Yo what's up guys. It's been about a month since I last emailed (oops). Happy new year.
Things are still awesome here. Elder Call and I get along really well. I'm still trying to learn some Mandarin. I learned a couple new words this week, as well as what my name is in Mandarin? I think it's 麦金农 莱曼, or mài jīn nóng lái màn in pinyin. Kinda random but I thought it was fun.
Updates on some of the people here:
The Tibé's are still doing awesome. They're on date to be baptized on the 31st of this month, which is AWESOME. They've been prepared by the Lord, 100%. We talked to them about the Word of Wisdom and other commandments, and when we asked them if they would follow them, they basically said they already were, duh. Or at least that was my interpretation. They're funny as well. Bro Tibé really wanted to be an Elder, and when we told him he couldn't get a badge like us, he was a little bit disappointed, but it was funny. They're still on course for the 31st, so keep them in your prayers!
Another family that's been coming to church every week is the Uche's. They've been meeting with us often for lessons as well. Their English is a little hard to understand, but we get by. This Sunday, we taught them the plan of salvation, and they really opened up to us then. Boniface shared something really cool with us. He said something along the lines of "we have been praying to God to help us to find the right way. We know that He won't lead us astray. We know that God sent you here to us. Teach us, bring us into the right way. Help us get ready for whatever He needs us to do." I don't think I've met anyone more humble than them. They're on date for the 7th of January, but it might change for later, it just depends on when they feel ready. Keep them in your prayers as well!
Zawadi and his family have had a really tough schedule, so they haven't really been able to meet with us or come to church. Their baptism has been postponed as well until they're free to meet with us. Other than those people, we have 5 or 6 other people that could be solid soon, so I'll keep you posted. There's awesome things happening here, and I'm so happy to be a part of this work.
I've absolutely loved serving here. It's not easy at all, each day we bike 10-14ish miles over bridges and against the cold wind into the top corner of our area because that's where everyone we teach lives. Members haven't typically been feeding us, so we've just been on our own for the most part. With COVID being dumb, we can't really meet with other missionaries. Also, lessons with people fall through. A lot. We bike out to someone's apartment on time, knock on their door once or twice, then call them, and they won't pick up, or they'll say "oh, ok at Walmart." Dude you told us to plan for meeting at 3 today, why are you at Walmart? Haha. It's kinda ridiculous sometimes. I'm sure there's a lot more I could find to complain about if I wanted.
But guys, I'm honestly so happy. Even when all 3 appointments for a day have fallen through and we're biking up a steep bridge against the wind and we still have 5 miles to go and we're tired and hungry, I've never felt more alive. Maybe it's just because I'm a really optimistic person or what, but I've always been happy here. We're doing our best to serve the Lord, and that's all that really matters on our part in the end. And of course it makes me even more happy to teach the Tibé's and the Uche's and to help the other people in our area, it just makes me so happy to be here, knowing that I'm doing best, and knowing that I'm serving the Lord.
Here's the last update for this email. I'm going back to Côte d'Ivoire. We goin' back baby. I have some bittersweet emotions about going back, but I'll serve wherever the Lord needs me. Back to bucket showers and rat wars and non stop sweating and le blanc, hahaha. I'm only a little not excited because my last transfer over there was the hardest and most stressful thing I've had in my life so far, but I love the people and I love the Lord, so that makes it all worth it.
I don't know how to fully express myself or explain why, but I'm just so happy to be here. I am so so grateful to be here on my mission serving my God. There is nowhere else I'd rather be now. I am so eternally grateful that I'm out here now. I have never felt closer to the Savior, never felt more fulfilled in service, and have never been happier in my life than now. That may seem crazy with all the restrictions in place right now and the utter fact that the mission is just straight up hard, but it's true. When the First Presidency says that more joy awaits you than you've ever previously experienced, they're not making it up. I am just so full of gratitude and happiness. It makes me tear up typing this email right now. I could go on and on about it, but just know that I'm straight up having a good time :)
I hope all of you are doing well back home (or wherever you are). Have a great week!
Elder Lyman
