She's Home!

ZHM 2018-2020

6 areas. 11 companions. 18 months. 

Did I really just do that?! 

What a ride this has been. I am so grateful for these last 18 months on my mission. They were so hard, but because they were hard, I grew so much. I have had some very crazy adventures and had to go without comforts that I definitely took advantage of when I was back home. Things like no water or electricity, handwashing clothes, and eating with my hands became completely normal. Huge spider or mouse in the room? No problem. Being the only white person at church? No problem. Being locked inside the house for a week? No problem. Looking back, I am so grateful that I experienced these things. It humbled me and helped me to relate better to the people. They were suffering from some of the same trials. 

I have met some of the coolest people I've ever met in my whole life! Seeing the atonement change their lives gave me so much hope that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all mankind! I know that God loves all of his children, and that's why he sends missionaries to Zimbabwe. They have so much faith, and that's how I know that these people are going to be okay. The things that matter most to them is god and their families. With a country that is struggling in every other way possible; they know what they have is enough. They are so humble, and they love the gospel SO much. Before I came on my mission, I really prayed to find the people that Heavenly Father needed me to. I know that the people I met and taught were inspired by the Lord. And if I am being quite honest, I needed Zimbabwe and these sweet people more than they needed me. I am changed forever and am so grateful. I wish I could talk about them all, but there are just too many to count. I really created bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime! I will just have the rest of my life to share their stories and the miracles I saw on my mission.

I have a testimony of my savior Jesus Christ. I know he lives. I have felt his love and come to know him better than I have in my whole life. He knows us individually and will carry us when we cannot go any further. He helps us see people as Heavenly Father does, and to love those we feel that we could never love. This is the only true church on the face of the whole earth. Joseph Smith truly did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and through the gift and power of God, he translated the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon will bring us closer to Jesus than any other book! It brings us peace. The comfort I felt from the scriptures during all times in my mission made the biggest difference! The gospel brings joy. I have never been so happy in my whole life, serving a mission was the best 18 months for my life! 

I hope I will be able to see you on Saturday... It was a very crazy week with church canceled, and coronavirus literally exploding. As far as I know, I will still be leaving the great Zimbabwe on Friday. I love you all! Thank you for the love and support from these last 18 months. Mom and Dad, I am on my way to come give you a BIGGGGGG hug! I will find a way to get back home. :) 

Love, Sister Kershaw

LAST ZONE CONFERENCE EVER

Hello Family, Friends, and Anyone else who still reads my weekly emails ;)

We had the craziest week ever, so I hope that this email is more exciting for you guys, because I have a lot of stories to tell you! 

We met the coolest guy named Ignatius. He approached us last Sunday night, and we were a little hesitant because it was dark, and we were rushing home. We talked to him anyway, and he said that he was really interested to learn about our church. We ONLY had a Plan of Salvation pamphlet, and so that's what we gave him. We set an appointment and didn't think much else about it. When his appointment came this last week, he shared with us that he had lost his father and brother. He attended a church, but they took advantage of him and he wasn't interested. He is the coolest guy ever, and we are so excited to continue teaching him. 

We had a zone conference this last week and it was with Elder Sitati of the seventy. What an amazing experience that was! He opened it up for discussion and questions, and then he taught us. He was so in tune with the spirit, and I couldn't have asked for a better last zone conference. He talked about obedience and used the parable of the sower and Lehi's vision. I never thought of those being able to connect, but he did it beautifully. Both had examples of people's conversion, and what happened based on their levels of conversion. The moral of the story is to always stay on the Lord's side. Do what's right and we'll be happy. 

Brother and Sister Bwanyire were referrals from a member in the stake presidency. She was taught by missionaries a long time ago and has been reading the Book of Mormon. She was attending a different church, however. Her husband taught school in Ethiopia and was not very religious at all. She could not get him to go to church at all and prayed he would soften his heart. When he moved back to Zimbabwe, he met the member in the stake presidency, and he eventually got him to come to church. Sister Bwanyire was so shocked that her husband had softened his heart, that she said," This is not a coincidence. There must be something with this church." They said in our appointment that they are ready to learn, and feel this is right for them. 

