  It was a blast!  We get to the mission home that morning dressed all nice.  They had told us to wear missionary attire for the service project because we would just be washing bottles.  So here's Elder Jenkins, dressed up all nice.  Hair's done up, whitest shirt I own, my suit pants, and newly shined shoes.  We get to the orphanage that we were working at and the place was pretty much just a giant mud puddle.  We were way up in the village, so it wasn't too much of a surprise.  Looking at the mud, I was fairly confident that I could make it out still quite clean, after all, we were just cleaning glass bottles. ...

With a few kids at the orphanage 12.23.14

Just as this thought crossed my mind, President Morin says, "Elder Jenkins!  We need some strong men to move the bags of bottles to the tables.  Can you round up a few Elders, please?"  Sure.  OK.  So we make our way into the compound and go to the corner, where several huge bags of glass bottles are stacked.  I grab Elder Barnes to put him on the other side of the bag (they were pretty heavy), and we pick it up and head to the closest table.  I looked down, and I was on the verge of tears.  My shoes were covered in mud, the bottom part of my pants were almost unrecognizable, and my white shirt had several dirt marks on it from the bag.  So yeah, after about an hour of that I was dirty as all get out, drenched in sweat, yet my hair was still intact (at least the dirt got it's priorities straight).

Towards the end of the activity, we "strong men" were called on again to take all the buckets of water out and dump them on the street.  I tried to take one on my head, which went fine, until I hit a spot where I had to step down.  Not being able to look down with the load on my head, I was helpless.  Elder Ribera (from France), who had been working previously on the bags, came to my aid. As we were getting the bucket off of my head so that we could both carry it, a whole bunch of water splashed out onto him.  I didn't feel absolutely terrible because he was as dirty as I was, but I still felt really, really bad.  Thankfully, he was a REALLY good sport about it and we finished the job together.

View from the orphanage 12.23.14

After everything was cleaned up, we went up to sing to the children, and then we made our way back to Cotonou.

Once there, we went to Majestic, which is where we hold all of our big conferences.  We ate lunch, watched a few presentations (including a few musical presentations in which I participated).  I was in one with the choir, and then Elder Izekor and I did three songs together with him on the recorder and me on the guitar.  We did "Il est né, le divin enfant", "What Child Is This?", and "Silent Night".  It was a blast!  After all of that, we had three games, and Elder Izekor had asked me to be the game show host.  Guess all those years of watching GSN paid off!  After that, President and Sister Morin shared their testimonies at the end.  Before their testimonies, President had Elder Bulunga (one of the assistants) read a few rules that they really wanted to focus on during the holiday season--one of which being the fact that we should not leave our proselyting areas.

Our table at the Christmas party12.23.14

Our Christmas party lunch!  It was sooo good!!! 12.23.14

With this in mind, we set out home searching for solutions.  We did not know of any cybers in our area with a strong enough connection to do skype nor with the materials necessary.  Elder Wittig had the idea on Wednesday that we fast for it.  So, with much faith and great desire to speak with our families, we knelt in prayer together to start a fast.

The next 24 hours were not exactly easy, but we saw many miracles in our missionary work that came as a result of this fast.  We had decided beforehand to do some door-to-door on Christmas day, and it turned out great!  Everyone was together as a family, and they were already so happy that they were excited to have more visitors over.  We had decided to share the Plan of Salvation with everyone to show why the birth of our Savior was so important, and it worked really, really well.

My christmas gifts! (I got 4 new white shirts, a belt, and 2 photo albums) 12.25.14

My cinnamon rolls! 12.25.14

My cinnamon rolls with my little Christmas tree 12.25.14

At the Kazadi Family's home on Christmas day!  (I brought them my cinnamon rolls) 12.25.14

Finally, the evening came.  We asked around for cybers, and received some direction from members.  We tried three cybers, but none had what was necessary to call home with Skype.  After walking all over our area, which is massive, for two hours, we were a bit winded.  The day was dying, but we didn't lose our faith.  We pressed on, with hope of one last cyber, though reports from past missionaries put the chances in the dim range.

