Called to Serve: I bless the rains down in Africa

Hello my wonderful family and friends, Mamukase! (Ma-moo-ka-say) That means Good Morning in Shona

You know how last week we had a devotional by Elder Neil L. Anderson? Well, apparently there was a news station there AND all of us missionaries were on TV. We had so many of the people that we are teaching call us and say," Sister Omondi, Sister Kershaw! We saw you on TV with the Apostle.' Ha, I am famous in Zimbabwe now.

Like the heading says, the rainy season has started in Zimbabwe! It started on Thursday and didn't stop until Sunday afternoon. On Friday, we were heading to an appointment all the way across town, and it started pouring. Like not even within 5 min the streets had water rushing down them. My companion and I just laughed and went on anyway. I started singing 'There is Sunshine in my soul today' and danced in the rain. We got to the appointment, and we were DRIPPING wet! We were so wet and cold that after we were finished at that house, we went home to shower and clean up to go to our next appointment. I love the rain, though. It has cooled off a ton and feels so nice.

This week on Wednesday and Thursday we came to the mission office for a trainer and trainee meeting. Because I came in the middle of a transfer, my companion hadn't started the 12 week program with me. The meeting was so nice, and gave me some motivation to give this my all. They talked about the importance of exact obedience. I committed that day that I would be exactly obedient, even if I was the only one. This mission kind of struggles with obedience. I just know that a mission is hard enough. I need all the blessings from my Heavenly Father to help me get along, so I am really striving to do the things that I am asked. My companion is very obedient as well, and that is so nice. I also got to see two of the elders that I came with here. That was nice to talk to them and have someone sympathize with how I am feeling. It was fun catching up and hearing about some of their adventures in their areas. That night, we went to dinner at President and Sister Makasi's house. When we pulled up to the house, I thought in my mind," Am I in Zimbabwe anymore? Their house looked like an American home, and it was so nice to be there and feel like I was at home.

Their youngest son, Tino was my buddy all night long. He is three years old, and told me that I am his companion. At dinner he even came and whispered in my ear that I was cute. Don't you just love little kids? That night we stayed with the STL's and I am really grateful for them. They are so kind, and one of them is from Washington. I was able to talk with her how I was feeling, and she was so loving towards me. She even wrote a note and stuck it in my scriptures. I found it on Thursday when I was feeling homesick because I knew it was Thanksgiving. Tender mercies are so real!

On Thursday night, we were back in our area, and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner. Sadly, I could not find a turkey last week, so I made chicken instead. I also cooked mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls, and for dessert, a chocolate cake! All of the sisters in the house, other than me, are from Africa... so they had no idea why I set the table nice and made them all say what they were thankful for. It's all good though, I was satisfied that I celebrated a tiny bit.

One of our progressing investigators name is Lenna. She is 18 years old, and has a three year old baby named Kisha. She had some rough teenage years, and is not with Kisha's father. She was a referral from Dumasani, the man we baptized a couple weeks ago. This gospel can bless people so much. We give her a commitment, and she ALWAYS keeps it. I am so proud of her in her conversion to the gospel, and her desire to learn. She even told us that when her old friends come and hang around the house, she leaves because she does not want that kind of life anymore. I am so happy for her! We extended a baptismal date, and she is going to be baptized in December.

This week wasn't easy for me, I felt extremely homesick. I realized though that the best cure for homesickness is work. When we go and work hard in our area, I don't have time to think of home. I really enjoy coming home after a long day knowing that I gave it my best. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father answers prayers, I know he is watching over me.