Empty Cupboards Filled!

Sanibonani, and top of the morning!

For all of you Americans, I must confess: american football needs to rethink its life and join the rugby club.  Like wow!  Rugby is such a fun sport to play and to watch, especially when your companion is a boss at the game. We played an epic game of rugby this morning, and beloved companion Elder Zitumane was the match MVP [fist bump]. Elder Z is an awesome guy.

Speaking of rugby, we were given a special assignment by President Leavitt. A pair of elders were entering into a foreign environment to do some proselyting, which had the possibility of yielding much fruit. The four of us gathered together a few hours before we commenced our labors and held a devotional, sharing scriptures and and experiences to define and refine our approach towards the challenging environment in which we would be entering.  We eventually arrived at the location where we would, as fishers of men, 'dip our rods in the water'.  Instead of attempting to describe the experience from that point, I'll just tell it in pictures:

The method in which the elders acquired the tickets was quite honorable, believe it or not!  A few weeks ago, their car was in need of servicing. They took their car to the car dealership to service their vehicle. As they waited, they felt that they needed to speak to the owner of the dealership. They asked if they could see him, and as they were lead to the owner's office, they described that they felt like Nephi, "not knowing beforehand the things that [he should do]." Upon meeting him, they began to share the message of the restored gospel with him. At the end of the conversation, the owner expressed that he had no interest in learning more, but was truly impressed with them in entering into the service of Christ at such a young age. He mentioned that he sponsored the Johannesburg Lions (one of the best professional ruby teams in Africa), and asked if they and their 'higher elders' would join him at the next match, thus securing the four of us tickets to the game with VIP Access. I should include that the game was much enjoyed, but the highlight of the night was in contacting another professional coach and making an appointment to teach his entire team. You never know where and hows you may find such awesome opportunities to share the light of the gospel.

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The entire experience was an interesting and very unorthodox testimony-builder in trusting the Spirit's guidance. I'm also grateful for the Lord allowing me the experience whilst in His service, because it gave me a new perspective on the word 'joy'.  In the stands sat thousands of spectators, many of whom were consuming alcoholic drinks (adding a wide variety of comedy to the match), who were cheering on their countrymen to victory. I took moments throughout the game to pause and survey the scene. In these moments, it hit me that the happiness of these devout supporters was in the success of their team and in the thrill of the game. Although I shared the desire for the success of our Lions, a feeling of emptiness prevailed in the electrifying atmosphere.

For many people, money and the praise of the world are the most sought after achievements to be attained. The quest for fame and success has a numbing effect on the soul to the things of God, dragging many to a friendless and miserable fate. There's truly no security in material wealth. Exhibit A:  in the past week, my allotment card has been identified with many fraudulent transactions, ultimately leading to the termination of my card (meaning someone hacked my card and stole money, so the company closed my card to protect the remaining money). It's an unfortunate circumstance that occurs much too often in this country. Food has since become scarce in that regard. Although my new card won't arrive in a while, I'm not so worried. I'll share the reason for being so towards the end of this letter.

Amidst the search for security and happiness, many will spend good dollar to find the key to joy and peace. A less-active member of the church did so in purchasing many tickets to hear experienced motivational speakers. As he attended each of their conferences and lectures, he came to realize that all of the sermons and speeches were encompassed by the principles of the restored gospel. He said, "I was basically paying people to teach me the gospel."

The restored gospel truly does encompass all truth and joy that many are searching for, a fact that leaves me so humbled and honored to share with these searching souls the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that in this Church, all goodness and truth that God has revealed to man since the beginning of mankind itself is found. I was instructed beautifully pertaining to this topic by the Spirit through Elder Ronald A. Rasband as he visited our mission yesterday.  In this missionary devotional presided over by Elder Rasband, he spoke with power and with the Spirit. I forgot my study journal at the office, so I can't share what was taught. There's one quote that touched me profoundly enough for me to remember, which I'll share now: "Our church can't reserve the word 'goodness'. All churches have truth and goodness within. But we invite them to bring all the goodness they have, and to let us add to it."

