Benson Scholarships

As a part of humanitarian efforts, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints provides full scholarships to members looking to work within specific areas of agriculture. Named after our prophet Ezra Taft Benson, Benson Scholarships are helping countries improve living and health conditions across the world.

Currently, Cabo Verde and Portugal are the two countries, in our area. These scholarships help students obtain college degrees related to agriculture, animal sciences, nutrition, food technology, agronomy, and horticulture.

These educational programs in agriculture are designed to help encourage local students learn new skills for themselves and, ultimately, help improve their country’s economy overall. The few countries who participate are greatly benefited by increased use of their land and natural resources. Agriculture is the backbone of local economies in Cabo Verde and Portugal.

In Europe North Area, there are 828 students enrolled, attending, or completing required courses over the past few years. Of this number, 71% graduated with college degrees and although some drop out, 93% are employed in the industry which is the main objective of the scholarship program. Funds are donated by Church members and some students pay back their loan. Of the 828 scholarships, 224 students have completely paid off their loan allowing for a continuing cycle of education.

Throughout the world, the Church has funded and focused their humanitarian initiatives on instilling self-reliance principals to their beneficiaries. Benson scholarships are a great example how to show Christ-like love and teach self-reliance that brings dignity to God’s children everywhere. I have found people who prefer to lift themselves out of poverty rather than to have others provide for them. Fulfilling personal integrity develops confidence that allows the individual to now turn and help lift others in similar situations.

This is why I love humanitarian work.

 

Addiction Recovery Organization Visit

This past week we traveled to Lithuania to develop several humanitarian projects. One of our unplanned appointments was at addiction recovery house for those struggling with drugs and alcohol. Greg and I were so impressed to hear about the resident’s struggles, their triumphs, and their long battle to overcome and stay drug free.

Our translator, Skiste (Sky sta) regularly goes to the local food bank, and during one of these visits she happened to meet the director of the addiction recovery house. Skiste mentioned that we, as humanitarian missionaries were soon visiting the city. This director asked if we could somehow visit their recovery house and Skiste stated she hopefully could make a visit. 

After leaving one appointment, a phone call was made and soon we arrived at a large ranch home in a rural area outside Siauliai (Shoo lay). They greeted us near the door and escorted us into a large open room where we sat on long couches. In a short time, all the people joined and sat down with us. A lady came and sat next to us and was introduced as Dorothy, the director of the organization. Skiste needed to translate for us.

Dorothy told us about her journey to sobriety. In some of her darkest years she felt a desire to become a social worker but wasn’t sure it was possible because she was addicted for 15 years and carried a criminal record. She learned through experience that “Jesus Christ gives the freedom and courage to overcome”. Over time, she slowly moved toward a life of sobriety and her education. Last summer, she successfully completed her social worker degree and together with her husband opened the addiction recovery center, using her own money.

It didn’t take long before nine people who were struggling with addictions found their path to her front door. Dorothy believes this Christian Focus recovery home is the first and only one in Lithuania. It is not operated by therapists or psychologists but through the occupants of the home supporting each other. The house runs off principles of God’s love, support, grace, and forgiveness.

Greg and I witnessed much caring and support from each resident as they voiced their struggles living in “absolute darkness with no desire to live”. They felt “hopeless and abandoned” by everyone until they came to live in this loving facility where Christian values are demonstrated and taught. The focus at the center is faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible, and supporting one another.

With tears flowing, one resident shared her story of years of horrible drug addiction. Out of desperation she looked into the sky and pleads, “God, if you are there - save me”. Months later she found Jesus in her life and a road to recovery. She now states “I understand the Lord is trustworthy and answers our prayers, He cares about everyone who walks in the dark”. Another shared how he attempted suicide and didn't want to live, he had a noose tied around his neck and gave up hope for life. Now he’s grateful to be alive, and believes Jesus loves him.

Another person stated that this home has allowed them to think about Jesus Christ as they have daily scripture study, spiritual music and religious television to help. It is a non-denominational Christian home but everyone understands it is God who is the only way to overcome drugs and alcohol. 

We believe it take both faith and courage when we allow God to prevail in our lives. It takes persistence and rigorous spiritual work to repent that makes for mighty changes upon us. We truly feel we were brought to this organization for a reason, that the Lord wants us to help this home, in some way.

We know all people on earth are children of God, including everyone who walks in darkness. Our hearts felt joyful as they are breaking the cycle of addiction in their lives and desiring a better life.

Seven More Projects Approved in February

In our role as Humanitarian Specialists, we receive project proposals from the Europe North Area. In February we received projects from Portugal, United Kingdom, Finland, and Cabo Verde. We review them and make sure they are fully completed. Next, we create a Power-point for the Area President to review and hopefully approve. 

If approved, projects are followed with a letter of donation and a plan for accomplishing the objectives outlined in the project. Here is a summary of projects approved in February 2023:

1. The Red Cross provides Medical Alert Bracelets for elderly people living alone. They asked the Church to help buy a large amount for those who are destitute and unable to pay for them. Once alerted, the Red Cross provides immediate assistance in urgent medical situations.

2. Baby starter kits that include essential baby equipment, cribs, baby clothes for Ukraine refugee Mothers giving birth without needed supplies.

3. A self-paced entrepreneur program for former inmates that includes a business course and low-cost starter kits, like Street Vendor, House Painting supplies, car hand wash. Hoping to help them become self-reliant.

