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

Komlan and the man driving the moto

 



Elder Mbala and I with Komlan and the other missionaries' baptism



Hey everybody!  Well, it's been another great week!  The work with Elder Mbala is going a lot more smoothly as we have gotten to know each other more!  This past Saturday, we had a baptism with Komlan!  He's 65 years old, and his conversion has been 3 years in the making!  He's had some great trials, but he's been able to overcome them all and change his life!

 

So, I have a kinda cool story to share this week.  Well, it's a little bit sad, too, but as far as I'm aware, no real permanent damage was done.  So yesterday, we had church.  It was a fairly normal church service, but as always, it was fantastic!  The Spirit was truly there.  Gabriel taught his first Sunday School lesson after being called and set apart last week and it was fantastic.  The title was "Every member is a missionary," and he really focused on how the member's should help and accompany the missionaries in their work.  It was honestly one of the best Sunday School lessons I've been in.  Then, for the third hour, our lesson was on loving God more than the world, which was fantastic again!  So much good insight given!

 

So anyways, it was just a normal Sunday.  After church, we visited with the members and the amis and all that.  Then, after a few minutes, we went into President Preuss' office to set up an appointment with him for another member that had asked us to bring him to her house.  While we were talking with President, we heard these bloodcurling screams coming through the halls.  Suddenly, a crowd comes in the office led by Prince who is holding little 18 month old Leo.  Little Leo decided to just run out into the busy street that our church is on.  The thing about Togo is that for every car there are about 5 or 6 motos.  They're EVERYWHERE.  So, little innocent Leo, decided to dart out in front of one.  Luckily, he only got knicked on the forehead, but it was a decent knick because there was blood all over his face.  Well, everyone was just kinda staring for a few seconds while he was screaming, so I dropped my stuff and grabbed him to take him to the kitchen to wash him off.  There was honestly a lot more blood than the wound suggested.  The problem was, everybody was just crowding and gaping, so I may have yelled a little bit to get people to move.  When nobody was moving, Soeur Preuss grabbed him to take him to the outside hose.  People kinda started to freak out, but I explained to them that everything would be alright and that we all just needed to stay calm.  So, we washed him off, sterilized him, and then he was taken to the hospital just in case because it was a head injury.

 

Meanwhile, the man that was driving the moto came in and looked worried sick.  Somehow, in the bustle to help Leo, everybody had passed by him.  I spent a few minutes afterwards talking with him to consol him and explain that it wasn't his fault.  Then, a few other members followed my lead and did the same.  After everything was taken care of, we went outside where the man was talking with a few people that saw it happen.  I then spoke with him again to explain that it really wasn't his fault.  He then told me that he was very impressed with the love that he felt from everyone at our church, even though in his eyes he had about killed Leo.  He then explained that he is actually very interested in our church and would like to meet with us the missionaries.  I gave him the restoration pamphlet and took down his name and number, and we'll be passing by his house to talk with he and his family this week.

 

First lesson that I learned with this experience, keep an eye on your kids.  Second, God truly works in mysterious ways.  Yes, Leo was hurt, but he'll grow up and be perfectly fine.  He probably won't even remember what happened when he's older.  However, you never know how many souls will be saved from this experience.  Because of this, someone was introduced to the church and the love that is offered from the saints to all those who enter.  From that, he had questions, even interest, about our beliefs and our practices.  He was then led to us, the missionaries, who can provide him answers to his questions and peace to his soul.  I was really amazed at how the Lord worked in this instance in bringing someone to the knowledge of His gospel.  Miracles like this happen everyday around the world with the missionaries involved!  And I am truly grateful to be able to say that I am a part of it.

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

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

 

Some Muslims getting ready to kill a cow for Tabaski, their New Years Day

 



One of the animals lived to survive another year

The Prime Minister's baptism and football in Africa



Gabriel's baptism.  Left to right: Elder Dagrou, Président Laurent (of Doumassesse, who gave us the contact), Gabriel, me, and Pres. Sam (the 2nd counselor of our branch)



Well, after this week, I will be done with all formal types of training as a missionary!  Of course we're always learning, but I'll still now be a full-fledged missionary! It's amazing to see what's behind me now, and I'm very excited for what's ahead!  This past Saturday we had our baptism of KODJO Gabriel, the former Prime Minister!  He's already shared his tesimony many times in front of many people, but then, speaking in front of people isn't really a problem for him.  But he has definitely become more comfortable with us, so we've seen the fun side of him more, which is a blast!

This morning, we had an activity.  Every month we have one (it's always soccer which I don't mind), but every 3 months they really make a big deal about it.  We tried to get it at the stadium today, but it wasn't possible, so we got the next best thing.  It was a sand/ dirt field, but there were lines down and nets in the goals.  So every 3 months, we make a big deal about it and have the missionaries against the members.  Today, we had two missionary teams and one member team.  We decided to do three matches so that every team could play each other.  My team was in the first match, against the members.  When I say that we make a big deal about it, I mean we make a big deal about it.  We had a head ref, two line refs, and even a fourth ref!  Matching uniforms with numbers, proper substitutions, just about everything.  It was pretty legit.

