Semana 52 in 9 de Octubre (January 19th, 2015)

So first of all, want to send my condolences home and to everyone in the green bay-appleton area...I am so devastated you guys. But it's okay, at least I'll be home for the Superbowl next year!!!

Anyway, cambios happened and I have a new companion! Her name is Hermana Hernandez and she's awesome. We seriously get along great. The weird thing though is that this is her second time serving here in the area of 9 de Octubre II....so hey, we're both starting our third transfer here in the area and it's an added bonus that she already knows her way around!  It was sad shipping off Hermana Burrell to Pucallpa where she will spend her last transfer before going home in February.

On Tuesday Hermana Burrell caught her flight to Pucallpa and I had to wait for Hermana Hernandez to fly in from Tarapoto, so I got to be companions with my MTC companion and bestie Hermana Talbert!!! It was a dream come true. Also it reminded me of how we were in the CCM and how excited we were to get out and serve and obey every single tiny little rule. It helped me to set some goals and raise the bar a little bit higher, that is one thing I love about Hermana Talbert, we always end up helping eachother become and be a better person and missionary, that's a good friendship right there!

Really though, Hermana Hernandez is awesome, I was a little nervous at first about getting a new companion but we actually work together really well, she's super patient and we have some good laughs together.

Karen and Clara and Gilmar and Amy are super excited for the wedding and baptism this week, I'm a little stressed about it to be honest.  I'm super excited for these guys to become members I think off the bat they'll have callings in relief society because they are rock solid these hermanitas!

Anyway I just want to share my testimony of the power of prayer and personal scripture study.  I truly don't think there is anything else that can strengthen your personal conversion than these two things.  As the time passes I can see how much my knowledge and love for the scriptures has increased, and not only that but my testimony and conversion.  I am grateful to be here in Peru sharing the gospel every waking second of my life and I've kind of been thinking lately that, well, I don't really remember how to not be a missionary.  So like I already mentioned before, guess I'm never coming home! 

Love you all, make it a great week!

Hermana Benyo

Photos:

Companion day with Hermana Talbert! #motokarselfie

 Landscape shot in my area

Saying bye to Hna Burrell

Former Companions, hermana Lozano

Two chickens on a date 

 SERIOUSLY THIS CAT THO....you would NOT believe some of the things I have seen while proselyting in Iquitos

My favorite convert kiddos!

Guido and Betsis kids: Emily, Enith, Olgita and 'Hermana Leche'

 Scenic river in our area.... #savetherainforest

The 9 de Octubre monkey peed on me, Castigado.

Semana 51 in 9 de Octubre (January 12th, 2015)

I have very short time to write but here's a couple of Photos!

This week we had two work visits and were super busy with wedding papers.  I was lucky enough to go do a work visit with the sisters in Colinas, my old ward!!! Got to see some of my old converts and that was cool, here is a picture of me and little Angel, who we ran into in the street. He got baptized with his mom back in June and it was great to see him again! I love that area with all my heart. Also Saturday night my companion and I ran into my AWESOME converts Guido and Betsi. they were standing on the street in my area and saw us coming. I'm sad because they informed me that in february they are moving to a place 2 days up the amazon called requena (the church hasn't gotten there yet). I was really worried at first because they are super active and progressing toward the temple, but they assured me that they'll be coming back monthly to Iquitos to meet with Bishop, pay their tithings and progress to be able to be sealed as a family in December. They made me promise to come to their temple sealing in December....I told them that I would DREAM to do that, so I'm gonna be praying that someone donates me their lottery winnings!!! haha

I think they'll be okay and they told me that the kids said that they're gonna go on a mission when they grow up to be like 'Hermana Leche' hahahah.  I can't tell you how much love there is between this family and my old comp hna Centeno and I. I will never ever ever forget them, as they always say, they consider us family.

We had some complications with the wedding papers for Hna Karen so we're gonna be workin on that today.  Hope all is well with you guys and I'm SO STOKED about that crazy Packers win. SO NUTS!!! My comp is from texas though and a little less excited hehe.  

LOVE YOU ALL!!! 

Here's some photos too of Quistococha!!

Love,

Hermana Benyo

Semana 50 in 9 de Octubre (January 5th, 2015)

This week was amazing and full of miracles!

Karen and Clara and Karen-s kids Amy and Gilmar are doing awesome. The zone leaders are helping us out with the marriage papers, so that helps us out a ton!

Weve also been able to find a few other awesome people this week who are super prepared, honestly we've been seeing some serious miracles here in 9 de Octubre!

Our pensionista had to drop us so we're eating now with the Bishop and his family, It's awesome I love them so much!

Yesterday for fast and testimony meeting our investigator Karen got up and told the congregation that a month earlier the only option that she had in her mind was to leave her husband.  She said that when she started listening to the discussions, her eyes were opened to her own weaknesses and that she didn't have to leave her husband, but rather needed to repent and change her own self. She brought the copy of the book of mormon up front and shared a scripture that she found when she was struggling, so she prayed and opened up to a scripture, chapter 30 of 3 Nephi. She received exactly what she needed, to know that she was the one who needed to repent, leave all of her sins behind, and be born again through baptism and repentance. She testified that she knows the church is true and she knows that God speaks to us through the Book of Mormon, and that now, a month later she is about to to marry the man she wanted to leave and be baptized. Her testimony was SO powerful, the whole ward was blown away and I almost cried. It was one of those, 'is this real life' moments that are so sweet and recurring in my mission. SO excited to see the continued progression of this family!

Hope you all have a great week!

Happy birthday to my baby sister Alyssa who turns 17 today!!! Also, tell Aunt Lily the package got here and that it made my life and I love everything she sent! That battery operated caribeaner fan is my new best friend and the kids here think that it's the coolest thing ever.

Love you guys!

Hermana Benyo

Semana 49 in 9 de Octubre (December 29th, 2014)

I can hear the bells!!

Wedding bells that is! Hermana Burrell and I are pretty excited about the miracles we've seen this week.  Although Hna Burrell was dying of Dengue all week, we passed our navidad pretty nicely here in Iquitos.  Saw all your pretty faces on skype and then we went to mama Rosalia's house in Punchana and they gave us presents. I got a skirt and a new headband! Love the shirts and necklace and everything you guys sent me too. Thank you Santa!!

So Hna Clara is still preparing for baptism, and I had mentioned her daughter Karen to you guys. She wasn't able to accept a baptismal date because her husband wanted nothing to do with us and wanted nothing to do wqith marriage either. Well, the Lord worked his magic like he always does and we are happy to announce that they will be getting married on the 26th of this month! And what more, her husband Nixson expressed his desires toi be baptized along with his wife, mother in law and two children. How sweet it is to teach marry and baptize full families! Starting the papers tomorrow, please keep this family in your prayers because when people styart to build their testimonies, thats when the Satan throws in the real challenges!

Anyways, sorry this letter is so short and sweet but know that my love for you is great and that the gospel is true and brings true everlasting peace!

Love,

Hermana Benyo

In Honor of the Big win against the Lions at Lambeau, Here's three cheeseheads coming at you from the Jungles of Peru! (the wisconsin  girl inside me was so excited when this guy picked us up!)