Month: August 2020

We had a lovely Sabbath morning with these 2 good Elders, Elder Kwizera and Elder Molonga, who blessed and passed the sacrament to us.  These prayers are beautiful in French.

Ô Dieu, Père éternel, nous te demandons, au nom de ton Fils, Jésus-Christ, de bénir et de sanctifier ce ^apain pour l’âme de tous ceux qui en prennent, afin qu’ils le mangent en souvenir du corps de ton Fils, et te ^btémoignent, ô Dieu, Père éternel, qu’ils sont disposés à ^cprendre sur eux le nom de ton Fils, se souvenir toujours de lui et ^dgarder les commandements qu’il leur a donnés, afin qu’ils aient toujours son ^eEsprit avec eux. Amen.

Ô Dieu, Père éternel, nous te demandons, au nom de ton Fils, Jésus-Christ, de bénir et de sanctifier (cette eau) ^avin pour l’âme de tous ceux qui en boivent, afin qu’ils le fassent en souvenir du sang de ton Fils, qui a été versé pour eux, afin qu’ils te témoignent, ô Dieu, Père éternel, qu’ils se souviennent toujours de lui, et qu’ils aient son Esprit avec eux. Amen.

Today we had a very sweet discussion.  John asked each of these Elders to share with us lessons they’ve learned because of their extra time here in the mission.  Elder Kwizera was scheduled to return home after 2 years in early April and Elder Malonga was to complete his mission in May.  Because of COVID, they are still here, waiting for the borders to their countries to open.  Elder Malonga will fly home to Brazzaville Sept 4th, but Elder Kwizera may be here until October.

Elder Malonga talked about his thoughts and how he’s learned that he can control his thoughts–positive or negative. If he has negative thoughts, he can change that. It’s up to him.   He said it’s easier to replace a negative thought than to push it away.  Elder Malonga has been dealing with some very difficult health challenges these last few months.  And 2 weeks ago he had an appendectomy.  He has finally been cleared for travel this coming week.  Elder Malonga said he uses music and hymns to help replace negative thoughts or discouragement when they come.

Elder Kwizera is the only missionary currently serving from his country, Burundi.  He told us of how he had plans for his life after his mission. In February he watched the departing group, thinking he’d be in the next group returning home. Then COVID hit and April came and no one was able to go home. Oh well, he thought, I’ll go in May, then it became June, then July, then August. Now it’s looking more like October. He said he had to learn to just let go of his plans, and trust Heavenly Father’s plans for him. He kept calling those plans a “surprise” for him. He talked about turning over his will to Heavenly Father’s will. It reminded me of what President Ezra Taft Benson said:

Men and women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their visions, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life to God will find he has eternal life.

A few weeks ago, Elder Kwizera got really sick and was diagnosed with Tuberculosis.  He had to go into isolation for 2 weeks. He said he was so lonely and discouraged, but he knew he had to trust Heavenly Father and this alternate plan for his life.

There was a sweet spirit in the room as we discussed these experiences we’re having here, together.  Our lives have been disrupted too.  We are not in Mali where we long to be.  Together we trust that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us that will put us right where He needs us to be.  For right now, that’s here in Abidjan, together, and we’re grateful for that.

We ended a very busy day by having a farewell dinner with our very dear friends, the Binenes.  They are finally returning to their home in Kinshasa in the DRC Congo on Monday.   They have been waiting these several weeks to be able to return home after their 3 years of service here.  We love them and will miss being with them.

After a lovely Italian dinner, we went back to their apartment to give them their travel documents and last hugs.  We went down under their building into the parking garage to get into the elevator.  It was a very small elevator, that was a tight squeeze for the 7 of us.

Here’s a bit from my journal about what happened next:

We went up to their apartment from the underground parking lot. The elevator was tiny–we squeezed in, all 7 of us, shoulder to shoulder. Pres Binene pushed the button and up we went, for a bit, then the elevator stopped. It just died. The light stayed on, thank goodness, but the power to the elevator stopped. We stood there, shoulder to shoulder, in that tiny warm space wondering what to do. I figured we had about a foot of air above our heads, warm air and I could imagine it running out fast.

Pres Binene found the alarm button and started holding it down. It gave off a loud beeping sound. Nothing happened. He kept pushing that alarm. After several minutes, the stress level in the tiny elevator started to rise. I’m sure Pres and Sis Binene were getting panicky–claustrophobic–and worrying for  the safety of their family and us. He started banging on the doors with his fists (there were doors on the front and back of us. She started banging. The kids didn’t know what to do. John and I just stood in the corner, trying to keep calm. The banging and the beeping went on for several minutes–maybe up to 10. Nothing happened.

Then Sis Binene remembered her cell phone.  She called a friend who was staying at their apartment tonight to help them pack and move out.  She was able to call the night guard and eventually someone with a tool  came and pried the doors on one side open. We were half way between floors.  It would take some doing, but there was an escape and there was fresh air.

