After 35 hours of traveling, I finally made it back home safe and
sound. It's hard to believe that I am already here. The last week in the field
all my stuff was packed and I knew that I would be going home, but it just
didn't feel like it. It felt like I was just getting ready for a big transfer.
But, now I find myself over here in Mesa, Arizona soaking in all the dry heat
and shriveling up. No more humidity. I did go for a run today, though, and it
started to pour so I got soaked, but I'm already used to that feeling.
My last day in the field was just like a
typical day. I had planned on teaching a little bit my last day there and I
fixed this big last rendez-vous with one of the people that I have come closest
to over my 12 weeks in Bastos. We planned on meeting at the church at 12:00 and
we were going to share a nice light lunch and have a nice lesson. Well, when we
left the apartment it was raining and I was drenched very quickly because I
don't have an umbrella. Thankfully, I had little plastic bags that I could put my
books and what not into. We finally made it to the church and waited for a very
long time and this certain individual wasn't coming. So we gave him a call and
asked him where he was and this was his response, "What do you expect me
to do? It's raining! I can't get wet!" I just wanted to slap my hand to my
forehead and tell the guy, "Oh don't give me that!! I'm drenched!" I
didn't though. So that was my last teaching opportunity in Africa... a
ratez-vous, or in other words, we were bailed on.
The best part of my last day was going out with the Whitesides and the two other leaving elders to a very nice restaurant that sold amazing steak with mushroom and pepper sauce. I have come to really love the Whitesides, and I am so grateful for all that they have done. They have sacrificed so much so that our lives can be that much easier out there in Africa. We would be a bunch of lost boys living in chaos without the senior couples. It was nice just sitting down and talking with them and getting advice and counsel from them. I love my friends, the Whitesides.
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| McGrath, Addington, Hoiland, Graham, Me, Davis, Greenie |
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| Hatch, Johnston, Me, Rambeloson, Gélinas, Massé |
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| Addington, Whitesides, Me, Hoiland |
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| Going... |
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| Gone! |
Flying into Washington and stepping onto
American soil was incredible. Being in Africa for almost two years has really
helped me come to understand how great we have it over here. I wish I could
have understood better how I was feeling because I feel like I was in a daze my
whole trip home. I tried writing it all in my journal but I felt like those
entries were pretty pathetic. It was sweet drinking from a drinking fountain
for the first time in 22 months. It was difficult for me as well to not say
"bonjour" to an African. I'm in an all English country now. That will
take some getting used to.
I was officially released as a missionary
around 10:00 PM over at the stake center by my stake president. The hardest
part was when he told me that I could remove the two badges that were on my
suit and shirt. I have come very close to those badges. They have guided me, supported
me, encouraged me, lifted me, taught me, and much more. Having the name of the
Savior in front of my heart almost 24/7 was life changing. I am grateful for
the Spirit that came from the "missionary mantle". It has helped me
become who I am today and I know that today I am much closer to my Heavenly
Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
These past two years were incredible, but
I know that they will not be the best two years of my life. But they were the
best two years that I could have done for my life at this time. I have come
back a new man... or as the prophets of old would say, a new creature in
Christ. The work of the Lord is a redeeming work. Not only for those who
receive the Gospel but for those who preach it as well. The Lord promised that multiple
times in Doctrine & Covenants. I am a witness to that. No, I do not have
salvation today, but I know that I am closer than I have ever been before. I
still have a ways to go, but I am going in the right direction. That direction
came because of my mission. My mission has been a miracle in my life. The best
years are yet to come I believe and those will involve marriage and a family.
The last two years will serve as a foundation for the rest of my life. I have
learned many things that can and should be remembered and put into practice
throughout the rest of my mortal life and even eternal life. No education from
Duke or Harvard can give me the experience that I have gained while serving the
Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and strength for the past 24 months.
It's sad that it has come to an end, but I
know that I am where I need to be. I echo the words of Paul... I have fought a
good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. For me, though, I
also say that I have found the faith... and kept that which I found. The end
was inevitable. I didn't let it distract me or annoy me. I worked as hard as I
could until the very end.
I know with all my heart that Jesus is the Christ. I know that He
really did come here to Earth under the direction of a loving Heavenly Father
to perform an infinite atonement.
I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be reconciled once again
with our Heavenly Father and enter into his presence to never leave it again. I
know that salvation is real. I have tasted of it personally and I have seen
many others begin to grasp the understanding of exaltation and that
understanding has lead to faithful works which have helped them progress
eternally. I know that I have participated in the work of Almighty. And I know
that He loves you and I perfectly. His arms are open and He calls to us.
Thanks for following,
Christiaan Schmid
Fun gifts brought home from Cameroon
