2...4...6...0...1!

Who am I? Can I conceal myself forever more? Pretend I'm not the man I was before...

And must my name until I die be no more than an alibi? Must I lie? How can I ever face my fellow man? How can I ever face myself again? My soul belongs to God I know I made that bargain long ago! He gave me hope when hope was gone. He gave me strength to journey on. Who am I? Who am I? I'm Elder Gideon Benge. The same one that left for Tacoma Washington in October of 2015. Only not completely the same. I have learned and changed quite a bit, but I am essentially the same one that left on my mission. In fact, I think for the most part I am the same Gideon Benge that chose to come to this Earth and follow Heavenly Father's plan of happiness many many years ago.

Anywhickle, this week was absolutely awesome. We found a new investigator named Emory and it was such a tender mercy. We (Elder Budge and I) had the car at night. We wanted to save miles. We wanted to go inspire some members, but we wanted to do one close by to save miles. We were discussing who to go see, and one family kept coming up even though they are very old. Finally, we decided to go see this family because we kept thinking of them, even though we both didn't think they would have much potential. When we got there, they were surprised to see us, but they let us in. As we conversed with them, a young man in his lower teens walked in and started listening. We both felt prompted to direct our message at him, and we testified of prayer. I could tell he wanted to ask something, so we asked if anyone had any questions. He remained silent. We then said a closing prayer and after the prayer he spoke up. His voice was quiet and hesitant, and you could tell he was almost ashamed to ask.

"How can I know that there is a God?"

Wow what a wonderful question, and what boldness. We both knew that Satan was doing the best to keep him from asking. Ask, and ye shall receive. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Immediately after he asked, a scripture popped into my head. I shared with him Alma 22, and shared with him my testimony, and how I also had to come to find out for myself.

Elder Budge added his testimony to mine, and the Spirit strongly confirmed both of our witnesses. We encouraged him to read and to ask God. Apparently, Emory is the unbaptized grandson of the members we went to go visit. He and his less active father had moved in with them that week. 

He said he would read and pray, and also said he was interested in baptism. What an amazing experience. The Spirit is the single most important element in this work. We also put Cameron (another unbaptized child we found earlier) on date this week. We also found a way cool Guatemalan named Pablo this week and put him on date to be baptized. He is way solid. (I actually spoke Spanish to him, too! 3 words!)

I love my mission so much.

Ask, and ye shall receive. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

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Elder Benge