Pres Binene hoisted the boys up and out first. Then Gracia.   Then it got harder because we are older and larger.  Sis Binene was in a dress and nice shoes.   I was glad to still be in my p-day clothes.  They got Sis Binene lifted up and pulled up onto the floor above us.  Pres Binene went next. He pulled himself out by climbing on the side wall where a hand rail was. Then John gave me a knee and I pulled myself up with help from Sis Binene pulling me from above up onto the floor. We both lay there laughing after that, collapsed on the floor. Then John got himself out by jumping up and pulling himself up and onto the floor above. His push ups have paid off.

Then we were all were there in the dark narrow hallway of the 3rd floor, laughing and shaking our heads. We thanked the man for saving us. I took a few pics of the escape. It was pretty funny, but also pretty scary. We could have spent the night in that tight space, body to body.  Our helpers told us they could not hear the alarm beeping from outside of the elevator. Thank goodness for cell phones. What a crazy adventure. Once we were out, the power went out a couple of times in the hallway. It was so dark and narrow. Glad that didn’t happen while we were in the elevator.  After our visit and farewells, we opted to take the stairs back down to our car.

Elevator Survivors!

Farewell, dear Pres and Sis Binene!  We Love You.

 

Here is our last stop of the day–the apartment Jean Folly in the Grand Bassam Zone.  Visiting here was  perfect way to end our day.

 

Our four Elders who live here are Elders Guei & Mbuya and Elders Koffi & Dohiro. They were great. Happy and productive.   It was so nice to be with them.

On the way up to their apartment–

This apartment looks out over a sea of tin roofs.  I felt like we were surrounded by wonderful families.   Grand Bassam has 1 Stake with 14 Wards.  These Elders look after 2 of those Wards.  Here’s a look at this area.

The Elders welcomed us warmly and we had a great visit.  It was fun to take a look at their living quarters.

These Elders had a little fish trauma this last week.  They put their money together to go to the market to buy some fish for their meals this week.  They purchased 14,000 worth of frozen fish.  When they got home to cook it, they discovered it was spoiled fish.  They were so sad, and hungry.

Here are their bedrooms and study areas:

This is Elder Guei from Abobo.  He was called to serve in the    Mission, but is here until the borders open.  Elder Guei comes from a family with 27 children!  His father has 2 wives.  He and a couple of his sisters have joined the church.  We are so happy he is serving here for now.

Missionary exercise equipment:

Eveque Mel lives in this area.  These are his missionary sons.

Carry on, ye Elders of Israel!!

Here is our ocean view apartment in Gonzag.  You can actually see and smell the ocean from this balcony up on the 3rd floor.

Here are the utility meters for the apartment building–always a delightful tangle!

Our 4 Elders living here now are Elders: Kiladi & Danziat (who goes home next week and has had 2 COVID test so far but will need a 3rd because the flights we’re trying to send him home on keep cancelling) and Elders Tshibangu & Oba.

Here’s the kitchen:

I see an apple!!  Hurrah for fruit!!
Not much in here . . .

Here are the bedrooms and study areas.  

The ocean view!

Parting words:  Be Good!!

Our next Grand Bassam Zone apartment stop was at the Mockeyville apartment where 4 of our Elders live:  Elders Agre and Mutombo and Elders  Angba and Mukeba .

This is a really nice apartment complex.

 

 

 

 

Food is always a bit thin at the end of the month.   I admire these missionaries for trying to figure out how to budget their money.   Sometimes hunger is the best teacher!

Here is our Belleville apartment in the Grand Bassam Zone.  Four beautiful Sisters live here and we had a great visit with them.

These are the utility meters for the building.

My first stop on the tour was the balcony and here I found the best study place ever!

This balcony looks out over a duck farm.

Sis. Bendixsen took care of the medicine inventory.

These great Sisters are Sis Sakina, Sis Kouemi, Sis Kasongo and Sis Yapo.  While the Bendixsens did the interviews, they helped me learn more French words for things in their apartment.  These are my favorite French lessons.  They are also trying to learn some English.

Here is the rest of the tour of their apartment, starting with their row of shoes!  This apartment has no sofas or chairs yet.

Study areas and bedrooms:

Here’s the kitchen and cooking areas:

Sister Sakina was sewing a tie.  She’s making them for the Elders in their area.

I would love to live with these Sisters and learn more from them.  They are faithful and true and I loved being with them.

Here is the duck farm from below:

Here is the apartment where our Grand Bassam Sisters live.  Sis Kabemba and Sis Nzuzi look after this area.  They are fantastic Sisters.

Their apartment was spotless!  They are taking good care of things here.

A nicely kept kitchen:

This is a month’s supply of drinking water.

The man across the street was preparing fish for cooking.