Traces de pas

Bonjour from Côte d’Iviore! This week was good! I don’t know where this last week went, time flew by. Let me add here how much it sucks to have to send companions home. You get close to a companion, and then they have to leave. The mission is like a life in and of itself. When you have to send companions home, it’s like they die. They’re not in this life anymore. But it’s okay, it’s their time to go. It’s a good thing. Ça me fait du mal toujours. 

Sending Elder Palmer off

 

 

This samedi, mutation came. Each mutation, every missionary in the mission anxiously waits for a call from either President, one of the assistants, or the zone leaders to see if anything is going to change. And since Elder Palmer was going home, I was getting a new companion, and probably staying in the same area. So, that night, I got a call from President Lewis. 

"Elder Lyman, you’re going to stay in Vridi." Okay, no surprise there. 

"You’ll also stay as district leader." Okay, that’s normal. 

"You will also work in the Vridi 2 sector and ward as well as Vridi ." Okay that’s cool, now we’ll have more opportunities to teach and meet new people. 

"You’ll also be forming." (in English, I’m going to train a new elder). So that’s cool. 

I’m somewhat nervous, but also excited at the same time. The only problem is that I don’t know who he is or where he’s from. Is he from America? Congo? Haiti? Tatooine? Ghana? Tahiti? I have no idea. I’ll go pick him up on mardi, so we’ll see then. It should be a great experience! I’ll update you guys on who my companion is next week.

Not much happened with our amis this week. The only progression was with the famille Djehi. Frere and Soeur Djehi got baptized! 

The Djehi's daughters and granddaughters

 

 

I’ve felt, ever since we met them, that they would, and finally they did. My companion did the baptism, as his last baptism on the mission. It was really cool. On dimanche, they were confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. It’s so cool. At the baptism and at church, some of their kids came for the first time too! I can’t wait to teach the whole family and see them all sealed together. This work is so true. For those who have gone on missions, you probably know how hard this experience is, and how rewarding and merveilleux it is. For those who don’t know yet, come and see. The church is true guys. The gathering of Israel is so real.

Recently, I’ve really liked King Benjamin’s talk in Mosiah. I love the things that he shares, especially the parts about conversion. Here’s a scripture that has touched me lately:

“I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.” (Mosiah 5:12)

We need to always remember His name, and center our life on Him. If we do so, we can become like Him. He is much closer than we often feel or think. He rejoices in our successes, weeps with us in our pain, and always, always, holds out a loving, gentle hand, saying “Come, follow me.” He never leaves us, especially in times of trial or need. He is always there, waiting patiently with open arms for us to accept His help. Here’s a fairly well-known poem (one of my favorites) that relates to that scripture:

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life.

This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

“Lord, you told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I needed You most, you leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints it was then that I carried you.” (Footprints in the Sand by Margaret F. Powers)

This poem always touches my heart. He loves us and will never, EVER, leave us. No matter how far we might feel, He is always there. I promise that He always helps us in our times of testing and we will never be alone. Remember His name that you’ve written in your heart. He is calling.

The mission is wonderful, I can’t wait to see what this transfer will bring, what I’ll learn, and what miracles I’ll be able to participate in. I love my Savior and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here serving Him. I love you guys, until next week.

- Elder Lyman

 

Mutation for Elder David and Elder Kamara. Elder Tehiva is staying in the apartment.

 

 

•Elder Palmer is lending his camera to Elder Lyman so we can receive photos. He will never know how much that means to us.
•Elder Lyman says the rats are ROUSes and they are annoying.

•Elder Palmer and Elder Lyman put baobab juice in their freezer and found that frozen baobab juice is even better than its juice form. And more fun to ingest.

frozen baobab juice