Elder Evans is alive and working hard in the greatest work on the face of the earth.

 I am 3 weeks away from leaving the Ghana MTC and serving in the Ivory Coast.

UNITY WITH THE FRANCOPHONES:

There is a group of about 4 American missionaries and 8 African missionaries that eat all of our meals together. We teach them English while they teach us French, and it's really cool to see how far we have come since the beginning of our MTC experience, were a lot of the Americans clumped together, and the African missionaries did the same. Almost everyone has grown up and there is not a lot of division between races anymore. Yay!

SOCCER:

My companion and I now play soccer often during sports time. We were both really worried that we would get shown up by the francophone missionaries, but I have found that I have a lot of fun, even if I can't dribble the ball well, just running out, playing a very inefficient and energy-sapping form of defense.

PRESIDENT NELSON'S ADVICE ON RECEIVING REVELATION:

This week, I have tried to make a more sincere effort to receive revelation. As President Nelson said, "I think that we severely underestimate how much the Lord wants to speak with us!" I have tried to set apart more sacred time to read the scriptures, and also set apart time after to just listen and be attentive to my own thoughts. 

Before just a few days ago, I had never really considered just how much of a difference setting apart time to listen to the promptings of the spirit can make.

 I invite any reading this to not only make time to read the word of God and pray, but to also make time to LISTEN!

CONTACT WITH AMERICA:

Two researches from Provo came to do some focus groups and ask missionaries about their experience in the Ghana MTC. I actually really loved sharing my thoughts on the emotional, social, and functional nuances of the Ghana MTC. It was interesting to hear this researcher restate our thoughts back to us in a more packed, compact, and educated manner. 

The Ghana MTC has been a very positive, but different experience than I expected. I think a willingness to just roll with African culture is very important. 

TESTIMONY:

Heavenly Father loves us, and he wants to talk to us. If we make a sincere effort to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and have a willingness to act, even if we "don't know beforehand what we should do," Heavenly Father will bless us for our willingness to obey. 

Love you all,

Elder Evans