Anyways, first game.  Elder Mundu, the team captain, put me in as attaquant milieu (striker).  OK. Sure. So I go to that position.  It was a pretty good match.  In the first half, the other team laid a pretty nice goal into the upper 90 against Elder Layton, our keeper.  During the second half, we were on the attack more, and I got a decent amout of action, even one shot on goal.  However, as time was winding down, something needed to happed to equalize.  We were destroying possession, but not coming up with goals.  Finally, we got a set piece about 30 meters out.  The shot was blocked by the wall, and then Elder Dagrou, my companion, took a nice shot that rebounded off the post.  There was only one defender between me and the ball and the goal, and when he attempted to clear it, he whiffed.  Then it was only me, the ball, the keeper, and the goal.  The keeper was playing WAY left, so it was an easy tap from 3 meters out for a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After that, the Africans really started to respect me more.  My companion said he was very proud of me and was surprised that I could actually play.

Well, that's this week!  Today has been way fun, but exhausting!  Until next week!

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins



At the apartment before the game in my new ManU jersey and shorts.



my new cleats

Random pic during the game today.  We were forced to wear Chelsea uniforms; I reluctantly switched out of  my new ManU one.

Elder Layton's incredible game winning save during penalties.

Celebrating the score!  My favorite part of the picture is the dejected look of the guy in the red to my left.

Celebrating our first win of the day.

Still celebrating our first win of the day.

Team picure

(borrowed from Elder Layton)

(borrowed from Elder Layton)

(borrowed from Elder Layton)

me with my new uke

(Note from Mom - Labor Day we have gathered in Colorado Springs for Parents Weekend for the last five years.  This morning the 4 of us were eating breakfast in Manitou Springs and each emailing back and forth with Elder Jenkins in Africa and it was almost like he was there with us - it was a great family breakfast together!)

Family breakfast in Manitou Springs

The Golden Investigator and King Lamoni's father.

Elder Dagrou and I with Frère Christophe (19) and la petite Soeur Karol (9), 08/24/13

Bonsoir mes amis!

The weeks just keep flying by!  As always, this has been another great one!  To start off, last Saturday we had 2 baptisms (the first two in the new building)!  First was la petite Soeur Karol, whose father was baptized in April and is now serving in the branch Sunday School Presidency.  Second was Christophe.

Christophe is the epitome of a golden investigator.  He is 19 years old, and we found him about a month ago by OVB (Ouvrir Votre Bouche, pretty much door-to-door).  The first lesson went well, but he was a little shy, but he was glad to have us back a second time.  By the third lesson, he was reading everything we gave him to read and then teaching us about everything that he read.  He soon began accompanying us to other appointments that were after his.  One day, after we taught the end of the Plan of Salvation, or God's Plan for us (something that is hard for most people to understand) we had an appointment with a recent convert named Samuel.  He had a question about the end of the Plan of Salvation, and Christophe commenced to respond to his question, even giving examples!  What?!  I've never seen anyone who has learned so quickly.  I've formed a great relationship with him that is going to continue for years and years after I leave Togo.  The only problem for Christophe is that he is a student at the University of Kara, the big city up in the north that is 3 hours away.  The church has not yet arrived there yet because French isn't quite as profound there, but he'll be coming back to Lomé every few months, and I'm not worried about him.  He's already strong enough to do well on his own, and he has just about every resource he needs.

We taught Gabriel again this week, the former Prime Minister.  I swear it's like teaching King Lamoni's father.  If you don't know who that is, get a Book of Mormon and look up Alma Chapter 22.  Not sure what page it is in English; but it's an amazing story of missionary work.  Anyways, with Gabriel, the lessons on the commandments went like this:  "Oh, it's a commandment of God to not smoke?  Well I've been trying for a while, now I have a reason.  Next one!  Oh, it's a commandment of God to worship Him all day Sunday, not just at church?  Not a problem, I love listening to the hymns anyways.  Next one!  No problem giving back 10% to God, it's a commandment!"  His baptism is this Saturday, and I'm very excited for that.  He's definitely prepared to become a member of Christ's Church restored on the earth.

Well, that's about this week.  Things are going great here!  I love and miss you all!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

On top of the church building after the baptism on Saturday,  08/24/13

Definitely an adventure!



Loading the debris in the truck African style



Bonjour tout le monde!  Well, another week has flown by!  It's hard to believe I'm past halfway through my second transfer in Africa!  As always, life here is becoming more and more normal, yet the more and more weird things I see around me.



