Au Revoir, Côte d'Ivoire

This past week and a half has been the craziest time period on my mission so far. Everything was normal for most of last week. As in, the work was progressing, we were teaching spiritual lessons, and influencing the lives of others. On Wednesday, we received a text from our zone leaders that we needed to make a reserve of food for our apartment. Elder Diaz and I made a considerable reserve of rice, spaghetti, canned foods, and other non-perishable items. We bought overall 45 kilos of rice, and untold cans of sardines (it was the only protein we could find...). We were  prepared for anything. Then, Thursday night, we get a call from President and Soeur Lewis, saying that we needed to pack our bags and get ready to go home. It seemed unreal, but we prepared our luggage, cleaned the apartment, and got ready to leave at a minute's notice.

On Saturday morning at 5:00, we woke up and left to the mission home. A large group of americans and I then went to the airport to board our plane. Our flight schedule was quite interesting. We were scheduled to fly from Ivory Coast, to Ethiopia, to South Africa, to London, to New York. It was an astounding flight plan that laid ahead of us, with a 16 hour layover in South Africa. Overall, it was a 3 day trip. It seemed crazy, but hey, it was a way home. But, in the airport, right before we checked our bags, we received word that South Africa had just closed their borders. Somewhat defeated, we returned to our apartments.

The next day and a half was spent staying at the Vridi apartment, talking to the other elders there, and waiting for further instruction. The only orders we had were to wait in the apartment and that possibly a flight would be possible on Monday or Tuesday. Sunday night, I made curry with rice and chicken. Right after we finished eating, the assistants called us, saying to come to bureau immediately. We did what they said and left as quickly as possible. Thankfully, this time, we boarded the plane and were off. Unfortunately, we left an unfinished pot full of curry in the apartment. I hope someone goes there soon and deals with it so we don't feed the rats.

The journey back home was luxurious. Most of us were spoiled with business class, which was amazing. My seat was able to convert into a bed, so I slept through the entire first flight and a quarter of the second. When I wasn't sleeping, I was either studying the Livre de Mormon, or eating the meals that they gave us. It was a really comfortable trip, and the idea that I was actually coming home seemed unreal, until the moment that I walked out of the Salt Lake airport and saw my family. It was a very sweet experience and I'm so happy to be with them again. It was bittersweet to leave the country I've grown to love, and I can feel a piece of my heart still beating over in Abidjan, but it was the Lord's will for me to leave, and it's a blessing to be with my family again.

Here's my last story from Côte d'Ivoire for my emails.

On Friday, Elder Diaz and I went and said goodbye to our amis and members before we left. Unfortunately, we weren't able to say goodbye to the Djehi family, but we were able to visit most everyone else. One of the most touching experiences I've had while we were there was with Sr Dorcas. Here's an excerpt of what I wrote in my journal:

"We saw Sr Dorcas there, always smiling, as usual, when we show up. Then, we told her that we were leaving. Her smile fell instantly, and she started to cry. We took photos with her, and then walked with her to a certain point in the road, as we had done many times before. She started talking, but then said she couldn't say anything really. She managed to get something out like "Because of you, I have hope in my life." Then she choked, moved a distance away, and started bawling. She said "pourquoi ça me fait du mal?" or in other words, why does it hurt so bad? After a minute or two, she came back, and said something like "I've seen many missionaries in my life, and they weren't anything special, but it's with you that I've began to change. It's because of you that my life has changed. I've started to pray, I've started to read the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I've felt myself grow closer to Christ. And now you're leaving, and I don't know what I'll do. I've told you how hard my life is. I don't have money, a job, a friend. Everyone mocks me because of my baby. I don't want to go back. Life is so hard, and that's why I'm thankful for you. You showed me the way. You saved me. I don't know if you'll remember me, little sr Dorcas in Africa. I hope you will. The only thing that I ask is please, please pray for me. That's all I ask. There's too many bad things and I need help." "

It was a heart wrenching experience. Elder Diaz and I were crying as she said that, and for many hours after. She's a single mom of 3 kids. Her third was a c-section. Her fourth probably will be, too. The father of her kids is abusive and uses the money for alcohol. She doesn't have a house or a job, and her family is verbally abusive. There are many other negative influences in her life, and it seems like all the odds are against her. But, through everything, she found the truth. She found Christ. The Lord worked through our hands to bless and change her life. The following day she called us multiple times, saying that she's found peace in us leaving and that she knows that the church is true, the Book of Mormon is also, and she could feel Christ's love in her life. It was an amazing process to look back and see how the Spirit worked in her heart and her life. It was one of the most saddening experiences to have to leave her and see her in that state, but comforting and joyous at the same time to see how the Lord had blessed her with a newfound testimony of the restored gospel. I know that she will have the Lord's help as she continues to learn and grow.

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15) 

For me personally, I feel like if there was a single person out there in Côte d'Ivoire for me to touch with the gospel, it was her. This scripture is true; often we don't see the fruits of our labors until after the harvest. We taught her multiple times, and she seemed like the average investigator. But, after that experience, we realized that the Spirit had been working miracles in her heart and bringing the Light of Christ into her life. We didn't see it then, but now, having realized that, my joy is full. And now, seeing how much her life has changed, and the blessings that God has poured on her? It's brought me to tears multiple times, and even now, as I write this. Missionary work is true. There is no greater joy than to see God work through our hands and bring souls unto Christ. I haven't ever been happier than when I've been serving. I definitely would recommend missionary service to everyone. There are untold blessings and treasures that come from missionary work that you can't understand until you've lived in it. I know that it's true and that it's the best decision I've made in my life so far. Jesus Christ lives; He is our Savior. He loves us and will always do what's best for us. It has been a blessing to serve Him and be an instrument in His hands these past 7 months. I will be more than happy to serve Him wherever He needs me. I love you guys, have a good week!

-Elder Lyman

Abidjan from above

 

 

Saying goodbye to Elder Diaz

 

 

The Sandbox kids

 

 

Soeur Dorcas

 

 

A group of Rastafarians Elder Lyman and Elder Diaz taught.

 

 

Where people make Attieke

 

 

Saying goodbye to Soeur Linda

 

 

 

 

Soeur Lydie and her famille

 

 

Vridi2

 

 

Le Chinois

So, with all the coronavirus stuff going around, a more than usual amount of people call us Chinese, and ask if we have that disease. And they avoid us more than normal, too. So that's fun. The store here still has a surplus of toilet paper and bottled water, so I think we'll be okay for a while.

The rat population in our apartment is slowly diminishing. We have now killed 5 in total, thanks to a heavy duty rat trap that we bought. I forgot to include a picture of it, but imagine a mini bear trap. I almost broke my hand when I forgot it was loaded, but don't worry, I'm okay. We still hear scampering above our heads when we shower but not as often. The rat in the photo of the first one we killed was small. It must have been a juvenile rat. Most of the rats are the size of my forearm. ROUS's require mini bear traps.

My health is doing better, I've been taking anti-parasite medications and should be back to 100% in a couple days.

Mutation came and... I'm staying here with Elder Diaz again! But, after the 25th, we are going to be working with Elder Ngindu as well. Elder Tehiva is going home that day and so we will become an equipe de trois. We will be working in 5 different sectors and 3 different wards for some time. That's probably normal for some other missions, but here it's a crazy amount. One of the sectors is an island, which would be cool to visit if we ever go. I'll update you guys on how that's all gonna work when the time comes.

Many of our good ami's were at their village this week or were at work, so we didn't teach as much as normal. We did find this one really cool guy in Vridi 2. His name is Fr Gabriel. He lives in this really nice area of Vridi Cite, and he's always very kind. We taught him about the restoration, and Elder Diaz and I felt the spirit very strongly throughout the lesson. He said he was going to pray about it soon, and I feel like he can gain a testimony. I'll update you on what happens. 

I learned a very special lesson this week about the Atonement. Because Jesus suffered and died for our sins and transgressions, we are able to become clean and pure. But there is another aspect of his eternal sacrifice that is often overlooked. I read in a Liahona about this subject, and here's the scripture that best portrays my message for today:

"For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23)

It is through His Atonement that we can overcome our trials, afflictions, and sufferings, after we have done all that we can to support it through our own efforts. Often when we ask the Lord for help, we ask Him to change our situation. Take, for example, a medical condition or a financial crisis. Sometimes we expect to see instantaneous changes, but most of the time, we simply pray for change. That is a good, but there is a more effective way to ask for help. Instead of praying for the Lord to change our problems, we should pray to have the Lord change our problems through us. Pray to have the strength to overcome our challenges. Like Nephi, when his brothers tied him up, he didn't pray for the Lord to change what happened, but he prayed to have the strength to break his bonds.

There are great lessons to be learned and eternal treasures to gain through our trials and tests. It is after we have endured until our breaking point or done everything in our power, and we rely on His saving Grace, that we will be comforted, and see His divine influence in our lives. Our faith grows as we overcome our trials with His help. He lives, and He is able to help us in any of our problems, because He has "descended below them all." He loves you. Infinitely. I know that's true with all my heart.

Love you guys, I'll try not to catch a cold. Until next week.

-Elder Lyman

The Ultimate Physician

I’m sorry that I don’t have much content this week. I’m still sick and it has kept Elder Diaz and I at the apartment for a big part of our week. I’m not dying, so don’t stress too much. We are going to the hospital for my medical results after our time here at cyber to figure out what’s up. But, even though we spent little time at sector, that does not mean that nothing special has happened. Miracles happen every day, big and small.

On mecredi, we stopped by Fr Daniel at his little barber shop. He, as usual, greeted us with a smile and a handshake, and invited us in. It is always very humbling to teach in the small wooden constructions where people work or even what they call their homes. It was even more humbling, when we found out that he had just lost his mom. We couldn’t tell when we first met him, but after he said that, I could visually see that his shoulders were slumped, and that there was deep sorrow in his eyes. I can’t perfectly quote him, but he said something like “je garde ça dans mon coeur et les gens ne voient pas mon souffrance.” In other words, he was grieving, and he was keeping it inside him. Bearing that burden alone. It’s hard to express the emotions that are in my heart in the words I write, but I just stopped typing for a little bit to cry for him. He is such a sweet and kind man, it was so sad to see him suffering like that. Elder Diaz and I shared with him the plan of salvation and the blessings of the temple. As he looked at one of the pictures we had on hand of a temple, I saw his body relax a little, and his eyes began to water. The comforting power of the Spirit is so real. After we were done, his voice was somewhat shaky, but he said “thank you.” A soul comforted and pain diminished, we left him with a prayer and our testimony that he will see his mom again. The Lord doesn’t cease to amaze me with His goodness.

That reminded me of an experience that I had in the hospital last Sunday. I was alone in my room, until some hospital staff brought in a neighbor. He was a really nice guy, in his late 50’s and is originally from France. We’ll call him Mark because, well, that’s his name. I started talking to him, and we had good conversations, even in my far from perfect French. We eventually came to the topic of religion, of course. We talked a little bit, and something that he said I won’t ever forget. I asked him what his thoughts on God were, and on this life in general. He said, in my interpretation “I believe that God exists. Look at all the wonderful things in our life, nature, animals, everything that exists proves that there is a God. But why would he send us here to simply grow up, suffer, and die?” I tried my best to respond to his question, which was a really good one, but all he said was “peut-être” “peut-être.” Maybe. And it made me really sad, honestly. He was such a good guy, such a good person, but he just couldn’t see that there is more to life than what the world has to present us. It made me think of a scripture that I read recently

Ether 12:4 - "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

There is most certainly a better world waiting for us in the mansions that our Father has prepared for us. It is saddening to see that people don’t have hope for eternal life. Shockingly, many members don’t think that they qualify for that blessing. Like the scripture says, we need to have faith that we are worthy of that blessing, to be able to actually receive it. For those of you that have that “hope for a better world,” I congratulate you. That assurance is a gift from your Heavenly Father. Always stay worthy of that. If you don’t have that hope, ask yourself why. Does that thought come from God, or not? The adversary seeks to destroy our confidence in all good things, planting seeds of doubt and confusion in our lives. If you don’t believe it, look at our world today. Chaos and disarray are everywhere. The Lord doesn’t work in darkness. Doubt and fear are the exact opposite of faith. If you doubt you are worthy, have faith that you are worthy. If you know you aren’t worthy, get worthy. The path is hard but you have the ultimate Physician on your side. He can cure any sickness, heal any heartache, cleanse any sin. He is our Savior, the one who bled at every pore and suffered on the cross of Calvary for us. I testify that He Lives. He loves you. He wants you to live in the light. There is power in the plan of salvation, and comfort in knowing that there is indeed a life after this one and that we will see our loved ones again. Hope for a better world after, have faith that God loves you and that you can have the gift of eternal life. Peace is the ultimate answer. The Holy Ghost is there to be your constant companion, so that you never go astray. I love you, and I hope that you will take these words to heart. There is a better world after this one, and all our trials and suffrances here will be but a small moment.  I have a personal testimony that He lives. He is The Christ, the Lamb of God, the Savior of mankind. He loves you. Forever. Until next week.

- Elder Lyman

In the hospital again getting some testing done

 

 

Elder Lyman and Soeur Linda, the Vridi1 ward missionary.

 

 

 

 

•Elder Lyman was given results and new meds to try at his appointment today. The infection should be cleared up in twenty days...

Trials

This week has been interesting. Starting off, for half of it I spoke like Darth Vader because my voice was really sick, so my teaching effectiveness went down to about 7%. The other half, I spent having digestive problems. I ate garba at one of our new ami's restaurants, which got me really sick. I finally ended up at the hospital samedi night and stayed for 3 days. So, health-wise, not the best week. We also killed one of the rats here, so that's 1 less rat scaring me when I go to get food.

One thing that has touched me, and that will continue to do so, is people. The conditions they live in, problems they face, and how many of them choose to be happy despite the situations they struggle through. This week we encountered several different people with different problems:

On mecredi, we weren't sure where to go, as our rendes-vous had fallen through. A clear image of a red building I had seen before came into my head. We went to it, still unsure of what we needed to do. Some people in the building next to it beckoned for us to come visit them. They were a nice Muslim family. Next, we found out that actually their house is where two deaf sisters live. I have bought food sometimes from one of them, and she's super nice. She and her sister are Christian, so that's way cool. Elder Diaz and I are hoping to go and visit them this week.

Sr Estelle came to church! I mean, I wasn't there, but Elder Diaz was. He said she looked great and seemed really happy to be there. I have so much hope for her. She seems to be putting what we have been teaching her into practice and it is going to change her life. It's such a cool thing to see.

Fr Herve is an ami that we met as we were leaving another lesson. He was very open with us and said that he was trying to overcome an alcohol addiction, and needed help. He was a very sweet guy, and even fed us some of his garba (the garba that got me sick haha). We are hoping to be able to help him this week on his path to recovery.

The most touching and biggest experience this week was with this sister, who's name is Sr Dorcas. We met her last week while teaching about the Book of Mormon. She was on the side, just listening, but after Elder Diaz and I testified, she started asking questions. People told her that the Book of Mormon was diabolic and that people did animal sacrifices with it, so she threw away the first two that the missionaries had given her. But when she heard our testimony, her perspective changed. She's a very cool sister, but she has lots of challenges. She shared with us on mecredi that she was having her 4th kid from her fiancé that beats her nightly. She had a c-section with her last kid and so everyone she sees says her next kid is going to die... and lots of stuff like that. She was crying as she told us all of that. It broke my heart. I cried as I told her that "through the Savior, you will find peace and you will find joy." I said many other things, and so did my companion. It was so sad. But, she said that through the Book of Mormon and through us two, her life started to have light and happiness. On dimanche she came and bore her testimony, and Elder Diaz said it was powerful. She has so many struggles, and the worst part is that we can't help her about them anymore. She just got kicked out of the house she was living in, and so now she's living with her friend in another sector. So, we'll be sending her our prayers and our love. She's such a sweet sister.

There were many many other examples of people who are suffering or struggling, and yet, were happy despite their trials. After talking with Sr Dorcas, Elder Diaz and I were so distraught by what she shared with us, along with other situations of other amis. We had to take a break. We sat down on some concrete rubble and thought. The image of a place that I hadn't been to before, but knew where it was, appeared in my mind. We went there, and found a small, shaded area next to the lagoon in our sector. There was a cool breeze, the water was lapping the shore, and there was peace. Elder Diaz and I rested there and pondered for a time before going back out to work. As my thoughts turned, and eventually settled, I reflected on our Savior. He knows each and every one of us, our sufferings, trials, and pain. He knows what each of us will go through. To overcome these challenges, he offers us His plan. If we follow His example, we will find joy, we will find relief, we will find peace. 

"Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me" (D&C 19:23)

Just like how Elder Diaz and I were weighed down by the problems our amis shared with us, and how we found peace in sitting by the lagoon, we can also find peace in Christ. He is the Way. He is the Life. He is the Light of the world. He understands our trials in a sense deeper than simple human conviction. He can help us in any situation, as long as we reach out to Him. No matter how weighed down we may feel, far we may be from the light, or alone we may seem, He is always there. And, he can cure any trial with love, joy, and peace. When our lives seem a disaster, we can turn to Him. When we do so earnestly and sincerely, His response is simple, yet powerful. "Peace, be still."

When we walk with Him, we find peace. When we seek Him, we find the answers to our questions. When we knock, the door to blessings and light opens and floods our life with His love. Everything is wonderful out here in Cote d'Ivoire. The Lord is pouring out His Spirit on the people here, and miracles are happening. It's such an honor to be a participant in this great work. I love you guys. Until next week

-Elder Lyman

Definitely doesn't look like the rats in pet stores here... Look at those ears! Maybe that's because it is wet. It was stuck in the toilet until Elder Diaz and Elder Lyman killed it. 

 

 

The look on his face might be relieved disgust? 

 

 

 

Elder Tehiva and Elder Ngindu were in better spirits than Elder Lyman.

 

 

 

 

 •While in the hospital Elder Lyman became extremely bored. He took to watching a mosquito taunt him as it flew around the room for hours.

•Elder Lyman had an IV placed in his hand when he arrived at the hospital. He says he was given IV fluid and 20 different injections of unknown medications, and was feeling quite a bit better after 2 days. Blood tests, a chest xray and an ultrasound were also performed. 

On day 2 Elder Lyman couldn't see the purpose of his IV and removed it himself, only to have a doctor or nurse come in later and have to put another one in his other hand for more infusions.

•A gentleman from France was in the bed next to Elder Lyman for a little bit of the time. Elder Lyman spoke with him at length and shared a bit of his testimony with this man. The man then invited Elder Lyman to visit him if ever he goes to Paris, and gave Elder Lyman his number.

•The Vridi1 branch President and his family came and visited with Elder Lyman on Sunday, and the mission President visited on Monday, giving Elder Lyman some much needed distraction and company. 

•Elder Lyman said the air conditioning, good food and hot showers were definitely not enough of a temptation to make him want to get sick again.