Abe left in December to go to the MTC in Ghana.
He worked hard.
He was sent to Brazaville for his first city.
It seemed like it was pretty remote.
He would call me from a little cyber cafe and I could see him but not hear him very well.
At the end of March, Covid-19 was spreading quickly and the schools and churches started to shut down. We were in qaurentine trying to stop the spread. I talked to Abe on the phone and he asked me what was going on and why church was canceled. I told him to go get some supplies and food just in case. He had only heard of one case in Africa so they were not aware of the worldwide effect that the corona virus was having. He went to his training on Wed. and the mission president told them to get some supplies so they went to the store. At the store, they received a call that said to go home and pack.
All missionaries everywhere were being sent home.
They went and packed and Abe got on one of the last flights out of Africa.
I know Heavenly Father was watching out for him.
He had to wait in Ethiopia for a couple days and he and a few missionaries were walking down the street in a big city. All of a sudden a car pulled up and told them to get in. There were two cars with just the right amount of seatbelts and they took them to the mission home.
Abe thought it was amazing that they were in a huge place and the two cars just happen to be right where they were, with just the right amount of space and took them where they needed to be.
It was an unexpected turn in his mission and in the world.
We were all so happy to see him and be together and safe.
He got home just in time for general conference and I remember him telling me how grateful he was to listen to it in English.
What an experience.
Even though it was four months, I think it felt like forever to Abe;)
I also felt that he learned so much and felt the spirit.
Two times he shared were when he was having a hard time and feeling down, he sat in his class and a song came to his mind and he could hear the exact music and lyrics perfectly. It's not a song he loved but it was super calming to him and gave him just the moment of peace. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father knows how to reach us in the language we understand and that we feel-music for Abe.
Another time was when he was feeling down and he picked up an folder that was in his suitcase of some notes. One envelope fell out that he hadn't noticed before. It was a note from his grandma and grandpa, full of quotes and he told me they were just what he needed. Grandpa wasn't doing well at all and later passed away while Abe was there. It was hard for Abe to be gone during that time. He didn't know how he had missed this envelope but Heavenly Father let him find it just when he needed it.
Grateful for Abe's service and for Heavenly Father blessing him while he was there.