The CRAZIEST thing happened on Friday night. We came home on Friday night and things in our house just did not seem right. Our broom had moved from the inside to the outside, and we got inside and our window handle was broken off and missing. It was obvious that someone got into our house. We called our mission leaders and they didn't want us staying there until they figured out what happened. So we moved our beds and clothes and everything over to the sisters across the street. By this time President Makasi showed up, and he made some phone calls. TURNS OUT that our landlord brought plumbers to fix our water problem, and when they fixed it, the tap in the house was on. So because of water on the floor, she gave them permission to break into our house. All of this happened, and she didn't even think to tell us. So that was so much fun hahahaha a crazy memory to have, for sure! 

Love you all so much!

Sister Kershaw

Trio Life= PARTY

At this point, I am going to be honest... I am kinda struggling to know what to write in my weekly emails because I come home in 2 1/2 weeks. I will just share the highlights of the week :)

-Jimmy was baptized. It's actually awkward, we figured out his name is Jaime. The baptism was interesting. We reminded the ward mission leader and the elders Quorum President to fill the font, and they said they would, but that never happened. We got there at 10 am to an empty font. The baptism started 3 hours later. At least he got to be baptized! He was the cutest at sacrament meeting when he got up and bore his testimony; we were so proud! 

- Sister Mokoena had me dye her dreadlocks. It reminded me of when I dyed Amanda's hair on Christmas Eve like 7 years ago. ;) 

-ALL of the new people we found this week were referrals from members. That is so exciting because they have built-in fellow shippers already. One of them named Lindy came to church with her sister, which was amazing that she came! 

-The Halverson family were living in an apartment, and the Landlord knew they were foreign, so he was charging them an outrageous amount of money for rent. They were not able to pay that amount, so they were getting kicked out. They were so stressed and found out they had 7 days before they were kicked out. they prayed and fasted, and the day after, someone called them and said they found a house. We talked to the son Mike, and he said," Sisters. Heavenly Father is aware of our family. This church is so true." ahhhh I love them so much. 

-We are loving the trio and are enjoying every moment that we get to spend together 

Love, Sister Kershaw

Exchanges and Trio round 3

My name is on the departure board, and I cried

This week I got to go on exchanges with a sister named Sister Goff. I don't know if you remember, but a LONG time ago, I took HER on exchanges. Now she is an STL, and I got to go to her area. We had so much fun together! I am grateful for her, and for her friendship. She said that she considered me one of her "mission moms". She is a sweetie! Exchanges are just an excuse to get to have a sleepover and talk with your good friends on mission ;) hahaha just kidding! I did learn a lot from her. 

Highlights of the week:

-The Halverson Family all got callings, and the men got the priesthood. The ward is fellowshipping them, and they are doing great! 

-I learned to make chapatis. They are like East African tortilla and are heavenly. (Don't worry, I'll make them for ya'll back home)

- A lady we've been teaching for a really long time finally came to church. Her name is Mai Adele. 

-Dinner appointment with the Mahoni family (We are teaching their son Jimmy) Jimmy, Divine, and Craig are so funny. 

-We are now in a trio :) Sister Kisby joined in the fun in Marimba Park because I will be leaving mid transfer. We could be twins, and I think people will get us mixed up, but it's fine. hahaha, I will send a picture of us next week! 

It was the last week of the transfer, and so nothing exciting really happens in week 6. Sometimes you get the "week 6 blues"

I love you all SO much! 

Sister Kershaw

Hello family! 

We had the busiest week ever! We were preparing for the wedding and preparing for the baptism, so it flew by. These weeks are flying by, and I don't know how I feel about it. 

We have to have interviews with the people being baptized, so we met our district leader, and then it decided to POUR rain. I sat in the interviews for 3 hours dripping wet. Oh, the lives of missionaries!

