God's love and miracles!

Bonjour mes amis!  I hope that you have all had an excellent week!  Things have been a bit interesting out here, but they’ve been great!  Elder Rasolo and Elder Kunz made it out Saturday morning, and it’s just been Elder Dih and I since then.  But with two splits to start the week and then two days left for the missionaries leaving to say goodbye, we didn’t really get too many lessons taught in our area this week.

Good news from this week: Luc and Vicky have found, through their own efforts and God’s help, the means to be legally married according to Togolese Customs and, as such, are now qualified to be baptized!  This means that their baptism will be this Saturday, the 22^nd!  Just another testimony of how prayer, hard work, and obedience bring miracles!

Vicky with her daughter Precious (Thursday night at Philippe's)

Tuesday and Wednesday morning I spent in Anfamé with Elder Rybin, who is one of our Zone Leaders.  He and I worked and got along really, really well, even though he attended the University of Utah before coming out here.  Amazing how the mission brings people together like that.  Anyways, he gave me some counsel and advice before I take on my new roles, and I learned soooo much about leadership with him.  He’s a good guy.

Wednesday, Elder Kunz and I did a split in my area and it went very well.  We got a couple of good lessons in, and we enjoyed the time together.  As we were out, at about 4:30, these HUGE black clouds just came rolling in along a front.  We saw them from a far, but weren’t terribly worried.  Then, all of the sudden, we were being blasted with cold wind and it got really dark.  It made for a very interesting experience and we got only a few drops of rain.  Apparently Lomé got pounded with rain.  So that was kinda cool, figuratively and literally. It was Elder Kunz’s birthday, so we decided to end it with celebrating with dinner at the Monument Restaurant.

With Elder Kunz celebrating his birthday

Right before the clouds came was absolutely beautiful and comfortable.

What you don't see here are the huge dark clouds to the right (North)

That's the front.

Just a pic of a part of my area mid-storm

Thursday and Friday were both spent mostly visiting people and saying good-byes, so I was just following wherever my companion wanted to go.  But both of them ended with very good mangez-vous, especially Thursday.  Thursday night we were at President Philippe’s house.  There were several people there, as most had been at the preparations for President Hervé’s (our Branch President) father’s funeral (apparently he had 8 wives, so there was well over 5,000 people that attended), so they all just came back to Philippe’s.  We had Djekoumè, which is pate made with tomato/piment (pepper) and onion sauce, meaning that it’s all cooked together, so some people call it red pate, but it’s soooooo much better than normal pate.  I can easily say that it’s my favorite Togolese (and African for that matter) meal, served with fried chicken.  SOOO GOOD!
 

Eating some Djekoumè.  Honestly one of the best djekoumès I've ever tasted.  Everyone was talking about how good it was after

Fanning the fire

This dog LOVES me.

We had a sling-shot competition Friday night at Boris' house.  He destroyed me

Saturday is when Elder Rasolo and Elder Kunz left.  I got to work with Elder Dih in the afternoon in the Ivorian Refugee Camp.  The camp was installed during their war in 2011 by the UN, and many haven’t been able to find the means to get their life back in Côte d’Ivoire.  Anyways, while we were there, we passed the central commons room (just a nice TV with a couple of couches) and I saw the Winter Olympics on!  That was pretty awesome.  Some cool ski jump.

With Elder Kunz on Saturday.

One last picture with Elder Kabedeh.  They past by our house on their way to Benin.

Today we moved into our new place!  It’s still big, but it doesn’t have too much useless space like the last apartment.  We still have plenty of space, but we’re not so separated anymore.  Plus we have garden space again!  Just not quite as nice as the last house and no grass.  But it’s very nice!  High, vaulted ceilings, too!  But moving in left me exhausted today.  Luckily President Blaise made up for it by providing Charwamas and Cheeseburgers.

The new house (facing north)

Angled East

Angled West

Harry Potter Cupboard!!!

Ma chambre

View from the balcony just outside

Well, that’s about it this week.  I have exceptionally felt God’s love the past few days.  I’ve been feeling, only slightly, a bit lonely because I am now the only American (and white person for now) again.  The only difference between this time and when I was in Tokoin for the 2 months before Elder Edwards came is that I have been called to be an example, being the oldest missionary instead of the youngest.  But, like I said, I have truly felt God’s love for me and the power of Christ’s Atonement to help us in all of our trials and sufferings, not only with finding forgiveness for our sins.  But, I have also realized that in the Church, we are never alone as long as we have our fellow brothers and sisters around us, something that I have had to learn by experience out here in Africa.

This work truly is God’s work, and He blesses all of His servants very much.  This is by far the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my entire life.  Physically, emotionally, and mentally it is so draining.  Everyday brings more and more fatigue from the long hours under the sun.  However, I would not trade this time for anything.  I have grown so much closer to our Heavenly Father, and my Spirit as well as my knowledge of God have grown so much.   It is true that the Lord works by small and simple things to bring about His great and eternal purposes (as stated in the scriptures).  I have seen this in my missionary life so much.  Every day is another drop added.  I still have such a long way to go, but it has been such a blessing for me to see how much I have grown in my short time here.

