The Night Bus

Bonjour from Côte d’Iviore! This week was great! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! It definitely didn’t feel like Christmas here, with the 95° weather and the church next to us blasting their music, but it was okay. I don’t really have any super interesting activities or events from this past week, but I’ll share a little of what I have.

On mardi we went to a singing activity at Toit Rouge. After asking about 8 or 9 orange taxis, we finally found one guy that would take us there. I have never felt closer to dying in my life. For those of you that are familiar with the Night Bus from Harry Potter, it was really similar to that. He drove through red lights, on the sidewalk, through gaps between cars that seemed at times too small for someone with a motorcycle, turned sharply, braked quick and started quick, almost hit one of the dudes that pushes the wheelbarrow things around, turned sharply the other way, and finally, we arrived at Toit Rouge. The whole drive. Wham!, everyone in the back squished to the left side. Brake!, everyone almost hits their heads on the seats in front. Wham!, starts again and everyone is pressed against the right window. Oh hey, now we’re in oncoming traffic at 70kph aaannnd wham to the left. Brake! Start! Wham! The craziest driver ever. And the whole time, he’s talking to us, turning to look at us in the back seat, and asking us for cookies. Driving clutch. I could talk a lot about that 40 minute experience (he made it there 20 minutes faster than we normally do), but that should suffice for now.

Anyways.

Later that day, la famille Attuman (branch president and his family) had us over for Christmas Eve dinner. They’re so nice, I love that family so much. We ate attieke like last time, except this time there was keesh (quiche) and some little cookies too. It was so good, I ate way too much. Then, after we had cleaned up dinner, Sr Attuman brought out this cake roll thing! I ate a slice of it. I was stuffed. Then after, we sang some hymns in French, and I felt the spirit. It was a great experience. I love that family so much.

 Fr Daniel received the Aaronic Priesthood on dimanche! I’ve never been more happy to sustain a priesthood ordination than for him. Now that he has the priesthood, he can baptize his son! Fr Daniel's son was going to get baptized a couple weeks ago, but his mom said no because she wanted Fr Daniel to do it. It’ll be a sweet experience I’m sure.

So, last week we found 7 new ami’s. Only 3 of them were super interested. Sr Marie Lue and Fr & Sr Djehi. We found 4 people this week that seem really interested. Sr Esthel (she’s the oldest daughter of la famille Djehi), Fr Ette, and two soeurs just the other day, Sr Janine & Sr Morellu (sp?). Sr Marie Lue we’ve taught twice, and she believes that our church is the true church, but her family and fiancé don’t like the church, so she struggles with that. I hope she’ll choose what’s best for her. The other day while we were at sector, my comp felt inclined to enter one of the corridors of houses to find someone to teach. We talked to the first guy we saw, Fr Ette, and he invited us inside. He knew that we were messengers sent from God. We taught him a little bit about the restoration, and he was very interested. We’re hoping to return next week. While we were returning from a rendezvous, someone called out “les Elders!” These two soeurs walked over and told us how one of their friends invited them to the paroisse in Port Bouet, and that they want to know more. We got their contacts, gave them brochures, and we’re planning on teaching them next week. Now, to the Famille Djehi. They were a contact from our bishop, and they’ve been wonderful. I’m not sure how many kids they have, but it’s at least 6 (ranging in ages 18-3 years old), including Sr Esthel. They’re always so nice to us, and very interested in the gospel. I have high hopes for them. Every night I pray that they will be sealed in the temple as a family. If I can participate in their journey to being together for eternity, I’ll be more than happy. I understand how some people have said that the greatest joy you can have on a mission is helping a family be sealed together. Ah just imagining how wonderful that would be, I can’t express my feelings. Anyways I’ll update you guys on the progress of all those people next week.

All of those ami’s, along with Fr Daniel and a few others were all prepared by the spirit. I didn’t really know what that meant before, but I definitely do now. Here’s a scripture to go along with that thought:

“The Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them ... That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God.” (Alma 16:16-17)

This scripture is so true. Here, the Lord has poured his Spirit on this people. The people are truly humble and listen. Their hearts are softened and they accept the gospel willingly and eagerly. It’s such a blessing to be here and participate in this glorious work. My eyes have been opened and my heart has been filled. I love this place. I can’t express how grateful I am to be here. Thank you guys so much for your support and love. Until next year!

- Elder Lyman