I've met many good, saintly people here in South Africa. In our interactions, many express gratitude to the churches they have been reared in because it has lead them to revere God and to live good, honorable lives. Yet in those people who accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a light enters into their lives that leaves them speechless, unable to express the all-encompassing joy found only in the illuminating gospel.

A saintly woman who I call 'Mother' has helped me see this in a new light.  She lives in a distant land called the USA, leaving her disabled in sending me packages. Yet her desire to express love to her son knows no bounds. She has since developed a lovely system in which she orders food from a local grocery store and has them deliver it to my door.

Like a son who has lost the ability to buy food, leaving his cupboards empty, God blesses us with the restored gospel to fill our souls with nourishment for the soul. He fills our spirit's cupboards with the light of His Son Jesus Christ. I graciously thank my mother for her gift from afar, and my Heavenly Father for His gifts from on high: His Son Jesus Christ and the goodness of the gospel.

Elder Benson

Transferred to Florida!!

Sanibonani!

To start off: I've been transferred to Florida!! But luckily I'm still in South Africa! For those of you who were thinking Florida USA, sorry neh?  Florida is a lovely ward here in the  Gauteng province.  I'm looking forward with a lot of excitement towards serving the Lord in this little corner of heaven.

We're so lucky to live in our area.  Here in South Africa, it's quite common to live a good solid twenty minutes away from your area, occasionally making it a challenge to begin the morning with a bang.  What's more is that the Mission Office is in the middle of Florida, making the transition from work in the office to proselyting in the area so much easier.  We've been in a tri-companionship (aka tripanionship) in the past week with an awesome elder we sent home today.  For various reasons we weren't allowed to do any proselyting in this past week.  We are nonetheless looking forward to hitting the ground running this week in our area.

I love my darling Mother!  I can't lie when I think she's the prettiest, most loving woman I know to be on planet earth.  I'm sure everyone thinks the same of their mother, but I'm biased in saying that mine is #1! Ngiyakuthanda Mama!!

Well, there's nothing to include in this week's email that would be of interest. So I'll just attach a lot of really fun pictures for everyone to see. I claim all epic photo creds. The first bunch include our adventure in Johannesburg City with our beloved Elder Ete, who flies home to Samoa as we speak.  We went to Olive and Plates, one of the best restaurants in Joburg. We got pretty drenched by the rain as we ran inside, so Elder Z needed to dry of in the bathroom.

Otherwise these pictures show a little of the life as an Assistant.  Included are Oko and Lisa, our beloved cars. Also in the mix shows the Bunker, where we store most everything in the mission (reminds me of the tunnels underneath WXHS).  My favorite photos are with President Leavitt, my amazing Mission President. There was a companionship who forgot to report that they were home, so President and I paid them a visit.  The gate was locked, but that didn't keep President from his beloved missionaries (not the best angle of President, but captures the moment beautifully).

Another 90 Degree Curve Ball

There's so much to tell and so little time to tell it!  You'll understand why just a few spaces down.  I'll do my best to fit everything in.

It was nearing the end of the sixth week of the transfer in Protea Glen as Elder Mkhize and I were driving toward the chapel early Saturday morning.  I would be lying if I said it wasn't difficult getting out of from my warm bed to exercise in the cold of winter.  (Yes, winters in South Africa can chill you... pretty epic, neh?)  Nevertheless, we went forward to exercise with the YSA's in the Protea Glen Branch, after which we would clean the baptismal font for Khanyisile's baptism the following day.

During our half-time break, I was refreshing my senses with a cold cup of water when I heard a squeel from my companion as he was checking our phone.  He updated me that we had missed a call from our mission president, President Leavitt!  We sent him an SMS to let him know we were ready to talk as soon as he was.  It was no surprise that he had called us, as President Leavitt usually calls on the Saturday before transfers to extend leadership assignments.  What was so surprising was the fact that he had called so early in the morning.  The suspense and suspicion grew with every second we awaited for his phone call.

