Ciao tutti!!!! Come state??? Sono in Italia!!!!! It was a long time coming in the MTC, but I'm finally here! And it's amazing! I have been assigned to the city of Bologna and my companion is Sorella Mitchell. We live with another companionship, the STLs of our zone. And they're great too. Bologna is amazing. It's a big city just full of young university students, which is awesome. It's so diverse; just a big melting pot of people. You can hop on a bus and hear a bunch of different languages - Italian, English, African, Spanish, Tagalog, Syrian, Arabic... I've heard it all. We carry Books of Mormon in all different languages with us all the time. And my trainer is amazing. She actually just got done training, so she actually can't really speak Italian... My speaking skills are better than hers at this point haha which is interesting. But we are working on it! Bless her heart, she's the best. But her comprehension is so good! So it works! I can comprehend some, but I've only been here a week, so there's still a lot that I don't understand yet. So sometimes, she will translate for me and then I will respond to a person if I can't understand what they said. Hahahaha it's kinda funny but it works! Our weaknesses are the other person's strengths! And we are both still trying to figure out this missionary thing together, which is a fun time haha. This is also gonna probably be kind of a long email because this week was full, but so much happened!
So I arrived in Italy on Wednesday, and we went to the Duomo and did some finding on the metro and outside the Duomo. I gave out a Book of Mormon, which was absolutely terrifying. But cool. I don't remember that much about the first day because I was so exhausted after so much travelling, but I just remember being overwhelmed and terrified, so that's cool haha. Then we split up and went to our respective cities. The day I got there, we had English class, and I got to meet our 2 investigators, Anna and Margherita. They are 2 Italian sisters, 17 and 20. They are the best! And so prepared! Honestly, the only thing holding them back from baptism is themselves. They are just perfectionists and think they need to be perfect people. I had my first lesson with them Monday night, and it was an awesome lesson! Anna really had a breakthrough moment where we just let the Spirit work on her, and I think it finally clicked for her that she doesn't need to be perfect to be baptized! Just trying! She was sharing a concern, and I shared 2 Nefi 28:30 with her. She read it, and I could see her thinking. So my teacher in the MTC told me that Italians will like stumble over their words and stutter a lot before they have a possible breakthrough moment, and she totally started doing that and like mumbling and making weird noises. And we just sat there for like a whole minute waiting, and finally the right words came out. And it was awesome! Lol Fratello Harbin was so right. So they are praying about a baptism date, and we are gonna set one when we meet next Monday! So hopefully they want it to happen before I leave here haha because they are still a little hesitant. We'll see. I am hopeful for them.
Another cool story! The day after I got here, I went to the post office to mail my permesso application, which is basically a permission to stay in the country for an extended period of time. And I was supposed to bring my passport, but I forgot it. And I felt like such a stoop! I was totally beating myself up because we had waited for half an hour, and the post office was closing so we couldn't go back. I just felt so guilty for wasting that time. But we went back the next day, and a crazy miracle happened! Our post office helper person (I don't know the word in English) was interested in the Gospel! So I gave him a Libro di Mormon and we exchanged numbers! And we have our first appointment with him tomorrow! The Lord works in amazing ways! It was such a cool experience to have that happen on my second day, and I did it all on my own!
Now for the gross story, because there always is one. So I bet most of you don't know that I'm actually serving in Africa.... Jk but basically I am. There are so many Africans in Italy, especially in Bologna. So we teach a lot of Africans, and we have to eat their food. Friday night, my first dinner appointment, I had to eat banku (I have no clue how to spell it). Banku is an African meal that they think that we love for some reason...? But every swallow I think I might vomit. And I say swallow because you're not supposed to chew it. It's basically a ball of raw dough that you dip in spicy soup and then straight up swallow. And every time I swallow, it hits my gag reflex and I think I'm gonna be a goner. And they make me eat it all... So the first time I had this was at Friday's house.. Yes his name is Friday. And we go there every Friday lol. Ma comunque. So the next day I had to eat Banku AGAIN with Bunmi, Ohale, and Clinton. Not only banku, but also intestines. When asked what this was I was told: "The sack that holds the poo. Eat it now." So yes, I ate it. It didn't taste terrible, but it was really tough. We couldn't tear it. Bunmi says our "teeth are not strong." Oh well, what can you do. So yeah, I wanted to throw up basically but I was too scared of what would happen if I did that....
Now that I've totally skeeved you out... Sorry, but at least y'all didn't have to eat it! I wish I could write everything that happened, because so much did this week, but that would take ages and I've already written so much, so I can only give the highlights. The work is kind of difficult with Italians, at least. The Africans are amazing, but Italian people usually don't have an interest. We just have to keep talking to everyone so we can find the people that God has prepared to hear the Gospel! But we found 3 new potentials this week! And are finally starting to get into some Italian homes, so we are excited about that. Sorella Mitchell and I both have that newbie fire in us, so we are always so pumped and making good goals. It's gonna be an amazing transfer. My district is amazing. My zone is lovely. And Italian food is amazing. I love it. Keep working hard at home and enjoying this Christmas season! Go look at the Church's initiative to #LightTheWorld. There's something that we can do every day to give service this Christmas, and there are some great ideas in that program. Have a great week everyone. Vi voglio bene! Ciao!
Sorella Henderson
Pic 1: arriving with all my bags!! Woooohoooo
Pic 2: outside the Duomo in Milan!
Pic 3: first meal in Italy!
Pic 4: formaggio!!
Pic 5: cioccolato!!!!!!
Pic 6: Sorella Blanford and I pretending to be statues lol
Pic 7: the cutest little market in Ferrara
I wish had the photos of all the nasty food I ate but people keep forgetting to send them to me lol maybe another week
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