Elder Corey Miles - Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission: WK 43

Just about a week ago I was telling one of the other Elders that I wish I had more cool mission stories. Well that wish was granted in a crazier way than I anticipated. Hey I ended up on Church News and KSL though so that's a plus.

Here's a little bit of background. Ethiopia has been in a civil war for about a year now. The federal government is fighting a state to the north called Tigray. Well, very recently, Tigray made some ground from the north towards Addis Ababa in the south and captured some strategic villages. Looking at where I was in eastern Addis, I was probably one, if not THE closest missionary in the world to an active war zone! Because of that, the Church made the inspired decision to relocate us to another country as a precaution.

So... hey! I send you all my greetings from Nairobi, Kenya! We arrived here Saturday afternoon. Kenya is a lot more tropical than Ethiopia. It's a lot like what I usually imagine the African Savannah would look like. On the bus ride from the airport, our bus driver started blasting some Michael Jackson and not even kidding just along the freeway next to Nairobi we saw Zebras, Ostriches, Gazelles, a Water Buffalo, and GIRAFFES. Just right there. Next to the road. The other Elders and I were losing our minds it was so cool.

When we arrived to where we are staying, we had a devotional with Elder Sitati of the Seventy, the area authority here, and he shared some thoughts about our situation. One thing to note, we are still the Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission; we won't be proselyting in Kenya (we can't anyways lol we don't have the paperwork), so we are going to try to do our best to continue our work in Ethiopia remotely from here in Nairobi. For now we are staying in a pretty nice hotel with all the food you can eat. Compared to the Ethiopian food we've been living on, I feel like I'm in heaven. Yesterday I had lobster tail and roast chicken: literally more meat than I've had in months. But this arrangement is only temporary so I'm making the most of it.

To be completely honest, nobody knows when we will be able to return to Ethiopia. We could be here for a week or for months. We just have to wait and see how the situation in Ethiopia is addressed. I hope we can return soon. We were just getting Summit rolling and then got snatched out of there. Even though it’s nice here I don't like it very much right now because I feel like I can't do the work that I was called to do. Please keep the country, people, and especially the saints of Ethiopia in your prayers!

Despite not being there, we got word that Tariku and Patrick were confirmed on Sunday, so some good news there!

I am learning three lessons through this experience that I want to share. Number one: don't take things for granted, because your circumstances can change in an instant. For you missionaries, don't let a single day in the field slide by you. Last p-day, I would have died laughing if you told me I would be in Kenya in a week, and now here I am sitting in a hotel room there. Work hard and make the most of any situation you have been given.

Number two: God has a plan that we don't always understand. No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing, but right now, it kinda seems like it has. Well, I know that is not true. This is not God's backup plan. We may not know the reason now, but I know this situation is a part of his plan for people of Ethiopia, because he loves them dearly and wants the best for them. But it's also a part of what he needs for the sixty of us who were relocated. In the same way, I also know he has a specific plan for every one of you and puts you where he needs you to be. If you make the most of the situation like I said before, follow the Spirit, look to serve, and you seek his counsel in prayer, God will help you see his purposes.

Number three: the challenges we face refine and change us. I can't shake the feeling that there's something I need to learn here in Kenya. I've found a lot of comfort in asking God: "what do you need me to learn from this experience." If you face difficult circumstances, I would implore you to ask God that same question.

Sorry. Another long email. You guys are the best! I'm so grateful for the support I've gotten from friends and family. I appreciate the emails and messages that I get, and I promise I will respond...eventually. Things are kind of crazy now. Being a missionary is quite the experience. I love it.

እግዚአብሔር ይባርካችኋል

Mungu akubariki (Swahili too now baby)

Elder Miles