"Le petit blanc! Il est mignon!"

Yes, I am in Ivory Coast and I am doing well.

TUESDAY 10/22

Leaving Ghana, my bags were overweight because of some confusion, but when I checked them, they were fine. Tender Mercy.

We arrived in Ivory Coast and went to the mission home and talked about some things together, ate, and then we spent the night in a missionary apartment in an area called Cocody. Two Americans were there: Elder Corbett and Elder Wade. They helped us to settle in and adjust as much as we could.

Elder Brooks wasn't able to send any pictures home this week from the cyber cafe, but we received many pictures from the mission blog and from Sister Lewis who arrived in the mission the same day.

Elder Brooks with President and Sister Binene

The new missionaries at the mission office.
There were 11 American Elders, 2 African Elders, and 5 African Sisters.
Brother and Sister Lewis arrived later with another American Elder from the Provo MTC.

Elder Brooks

President Binene.  He is from Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Elder Brooks guesses which area he is going to be assigned to.
He was one of four missionaries that guessed correctly!

Elder Lewis in front of the mission home. 
The mission home for the Abidjan East and Abidjan West missions are next door.

The mission office is on the ground floor and the mission home is on the top floor.
The West mission home is on the right.

They have turned a swimming pool into a storage room.

Elder Lewis with the APs and the Mission Supplies!

WEDNESDAY 10/23

We woke up and went to the Cocody Stake Center, also where the temple is being built, and trained a bit and got our new companions.

Eating a meal with all of the new missionaries and the new companions.

Rice, chicken, and plantains - a very typical meal.

The Cocody Stake Center is next door to the temple construction site.

Abidjan Temple under construction.

My new companion is Elder Lawrence from Nigeria and we are serving in the Blankro Area! If you look for N'Dotré, I think you might be able to find some things. He has been out for 21 months, so after my training, he is finished. 

Elder Brooks and Elder Lawrence

All of the new missionaries with their companions.

We are in an apartment with 4 other elders, one of which is Elder Olsen from Utah who came out with me which is nice. We walked around outside for a little bit and all the kids around our apartment would yell "le blanc!" which is "the white!" The kids are pretty great.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY-SATURDAY 10/24-10/26

These are all the same, so I"ll blend them into one. These are proselyting days.

We're in a village, so it isn't dense with people. We've taught some lessons too, with minimal input from me. haha

We either teach people in their lean-tos or in their apartments, rarely does anyone have their own house.

I put sunscreen on every morning, so I'm not sunburned or anything yet.

At the apartment, we eat either rice, chicken, or fufu. Breakfast and dinner, lunch really isn't a thing here. The members love to cook plantains, so I've some of that too. We visited a lot of members recently too.

The weather is totally great. Balmy during the day. I get sweaty so I wipe it with a handkerchief. At night, I don't sleep with a blanket or anything and I'm totally fine.

I love the people so much. They are so kind and so receptive to the gospel. People always stare at me, so I say Bonjour! and they love it. One lady said "Le petit blanc! Il est mignon!" "The little white! He is cute!"

French is here is different. They speak so fast and so crazy that I can barely understand, but it will come.

SUNDAY 10/27

The branches in our district went from 3 to 5 so there was a big conference with everyone. So awesome to see everyone and socialize. I also got to ask my mission president and his wife many questions about the work.

Love you all 

Elder Brooks

Sister Lewis has a blog post about the conference with some more great pictures 

Entering the church building on Sunday with the Binenes.

They set up a tent outside the church for more room.

Elder Olson and Elder Brooks and their companions.

Talking with members after the meeting.

Missionaries and Branch Leaders

Back row: Missionaries
Front row:  District President, Pres and Sister Binene, Elder and Sister Lewis

The Blankro missionaries with Sister Binene. 
Elder Lawrence is on the left and Elder Olson is second from the left.
Can you figure out which one is Elder Brooks?

Talking with Sister Binene

Notes from the video call:

It took him a while to send the email because the power at the internet cafe kept going out.  We are lucky that he is close enough to a cafe to be able to video chat with us.  We sent him with a headset and a webcam to make it easier.

His Daily Schedule:

Wake up at 6:00

Study and get ready til 9:00

Proselyting from 9:00 til 6:30

Back to apartment at 6:30

In bed at 10:00

He is assigned to the Blankro 2nd and 5th Branches.  Elder Olson and his companion have to travel 2 hours each way to get to their area.  They haven't been able to find an apartment closer to their area.

His bedroom has a fan!  He sleeps under a mosquito net.  He fills his water bottle with filtered water from his apartment.  This saves him from having to drink unfiltered water at member's homes during the day.  They see he already has water.

Elder Brooks is in Cote d'Ivoire!

