Elder Corey Miles - Ethiopia Addis Ababa Mission: WK 88

This was easily the busiest week of my mission if not the busiest week of my life. I think we only had time to daily plan once or twice and I maybe only got in two personal studies. Probably not the best, butttt I also enjoyed it very much so let me share.

Last pday, the Ethiopian New Year celebrations were still going on, so a member named Sister Yewinshet invited the whole zone over to feast upon some Ethiopian delicacies like Doro Wot (spicy chicken stew) and Kitfo (mostly raw ground beef, not my favorite). It was a good time and we were able to share a message about General Conference with her and her family.

We also had probably the most interesting meeting of my mission this week. We were blessed to have some awesome devotionals while in Kenya, but this one might take the cake. Elder Ardern from the area presidency and Brother Brad Wilcox (yes, you know the man) came to visit the mission and the country and wow... they came prepared with spiritual fire. Elder Ardern absolutely took control of the meeting and helped us realize we were receiving personal revelation during the meeting, and Brad Wilcox brought his humor and joy. He lived in Ethiopia when he was a child and hadn't been back since, so he got a little tearful as he shared his experience. It was powerful. I will never forget that devotional.

The next day after the devotional we held a zone council aimed at helping the zone enjoy the next transfer and building their faith to see miracles. Afterwards, I went straight to Arat Kilo for exchanges with Elder Williams. We were able to teach a young man and see where the new chapel is going to be, but our last activity fell through...

...but then we were able to fulfill it the next day. Esias, Tekaw's friend, got baptized this week and I was able to do the baptismal interview! I'm so lucky I had the chance to work with him.

We visited Brother Yohannes out in Jemk again with the help of the Elder's Quorum President. He hasn't been feeling well so we gave him a blessing.

Miracle time: Our area used to be really slow. We could not find anybody to teach. But we have sincerely pressed forward and we feel like God has truly blessed us with some miracles and prepared people.

- Seneshew: a man we met in a juice house with his daughter. We felt a strong spiritual prompting to speak with him and we were able to meet! He is open to hearing the message and is a very friendly man.

- Kebebew: one day we were walking to the church when a man came up and asked us where the Latter-day Saints was. We started talking and it turns out a member gave him a Book of Mormon two years ago.

- Kefyalehu: The nicest man who works as a military police officer. Right off the bat he is so excited about meeting with us and coming to church.

- Bienvenue: Our friend from the Congo is progressing well and really wants to involve his family in the Gospel.

We participated in a Branch activity this week. Because there are a lot of foreigners in the branch, President Rangi decided to do a cultural night for all of the different countries. We ate cultural food and saw cultural dances from Colombia, The USA, Ethiopia, and New Zealand. As part of the New Zealand performance, we did the famous Haka war dance with President Rangi. He taught us beforehand and we surprised everyone. If you want to see it, I have a terrible quality video 😂

I know this email is already crazy long but I want to share one more though. Brad Wilcox talked about how when he lived here, the church did not exist here. His family prayed like crazy for the Gospel to be taught here. Fast forward sixty years later, the church is here and there is a mission. He said that his mom would've cried seeing a mission created in the country because it seemed so bleak for the church to come here. Truly prayers are answered on God's timetable because even though it’s not perfect, look how far it has come.

እግዚአብሔር ይመስገን

Elder Miles