Hi Everyone!
This
week has been really action packed, and a ton of things happened toward
the end of the week. I'm loving it, and trying to immerse myself as
much as I can so that I don't dwell on the negative things.
The
start of the week was pretty normal, and it actually started to look
like some of our baptisms wouldn't happen, and that we would fall short
of our goal this month. On Friday, everything turned around, and
everything came together for us. We ended up having 7 baptisms this
weekend, which was our goal! Also, one of the couples we have been
working with, Patrick and Rachal, were married, and were part of the
group that was baptized. The baptism and marriage went great, and I
myself got to baptize 4 of the 7! The marriage ceremony was really cool,
and we didn't outside by the church building. Just a small group of
people came, and the Stake President (President Makaza) performed the
ceremony. It was a really cool thing to be apart of. We even got them
some cake to celebrate as well. Sunday was a very busy, but oh so
wonderful day. Our hard work has been paying off! We had 9 interviews,
but 2 ended up not being baptized. There are just some things that
happen that we really can't control. Even though we had those people
fall through, we were still so successful this month, and those people
we missed this time we will be sure to pick up next time. It's pretty
crazy that I've had 14 baptisms in just 2 transfers. It's quite amazing
to me actually. People here are just so ready to hear our message, but
they have to work to follow it.
The exciting news is that a
representative from Church headquarters was here a week or so ago to
start plans for the temple. He went to a few sights around Harare,
including right next to the mission office in Highlands. From the sound
of things, it will most likely be built there, but we don't know for
sure. It is still in the works.
I also got a pretty sweet
Zimbabwean Soccer jersey, and had my name and number put on the back.
The printing guys messed it up originally, but they fixed it and it
looks great now. Elder Milikafu got one as well. It was our
companionship item! There is also a guy in our ward who makes things for
missionaries. He is making some elephant leather shoes and a belt for
me very soon. I'm super stoked!
It sounds like things back
home are going very well for all of you. I hope the end of the school
year goes well, and that the crappy weather starts to stop. I do
actually miss the snow, but it is starting to get a little cooler here.
Even though it will never snow, I still enjoy the colder weather. My
companion thinks I'm crazy! He gets cold when it's like below 60
degrees, and that is the perfect temperature for me!
The
braai last week was pretty fun. We ended up playing some soccer
afterwards, and I played ok. I had the chance to score but totally
screwed it up/ Better luck next time I guess! :) We are playing the
other Harare Zones again today, so I think I will have my shot at
redemption!
The Shona word for the week is Mupfana. It
means little kid, or child. Elder Milikafu is super super short, so
lot's of other missionaries call him that just to make him mad. They say
he is the smallest missionary in the whole church! The funny thing is
that I could actually see that being true!
I still have no idea what is going
to happen when he leaves, which will happen this Friday. I hope that
these last few days are awesome for the both of us. I could end up being
in a threesome with other elders, or just get a new companion, but I
haven't been notified either way. I'm both excited and nervous about
having a new companion, but I feel like I'm ready for the challenge. I
just really hope and pray that he is a good guy! I'm sure he will be.
I
didn't end up getting to sing in church this Sunday, because the others
slept in and forgot! That happens a ton here! People always plan for
things, and then just don't show up. It is so so different from home
when you can count on people to be on time to things. Just part of the
lifestyle here I guess. It makes me laugh most of the time, but other
times it can really irritate me. We practiced again after church, and
they said that this time they would for sure be there. haha :)
One
thing I've come to know out here is the reality of this gospel, and how
hard Satan actually works to make us miserable. So many things happen
daily that show how he works on the people we teach, and on us as
missionaries. He is real, and we have to do all we can to combat what he
is throwing at us and the people around us. Back home my perspective of
the gospel was so limited, but now I can really see that this is real.
It is not some distant thing we just learn about, it is why we are here.
The gospel is and should be what are lives are centered around, because
without it our lives would have no meaning and no purpose. Sometimes I
think that it would be easier to not know about the gospel, and to just
live in the world, but I know that I have been called to be above that. I
have been learning these things my whole life, and it is so important
for me to live the way my Father in Heaven wants me to live; like his
Son Jesus Christ.
I love you all so much. Please keep me updated on all the crazy things happening in your lives.
Until next week...
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