The people in my neighborhood

Hello! Short update!

THE EVERYDAY PEOPLE:

One of the things I love the most about the mission is the people that you see and greet on a regular basis everyday. You know that every time you pass by them, they will be happy, smile, and you will be happy too. It's so small, but once you leave your area, you miss those people.  One of our neighbors, Soeur Mirée, is like that. Every night, we buy this delicious purple juice from her, "bisap," and she always throws in 4 rolls for free in a separate bag. 

Today, she gave us 4 mangoes for free! Wahoooo!

Love,

Elder Evans

The People Are My Joy

Hello!

WHAT IS MY JOY ON MY MISSION?

I loved reading 1 Thessalonians 2 this week. It talks about diligent, tireless missionary work, and ends with, "So what is our joy, (as missionaries), our crown of glory?"

That is a great question, because the mission is very hard. Where is the relief? What is the highlight of the week? What makes it all worth it? Honestly, at the beginning of the mission, my joy was watching the Gmail icon load as I anticipated my few precious hours to communicate with friends and family on p-days.

The last verse says, "You are our joy," meaning the people, the converts. I love that. The people are my joy.

Love, 

Elder Evans

Funny notes from our email chat today:

mom:

Will your hair is so short!

Will:

Mom, when I walk into the barber here the African barbers laugh and tell me they don't really know how to cut my hair. It's hilarious. So they just did their best and shaved it!

mom: 

Do you still have the hair clippers that we sent with you?

Will:

Yes, but when I plug them in they heat up really fast. I think there is a voltage problem. 

mom:

yea, probably don't use those then!

Elder Evans in his new apartment

Elder Evans and Elder Freedman (serving in the Abidjan West mission) got to say hi at a combined mission conference. 

Quick Update

Hello!

HARDWORKING MEMBERS

The members in our Branch, Yaou, have really been supportive of us missionaries. What has really impressed me is the Youth here are really willing to go out teaching with the missionaries.

I catch myself thinking often, "I can't wait until it's me calling the shots, and I'll feel competent, etc. etc.," but I recently thought that it is so nice to always have a companion to turn to for missionary advice, doctrinal knowledge, etc. If I can be humble, this is a time where I can learn a lot. 

Know that I am well fed and learning a lot every day!

Elder Evans

Happy Halloween from the Ivory Ghost!

Hello! Credit goes to my little sister Julia for the Halloween pun in the subject line. Thanksgiving and Halloween are not celebrated here. I will probably have some delicious attieke and fruit for Thanksgiving! Who could ask for anything more??

PLAYING PIANO FOR YAOU

Yaou is good, I haven't really had a hard last couple of weeks. Our branch made a commitment to work with the missionaries more during a recent Sunday school lesson. I was able to play the piano for the hymns this Sunday, which felt good because the branch of Yaou has never had a piano player.  There is a member of the high council who is really nice and likes talking with my companion and I. 

A LIBRARY BURNS DOWN

A member in our ward is involved in this partnership the church has with FamilySearch. He travels to smaller African villages and interviews the elderly to retrieve names, family stories, dates...because there are many people who are born in these villages, and then finish their lives without their names being registered anywhere. All of this information is kept in the memories of the people in the village.

 A great quote that sums up his work, "Every time an elderly person dies (in these villages), it is as if an entire library burns down."

The pictures for this week include a baptism in our district, Elder Secinga and I, and last night's burnt offering. I am out of time. I am doing well, just trying to pray and find out how Heavenly Father wants me to do this work. Love you guys. 

Love, 

Elder Evans