Le Soleil Frappe - Affery, Côte d'Ivoire

 Bonjour, bonsoir, et salut tout le monde!

I hope you've all had a fantastic week, I know I have!

To start, on Tuesday we had a crazy strong thunderstorm come out of nowhere. The wind was so strong that it was blowing over some of the weaker structures. We were in the middle of a lesson which was, as all of our lessons are, outside. But the friends we were teaching were kind enough to let us hide out in their home during the storm. So we spent an hour or two in the pitch black with these friends, listening to the rain pound against the metal roof. We said a lot of prayers during that time. It became a very calm, spiritual experience despite the craziness that was going on around us. 

The sun here is really strong. When the sun is especially strong, they say "Le soleil frappe" which means "the sun hits." I think that's an accurate statement. I've gotten some pretty gnarly burns. But all has turned out well and I've been able to handle it.

One of my favorite things that happened this week involves two of our friends, Ren and Arnaud. A lot of people here make money by going out for days at a time and working in the big fields. Well Ren and Arnaud came back a whole day early, sacrificing the pay for that day to make sure they would be at church on Sunday. What a fantastic example those two have set for me this week.

It's been a good week this week. Every day I become more and more grateful that I was called to serve here. As difficult as it can be sometimes, this is really the best place for me to be. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Farr

Tonton Rouge! - Affery, Côte d'Ivoire

Bonjour tout le monde!

It's been another stellar week in Affery. Elder Mouanda, my trainee, got here last week so this was my first full week as a trainer! It's been a blast and I've really been able to see how the Lord can make up the difference for our shortcomings. 

There's this house that I've passed by almost every day over the last 3 months where all of the kids get really excited every time I pass and shout "tonton rouge!" (Side note: I'm glad to see that I've graduated from white nicknames to red ones). Anyways, earlier this week, we finally found the time to stop and talk a while with some of the adults who live there. I'm really glad we did because now we've gone back there almost every day this week and we've met some really cool people! Every time we go back, they invite more friends and family! It's been a fantastic experience.

I've seen the Lord's hand in my life a lot this week through the gift of tongues. I'm far from fluent or anything of that sort but I've been overjoyed to see how I can finally connect with people and have good, meaningful lessons and conversations in French.

It's been a good week with Elder Mouanda. I'm really excited to see how the next one goes. I love Affery and I'm so happy to be out among the people here every day. It's been more than three months now since I got here and I feel like I've really become a part of the community. 

Anyways, that's all for this week. I love and miss you all!

Elder Farr

J'ai Un Fils! - Affery, Côte d'Ivoire

Bonjour tout le monde!

It's been a good week. We've had some ups and downs but, overall, it's been great.

For those of you who haven't already heard, my sweet grandma Farr passed away last week. Before starting the mission, I was her caregiver for a few months. I cherish the opportunity that I had to spend every day with her. I learned so much from her about the gospel and how to better live it. I'm so grateful for all of the time that I had with her before the mission. I miss her very much but I know that I'm exactly where she wants me to be, doing exactly what she wants me to be doing. I'm happy to have the knowledge that I'll be with her, and all of my family, again after this life.

This week was a bit bizarre. Elder Dent, the other American in my apartment, was sick for most of it. We aren't exactly sure what it was, possibly malaria, but luckily he's doing better now. 

On Thursday, Elder Kouadio packed his bags and left Affery for his new secteur. I was sad to see Elder Kouadio go. He was one of my favorite companions and we only got one transfer together.

My new companion didn't arrive for a couple of days more so between those last few things, we were stuck in the apartment with nowhere to go for 2 1/2 days.

On Saturday evening, my trainee arrived! His name is Elder Mouanda and he comes from the Congo. That means he speaks French which is a great relief to me. It's kinda scary being a trainer because that means my companion has never been on the mission before. I still feel like I just got here sometimes. Its bizarre to think that I'm the one training now. (Also, we call a trainer and trainee "father and son" or "père et fils", to explain the title)

We've only been together for a couple of days now but those days have been great! Were getting a lot of work done which I'm super happy about.

I'm looking forward to my first full week with Elder Mouanda. I'm having a blast and I'm honestly loving Affery  more and more every day. There are so many experiences I'm having here that I couldn't have anywhere else. I'm very grateful for that.

À bientôt!

Elders Farr