Okay so... I made the huge mistake of baking the cake for the wedding. I thought I could just bake a chocolate cake and frost it, then it would be nice. HA ya, I am not a baker, that's for sure. I poured the batter in and let it bake. When the timer went off and I checked on it, the outside edges were burnt, and the middle was sunk in and not cooked. The next morning, I tried again in the round pan, (okay it was a round frying pan) and it did the same thing. The third batch wasn't too bad, so we stacked the two together, and then frosted it. It didn't look the prettiest, but at least it came together, and a cake was at the wedding. SISTER CHIRWA looked so beautiful! It was fun to see all of her family there; there was a lot of love and support. We danced, and had a lot of fun at the wedding ;)

The next day was the baptism. All 6 of the Halverson family were baptized, and also Sister Chirwa. It was so amazing. The spirit that was in the room was soooooo strong. Converts were baptized that day. On Sunday at church, they all bore their testimonies. Sister Mokoena and I were just balling. They are so grateful for the blessings the gospel has brought to their families. The father really got us emotional too. He said," I love Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. and I LOVE my family. This gospel is exactly what we needed." 

I am doing great. I have loved my mission, and am going to love every moment of these last 4 weeks. I am grateful for my companion, she is an angel. Honestly, we are just best friends  I love the area, and I love the ward. I love the gospel, and I love being a missionary. I don't think I've ever been this happy on my whole mission :) 

Love, Sister Kershaw

JOY comes through HIM

Hello Family and Friends,

This week I have been asking the question, "WHY?" Life is just so difficult, and there is so much suffering in the world.  The world has an endless supply of difficulties. When, where, and HOW can we ever feel relief? As I was studying this week in 3 Nephi, the Holy Ghost gave me the answer. 

It's Jesus Christ. He is the source of all peace. While Zimbabwe is suffering and people are losing hope, their answer is Jesus Christ. He is our healer, our peace, and our life. When we turn to him, he helps us become whole. When he visited the Nephites, he healed them one by one. He blessed them and extended a hand of mercy. He will heal us one by one, and his light will shine brighter than all of our fears. I have a testimony that Jesus Christ is here for every, single. one. of. us. 

We had a zone conference this week, and it was probably one of the funnest zone conferences that I have been to. I just felt the spirit so strong and loved listening to the councils from our mission leaders. One thing that President Makasi really spoke about was repentance. We read scriptures to talk about the effects of repenting and not repenting. I would love to share them with you because they were so good! 

In Mosiah 4: 3,12,13 we read about the effects of repenting: 

1. We will have joy and peace of conscience 

2. The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost

3. Faith in Jesus Christ increases

4. Retain a remission of our sins

5. Always rejoicing and be filled with a greater love

6. We will grow in knowledge

In Mosiah 2: 36-38 we read about the effects of NOT repenting:

1. WE withdraw ourselves from the spirit

2. We stop progressing and learning

3. There is no place prepared for us 

4. We are in open rebellion against God

5. We are an enemy to God

6. Filled with guilt

7. Mercy has no claim on us

8. Our final doom is never-ending torment

So ya... Let's repent, cause it will make us and God happy 

We are getting a TON of referrals from members. One family has a son who was never baptized and isn't a child of record. His name is Jimmy and he is 9 years old. It is so much fun teaching him because he already knows everything! He is so funny, too. We were trying to get him to remember what we called Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost (the godhead) So we said it begins with God... and then we pointed to our heads. He then said," Godbrain?" We died laughing! hahaha, he is so fun. 

The Chirwa family got their marriage license, and so the wedding is on for VALENTINES DAY! I am so pumped! It will be a fun evening. The Halversons are beyond ready to be baptized. While we were teaching the family about the commandments, we asked the father if he would live the commandments. He said," Of course I will. It's from God." They are some of the most prepared people that I've met on my mission. Stay tuned for next week for lots of wedding and baptism pictures ;) 

I love you all! 

Sister Kershaw