Hello from Zimbabwe! This week was such a great week! With being in a trio now, we are covering two areas, so we are SO busy!!
In the new area, there was a couple that the sisters were working with to be married. Let me tell you, marriage in Zimbabwe is no easy task. First off, they have this thing called lobolla. The future husband must pay money to the parents to get married. After he pays the lobola, they usually just live together, and don't get legally married. So basically everyone I meet who tells me that they are married, I know its not legally. lol
Over the past couple of years, a marriage license wasn't required to be married with the church in Zimbabwe. The couple just had to come to church for three times and then sign this thing called marriage bans that is just agreeing that this is what they want to do. Well, starting January 2019, a marriage license was required. And it costs $20..! Because of the situation, $20 is a whole lot to the Zimbabweans, and they don't have just money like that to spend.
OKAY back to this couple...their names are Patience and Reason. Back in December they started signing the marriage bans, so we thought that they were good to be married. Because they finished signing on the 31st of December it was too late to have the marriage in December. The marriage bans were invalid come January, and they needed a license. These people are so powerful though, and a couple weeks later they finally got the marriage license. After they got the license, we called the bishop to find a marriage officer... THEN ANOTHER PROBLEM CAME UP. All of the marriage officers in the stake had expired licenses themselves. It got to the point where we called President Makasi to help find us a marriage officer because we had no other place to go. After many prayers and (trying) to be patient, President found one to come.
On Sunday, we got them married! It was a lot of fun. We had the wedding right after church, so we had a great turn out from the ward! We bought them a cake, and we really celebrated! We waited too long for this couple to be married, so we partied like nobody's business! Right after the wedding they were baptized! They were so happy and even told us that they were so grateful for this gospel and the support and love they received. People in Zimbabwe are so humble and grateful.
Liyona was baptized as well. That girl is so sweet, and I am so proud of her! She came to church by herself and without any support. She knows how important this gospel is, and she was so happy for her baptism! I don't know why Lenna hasn't been coming to church, but I know she has a testimony. She will come around and we will work with her! Cansio went M.I.A. this week, and that made me really sad. I just don't think he was ready, anyway. We will try and meet with him so that we can prepare him better!
Today I am emailing a little later, because my companions took me out to lunch to celebrate my birthday at this fun place called Rocomama's. It reminds me of Red Robin! There were other missionaries there, and it was fun to relax a bit and celebrate! My companions are the best!
I am loving my mission SO much!!! Zimbabwe is full of such wonderful people, and I am really coming to love them. Adjusting to life hasn't been easy by any means, but it is so worth it! I have learned to have fun, work hard, and have charity. I am also learning patience and diligence. I wouldn't trade this opportunity for the world!
Have an amazing week, I love you all SO much! I pray for you daily, and I also feel the strength from your love and prayers.
Love, Sister Kershaw
No comments:
Post a Comment