Farewell to the Benns

Elder Kenrick and Sister Rose Benn will complete their mission on June 27, but as the first Guyanese couple to serve as senior missionaries in their native land, their return home will not require airfare or hours of travel. 

The retired police officer and his companion consider theirs a rather eclectic mission – serving first in the mission office in what Elder Benn describes as “total immersion in office work!”  When another couple arrived to assume their responsibilities in the office, the Benns moved to Linden as member and leader support missionaries followed by several months in that same assignment in Berbice.  The last six months of their mission found them back in the mission office.  Along the way, he served as a branch president and finished his mission as President of the Georgetown Guyana District!  “Even now, after more than a year in the office, we are still struggling to understand some of the Church internet systems, including iMOS,” states Elder Benn with his characteristic big laugh!
 

Aside from office work, Elder and Sister Benn found the most challenging part of their mission “was making members understand the doctrine and what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about – that things are done differently than in other churches.  We worked hard to make them understand basic principles including the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity.  We had some interesting discussions helping members understand why they had to get married when they had been living together for a number of years and had parented several children.”
 

Interacting with the young missionaries has been both fun and interesting, say the Benns.  “We have heard hilarious stories relating to lost cell phones or the ones which were baptized by accident then 'put into a microwave oven to dry' . . . how car accidents occurred and the reasons why apartments need repairs done!  We have also heard about some creative foods these young people have prepared.”
 

Their advise to couples considering a fulltime mission together:  "insure you and your companion are in agreement with what you want to do.  If not, take more time and invite the Lord to help because you will be together twenty-fours a day. That is tough!"

The Benns have plans to take a much-deserved holiday after they are released.  Sister Benn will spend some time helping her elderly mother. They also have plans to serve again!  “We are willing to serve the Lord in any way we are asked and have enjoyed our service to the Church in Guyana, but both of us look forward to serving a ‘real’ mission where we have the opportunity to bring souls to Christ.”
 

This amazing couple has huge shoes to fill!  They will be missed tremendously!