Tag Archives: Grand Bassam

December 25, 2017 Gonzaqueville (Week 2 – Tyler)

Family,

The Christmas party yesterday was so awesome!   It was honestly so crazy!! Like too crazy I don’t know how president was okay with the music they played but like everyone says this mission is different than all others. We all sang and danced and had a huge feast it was so great I also had a cool experience with this poly guy named Elder Tia he’s from cali! I took a pic with him and this other elder Elder William and made my name like “Ty” William LeBaron lol its a stretch but it works! So yeah it was a blast!!! Meeting Elder Olo was so great he gave me the biggest huge I didn’t get a pic of it though!!  I’ve been really struggling today like I’ve been just fine till today. I have been holding so much of my stress in and I just broke down alone in my room today I’m feeling better now though so thats good!  Yeah its just been rough haha! But yeah I’m just trying to stay positive but its been pretty tough like I feel like I’ve been pretty good at it but today just hasn’t been great haha. I can feel your prayers!!!!  I was fearing the homesickness would come…I think it’s been tough because I have sat in the apartment a good portion of the day until I finally convinced my comp to go with me to the bank cuz I only got half the money I needed yesterday.  I got it though and I’m good now so thats all that matters haha!  I’ve been praying and reading my scriptures a lot and it’s making a difference.  I just need to keep reminding myself that I’m not alone.  The issue is my trainer hasn’t started my training and said we were gonna start this week cuz we’re new to the area, but he has yet to start and I don’t know what to do. Hopefully he starts tomorrow haha!  The reality is I think I’ve just been waiting too much for him to train me when in reality I should just start doing it myself!  Haha yeah its tough!   I need to pause and just do the things I can control like make a schedule of studying and just try to learn and study French. So we’re in a threesome now because there isn’t a comp for Elder Ayama and the nice thing is he is from Nigeria, so I’ve been talking with him a lot but I think you’re right I need to get to know my comp and start speaking more French! I think I have been struggling so much because I’ve been fighting back the French and I need to just stop that and welcome it and forget English!  Ologundudu said to call him if anything isn’t going right so I may call him tonight and see what he thinks. We can call other missionaries in the field with the mission phones so its nice!  I think everything happened today for the Lord to show me somethings that I haven’t even thought of that I have been doing! The Lord works in mysterious ways!  If I don’t email next week,  know it is because A) my comp didn’t want to or B) I have no connection!! Hahaha

I’ll pray for you as well!!! Love you guys!!  I love you so much!

 

 Au revoir!
Elder LeBaron

December 22, 2017 Gonzaqueville (Week 1 – Tyler)

Family,

I don’t have much time.  The Internet isn’t very good and this French keyboard is messed up.  🙂  So it is sketchy here, and I will have weeks were email will be down so you guys will have to bear with me and know that I’m okay.  President is great he knows hardly any English so its kinda tough.  My comp is awesome  and a great guy! He’s from the District Republic of Congo.  His name is Elder Wabunga. There’s a picture of my companion and me below.  You also need to know that this Sunday I get to call you because we don’t have facetime here.  I’m hanging in there. This is a lot crazier than I would’ve imagined.  We don’t really eat lunch here and breakfast and dinner are small, but i just have to get used to it. My stomach has been killing cuz I’m hungry so pray that i can get adjusted to the food and stuff.  I have to adapt.  The food is great.  There’s just not a lot of it.  LOL.  It’s part of the African Mission. This is a mission like none other.  It is also the highest baptizing mission in the world, so with great blessings comes great responsibility.  Pray that I can learn french and that i will stop feeling so homesick.  Good news I don’t have bad diarrhea, bad news my allergies are going outta wake, and I don’t feel that great.  I got special permission to write you today. Monday is the mission Christmas party, so I will finally meet Ologundudu.   I’m so excited!!!!!! We will have p-day Tuesday next week, but I don’t think we can email so this will be it for another week or so haha.  Christmas here is a huge party I hear so I’m stoked!!  The people are so loving here I just don’t understand them lol.  I love you guys so much you have no idea how in tune you are with the spirit!!   I can show love through servicing my comp.  He is amazing at serving I seriously love him so much.   He’s such a stud!!!  My blessing I got today said that I need to stop focusing on myself and focus on the people and how I can better help them.  It will be amazing to look back on this!  Well, I love you guys soooooo much!!! 

Love you!!!!!!

Elder LeBaron