Serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northern France, southern Belgium and Luxembourg.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Enfin

Hey everyone!

Things started finally looking up this week in Paris. I don't know how it happened, but things started just coming together. We taught more lessons in the presence of a member (which is one of the best ways to measure how solid your amis are) than in the last three weeks combined, plus five amis came to church! It was awesome. And it's only going to get better. 

We have found seriously about four single mothers from Ivory Coast that have agreed to be taught. They are all super funny and open. And they love Jesus. Seriously. Our ami with a baptismal date, Desire, also comes from there. They have an incredible culture. Bring an Ivoirienne mama to the home of another, and they will instantly bond and share their testimonies of the Saviour to each other. We did just that, and our member friend shared her conversion story (both touching and hilarious) which really added to the lesson!

So we were sitting in the visitors centre this week, doing our normal shift, when this guy Cedric walked in to look around. He ended up having a long conversation with Elder Walton on the couch and then coming with us to tour the church right beside. After asking a few questions about how the church services worked on Sundays, there was a small silence, then he looked up with tears in his eyes. He said that because of his meeting us that day, he knew God had answered his prayers. He then came to church on Sunday having read the first 17 chapters of the Book of Mormon! He is still very attached to his Catholic church, but he's showing so much promise it's crazy. We'll be seeing him tonight at soirée familiale and hopefully later in the week. 

Desire is doing super well. We have started planning his baptism and everything's looking good. His timidity is starting to lower bit by bit; he's been the one starting conversations with people at church this time! He's come for the past 6 or 7 weeks now. 

Nothing crazy exciting has happened aside from that, but I figured I'd write this because it's been awhile since I've sent anything to my faithful blog readers. I'm still alive, still working, and I still love you guys.

Some pictures:

Emergency evacuation drill: we had to make a 72-hour survival kit, 
get to the chapel as fast as possible, take a selfie, and send it to the assistants. 

Helping Fred move. Super flattering picture of Elder Walton. 


Paris street performers: handpan, didgeridoo, clarinet, drum thing. 
That's all I got! Be good everyone!

Love,
Elder Stanford
Mission Française de Paris






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