Within two minutes the phone was wailing its ringtone to alert us that President was returning our SMS.  We immediately answered, putting him on speaker phone.  After exchanging greetings, President cut to the chase: "Elder Benson, we have full confidence in your next assignment.  We'd like to call you as our next Assistant."

......

I don't remember much of what he said after that.  Maybe I blacked out, or maybe I was hit my a soccer ball to the head, or maybe I just wandered into my own little world for a few seconds.  Eventually I came to and had enough time to say goodbye to President Leavitt before the call ended.

Flash forward to the present:  I'm sitting in an office chair in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission Office, first day on the job, preparing for transfers tomorrow.  Luckily we had the chance to play some epic games of ping pong with the departing elders at the mission home, then we zipped back to the Mission office to make final preparations for take-off.

The amazing feeling over the past weekend since that fateful phone call is peace, the emotion so sweet above any other that is helping me to keep me level and balanced.  I'm grateful for this support from my Father in Heaven, though I'm not completely sure why He'd select me to fill this responsibility.  But it's no surprise to me, seeing what he's done in the past.

The Lord has blessed me with a plethora of ninety degree curve balls such as this throughout the course of my mission.  When He first pitched them my way, I was completely caught unawares to these surprises.  The first wave of these surprise curve balls were first followed by worry or stress.  However, I'm come to love the Lord for giving me these unexpected events in the space of my eighteen months as a missionary, because, with all of the curve balls he's thrown my way, I've been able to handle them better and better, no doubt that He was preparing me for more to come.

If anyone reading has had experience as an Assistant to the President, I'd love any advice or comments to help me prepare for this assignment that might carry me through to the end of my missionary experience.

Thank you all for your support up to this point in my mission!  I feel of your prayers on the daily.  God bless you all!

My new companion, Elder Zitumane!

The view from the Cumorah Crest aka the mission home:

My first official assignment as an AP:

Breaking News!!

Duo demonic creatures have been discovered by Elder Benson this week in Protea Glen:

1. A demonic, flying snake without wings, inviting darkness into whatever corner it possesses.  It lurks in the marshes and reeds of the Glen.  To tame the wild and unpredictable beast, a local sect has taken it upon themselves to worship this unknown reptile to save the people of Soweto from it's fury.

2. A chicken.  But not just any chicken, a black-skinned chicken!  Wherever you find it, in the markets or in the streets, run!  This all-seeing creature is at the employment of the local witch-doctors as spies, snooping about to uncover any secret information that may be useful to their plots.  Beware of the chicken!

(No worries, the snake is just a local myth and the chicken's still as stupid as ever.)

.....

Now, back to reality.

What an amazing week here in Protea Glen!  I wish I had photos to share about all the travels of this week.  I can share, with all the humility in the world, that I am current UNO champion in all of Soweto (with Elder Mkhize running up second).  Quite an accomplishment, I know, especially seeing that the tournament this weekend consisted of two elders and five investigators, a total of seven people!

Putting aside my title and my glory, having an UNO tournament with all of the investigators in Ext. 3 of Protea is super fun!  It provides us with the opportunity to come to know who these people are.  A mystery that I can never fully appreciate is the process wherein one comes to see behind the mask of a face and peer into the incredibly unique and intricate personality.  And how awesome it is to see these people of whom I've come to understand begin the process of conversion.

One of these amazing people that I've had the privilege of coming to know is a girl named Khabonina.  She may be seventeen years old, but she's one of the most matured girls for her age.  She's truly allowed the  trials in her life to uplift her and mold her into what her Heavenly Father needs her to be.