We received official word today from the mission president letting us know that Elder Brooks has arrived.  He is serving in the Blankro 2nd Branch area in the Agboville District.  His companion is Elder Lawrence from Nigeria.  We will hear more on his next P-day, which is Monday.

Elder Brooks with President and Sister Binene
They are from Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With his companion, Elder Lawrence

When the Elders arrived at the mission office they played a game to guess which area they would be assigned to by pointing at an opening on the white board of missionary assignments.  Our family saw the picture on the mission blog and started trying to figure out where it was from a blurry picture.  We then found out it was just a game.  But he was one of two Elders who guessed right!

The 18 new missionaries meet with the President and the APs.
There are 5 new African sisters, 2 new African Elders, and 11 new American Elders.

Elder Brooks guesses where he will be serving.

Many thanks to Sister Ann Lewis from Orem who is serving in the mission.  She and her husband arrived the same day as the other new missionaries and she sent me some pictures of Elder Brooks and his companion before we received an official letter.

All of the new missionaries and their companions
in front of the Cocody Stake Center next to the new temple site in Abidjan.

Chicken, rice, and plantains.

Temple construction in the background.

Elder Brooks and Elder Lawrence

Elder Lewis with the two mission homes in Abidjan.
East is on the left and West is on the right.

The East Mission Home

Leaving the MTC

Hello everyone! Just a quick email before I head out to the field tomorrow! My bags are packed and ready to go, so basically no stress right now. 

On Friday, during our sports time, it rained. IT RAINED. As in the heavens poured down upon the ground. It rained the hardest I've ever seen in my life. It looked as if it was night time, in the middle of the afternoon. Absolutely crazy. Here's a gospel thought too. How Firm a Foundation. When the rains will come and beat upon us and our house, we need a firm foundation or we will sink and lessen our standards. Be strong. Be firm. 

I've gotten the opportunity to watch all of the Book of Mormon videos now. I love them so much. My favorite parts are how Nephi talks about how the Lord will provide. Its true! He does. He has all power and He did miracles back then and He can still do miracles in our lives, day after day, if only we believe in him. 

Also, the gift of tongues. On Sunday, Elder Roth gave a talk about Baptism in French and I taught Priesthood about how the Restoration restored ALL that was lost from the Great Apostasy. The French speakers understood and contributed. Wonderful. 

Sunday night, we had a devotional from President Allen and we all had a great discussion about personal revelation. Wow. It left me awestruck at how much we leave on the table. If we will be reverent and heed to the commandments of God, He will give us direction and protections in our day to day lives. I know it. I believe in it. And I have seen the effect and joy in my life and the lives of others. I hope you all will find a question and seek. Prepare yourself to receive by being worthy and doing the things God wants you to do. Ask Him in fervent and sincere prayer. Listen with an open heart and an open mind. Ponder and write down the thoughts that will come and weigh them out in your mind. Then Act. Do His will. You will be blessed. 

I'll end with this thought from Sister Allen (she is a heavenly woman called of God): If you can't do anything about it or you don't have control over it, give to God. You will live a much less stressful life and be able to build your faith in God. 

I'm excited to be able to go to Ivory Coast and serve these people. I'll be sending out another email pretty soon. 

Elder Brooks 

The two English to French districts that are leaving this week.

Missionaries leaving for the Abidjan East Mission

Ezekiel district at the temple on Oct. 12.

Elder Brooks leads the choir during the devotional with Elder Nash on Oct. 15

Devotional with Elder Nash on Oct. 15

Elder Roth and Elder Brooks with Sister Allen

Group of Missionaries

The Miracle of Music

Hello tout le monde! (all the world, so basically everyone) Lots of great learning going on and an incredible miracle! In a week, I'll be serving with a new companion in the Ivory Coast. 6 weeks go by fast!!

FRIDAY 10/11

Nothing too out of the ordinary this day. Just a lot of grammar and speaking French and also the gospel.

SATURDAY 10/12

We got to go to the Temple today! Also, in class we talked about serving with all our heart and being totally dedicated to the work which was so so great to hear.

SUNDAY 10/13

Another great day from the French ward. I'm understanding more and more each day. We got to fast too which was really quite great as well. 

We watched the Women's Session from General Conference and when the Orem, Utah temple was announced, I let out a little squeal. Not disruptive, but still a little squeal nonetheless. I already knew, but still, what a blessing. 

One of our lessons was about The Atonement of Jesus Christ, and we watched the "Because of Him" videos. And the spirit was so strong! 

Also, we watched the movie, "The Testaments" which was such a blessing and testimony strengthener.