4. Funds to supplement nutritious food for a Food Bank feeding over 3000+ individuals weekly. The Church will also provide volunteers weekly to help where needed. High inflation causing many to seek help including mothers with children, refugees, elderly, and even students.

5. Automotive and Building Power Tools are donated along with Skills Instructors to teach the use. The Church will also donate Building materials to repair a dilapidated building inside a prison. This will expand career development courses offered inside the prison so when they get released they become employed.

6. Appliances and sewing machines and materials to continue culinary and sewing classes for single mothers leaving abusive partners.

7. Emergency food relief kits for very low income families facing record levels of food insecurity.

Letter to Our Friends

It has already been three months since we left to serve in the Baltic Mission. Overall, we love our new life and responsibilities here in Latvia. Our time at the MTC has replaced anxiety and worry with optimism and assurance. Our missionary work is the best of all possibilities as retired individuals. The Lord provides healing, smoothing, and confidence for those recently called as missionaries. We see this transformation in the young missionaries too.

We have been busy learning, observing and performing to best fulfill our mission duties. We are blessed with much to do, as we like it this way. We live less than 200 miles from the Russian border. About one third of Latvia is ethnic Russians and a growing population of Ukrainian refugees. The older population speaks only their native language and waves you away but there are many who speak English, and we love that. We have not found ourselves in a situation where someone nearby cannot help communicate with us. Almost all the rising generation speaks some level of English. And many very well. What a blessing!

One of our responsibilities is to find humanitarian projects. This sometimes requires travel to another country. So far, we have had the pleasure to visit non-profit organizations in all three Baltic countries and Finland. Travel within the European Union is so easy; it's like driving into a neighboring state back home. We love to travel, so we are happy. This part of the world is so beautiful and picturesque.

We have the opportunity to be aware of all the humanitarian efforts going on in Ukraine and Moldova. We report the Church is helping in huge ways. The amount of money that is spent on relief efforts is enormous. We wonder how the Church can afford such funding and we remember the miracle of the "loaves and fishes" in the Savior's day. We love knowing the Lord is aware of each of us individually and wants to comfort our sorrows through the efforts of others. If you feel inclined to help with humanitarian relief, donate to the Humanitarian Fund through the Church - every single dollar goes directly to relief aid around the world. This, I am sure.

There are several ongoing humanitarian projects here. We are diligently working to develop projects in the Baltic Mission. Yesterday, we visited a Ukraine Help Center here in Riga. Locals donate gently used items for Ukrainian refugees to select clothing, baby items, and household goods for themselves. Hygiene items are rationed. The large warehouse is helping on both sides of the Ukraine border. Loaded trucks deliver much need items to the border and return with refugees seeking to come to Riga. In one corner of the warehouse, volunteers make "trench candles" which are sent to Ukraine for light, warmth, and heat to cook food for those left without power. We spoke to the branch president about service project involving hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste/ brushes, diapers, and other personal item. A collection drive is being planned.

We are impressed by the young missionaries here. We are surrounded by valiant young men and women prepared to serve this very mission. One such missionary is Elder Artem Petryakov. Early last year, as a young seventeen year old, he was living in Kiev, the Russians started bombing his city. It was a terrifying and frightful experience for everyone. His whole country was under attack. His father and mother moved their family to Riga where they would be safe. While in Latvia, a leader asked Artem about his future plans. He didn't know and hadn't put much thought into it. The leader understood that his future could be involved in the military of Ukraine. He asked Artem if he wanted to serve the army of his country or be part of the army of God. Artem thought about this and knew what he must do. He was set apart as a full-time missionary on his 18th birthday assigned to labor in the Baltic Mission. With no MTC training, he serves the Russian speaking people here in Riga. 

On Sundays, we attend the Russian branch and this Elder translates Russian into English. We are so appreciative of his gift. He is an inspiration to us and everyone. We admire his ability to forgive the Russians who invaded his country and killed many people he knows. Regardless of his circumstances, and with the healing power of the Atonement he continues to teach Russian speaking people the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is one of our most effective and productive missionaries.

The Spirit of the Lord guides us and helps us find joy and peace in small ways. Everyday we pinch ourselves to see if we are dreaming. We have a greater appreciation for amazing people who, like us, want to fulfill a life of purpose and service. We learn new cultures and find different ways of doing everyday things like air drying clothes on a drying rack. We experiment with unfamiliar food and find new favorite flavors like sauerkraut and pork. We see beautiful buildings and amazing landscapes. Our eyes are opened to new understanding involving past and current history and the impact it has on tens of thousands of people; refugees crossing the border with just the clothes on their backs. We're getting pretty good at surviving without a vehicle and appreciate the challenge of arriving using public transit, the walk does us good. We worship with members halfway around the globe and testify the gospel is the same here as it is back home. We are saving money left and right as the food prices are much lower than they are back home. Yesterday, I bought 10 eggs for two Euros. We also save on fuel prices, car insurance and auto repair. We are delighted and thrilled that the Lord assigned us to the Baltic Mission. We couldn't have picked a better place ourselves.

Although, the Baltic Mission has only branches and districts. We fit right in and feel at home. We feel love from many members. Our meeting house is the size of a small temple and owned by the Church. The chapel is on the second floor and has large window panes that overlook a beautiful deciduous tree and busy street below. We sit on long padded pews. Green hymnals are available in Russian and Latvian, but we open our Gospel Library and sing in English. From our short time here, we have observed the member's convictions to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as powerful as anywhere in the world. Our desire is that we may be an instrument in the Lord's hands and to set a righteous desire for all to follow.