Sorella Bonzo: The Albino African

Ciao a tutti! Here's my update for the week.

Tuesday: some of our appointments fell through that morning so we
really felt like should go visit an older sister who lived in the area
that we were in. We went over without calling and she answered telling
us that she was very sick. Every morning this sister speed walks down
the beach at like 6 AM then goes to the cemetery where she says hello
to her late husband. That morning she was waking on the beach and
suddenly fainted. She woke up lying on the sand with 2 men trying to
help her up. Luckily there was a doctor nearby that they called over.
They wanted to take her to the hospital but she asked them to just
drive her home. Once she was home she threw up then laid down until we
arrived. We were able to help her out by making her a tisana and some
food (she never really eats so that's why she fainted.) I was so
grateful that we listened to the spirit that morning to be able to
help out this sweet sister who is all alone. She told us that she
prayed for help and knew that we were an answer to those prayers.

Wednesday morning we took a train to Taranto and spent most of the
Zone conference always seems to be exactly what I need. Every single
After the conference I got to do an exchange with Sorella Rhodes.
Yesterday we got to eat with our african friend Bob. He's from Gambia and made us some of thier traditional food- Cuscus with chicken and this spicy peanut butter sauce. He gave us forks because he didn't think we could do it like they eat it (with their hands) but we told him that we were all in. We removed our rings, put our hair up, and washed our hands the way they do. He told us that we looked like we were going to war. He told me that I eat just like the africans, he was really impressed haha. He said that I take my food seriously and because I can eat fast with my hands just like they do, it means that I am a responsible adult who can take care of children hahaha. So basically I'm known by his friends and him as the albino african.

week there for zone conference and exchanges. That night we did a
gesso asking people the question; "what happens after death?" I was
surprised at how many people not only had no idea how to respond, but
didn't care to know. They said things like, "I don't even know what
I'm doing in this life, how am I supposed to worry about what happens
after" "I prefer to not ask questions and see when I get there" and
"absolutely nothing." These poor people don't how any idea what is
waiting for them after death, and therefore don't know their purpose
in this life. It became so clear to me how the knowledge of the plan
of salvation affects every major decision that I take in life, and a
lot of the minor ones too. We were able to share the light and truth
of this plan with those who would listen and I just hope that those we
at least left those who wouldn't listen pondering about these
questions of the soul that we miraculously have the answers to.

one of my questions was answered and I even received answers to
problems and questions that I didn't realize that I had. I am so
grateful that the leaders of our mission are guided by the spirit in
everything that they do for us. Sorella Pickerd gave a beautiful
training about being anxiously engaged in this good cause without
having anxiety which was much needed. We learned to be joyful in doing
all that we can to bring forward this work and not worrying about the
things they we can't control. President Pickerd went over the
importance of being "all in." He helped us understand that when we
accepted this call, we accepted to go anywhere and do anything for to
serve the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs. He helped
us realize that rather than having one foot at home and one foot here,
it is much easier to be all in.

She's so cute and calm but works hard. We got to do teach the advanced
class of English group together. Their students are so cool we all
became instant friends. Apparently my English teaching skills has
gotten good over the year haha because they all were like "did you
study Latin? I like how you teach." There was one student who just
graduated in engineering and after he found out that I want to study
math he came up after and just started talking to me about calculus
hahaha it's been too long since I've studied that stuff... It was
super fun. The people in Taranto are so nice and friendly I love them!

Yesterday was the biggest holiday in Crotone since Christmas. It was La Festa della Madonna! (Mother Mary Day) The city is covered with lights so it looks like Disneyland and there are tons of mercatini (little stands of traditional candies and treats) everywhere. They've been having parades and a fair all week the celebrate then yesterday they went full-out for the final day. We took advantage of the loads of people on lungomare (the seaside) and did a gesso (we basically draw/write something on a sheet with chalk so that people will stop and talk to us.) I really under estimated this holiday because I'm pretty sure the entire city of Crotone was out there, it was packed! Then when it got dark they did a firework show right on the ocean. I was really grateful to see that because I'll miss my favorite American holiday again this year.

The gesso wasn't super successful because the amount of people made it a little chaotic, but the biggest success for me was when a man came up to me near the end and said, "hey! Do you remember me?" I had talked to him on 2 different occasions already. He seemed interested and the last time he said that he'd come to church, but he never did. We had a really good long talk where I was able to summarize the Restoration, expalin how the Plan of Salvation answers the questions of the soul, and we even talked about the spirit. He said something really cool. He told me that when he talks with me, he feels good, and he sees everyone around him in a loving way. But sadly, those feelings go away when he leaves. He said that after talking to us last time he had the intentions of coming to church, then the next morning he just didn't feel the same and didn't have that motivation to come. He asked me, why do I feel so good when I talk to you? I explained to him the fruits of the spirit, and how the spirit testifies of truth. I was able to testify of the truthfulness of our message and of his need for this gospel in his life. I was very bold with him which is something that I am striving to do because it doesn't come naturally for me. In the end I was able to help him schedule an appoinment to meet with the elders tonight. He said, "you convinced me." I was so grateful to be able to see the spirit working through me to convince this man of his need for the gospel in his life. I know that even in that crazy commotion going on around us, as I testified of truths and listened for what God would have me say, this man was able to feel of that spirit and see the fruits of those feelings.

Today we had a lot of fun! We went to Le Castella this morning. It's the castel in the middle of the ocean that I went to 2 transfers ago. We actually got to go in the castel this time and climb to the top of the tower. We didn't have tons of time though because they opened late and we had a bus to catch so we didn't see all of it, but that just means that we'll have to come back together to see it!

Then at we met an english course student at the bus station who took us to Capo Colona. There we were able to see this famous pillar that is the last standing of an entire temple structure and pithagorus' school also used to be there also. This pillar was built more than 500 years before Christ's birth. Nearby there's an old church that was constructed for that painting that they supposedly found of Mother Mary. Apparently there's this legend that these muslims stole one of the greek's ships and tried to burn this painting but it wouldn't burn. That's why they built the church and have this Mother Mary Holiday down here. The ocean was absolutely beautiful today, we were able to see it in both locations. It's getting warm here so the water is a beautiful deep blue.

Life is good here in Crotone. I love you guys! Have a great week!

Love,

Sorella Bonzo

Homemade focaccia (typical food in Puglia -region of Italy where Taranto is)