MONDAY 10/14

We got to go to the Temple for the last time here! After the session, I got to sit in the celestial room for a while and just take it in. The peace there is so real and so tangible. 

Miracle time. At dinner, President Allen (MTC President, love that man!) asked me to put together a choir for the devotional coming up. It was Tuesday morning, so the next morning. I had an accompanist (Elder Dah from Ivory Coast who is quite incredible) but I needed to choose a song and figure what to do with it. Oh yeah, and the guest speaker was President Nash, the Area President of the West Africa Area. Crazy cool.

During class, I was trying to decide what song to sing. I couldn't come up with anything, so I kept thinking harder and harder. The Spirit brought to my remembrance D&C 84:85 which talks about not thinking about what to say, for He will give you in the very hour what you should say. So I put my trust in the Lord and focused on studying. 

We had our one rehearsal at 9 o'clock. I still hadn't decided on a song. Everyone was very confused about where were going to sing so we found a room and then Elder Roth and I snuck off and said a prayer together, asking for guidance and direction. We ended up starting the rehearsal late. 

We sang Hope of Israel. I'll include a picture of the plan below. 

Hope of Israel Plan

The plan was to start with the chorus and then the verses. We starting singng, but Elder Dah didn't play the piano during it, but we continued anyways and finished the chorus. It sounded fantabulous and the thought came, to do the opening acappella and then have the organ come in when we hit the last note of the chorus. Totally epic and totally divine design. The Spirit is real. The Gift of Tongues is real.

Within less than a half hour, we had the whole song figured out and ready for the next morning. 

While pondering this miracle in my room that night, the Spirit brought another scripture to mind. 1 Nephi 4:6 - And I was led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.

Nephi just had to continue on in faith, like us. We did not give up after no word from the Lord about the music, but pressed forward with stronger faith that the way would be revealed. And in THE very hour, it was given to us what we should say.... or sing.

TUESDAY 10/15

The devotional with President Nash was this morning. We got up and did our best and sang as best as we could. It wasn't our best performance, but still formidable. 

I sat down and was a little confused. Why could we have these great experiences, but then not be able to deliver when it came time? But because of the experiences from the night before, I was able to gain a stronger testimony and I am now able to share that with all of you.

We also had some "exchanges" today. Just to help us learn better French. I got to be paired up with Elder Nimon, one of my roommates from Togo. We worked together and did some service together. We got to wash President Allen's car which was so enjoyable. The weather outside was PERFECT and I honestly felt like I was in some California city like LA. Sunny with palm trees having a great time. Paradise.

My new district for the day, Abraham. 
I said "Je suis tres blanc" (I am very white) and they all thought it was quite funny

We played some four square together and then Elder Nimon and I got to teach together. He is such an awesome teacher. I made some mistakes haha. We taught this lady about the Earthly Ministry of Jesus Christ. I asked her: Will you pray to know that Jesus Christ came and did miracles through the power of God? And she replied: Well, I already know that. Whelp.

The days here are going fast and I'll be emailing soon from a new country! It's scary and exciting, but it is the work of the Lord.

Elder Brooks

Four Square

Ghana

Typical Breakfast here
(Toast with Top Chaco, eggs and "sausage", "hot beverage" or hot chocolate)

Me, Elder Nimon, Elder Kandolo, and Elder Roth

Notes from the video call this week:

When they were in Accra and he was a Zone Leader, which is Chef de Zone in French, which sounds a little like Safety Zone (the videos they have to watch).  Elder Kibe and his companion now call him Safety Zone.

Elder Kibe is from Mozambique and spoke with me (Elena) in Portuguese.  He said Elder Brooks is an awesome missionary.  There are missionaries that speak a lot of different languages (Portuguese, Tongan, etc).  The teachers have to learn the other languages to be able to teach the missionaries English.

He didn’t get sunburned when he was outside for an hour washing Pres. Allen’s car.  The weather was perfect - felt like California.  They haven’t hit the hot weather yet.

The choir was the 4-6 weekers so they all know French and English.  They sang a cappella and then the piano came in (on the organ setting), but they were a little flat.  We told him it was just like a key change!

It's the same old routine at the MTC - they’re all doing well but are excited to get out.  Sometimes it feels like they are just around the corner from home.  But he's glad he is far from home and doesn't run into friends.  The time is going so quick.  He’s already 1/24 done.  When they first got there, the days were like weeks but the weeks went quick.  They are excited to get out and serve.  It will be strange in about 8 months when they can be companions with each other.

He has a short PDay next Monday but he may not be able to call or email.  He packs that morning and then has meetings the rest of the day before he flies to Cote d'Ivoire on Tuesday morning.

He heard they have Top Chaco in Ivory Coast so he’s going to be ok!

He has been told that his French is very good.