Bonjour from Bénin!

The new apartment: Elder Merrill (from Utah), Elder Gomun (from Ivory Coast), Elder Izekor (from Nigeria, who I'm replacing, he's going to the office), me, and Elder Sahue (from Ivory Coast) 05.12.14

Bonjour from Bénin!  Well, I got a transfer call last Wednesday, and today they moved me to Bénin!  So, here I am!  My new area is Fidjrossé, and I am with Elder Sahue from Ivory Coast.  The new perks of my area? Well, I can walk out the door of the cyber right now and see the beach.  We can see the beach from our apartment, too.  The cyber is really nice and really quick.  Our apartment has really good natural light as well.

Other than that, I'm not really sure what my area is like.  I've actually only been here for like two hours, so I haven't been able to touch too much here.  But the ride today was fantastic.  Many great views of the coast of Togo and Bénin.  In total is was about 4 hours.  But it went by quick.  Especially the Togo side.  It was weird to go through customs again on the border, considering that the last time that I did that was at the very beginning of my mission.

With Elder Peterson in the van 05.12.14

Togo palm trees 05.12.14

The beach near the border was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!  I didn't know that beaches like that exist here! 05.12.14

Another shot of the beach 05.12.14

This past week has been great.  After receiving the transfer call on Wednesday, I was able to get a few good-byes in before leaving today.  Church was interesting as they had been remodeling and weren't even close to finishing on Sunday, so it felt even more informal than usual, but the spirit was still there.  I was able to bear my testimony as well.  The Baguida branch is a very special branch, and they have grown very close to my heart.

One last picture with Peter from the Wuiti branch before he leaves for his mission next week!

I crouched down to take a picture with a few of the Primary kids on Sunday, and then they attacked me!  05.11.14

The work in progress. 05.11.14

           My old room is now yellow! 05.11.14

Well, I don't have terribly much to add this week.  This work has brought many, many experiences into my life that I could never have dreamed of.  I love this work and I love this mission.  I am very excited again for the things that I will be able to learn with my new companion.  Every companion teaches us very valuable lessons that will help us with the rest of our lives.

Enjoy a wonderful week.  My week will be spent with learning my new area and getting situated, so hopefully next week I'll have more stories!

I love you all so much!  Have a great week!

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

Celebrating my birthday with a few members! 05.05.14

From the baptism of PATAKA.  He's an awesome man that has progressed so well.  His brother will be baptized next Saturday, but unfortunately I am now in a different country. 05.10.14

Elder Stagg sent this picture of Elder Jenkins right after the baptism on 05.10.14 (note from Mom - this came just as we were walking out of a baptism here in Florida - at the same time I was speaking at a baptism in Florida, Elder Jenkins was playing the piano and performing a baptism in Africa - sure makes the distance apart seem a lot smaller)

Feeding my new camel friend!

He's super nice!!!!!

Ok, maybe even TOO nice!

His Grace is Sufficient

with Elder Imoukhiede

Well, it seems yet again that I can't even begin to describe my feelings this week!!! Today we took a trip to Kpalimé (2 hours north of Lomé and an hour and a half north of the closest missionaries), but that will have to wait a bit because I'm short on time, and I wanted to share another great experience from this week 

So, to put it a bit short, if you had asked me how I was feeling during the week, I probably would have told you terrible.  And it was hard; appointments dropping like ants on a piece of caramel that I left on my desk (African ants are CRAZY). I don't know if that makes sense but it did in my head. Anyways, I found that I was focusing way too much on impressing others (and I'm sure those of you who know me well are not surprised) instead of the Lord.  I was focusing way too much on numbers and statistics instead of focusing on fulfilling the will of the Lord.  So, with that in mind, I found myself feeling miserable before humbling myself and allowing the Lord to instruct me in His own kind, gentle, and loving way. 

As I previously stated, soooooo many appointments were just dropping like flies, and our numbers were not in top form throughout the week. Well, with my analytical brain, I let that go to my head quick, and I got really, really discouraged.  With the physical, mental, emotional, and especially spiritual fatigue setting in, I was becoming a train wreck around Thursday. 

Then, Friday came, and we had the Togo Missionary Leadership Training Conference for all of the Trainers, District Leaders, and Zone Leaders in Togo.  It seemed that everything was o speak directly to me, as if the Lord himself were speaking to my troubled heart.  Sister Weed spoke about handling stress with the new booklet "Adjusting to Missionary Life."  This was a bit of balm to my soul, but He wasn't finished yet.  President Weed then followed and spoke about many things, but what touched me the most was one simple phrase that brightened my mind.  This really accented the fact that I needed to focus FIRST on fulfilling the will of the Lord in all things and not focus on the numbers.  Yes, number are important, but the Lord's will in infinitely and eternally so much more important.  This left me with a lot of food for thought, but I was happy as I left the conference. 