This week has been another great one!  Elder Dagrou and I have been getting along great!  We had our second appointment with the former Prime Minister yesterday after he came to church in the morning.  He said that he loved everything about church and he especially loved how central families are!  He spent the whole lesson talking about his past (just about every detail I think) and how it's brought him to this point today.  He also talked about how it's helped in the search for the truth.  My companion, Elder Dagrou, then made the perfect transition into baptsim and how he will be an outstanding example of the truth for this whole country and for many leaders around the world.  We found that he's already wanting to do missionary work, so we committed him to be baptized in September!  It was great!  We found out how important family is for him yesterday, so tomorrow we're going to see if we can teach the whole family!

On Saturday, we had a service activity somewhere in the business district of Lomé.  Basically, we were just clearing weeds in this one business compound.  However, there wasn't much to do due to lack of tools.  After about 20 minutes of watching 30 people or so work I got bored, so I grabbed a rake that someone wasn't really using and went to look for work.  Fr. Frederick, in my branch, found me and said that there was a big group of tree roots/dirt that needed to be cleared off of some cement.  It was about 2 inches thick of just roots and dirt, so I grabbed my rake and started hammering away.  About 15 minutes later, I had not made too much progress (they were extremely stubborn) and many people told me that I couldn't finish and that I should just stop.  Many of you know, I can be quite stubborn myself at times, so this just made me work even harder.  Finally, I found the main root, which was about 3 inches thick itself, so I grabbed a machete and started hammering away.  Once I cut that, the rest came easily.  It was really just dragging big pieces into the pile.  However, at about 10:30 am (the activity began at 6:00 am) the leaders began to realize that we couldn't finish the whole thing, so they decided to just have everyone stop and leave.  I was a little disappointed because I was so close to finishing!  But we ended and everyone went their own way.

Working hard at the Day of Service

In the end, I was still very grateful for the opportunity to serve.  It actually felt like a normal Saturday at home!  I was extremely dirty, and after I showered, I was exhausted!

That's how the work is going now.  I'm really loving being here and serving the Lord!  Definitely an adventure!

Je vous aime tous!

Elder Jenkins

All the missionaries in Togo who attended the Day of Service (except Doumassesse, who left early)

Elder Mundu and I

The Respectful Politician . . .

Well this week is officially my 2 month anniversary of being in Africa!  I think Elder Kunz was right on Thursday at Zone conference when he said that it hasn't felt like 2 months that I've been here.  In some respects it feels like longer, and in other respects it feels like much, much shorter.  Its been another great week, and as always, I've had some trials, but I've had so many more blessings.

KODJO Gabriel (courtesy of a google search)

One of the cool things of the week happened yesterday.  It was about 5 o'clock in the evening, and Elder Dagrou and I were waiting to meet a member from the Doumassesse Branch to take us to meet his friend.  We saw a really nice Toyota 4runner (same exact car as Président Weed) pull up and roll down the window and wave us over.  Not what I was expecting.  We got in the car and started on our way to the appointment.  The member of the Doumassesee branch is Frère Laurent, and he's a professor at the University of Lomé.  Based on his attire (an extremely nice suit, especially for Africa), I as really interested to see who we were going to meet.  We pulled up to a very large house that was very well guarded.  As we approached the door, a modestly dressed, very friendly man greeted us, and I was like "Ok, this should be good!"  Nope, that was just one of the guards.  He led us into to the home and up a flight of stairs into the bureau (office) where we met our appointment.  His name is KODJO Gabriel, and I got the impression that he is a very respected--as well as respectful-- man.  I then found out he is the former Prime Minister of Togo.  WHAT?!  Now I was focused.  Overall, the lesson went great.  He was very interested and has done a lot of research.  Frère Laurent was a classmate and good friend of his at university in France, so we had a good rep going in.  Like I said, it was a very good lesson, and he was very interested in what we had to say.  I have to say, I was surprised to see how humble he was to have a 19 year-old and a 22 year-old talk to him about God, but we gave him a Book of Mormon to start reading, and he committed to come to church this next Sunday with Frère Laurent!  We set up an appointment with him for next Sunday and introduced him to mormon.org as well.  We walked back down to Frère Laurent's car having some friendly conversation. I found that as a politician, his english is very good (he correctly guessed that I'm American).

Anyways, that's my cool story this week!  In other news, the Zone Leaders, who live in my apartment, are doing splits with Doumassesse this week, so Elder Peterson will be sleeping over Tuesday night!  Very excited for that, not only to have another American in my apartment, but my best friend in Africa as well!

Hope all is well back at home.  I love and miss you all very much!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

(Note from mom - his SD card would not upload again today.  Let's hope for next week.  He forwarded me this picture from Zone Conference last Thursday.)  

He was running out of time, so he could only quickly tell me who the Americans were: from left to right:  Pres. and Sis. Weed, Elder Kunz, Elder Buxton, Elder Landeen, Elder Shearer, Elder Poll, Elder Jenkins, Elder Peterson, Elder Hawkins, Elder Edwards, Elder Hales, Elder Haggard, Elder Rybin, Elder and Sister Eastmond