Back story: we first met her as we were teaching her mother, Nono, and her sisters, Khanyisile and Buitumelo.  Khabonina joined us for the lesson and afterwards agreed to have another appointment later in the week.  It turns out that she was quite hesitant to follow through, due to the fact that her mother has introduced her to so many other churches.  But as we've all witnessed, she's blossomed from a indifferent investigator to a converted daughter of God.  She's even introduced her friends to the gospel, who all have so far accepted the invitation to be baptized.  What made the difference in Khabo's conversion?  Was is the elders?  Was it the amazing UNO skills of Elder Benson?

I'll share with all the secret of this conversion: in the bag of every LDS missionary, there lies a book.  This piece of literature is comparable to the Bible, yet uncovers a secret of millennia Printed on the blue cover, in golden writing, announces to the world: The Book of Mormon.  It is a free, and everlasting witness to the world of Jesus Christ, and will draw you closer to God than any person, preacher, or book could ever do.  All you have to do to unlock this amazing promise to your benefit is to open the book, read it, and ask God in the name of Jesus Christ if it His word.  If you can so do, with real intent and faith unshaken, God will reveal the answer to you by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Khabonina has applied this amazing promise.  And in her own words, "You may feel like you will only read a chapter, or just read for ten minutes.  But you will keep reading and reading until two or three hours pass away."  I am a witness of her words, as are millions of Latter-Day Saints around the world.  Because Khabonina has received this witness, she is entering into the waters of baptism, to commence her journey towards eternal life, on April 16th.

You may be a member of this church.  You may not be.  But all need a restoration of these eternal truths for themselves at one point or another.  And the only way you may gain of these hidden treasures of eternity is to read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon, with real intent and faith unshaken.

.....

Missionary Thought

"Now, as a missionary, you'll mature, develop a confidence, learn to speak up, to organize, to set goals.  You will learn about people and places, you will learn to learn, and many other things.  These are lasting benefits that come as something of a reward for your dedicated service.

"But these things do not compare with the most lasting reward.  The choicest pearl, the one of great price, is to learn at a young age how one is guided by the Spirit of the Lord- a supernal gift.  Indeed, it is a guide and protection."

-Spencer W. Kimball

The Mind-Boggling Key to Success

Hebrews 13:20-21

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

First, God can make us perfect in e-v-e-r-y good work to do His will.

Take a minute to think about that.  The ultimate, all-powerful, supreme ruler of the Universe wants us to be his right-hand men/women, doing what He desires, which is ultimate, all-powerful, and supreme.  But wait, that's not all!  He can make us not only powerful but perfect in doing every single good work on this journey of discipleship. To help us in His great and marvelous work, not only does He send us the most perfect manual of instructions (the scriptures, words of the living prophets, etc.), but ...

Second: ...he promises that He can literally work in us to do what is well pleasing in His sight, which, again, is ultimate, all-powerful, and supreme.

My mind is cramping from even the idea of a God working through me, a foolish, immature, imperfect creature, to do His job!  How can this be?  How is it even possible?  The only way that it can be done is ...

Three ...through Jesus Christ!  The scriptures repeat over and over again that only through His name is salvation given. Likewise, the only way we can become perfect ministers of God our Father is through the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us.

What an interesting concept:  The Immortal Son of God took upon Himself all our sufferings and sins and challenges, perfectly paid the price for them, and thus allowed us the opportunity to one day become perfect as He is and allowed our Heavenly Father the opportunity to work through us to do his bidding perfectly as a minister and representative of His Son.  I cannot offer a single phrase worthy of expressing the joy I feel.  Not only does the Atonement help me overcome my weaknesses as a servant of Christ, but it allows me to become a perfect servant of Christ.  What a promise!

Now, we can't just puff our chests out and claim to have the power of God to be with us, making us the unstoppable force for good, because of the promises from our God.  Let's read Jeremiah's words on the matter:

Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you.  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Bingo:  God wants us to be self-reliant in becoming His minister.  As we search and pray with all our heart to be perfect even as He is, we will find Him, and He will hearken unto us as we become aligned in His will through the Atonement of Christ Jesus.

Ultimate, All-powerful, and Supreme.