Afterwards, I knew that I needed to change, but I was getting so down on myself for the way I had acted this week and the thoughts that I had had and the ignorance that I had shown to the Lord's will. Friday went well, but I still wasn't feeling 100%. 

Saturday, I had planned on studying one of the talks from the Priesthood Session of the past General Conference. However as I had finally received a package that my mom sent in November, I saw that there was an Ensign from September included.  I just started flipping through it, and I fell upon an article entitled "How God's Grace Really Works."  I was intrigued and decided to study that for my personal study.  It soon became clear to me why I needed to study such a topic. 

Within the first three paragraphs, I noticed how much mine own thoughts aligned with those that the author had described with those who struggled with the concept of God's grace.  As I continued to read, it was amazing again how I heard the Lord's voice in what I was reading.  One quote that really stood out to me, taken from Elder Oaks, said something like: "The regret that we all need to feel in order to repent of our sins is not for punishment or payment.  We can never repay the debt that Christ himself has offered for us.  Rather, this regret is meant to change us and transform us." 

These words were exactly what I needed to read and study. This lightened a heavy load, and the pavilion was finally able to be lifted and I felt God's love and grace for me.  We do not need to punish ourselves for our own sins.  God understands us, better than any of us understand us, I might add.  He knows the intents of our hearts and, as long as we are striving to be our best, His grace is sufficient to heal and to make us whole.  This article talked of many other things, but this is what I learned and needed in order to press on.  The difference in my own work as a missionary has been astonishing.  I love the Lord and I love His work.  (Note from Mom:  Here is a link the article he is referring to:  His Grace is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox) 

Finally, today.  I need to be brief because I am out of time, but today was absolutely fantastic!  It started at 4:30 am.  We made it to Tokoin at 6 and were pulling out in the bus at 7.  We made it Kpalimé at 9:30 and made the hike up the mountain to the waterfall in an hour and a half.  For a couple hours, we enjoyed the scenes, took pictures, ate lunch, and enjoyed time together.  Finally, at about 1 we made our way back down, and we were pulling out at 2.  We made it back to Tokoin at about 4:30. 

This was one of the most beautiful hikes of my life.  It was also was one the most hot and humid.  I loved this experience and the memories that it brought back of many other hikes in my life.  The scenes were stunning over looking the valley, but unfortunately the pictures don't do it justice.  I wish I had more time to explain, but I'm out of time, and I'll let the pictures tell the rest.  They're each worth 1,000 words anyways.

First view of the first mountain I've seen with my own eyes in 9 months!

A better view

The trail

The valley

Towards the top overlooking the valley

Elder Potter and I found a secret pathway up to a secret ridge that
nobody else found that led directly to the first waterfall.  The mist
was quite refreshing.

With Elder Maruai (Tahitien)

The second fall

Taking a shower with Elder Oliverson and Elder Peterson.

With Elder Florion (Tahitien) 

Well, I love you all.  It has been an amazing week followed by an amazing day!  Enjoy every minute of life, and use it wisely.  We all have a purpose here on the earth, and how we use our time here in this life has everything to do with our life after death.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Zone Conference and the Voodoo Market

with Elders Peterson and Kunz - Love these guys!

Bonsoir mes amis!  I'm writing a bit late today because we had some pretty crazy adventures today!  Anyways, it's been a great week, and  I'll start with the big news that's come in!

So this past Saturday, we got our transfer calls from the Assistants, and the missionaries in Baguida all received some big news!  Elder Rasolo (my companion) and Elder Kunz (the other American in the apartment) are both being transferred to Benin!  That means Elder Dih and I will be staying in the apartment together.  However, we found out that we will both be training!!!  My new companion (and I was made aware that this could change) that has been assigned to work with me is Elder Dakouri from Côte d'Ivoire!  Elder Dih will be training a new French missionary, which also means that I will be the only English speaking missionary in the apartment!  AND, I have also been called to serve as District Leader!  Wow.  Peeps weren't lyin when they said it was gonna be a big transfer.  Well, I honestly don't know what to say.  I'm humbled by the jump that I have to make from junior companion to trainer and DL.  I know the Lord will support me in my weaknesses so that I may fulfill my duties and pray that I can remain a humble servant of the Lord and all those around me.

On top of all that, we had Zone Conference last Friday, and it was amazing!  The Spirit that accompanied the conference with Elder Clayton and Elder Vinson transferred right on over to our Zone Conference.  