As we were walking there, we met a man who works at this cyber that we were going to.  We asked him about the connection, and he said that they had fixed it last week!  There was a problem with their internet device, but they replaced it and apparently there was a much better connection.  Next problem: no microphones.  Well, it just so happens that this man was going into town to fix a computer problem, and the store he was going to had microphones.  We gave him the money necessary, and 30 minutes later he was back at the cyber with them and we were calling our families.

Skyping with the family on Christmas 12.25.14

What a marvelous manifestation of God's love and attention to even four small missionaries in a remote country.  We showed our faith in Him, and He provided a way.  With all the events that transpired, this Christmas was, just as President Morin had promised that it could be, the most beautiful Christmas of my life.  

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

(Note from mom:  Elder Jenkins shared his testimony with us during our Skype and asked us to share it with family and friends.  You can view it here: Elder Jenkins Christmas testimony

Frère Joël's funeral.  I was invited to speak about the Plan of Salvation.  It was a magnificent occasion to testify of the truth and hope of the Lord's Restored Gospel. 

My favorite couple that we are teaching, 

Fréjus and Rabiath!  This was their first Sunday at Church!  12.28.14

Ouidah today!  12.29.14

Aquaman statue in Ouidah!  12.29.14

Point of No Return 12.29.14  (Note from Mom: This is the memorial commemorating the Atlantic slave trade.  This was one of the main departure points for those sold into slavery between the 15th and 19th centuries.  Notice the two rows of slaves chained together being lead to the boat (at the top of the arch), and the two statues on the sides of three shackled together to load on the boats). 

We (the Akpakpa district) were with the Assistants in their truck and we got a bit ahead of the rest of the zone with the office Elders in the mission van, so we had to stop and throw the frisbee to wait for them!  Poor Elder Wittig had to go sewer diving to get it after one throw!  Good thing the sewer was completely empty and dry! 12.29.14 

Best wave of the day!  12.29.14

The water was SOOOOO calm today.  The air was calm as well.  Just the overall tranquility was almost breath-taking, especially being in a city area now where we have so much traffic noise. 12.29.14

My name is Elder Jenkins, and I like long walks on the beach. 12.29.14

My tourist wins for the day! 12.29.14

My first nativity set!  12.29.14

The real reason for Christmas

My first sunset in Akpakpa.  We're on the third floor of a real

apartment building (it's weird being in a building in stead of a

house), so we get some good views!

Hello all.  With this Christmas season approaching and it being the last in my current full-time service to the Lord, I have spent a good amount of time this past week pondering on the Lord and Savior whom I serve and whose name I wear every day.  With some experiences this week, I have been pushed to spend more time pondering on three specific subjects: Christmas, the Plan of Salvation, and the Second Coming.  I will begin with one experience that has become dear to my heart.

In my new area/branch, there is an older gentleman by the name of Joël (pronounced like Noël but with a J).  He's in his 60s, and he is quite the lively fellow!  I love his enthusiasm and his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  During my first visit to his house I spotted a small keyboard piano (slightly dusty), sitting in the corner.  I asked if I could pull it out, and he accepted.  I played a couple Christmas hymns, and he, his sister, and his nieces were all very happy!  Then Joël, in his youthfully old(er) age says, "It's a good thing that you've come Elder, but you're gonna teach me that!!!"  haha he's an awesome guy.

Last Sunday at church we had a new investigator come.  Immediately after sacrament meeting (the first hour), Joël was right by his side, and they engaged in giddy conversation, as if they had found each other after being separated for years.  Joël also taught Sunday School and bore a powerful testimony at the end.  I honestly love this guy and I've only know him for a week!

Then, this past Thursday, we visited his house again to meet with an investigator.  Joël had been sitting in the front room but got up to go to his bed when we walked it, obviously lacking the strength to hold himself properly.  His niece told us that he had fallen quite sick, but that it wasn't the first time.  We decided to go visit him briefly to see what help we could bring.  We chatted only briefly (very unusual for him and me) because he was having difficulty even talking.  We suggested a Priesthood Blessing if he wanted, but he simply asked us to "come back tomorrow."  So we left him and taught the lesson that we had come to teach.

