Unfortunately,
we spent half of his second morning hunting the rats that infest our kitchen. I
hope he doesn't have a very bad impression of the mission. We also didn't get
the rats. Maybe this week we can make ratatouille. Just kidding. Mostly.
On
samedi, I peed my pants. No, not really, I was just kidding. But it definitely
looked like it. Elder Tehiva and Elder Ngindu had planned an activity in one of
their sectors about the restoration. They also planned to bring a big cooler
full of juice and some deep fried bread things. So, Elder Tehiva and I carried
the cooler while Elder Diaz and Elder Ngindu carried the bread stuff. We walked
for around 20 minutes to get to the designated activity area. It was so hot, oh
my goodness. The cooler was way heavy, and we carried it through concrete
corridors for most of that time period. And then we stopped, sat down, dripping
in sweat and tired. Then the Vridi Canal dirigeants said, "oh this isn't the
right place, it's over there." Yeah "over there" really meant another
long walk in the blazing sun carrying a cooler with what felt like Thor's
hammer in it. Jeez. When we finally got to "over there," I think the
phrase 'swimming in sweat' could be applied. Just drenched. Anyways, as the
activity went on, I stood in the back, in the shade where a little breeze was.
I dried off for the most part. Unfortunately, the other part that didn't dry,
was right in the area where, when it's wet, it looks like you peed. So, as we
were going back to take a taxi to the apartment, a horde of little kids
noticed. Super fun. I'm never wearing light pants to an activity again.
 |
| swimming in sweat |
As
I mentioned last week, we are now working in the paroisse of Vridi 2 as well as
Vridi 1. It's going to be tough and great at the same time. Yesterday (Sunday), we
stayed at the church for almost 6 hours, just attending the two wards and
meetings. This week we're going to try and serve in Vridi 2 and learn the
sector. One thing that I'd like to add: during the sacrament meeting of Vridi
2, I was touched. In comparison with Vridi 1, there were very few ami's that
came to church. Few people that came in general. Vridi 1 usually has attendance
of about 50 members, normally families that have been in the church for a
while. Vridi 2 was about 20 people. 2 of which being Elder Diaz and I. The only
member in the bishopric that was there was Frére Kuko. I guess that he's
normally the only one there. So, he did the announcements, did a confirmation,
and gave a talk. The only reason that we didn't have to bless and pass the
sacrament was because members from our ward were there to help with that. It
made me so sad, seeing so few people trying their best to keep a ward up and
running. It really touched my heart. Fr Kuko has always been really nice to me.
He's always smiled, and he's given me 2 ties. During sacrament meeting, I could
see the strain in his eyes from having that much responsibility. It made me
really feel for him and the ward. I feel like there's a big work to be done
there, and I am going to do my best to help them.
Vendredi
was really cool. In the morning, we had our interviews with president. They
went well. While we were waiting for the bus, a fr called us. A little
backstory: on jeudi we did some OVB, or tracting. We gave brochures out with
our names and numbers on it, so if they have any questions they can call us.
The probability that they read the brochure after we leave is probably around
22%. The amount of people that call after they read it is 1/7 of those people. So
anyways. It was almost a miracle that he called us. He said, "Elders, I read the
brochure. How do I get a Livre de Mormon?" I haven't heard many things on the
mission that were sweeter than that. So, we set a rendez vous for 18h00 at the
church. At 17h00, we met with an ami that I've been trying to meet with since
November with Kalala. He finally had time (he's a taxi driver) to meet with us.
He was so excited to meet with us, he was probably the most enthusiastic that an
ami has ever been to meet with us. We talked with him, and started to teach.
That was probably the most spiritual lesson that I've had so far. We just
taught him about Heavenly Father and the great apostasy. It went really well,
but something was different. Somehow, all the points of doctrine linked up in
my head and the lesson went so smoothly. At the end we testified, and I felt
chills, or like spiritual energy go up and down my body. It was so cool. I know
that the spirit was with me testifying, and I know that he felt something too.
It was really cool. The next lesson was with Fr Erick, the Fr that called us to
meet at 18h00 at the church. The lesson went similarly, equally spiritual and
smooth. We taught about Joseph Smith and the Livre de Mormon. It was really
cool. One of my favorite things that I've seen is when people ask for the LM,
and you pull it out, they ask how much it costs, and you say "c'est
gratuit." And then watching their reaction of relief, joy, and sometimes
tears, enter their eyes. Those are some of the happiest experiences that I've
had here. I hope we can help those guys progress in the following weeks.
My
thought for this email has been one that been occupying my thoughts for the
past week. Possibly it has been one that's affected you too. It's the questions
that President Nelson asked as a follow up for his talk this last general
conference. The questions are:
"How
would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were
suddenly taken away?"
"How
have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my
loved ones?"
I
don't have very much time to explain it or go into depth, but simply, I know
that the restoration is true. I have a strong testimony of its truthfulness. My
life would be forever changed without it. I know where I came from, why I'm
here, and where I'm going. I am so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith, and
how he exercised his faith and asked God the question burning in his heart. I
am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. The things I have learned and the feelings
I have felt as I have read and studied it have played a major part in who I am.
I know those things are true. The joy and peace they bring into my life is
unmeasurable and inexpressible. I invite you to reflect on the blessing and
magnitude of the restoration in your life, just as the Prophet has asked us. As
you do that, a new understanding and perspective will enter your life. I
promise that personal revelation is true and that missionary work is one of the
most joyful and satisfying callings we can have. I love you guys, I love this
gospel, and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. Until next week
-Elder Lyman
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