As I come to the final quarter of my mission, my goal is to test these marvelous promises, to fulfill them, and experience the joy of them.

I love you all!

Elder Benson

I Have Become a Fool

Sanibonani abangami bami!

(Hello my friends!)

Yo!  Seven months to go!  Eish!  Five transfers left!  Aaaiii man, I can't leave SA!!  I didn't think they were serious when they said that the last year of your missionary service passes away in a heartbeat.  The time is flying past us here in Soweto!  We had ten investigators turn up to church this week (most of which were women! #girlpower), four new investigators, and two frowing faces as Elder Blow is leaving Protea Glen!  Shame kakhulu!  I'm nonetheless super excited to have Elder Mkize (South African) as my new companion!

I've decided to try out song writing in the past few weeks.  I made a really nice song about growing a beard and fighting a bear (which had a solid two lines... wahoo), but I've decided to stick to writing about missionary work.  There's a fun arrangement under way, which will hopefully be coming your way.

At the beginning of last transfer, for those of you who haven't heard, I was coming out of what was the worst part of my mission, with parasites and hardship and death, and I can honestly say I'm doing great!  I'm nearly back to my normal self, besides the fact that I've become a fool!  Elder Blow can testify of the crazy companion that I am, but I'm talking about a different crazy here.

I'll just share it from Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-11), taking away the numbers to help it make a bit more sense.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me,"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I have become a fool in glorying;"

Normally I wouldn't praise an apostle of the Lord for admitting that he's foolish, but Paul absolutely nailed it!  For no other reason does it make so much an impact than a few short words, namely "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

I'm not advertising an absolute binge of two dozen donuts to become a lean, mean body-builder (although that is my dream), neither am I suggesting that we should focus on enhancing our weaknesses to become perfect beings, but I am suggesting that we all become fools in Christ!  If there's anything to gloryify and take pleasure in, it is in the Atonement of Jesus Christ!  Christ is so eager to help us, more so than we could comprehend.  If we but turn to him in weakness, then in HIm will we be made strong.

Even further it testifies in Ether 12:26-27:

"... The Lord spake unto me, saying, Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek that they shall take no advantage over your weakness;  and if men come unto me I will show them their weakness.

I give unto me weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things be strong unto them."

Now let's remember that Christ does not want to do all the work for us.  Like it says in 2 Nephi 25:26,"...We know that it is by grace we are saved, after all we can do."  Building our spiritual self-reliance is crucial in our journey towards acquiring the strength the Lord promises us.  It may be a gradual process, but it doesn't need to be an unhappy process!  I remember taking a road trip up to northern Canada with my Father.  The total driving time was over 48 hours (if I remember correctly... maybe all the driving fried my brain.), which would seem a daunting task.  But, in the words of Will Smith,"The first step is you have to say that you can."  We packed our food, downloaded our favorite comedy tracks, and started on the long road to Calgary, Canada.

Throughout the whole journey, we sang, we joked, we slept (not while driving), and we enjoyed to the end of our journey.  It didn't seem like an eternity, but seemed to be like any other normal two days in my life (besides experiencing a pretty sore behind).  Relating to our journey in life towards discipleship, we need to not only endure to the end, but enjoy to the end!  The resources to help us are endless: families, FOOD, friends, the list could go on for ages.  Don't be surprised if you hit some low points, even rock bottom in this conquest.  Because sometimes God allows you to hit rock bottom for you to realize that He is that rock, and that He hath truly descended below us all so we can be lifted up.

To conclude, become a fool in Christ.  Be perfected in Him as you enjoy to the end, eat food, and become the morally-strong person your Father in Heaven expects you to be.

I wish you all a blessed week, filled with the love and support of the Savior, surrounded by those you love and the food you love.  Salani kahle!

-Elder Benson 'Mhlongo'

Soweto District Meeting

Soweto District Meeting: Elder Allen, Elder Blow, Elder Benson, Elder Jorgensen, Elder Andrews, Elder 'Ahome'e, and Sister Dunn