The next day, Friday, we walked up at about 3:00, and as we approached their door, his younger niece was outside.  When we got close enough to speak, she simply said, "my uncle just died."  Slightly stupefied, we stepped into the house to see his older niece crying in the doorway and his sister showing no apparent emotion sitting on the couch. There were about 5 people crowded around the door to his bedroom.  Out of respect and health precaution (Ebola), I decided it best not to approach his room. According to his younger niece, he had died just 5 minutes before our arrival.  We shared a few comforting words with those in grief, left a few Plan of Salvation brochures, and were out the door for our other appointments.  We only had one appointment that evening due to choir rehearsals for the missionary Christmas party on the 23rd, but the whole rest of the evening was spent pondering on the Plan of Salvation, and where Joël fit in all of it at that point.

The Plan of Salvation has been given to us, God's spirit children, through His chosen prophets to provide us guidance and hope as we traverse this mortal life.  Thanks to the Plan of Salvation, we know where we were before we came to this life: in the presence of God as spirits where we learned and prepared for this life.  We know why we are here: to prepare to meet God in completing certain prescribed acts and in leading a good life. And, most importantly for this situation, we know where we go after death.  I spent much time thinking about what is going on in the world after this, the Spirit World.  We know that it is a place of rest and paradise for the righteous and a place of lamentation for the evil.  However, we know that the marvelous work which is happening among the children of men at this time is also being carried out among the disembodied spirits. Those who did not have the chance to accept the pure and living gospel of Jesus Christ on this earth have the chance to accept it there, and we know that there are many who have not even heard the name of Jesus Christ on this earth, "and there is no other way neither no other name given under heaven by which man may be saved in the kingdom of God" (2 Nephi 31:21).

In the three following days, the sorrow and tears have been turned into happiness and smiles as testimonies have been borne and strengthened concerning the Plan of Salvation.  Hope and love truly are the message of Jesus Christ.  The whole Akpakpa branch has come behind this already strong family.  Their are so many strong and faithful people in this branch.  The new converts have the blessing to be in a branch with people who have been members of this Church since it came to Benin a little over 10 years ago.  But honestly, these members have shown such great faith in these past days.  Many times my mind has been drawn to the world of the Savior Himself, "I have not seen so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Luke 7:9).  These people, according to the world, would have no reason to believe in God.  The world would say, "If there was a God, He most certainly has not blessed them with material things."  And that's true.  But they believe fiercely in Him. And they have been so, so blessed with the peace, comfort, and patience that the Holy Ghost brings to those who are faithful to him. Because of these faithful saints, I have been strengthened and encouraged again to go forth with even more strength, courage, and zeal to bring forth the promises of the Lord to his children.

As I have been pondering on the Plan of Salvation and this situation, I have been led to think of the hope and peace that are spoken to our soul through the Holy Ghost.  This hope that was introduced to the world through the Savior, the promised Messiah, even Jesus Christ. How significant must His birth--that miraculous birth--have been for the hopeful and humble children of Israel in that day.  This birth introduced hope and peace into "a fallen world."  I can't imagine having been there.  As I listen to the many Christmas songs and carols, I think of those who were actually there.  One that dearly touches my heart is "Little Drummer Boy" by Josh Groban.  I imagine myself as this "little drummer boy": I don't have much to give Him, I actually have very little, but, what I do have, I am willing to give with my all.  How I long to be able to see and feel His holy presence, but as the forgotten carol goes, "the magic in the air makes it seem as if I had been there."

I had planned to share my feelings about the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but due to time and length, it seems that I must reserve that for another time.

I love you all so much.  May we all enjoy this special Christmas season no matter where we are.  May we remember the real reason of Christmas--this special time to remember our Savior that was born unto us to redeem us and to give us HOPE.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Just in front of the Church building in Gbèdjromédé.

Thought these clouds were pretty cool.  I took this yesterday

evening at Choir rehearsal

My new study area!

A short introduction to Akpakpa

Welcome to Akpakpa !!!  It is certainly a different view from Fidjrossè.  While Fidjrossè was on the outskirts of town and relatively calm (especially when we get out into the village-type areas), Akpakpa is definitely and in-town kinda place.  For over a year I’ve been in the quieter, richer parts of the outskirts of town, but now I’m smack-dab in the middle of it again.  It feels slightly weird to be back in-town, but it has it’s perks.  We’ve got several restaurants in our area and a bakery right next to our apartment.

