La mutation

Bonjour from Côte d’Iviore! This week was great! I’ve been really busy this week and today, so I’m sorry that I haven’t written very much. Everything is still wonderful here, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than serving the Lord. I’ve started to realize how much I love the people here. At first I was somewhat removed, mostly because my comprehension of French was very minimal at the start. The other day, I thought about all the members, amis de l’eglise, and missionaries here. I love each and every one of them, and having to say goodbye will be sad. Ça va aller for now though, because I get to stay here for 6 more weeks! La mutation (transfers) came on the 14th. Elder Kalala is now back home. He was the best companion that I could have possibly asked for. It was sad that he had to go, and I miss him, but life goes on. I’m happy that he can be with his family again. 

My new companion will be Elder Agbahounzo! He’s from Togo, which is way cool, I’ve never met anyone from Togo. I’m super excited to work with him, and I hope he’s excited too.

Now, I’ll explain a problem that I have. A problem with walking. Normally I can walk just fine, like any normal person. But sometimes, my brain subconsciously thinks, “Hey foot. I have a great idea. What if we don’t step on the sole, but we step on the side of the foot, doesn’t that sound great?” And my foot says, “Yeah sure, let’s try it.” Long story short, I’m walking normally, then all of a sudden, for some reason, I step on the side of my foot. I don’t know why it happens, because every time it does, I almost totally eat it. Thanks, brain.

Anyways.

One day, we ate lunch, then some amis de l’eglise made a huge platter of aloko with fish and pate for us to eat while out at sector. Then, we ate sauce graene with placali and gerri. Je vais grossir beaucoup. Ça va aller I guess.

On Mecredi, while at sector, my companions and I stopped at the Orange booth where Sr Cynthia works. While Elder Kal was talking with Sr Mesu and Sr Cynthia, a little girl about 2 years old walked up to me and stood at my feet, holding her arms up, as if she wanted me to hold her. I picked her up (don’t worry, her mom was there) and held her. She sat there for a while, just scrutinizing my face and white skin. She even poked my face a little, possibly making sure that I’m real. Then, instead of crying (as most kids her age do when they see me), she leaned her head against my neck, and kinda hugged me with her arms. It was the sweetest thing. It made me so happy. After a few more minutes of talking with les soeurs, we had to go. I set her down, and she started to cry! What was I supposed to do? We said goodbye, and walked away. As we were walking, I turned around to wave goodbye again, and the little girl was following me down the street! Eventually, we turned down into one of the concrete corridors, and I lost sight of her. Little kids are the sweetest things ever. Surprisingly, that was the first time that a kid had cried because of me leaving, not just me showing up. I’m not sure which is worse.

On Samedi, we had the service du baptême! Sr Laetitia and Sr Annick were our investigators from Vridi 1 (they’re sisters), and Fr Christian from Vridi 2. It went really well! The spirit was very strong the whole time. Fr Christian cried after he re-emerged from the water. He is such a cool guy and very spiritual. (Fr Daniel has met with the missionaries and attended church off and on for the past two or three years. Recently he was reading the Book of Mormon and felt he needed to be baptized to be able to partake of the Sacrament worthily) It was a huge blessing to do the baptism for them. One thing that I need to learn how to say in French is “plug your nose.”

Anyway, here’s my scripture for the week:

“And now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one I say unto all, be of good cheer, little children, for I am in your midst, and I have not forsaken you.” (D&C 61:36)

No matter what circumstances we are in, our Redeemer is always with us. Whether we recognize it or not, He is constantly influencing our lives for the better. He will never ever forsake us. Even when we feel sad, exhausted, hopeless, depressed, or lonely, He understands and is always there for us. When we call out for help, He always responds. I know that He lives. He loves us infinitely. He sacrificed Himself for us. The very least we can do to pay Him back is help spread His light and love with others. I hope that you are enjoying this season of giving, with Christmas just around the corner. I love you and miss you. Until next week.

- Elder Lyman

• People’s names are so long and difficult that at baptisms someone has to hold up a paper with all of the names of the person being baptized so the Elders can say it right. Elder Lyman’s first baptism had 5 long names. A first name, a last name and three middle names.

• Elder Kamara's new companion is from Tahiti and his name is Elder Tehiva. 

• When asked what the mom of the little girl Elder Lyman held did, Elder Lyman said, "She looked at me, and looked at her kid, and looked at me, and made the expression of "whatever, it's le blanc."

Elder David fried up some escargot. "It tasted like burnt"

 

 

• Elder Lyman writes details of days and events in his journal, but doesn't have enough time to include many details in group emails. 

• Elder David will stay in the area with his new companion Elder Ngundu, who is from Congo. There will now be six Elders in the apartment. And Elder Lyman will still be the only "Le Blanc" for miles.

• Decorating for Christmas doesn't happen where Elder Lyman is. The big malls have trees, but individuals and families don't decorate. Maybe can't decorate. It's probably cultural. It's a luxury.

• Fr = frere = brother
   Sr = soeur = sister
   amis de l’eglise = investigators
   Ça va aller = it will be fine or it's all good

• Whenever Elder Lyman sees people doing dishes or washing clothes he says "on peut vous aider?"  (can we help you?) The people usually say no, but he did get to make a little bit of futu banane once and help someone else wash their clothes. He hopes to be able to help more people in the future.

• From an email - “It's often really easy to teach people here. They're always open to hear what we have to say. They invite us into their house, sit us down on the best seats available, offer us water, and listen for the most part. They get distracted if we talk for too long, so it's better if we switch off on who gives the lesson frequently. In their homes, if the TV is on, it's really distracting, as well as if there are people playing soccer or kids playing, etc. Sometimes people start falling asleep during our lessons, which we cure for the most part, once again, by switching off frequently with the discussion. I've had some good lessons, some bad ones. I've seen heated arguments, and spiritual discussions. I've seen the light of Christ enter people's eyes and the spirit touch people's hearts. If I were to unexpectedly finish my mission today, my life would still be forever changed.”

from left... Elder Kalala, Elder David, Elder Kasou and Elder Kamara