Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Dear Elder Goddard,
We are pleased that you have accepted the call to serve in the Benin Cotonou Mission and look forward to getting to know you and serving together.
As you prepare to serve, we would like you to prepare for the following:
-You need to learn how to wash clothes by hand - a hand washing plunger is very helpful - this cannot be bought locally. You need to be comfortable doing your own mending and ironing.
-Familiarize yourself with simple, easy recipes which do not require difficult-to-find ingredients. Educate yourself regarding basic nutrition and the essentials of a balanced diet. Foods available are such things as rice, pasta, couscous, oats, yams, potatoes, chicken, fish, onion, garlic, courgettes, (small zucchini like vegetables), eggplant, avocado, hot pepper, pineapples, oranges, mango, papaya, banana, plantain to name a few. Learn to wash dishes by hand.
-You need to drink at least 3 liters of water per day, (more in the hot season) and are discouraged from drinking lots of sodas. You need to get into the habit of being well hydrated so that you don't become sick and constipated. Temperatures generally average 28-32 with a heat index in the 40's.
-We recommend that you bring a small solar flashlight or lamp as power cuts are common, especially in Benin.
-You will be outside in the sun for long periods of time, a hat, sunglasses, and sun cream are vital.
-Anti-mosquito cream is a must as you will often be outside in the dusk or darkness.
-The Mission will provide you with 1 set of sheets, pillow case, pillow and mosquito net. It will be your responsibility to clean and care for them and take them with you when you are transferred.
-You will need an umbrella, light rain coat, and rubber boats for the rainy season from June-October. These can be bought locally. You will need to bring the funds or have funds on a card that you can use.
-A micro fiber towel is recommended - this cannot be bought locally.
-Learn to regularly clean and dust your environment.
-Leave at home several passport pictures, a digital copy of your passport and both sides of your driver's license (ie saved on a computer or USB etc.). It's a good idea to leave these in case of unforeseen events - like you lose your passport but there may also be a need for you to obtain an International Driver's License. They are only valid for one year and can only be applied for in your home country. You will most likely not drive in the first year of your mission so if you can leave all the things necessary to obtain one, your parents could apply for one and send it to you. There are only a few cars in the mission, but you may have the opportunity to drive depending on assignments.
-Please continue to read the Book of Mormon daily, study Preach My Gospel and attend missionary preparation classes in your ward or stake.
-White shirts - iron free is not as important as mostly cotton so that your shirts stay white, there's no dryers here so you iron anyway.
We want you to have a great time as you serve, if you are prepared and adapt quickly, you will come to love serving in the Benin Cotonou Mission. Serving in West Africa can be tough physically, but the sacrifice is more than compensated for by the wonderful people you will meet and the spiritual experiences you will have. The Lord will bless you with greater strength and energy as you do your best to serve Him and the people you meet here.
We love the Lord, His missionaries and the people living in Benin and Togo. We are excited to serve with you and to build this part of the Lord's vineyard together. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
With much anticipation and love,
President and Soeur Goury
*(As you can imagine when we got this email we were a little taken a back! It actually was almost comical to read. Haha!)*