All of the birthdays at Zone Conference!  It was different having
it at Souza instead of Kégué, but I still loved it!

Oh!  Side note: the Assistants worked with us on Thursday and stayed with us over night.  As we were driving over to Souza-Netimé, a policeman blew his whistle and pointed at us, but didn't pursue us so we kept on going.  Then, a minute later, he was on his high-tech moto blaring his siren behind us.  One thing about Togo is that ALL of the taxis have at least 7 people in them, in cars for 5. (We do it at least once a week.  It was pretty uncomfortable at first, but I'm used to it now.)  So we thought we thought, like normal, we'd be fine with 6 of us.  Well, Benin plates in Togo + 3 white people in the car = yeaahh.  Well, we got to the conference in time despite that little delay.

Anyways, the conference was phenomenal.  Everything felt like it was directed at me, and my testimony was once again strengthened on how the Spirit can work in each of us individually.  I learned many, many lessons that I am very excited to apply with the new roles that are coming my way soon!  Afterwards, we got a ride back with President and Soeur Weed to Baguida, so transport for the day was FREE!

Yesterday, we had a little visit from President and Soeur Weed at Church, which helped fortify our branch a bit, and we were able to have a good discussion together about the changes being made, which helped me as well.

Finally, today.  Elder Kunz and I spent the whole day at the grand marché again with Elder Peterson and Elder Legbanon (from Benin).  We started by looking for a backpack, a new watch, and a washboard for me, all of which was decently easy.  I brought the backpack down from about 14 dollars (7,000 CFA) to 6 (3,000 CFA) and the watch from 11 dollars (5,500 CFA) to 2 (1,000 CFA).  We then got some charwamas for lunch at Akif's, and as we were finishing eating, this American guy walked in with his French translator.  The first thing that he said to us was, "Oh my goodness.  The Mormons followed me here!"  He then proceeded to take out his camera and film his conversation with each of us asking us where we're from, etc.  He was amazed to find out that the Church is out here, but he was a super nice and friendly.  His French translator was surprisingly friendly as well.  He complimented my accent.

Another view of the grand marché from today!

My new backpack

After lunch we all went to the Voodoo market in Akodessewa.  Since Benin is the Voodoo capital of the world, all of the vendors are Beninese, so Elder Legbanon was in heaven just being able to speak Fon with them.  The market was pretty cool!  They said we had to pay 3,000 CFA for the tour ($6) and an extra 2,000 CFA ($4) to take pictures.  I paid it, and it was worth it.  There was some way cool stuff there, and we got to play with some snakes and see some chameleons.  Elder Legbanon said there's way more things like this that are better in Benin, but it was still good!  I got some good pictures of lots of dried up animals.

SNAKE!  (It's alive)

Monkey!

Dog!

Horse!

Baboon hand/foot!

Turtle!

Well, this week has been another amazing one!  The people out here are amazing, and there are so many who are searching for the truth and who find it in this Church and in this message.  One aspect of the mission that I absolutely love is that I get to testify every single day that I KNOW that this is true, and what is even better is the Spirit that accompanies this message.  My work here is to bring others to Jesus Christ and to help them draw closer to Him every day.  I have been so blessed to be here, and there are too many experiences to share with you to testify of how I know that these things are true.  This Church really is the one message of the whole truth that can be found on the earth today.

I love you all so much.  Have an amazing week!
Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

First of my two pagne outfits that came on Saturday!

Second one!

With Elder Kunz

Thought these clouds looked pretty cool!

(Note from mom:  Here's the link to the interview with the American Elder Jenkins mentions above: 

HoboTraveler.com Mormons in Lome Togo 

 

Riding the church bus . . .

Elder Rasolo and I in the van

Well it's been a great week!  I'm writing today from Baguida, my new secteur!  It's a really great secteur.  I actually haven't been out to teach yet because I got there on Saturday, and we immediately had a baptismal service that evening at Kégué!  We didn't get back until decently later in the evening. Then, yesterday I found out that church is from 1:30 to 4:30, but for some reason the branch here really likes to run over and it's super far (it takes us like 30 minutes to get there between riding in a taxi and walking), so we didn't get home until like 6:30, by which time the sun is already down!  And then today was P-day! But I'm really excited to be going out tomorrow!

 All of the 7 that were baptized by the two companionships in Baguida! 
Elder Peterson left a great present waiting for me!  Fortunately, he
was there too with his new companion so he got to see them get baptized.

With Assouka and Guillaume, the two that I left in Wuiti who were baptized
on Saturday!  We have been teaching Guillaume every Saturday since
my second week in Africa and he finally got baptized on Saturday!