Well ; I appologize for the lack of time today.  It was quite the adventure to find a proper cyber today.  I promise that I’ll write more next week !!!

I love you all so much!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Our need for personal revelation

Elder Nkanza and I with Bona and Judith, who are planning the marriage and baptism very soon!  Too bad I have to leave them behind!

Well, well, well...  The transfer virus has found its way to Elder Jenkins again.  Maybe for the last time for these two years. And I'm going to... drum roll please... *drum rolllllllllllllllllllllll* AKPAKPA.  Yeah, that's right.  Akpakpa.  Try saying that ten times fast.  Rather, try saying that one time slowly!!!  Just for a note: "kp" is considered a consonant in the Fon and éwé languages.  It's like a guttoral "p".  I will be working with Elder Jeneseri, my first time working with an American since the MTC 18 months ago!  He's Tanzanian by birth, but has been living in the States for quite some time.  I'm very excited for this new start again and the chance to make a difference.  This is truly where I am supposed to be.

For my short message today, I would like to simply bear a testimony of mine that has been so strengthened with this transfer call: our need for personal revelation.  In relating this experience, I do not wish to brag or boast or show that I am some sort of prophet; to do so would be a sin and against the will of God.  Nor do I wish to diminish the sacredness and importance of this personal experience that I had.  I am not seeking attention nor the glory of men.  I merely wish to bear my testimony and invite you all to partake of God's love and acceptance as I have, and I pray that the Holy Ghost assist me and you to confirm this simple, yet profound truth.

Two weeks ago, I was sitting in a missionary training meeting (Zone Conference) when a very strong feeling of peace overcame me.  This feeling burned brightly in my heart and was accompanied by the thought, "I really want to work in Akpakpa.  Yeah, I'm going to Akpakpa."  This revelation was preceded by pondering and asking what the Lord wants from me with my last 6 months.  We were talking about working with the local Church leaders and improving our relations with them when this overwhelming feeling and thought came over me.

Good-bye hug with Elder Rybin on Friday, the day before he called me for the transfer.

This past Saturday night, I received a call from Elder Rybin, one of the Assistants to President Morin.  "Elder Jenkins!" he said.

"Elder Rybin!" I replied, "Can I tell you where I'm going?"

"Sure, go ahead!"

"I'm going to Akpakpa."

"And who are you working with?"

"Elder Jeneseri!"

"Wow, right on!"

He then proceeded to give a few directives that President has felt of why I am needed in Akpakpa.  This experience had confirmed what I had known for two weeks, and I was ever grateful for the Lord's goodness towards a small and simple servant in His vineyard.  I know, if not from all my other experiences here then from this experience alone, that the Lord is in control of this work.  He inspires the mission president as to where He needs His servants, and the mission president is simply a tool in the Lord's hands.  

As I pondered upon this experience, I decided to study President Eyring's Sunday morning talk from the October 2014 General Conference about our need for personal revelation.  According to what I understood from his talk, one of the main reasons why we need personal revelation is to confirm in ourselves the commandments and rules given to us by our leaders and parents.  In this case, I sought the Lord's will for me, and just as he promised Oliver Cowdery, who served alongside Joseph Smith for many years, He told me in my heart and in my mind (see D&C 8:2-3).  What I understand now i

s that this revelation had confirmed the Lord's call for me to serve in Akpakpa before I even got it!  When I received the call to serve from my leaders, I was ready to accept this call with a willing heart and a willing mind.  What a miracle.

I testify that we all need personal revelation to progress in this life and eventually attain Eternal Life, exalted in the kingdom of our Father.  This small example that I have shared with you today is but a mere glimpse of what our Heavenly Father will reveal unto us through the power of the Holy Ghost.  We all have a RIGHT to receive revelation from God as we are literally His spirit children.  No one is too little to receive revelation.  We ALL can and will receive revelation from God if we study and ask and if we are worthy to be accepted of Him.

I love you all, and I invite you all to live your life in a way where you can be worthy of and receive revelation from on high to stregthen your own testimonies that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, and that your are a child of God

Have a great week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Edouard and Clarisse (the ones who were married in August)!!!  Two of my favorite people ever! 