I could go on all day about this, but I have things to do, and I’m sure you have a normal life to live as well.  I leave you these things this week, and I hope that this next week brings the best for all of you as well.

I love each of you all so much.  

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Found these Ben & Jerry's flip-flops this week hahaha

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 

 

Conversion unto the Lord

Mountains to climb!

Hey everyone!  So the internet connection today has been one of the worst that I’ve had in my time in Africa.  I was planning on writing to lots and lots of people today, but it might just have to wait until next week.

So I just wanted to share my testimony this week that Heavenly Father really does answer prayers.  Last week, when I wrote home, I had been going through a bit of a rough patch.  I just wasn’t feeling the Spirit of this work like I have before and I know I can.  I have been continuing to do my best to remain faithful and loyal to my God, but I just got overwhelmed with the fact that I have to be patient with myself and that I can’t master every commandment at the moment all at once.  Conversion to the Lord takes time, but this was a principle that I was just unwilling to accept or that I just didn’t understand at the time. However, after much prayer and meditation this past week, Heavenly Father truly opened the windows of heaven to pour out blessings and understanding to me.  Yes, I still have not mastered the principle of personal patience, but God has given me many instances this past week that have let me know that He is still there and that He has not forgotten me.

So in my personal study this week, I was reading 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  On Friday and Saturday specifically, I studied chapters 15 and 16 respectively. While I was reading these chapters, the Lord blessed me with understanding just as I had prayed.  My whole life I have known what the “Gathering of Israel” means, and I know that this is what I am doing now, but after reading these two chapters, including many, many cross references throughout the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Doctrine and Covenants, I really began to understand specific events and meanings represented as symbolism in the scriptures, especially in Isaiah.  Every scripture that I looked up had a unique meaning and explanation, many of which led me to have more questions that were answered as I searched more scriptures.

Needless to say, these two experiences left me so happy.  Enveloped in the Lord’s light, both Friday and Saturday were amazing days. Everywhere I went I just felt God’s love surrounding me.  Saturday was especially good with the baptism.  We had three baptisms (Bella, Bruno, and Kossi).  Bella and Bruno are sister and brother, and Kossi is Bruno’s friend that lives just down the street.  All three of them, while only being in their teenage years, have already made some great changes in their lives thanks to the Restored Gospel.  At the baptism there were about 20 baptisms, as we had a collective baptism for several missionaries in Togo.  The Anfamé Zone Leaders were able baptize two families of six people each, as well as several missionaries with one or two baptisms.  It was a great service as well!  The Spirit was there and it was amazing to see so many people enter into covenant with God.

From the baptismal service.  It was packed in there!

Our baptismal service on Saturday, 1/18/14.  From left to right: Elder
Rasolonantenaina, Kossi, Bella, Bruno, me, Abel (member)

Haha yeah we decided to have fun with some of the pictures.

Another one from the baptism.

As I have reflected on these two days, I have seen the goodness of God reflected in my life.  I am such an imperfect being.  In every moment of my life, I need to seek the Lord’s help, because without Him I am nothing.  Trying to fix things by ourselves in this life will only lead to sadness and confusion, if not in this life then definitely in the future.  The mission has already changed me greatly.  I am on the life-long path of conversion to the Lord and His Gospel, but I have so much to learn and to perfect.  Patience truly is a virtue and a Christlike attribute, and I pray everyday that I can have more patience with myself and with those around me.

As for the work here in Baguida, Togo, it is progressing well.  As previously stated, we had three baptisms this past week that successfully took place.  We have others that are progressing towards baptism, especially those that are finding solutions with their problems with the dowery.  I am very hopefully that Luc and Vicky can get everything sorted out so that they able to be baptized on Saturday the 25th because they are very ready for it.  Other than that, we have some that are struggling with keeping commitments, namely coming to church and praying, and prayers in their behalf would be greatly appreciated.  There are many good people here, but the church is still small and the Gospel still relatively unknown.  Ours is the task to take this light to the whole world, but just as this light takes time to grow in ourselves, it takes times to grow throughout the world. However, the Lord is hastening His work like never before and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a true servant and an instrument in His hands.

I love you all so much, and I pray that we may all search to feel God’s love in our lives.

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

A man was working with us on Sunday and was complaining
that his feet were hurting as we were walking to a mangez-vous.
So I just picked him up and put him on my back.
However, when we tried to take pictures, he got so ashamed himself and
wouldn't show his face!!!  Hahaha made for some good laughs.

Couldn't even get him to show himself while walking

 

 

 

 

Someone finally tried pulling his face, but he was sooo resistent.
Made for many laughs hahahaha.

Typical African stove.  Filled with charcoal and they just put the
pots directly on the charcoal.  Luckily in our apartments we have gas stoves.

The game we played after dinner Sunday evening.  We did it
tournament style, and I did 11 in the untimed preliminary, 10 in the
one minute quarter-final, 8 in the 30 second semi-final, and then I
won with 9 in the one-minute final!!!  Elder Kunz was my competition
in the final, and just lost with 8, even though he got 12 in the
untimed prelim.

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