So, this past Saturday, we had four baptisms!  The other companionship in our branch had 3!  So between all of us and the members who came to support them, we had a bunch of people.  Instead of getting a bunch of taxis and emptying our pockets, we rented a bus-ish looking van that takes people up to the village.  The driver is a former follower of a recent convert in the Anfamé branch that used to be a pastor.  His church was in our area, so he helps us all the time with contacts and such.  So we rented it for about 30 dollars round trip, and it was a blast!  I definitely got to see a different side of Togo and it was beautiful!  I didn't take any pictures, but I'll make sure to do that this weekend when we go to the baptism this Saturday!

That's the van that we rented

With the bus driver

Loved the bus drivers shirt!

It was pretty crazy in there.  What's even crazier is that they fit
twice as many people in that to go to the village!

So I don't really know that much about my new area, but it's BEAUTIFUL!  And our house is HUGE!  And we're a two minute walk from the most beautiful beaches in Togo! The only problem with this area is that everywhere there is sand which makes it hard to walk, and it's super far from everyone.  But other than that it's amazing!  My companion is super as well!  His name is Elder Rasolonantenaina (pretty sure I spelled that right), and he's from Madagascar!  He's super chill and he loves this area and the people, but he said he's only got like 3 or 4 weeks on his visa, so he's pretty much just here to show me the area.  I was pretty sad to hear that because I really like him!  Also, he's a wiz with the Bible which is definitely a weak point for me, so I'm excited to see how we'll work together in lessons!

 a view of my new house.  It has grass, a mango tree, some pepper plants,
and some growing papaya trees that Elder Kunz planted.

There was a storm going through as we were leaving for Kégué on Saturday.

I think that's about it this week. Not terribly too much going on, but next week's letter should be filled with new stories and adventures!  I love you all so much!  Have a great week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

I'm being transferred to Paradise . . .

We got a little bored waiting for people to show up.

Well, what a week it has been!  To start things off, I got a call from the Assistants last Saturday night, and I'm being transferred!  I'll be replacing Elder Peterson in Baguida, and my companion will be Elder Rasolo (I don't know his whole last name because he's from Madagascar and their last names are like 20 letters long)!  I'm pretty sad to be leaving behind the Wuiti Branch because they've become family to me.

Apparently Baguida is like paradise, and it's actually quite cool because it's next to the ocean, so I'm very excited to be going there.  It's pretty far from everything because it's close to the border of Benin, but I'll be able to survive. Still not sure which day I'll be leaving, so next Monday I might still be writing from Wuiti or from Baguida, but my letter will still get out! 

So this weekend we had a pretty cool experience.  Gabriel, the former Prime Minister who was baptised in August, called us Saturday evening to invite us over to dinner at his house.  What he didn't tell us was that he was celebrating his 60th birthday, and we would actually be eating at his second house right next door.  To call it a house is an understatement.  I would say it's a super nice hotel (pool included).  So there were a few tables set up around the pool, and he seated us at one.  More and more people began to come until just about every table was filled.  I was one of two white people there, and by far the youngest person.  So, there were some dancer/ drummers that came and performed, but they got to be pretty annoying after like 10 minutes of the same thing over and over again.  Then, we ate.  We only got to eat the salad because we had to leave to go home, but we continued the feast Sunday night, and we feasted.  Gabriel wouldn't let us leave until I was stuffed beyond belief.  We got back to the apartment pretty satisfied.  However, my stomach began to be feeling really really uneasy.  Then a couple hours later, everything that I ate came back up quick or went down and out pretty darn quick.  After spending the whole night pretty miserable, I was able to conclude that it was food poisoning.  Guess that's what happens we I finally decided to try fish.  So, today's been a bit interesting, but I'm feeling a bit better now.
 

The view of the party from our table

A good shot of the dancers that came and performed.  I wish I could upload some of the videos I took, but I guess that'll have to wait

 

I also wanted to remark how much incredible progress the Wuiti Branch has made during my 5 months here.  Yesterday was one of the most edifying church experiences of my life.  We had testimony meeting during sacrament, and there were so many inspiring testimonies, especially Gabriel himself as he shared his testimony about how he knows that his whole family will accept the message of this truth as well and will become members of God's only true church on the earth.  Then, for the third hour, we talked about Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, and his role in our lives, and again, there were so many amazing testimonies shared about the Spirit and how it works in us.  I have been so blessed to be a part of this branch's progression, and again, I'm sad to leave, but I'm also excited to see how it will grow just until the end of my mission.

I love you all so much, and have a great week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins