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