Week 31 Email: A Circle?!?

From: Christian.garcia@missionary.org
Date: Monday, January 17, 2022
Subject: A Circle?!?

Bonjour! Comment vous allez? Me? I'm doing great and this week was definitely a week that came and went. 

Tuesday we had our final District Council of the transfer and that was actually pretty good. We got to talk about what we could do this transfer to become better disciples of Christ. For our lessons we kinda got stood up again, I'm not sure why we kept trying with these 2 people because it's been 6 weeks but we had a good feeling. Turns out we were wrong but that's okay. Ya live and ya learn. We did end up having a pretty great lessons with a family though and I seriously loved it. This family is why I live Kpalime as much as I do. They are so interested and understanding and they ask the most amazing questions. 

Wednesday was just a lot of contacting. Frère Tigi (who normally helps us in lessons) disappeared so it was up to us to find people. That didn't go well because those we contact only know the missionaries, not anyone else so they become less and less interested. But we went and contacted and talked to lots of people on the street and it was actually a nice break from the bicycles. 

Thursday we went and talked with a member in the morning because he was having a ruff time and we thought that it would be good to go and talk to him. That was a really good lesson/pick me up. By the end of the lesson he was telling us that he was ready to go and do just like Nephi and trust in the Lord with his everything. He was smiling and it was overall great. We only had one lesson but that was okay because it took us about an hour to find where this girl lived. We found her through the family that we taught on Tuesday and set up a lesson but we didn't have time for her to help us know where she lived. So when it came time we called her and it was difficult. There aren't street names or house numbers here it's just "turn left at the africa sign, go straight until you see the maman who sells the coconuts, then turn right, you'll see a boutique on your left, keep going straight for 15 steps and then go into the houses on the right." We got lost really easy haha. But the lesson was great and her husband actually said that he wanted us to come back over! I'm hoping that they are serious serious. 

Friday we got a call in the morning from the assistants to call President Proudfoot at 19:35 that night. We were both expecting that but not Friday. We thought it would be coming Thursday so it caught us a little off guard. We did our weekly planning and realised that we needed to go and work a little harder to meet our goals for the week so we both promised each other that we would and we did! Our lessons fell through again bit that gave us a good chance to meet people and work with the members so that was great. Then when we got back to the appartement we called the President and he said thank you for your service basically and told me I'm going to be traning and I'm going back to Anfame and Adakpame! At first I was like what?!?! And then it turned into a "Heck yeah!" I'm really excited. But that's where the subject line comes in. My mission has been Kpalime to Anfame to Kpalime to now Anfame again I'm going in circles haha. 

Saturday was a hard day like normal. Everyone is at the market all day buying things or selling things up here in Kpalime so it's hard to get lessons scheduled. But by the end of the day we had done 3 lessons and had an AMAZING lesson with a friend of one of the brothers in the branch. I'm sad I won't be here to see his progression but I know that he is going to have a great set of missionaries with Elder Kouadio and his kid he's training. 

Sunday was just wow. Kpalime is starting to get more and more people coming to church and it's great. I got news that there is a massive family that is able to be baptised now too because the dad/husband finally gave the okay! They have been waiting for such a long time now and finally they are able to. Miracles are real and they are still happening everyday you guys! We spent a lot of the day going and visiting members and amis and saying goodbye to them because I don't think that I am going to be coming back again. I might but the chances are very highly unlikely. It was a sad day but at the same time good because that means that I have truly fallen in love with the people here and I am going to miss them.

This week I just wanted to touch on something that my mom talked about in her talk the day that I gave my farewell talk. With my mission going in a circle there have been times when I just think "are you kidding me!?" And I just have to sit back and realise that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us and I need to realise that everything is in His time and His way. My invitation this week is to let be patient and realise that things are happening all apart of the great and beautiful plan of our Heavenly Father.

I hope y'all had a great week and that you have a great week this week too. Feel free to email me, I will try and respond when I can ;)

Beaucoup d'amour,

Elder Garcia