With the whole fam!

Dinner at their house last night!  Delicious, and perfectly spicy!!!

Aristotle, 3 years old, yet worthy of his name...

Lunch with the Bidodoussi family (minus Patrick the dad who was at work) today!

Lunch!  Was not too shabby as well!

Thanksgiving and the miraculous conversion of Joël

Wow.  Where to start. Well, Happy Thanksgiving!  It was a good last celebration here in Africa.  Elder Silvas made some barbecue meatballs and I made the mashed potatoes, green beans, and garlic bread.  I finished it off with some REAL vanilla ice cream!!!

Our apartment à table!

Thanksgiving dinner!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving, I got thinking about what I'm truly thankful for.  First, I'm thankful for a Loving Heavenly Father and the knowledge that I have of Him.  The relationship that I have gained with Him during these past 18 months alone has made this time worth it.  He truly lives and truly does love us and watch over us.  I'm grateful for His Son, Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.  No greater sacrifice has been, nor ever will be, known upon the face of this Earth.

I don't want to sound cliché, but I'm am so grateful for the past 18 months that I have spent serving the Lord.  I am no longer the same person that I was when I started nor that I was 6 months ago.  At times, I felt that I have been put through the refiner's fire.  It's hard, but the outcome is always beautiful when we let the Master work His mighty hands on us.  I am thankful for all of the people that I have met that have touched my life for the better.  I know that I will keep in touch with some of these people for life.  I am so thankful for the Lord's preparation of His children to receive this restored gospel.

On that note, I want to explain a little miracle that Elder Nkanza and I have experienced these past 2 weeks.  

Just over two weeks ago, Elder Nkanza and I had a lesson with a recent convert, Eric.  We had decided to watch the Restoration video together and ask if there was anyone he knew that would be touched by watching that video.  He said that he knew that there was and that he would search and pray.  We ended the lesson with a prayer.  As we were walking out, a friend was just arriving from Togo to visit him.  He said, "This is who I was thinking of during the video."  We invited him, Joël, to come to Church the next day, and he excitedly accepted.

We had our first appointment Monday evening (they live right next to our cyber café), and, long story short, we fixed his baptismal date right then and there.  The past two weeks have been absolutely incredible as we've met with him every day.  He understood just about everything right as we said it, and his questions were so inspired.  Needless-to-say, he was prepared by the Lord.

Even more impressive than his short but strong conversion during the time we were teaching him is the way that he had been prepared by the Lord leading up to meeting us.  He comes from a very voodoo family but decided a little while ago that Jesus Christ was really the path that he should follow.  He said that he's been searching for a while to be baptized, but every time that he went to a church, he just didn't feel satisfied.  It was just like something was missing.  He said that at a certain point his work started to take a big downfall, and there were days where he earned absolutely nothing at work.  He began to question if God really exists.  As he was pondering constantly the question, he had a very special experience that testified to him that God truly does exist and is watching over him.  He began searching for the truth.  A few weeks later, he found us.

He said that ever since the first day at Church, he has believed that this is the truth because he felt comfortable, whereas he was uneasy in other churches.  As we began to talk together, he gained a testimony of the truth after reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon.  Through the power of the Holy Ghost, he received an answer that it IS true.

There are few things that can compare with introducing the Gospel to someone, becoming close with them, and seeing the gospel take root in their lives and begin to produce fruit so quickly.  Joël experienced a great change of heart and received the strength and aide necessary through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, and a long but concise preparation process produced by a loving Heavenly Father.

Baptismal Service on Saturday, 11/29/14.  Joël is the one on the far left, next to Elder Nkanza.  Eric is right next to me.

That's about how our week's been.  I love you all so much.  Have a great week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

One of the two pigs we killed today for Elder Silvas' birthday.  With Elder Rich.

Sorry it's a bit blurry (this camera does that a lot, especially when I take videos--I guess he just doesn't have that long of an attention-span to focus on one thing that long).  But I'm in the middle with my super dull knife.

One of my all-time favorite little African kids.  I don't know her real name, but we all call her Ma because that's thing only thing she said for a while.

Having undergone an intensive HUMAN anatomy class, I was the designated dissector today.

On the grill.