"In 1991, when I was 8 years old, my mother died leaving me and
little brother behind. After that, I went to live with my grandparents
in Ivory Coast and attended primary school. My little brother went to
live with my aunty in a different village than me. Unfortunately, that
was the last time I saw my brother. Two years later I received the
tragic news that he had died in an accident.
A year
later, in 1994, one of my uncles invited me to come stay with him in
Abidjan so that I could enter secondary school and continue my studies.
However this temporary happiness did not last. My uncle became sick
three years later and passed away. In the midst of this state of
sadness and confusion, I desperately needed tenderness, love, safety,
assurance and guidance. It was at this critical time of confusion that
one of my cousins, a member of the Church, returned from his mission to
live with us in the home. This was the beginning of light in my life.
It was 1998 and happily I accepted his invitation to attend Sacrament
meeting with him. After that day, I realized I had found what I
desperately needed.
I was taught the missionary
discussions and a month later, January 30th 1999, I was baptized and
confirmed the following day as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. I had found the kingdom of our Heavenly Father,
where there is warmth, love, tenderness, safety, light and assurance.
Then cometh the light and hope in my life with a loving Father in
Heaven and a merciful redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Hymn 109;
Nephi 33:6). All of these events in my life teach me that this is done
in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things.
I am
grateful and happy to love, serve and console my beloved brothers and
sisters, as a missionary first, and now as an instructor of
missionaries."
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