This week was a CRAZY week. But what do you expect? I am in Zimbabwe!
On Wednesday we had more exchanges with another set of sisters. I was with a sister named Sister Obert! She actually is from here in Zimbabwe, and she actually wasn't called to serve in this mission. She doesn't even have here mission call yet. They allowed her to serve a mini mission here in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission for 6 weeks. She is so stinking cute, and is so enthusiastic about missionary work! I love being around brand new or in this case a pre-missionary. When she taught, she taught with so much love and happiness for the gospel! It was good to feel that kind of spirit again.The exchange went so well, too. We had a lot of our appointments fall through, but we were able to keep ourselves busy!
This time of year is harvest season for maize. What they do is they cut down the stalks of corn, and pluck the ears of corn. They dry the maize, take it off the cob, and grind the kernels to make the meal for sadza. We helped a mama take the kernels off the cob, and it was so much fun!
During that time of service, we got a call from the elders who are in charge of all the houses. They told us we need to leave our area immediately, and pack our bags. I guess something happened with the lease and the landlord. She was demanding more money, and the church didn't want to pay for something ridiculous, they really didn't owe her more money. So, we needed to be out of the house by that night! I was so sad that our exchanges were cut short, but we had a good day. Currently, we are staying with another set of sisters here in Harare until they get us a new house. They said that it should be this week. The four man house is SUPER fun and the other sisters are awesome!
I wanted to tell you guys about some new people we found this week! Last Sunday a girl came with a family who are members. Her name is Ennie, and she just recently lost her mom. She came to church with them before, but it had been a while since she came again. When we went to go visit her, we asked her what she expects from us missionaries, and she said," I want to be baptized." We asked her if she knew the Book of Mormon, and she said," Yes, I already read it, and I know it is true." Talk about GOLDEN PERSON TO TEACH! She is so ready and prepared for the gospel. I am so excited to see how she just progresses and grows in the gospel!
We also found a girl named Audrey. She approached us, and asked us what we do as missionaries because she had seen us around before. We explained and then set an appointment to meet with her. We taught her the Restoration and she understood really well. We even asked her when we could meet with us again, and she told us the next day. She loves us to visit her and teach her about the gospel. The only sad thing is that her mom won't let her come to church... so we are going to have to talk to her mom. She is super powerful, though and we will just pray for her mom to allow her to come to church!
Goliath is doing well, we finished teaching him all of the lessons. He keeps the commitments so well and loves coming to church. The only thing with him now is his wife. They are separated at the moment, and he really wants to get back together with her. One odd thing about Zimbabwe is that if you upset your wife, and she moves out, you have to pay her money for her to come and be with you again. He has visited her several times, and she doesn't seem interested, she just said," You need to pay me." So... he is going to visit her one last time, and lay it all out for her. The sad thing is that he wants the gospel for his family. If they were to get back together, they would also have to get legally married. Once she gives him the answer, we will take action, and do whatever we can to help him, because he is so ready!
Yesterday we also had a baptism! I forgot to tell you about Agnes, but she was previously taught by the other sisters. We just had to finish teaching her a couple of the commandments, and then she would be ready for baptism. Agnes is 14 years old, and can't speak any English! Every time we had to go and visit her, we brought someone to translate. Her mom is a member, but isn't active right now. Agnes always came to church by herself, and she even bore her testimony before she was a member! She was so happy to be baptized, and we were happy for her. She will be a great example to her family, and the youth in our ward are so awesome! They already have fellowshipped her so well.
One last FUNNY story of the week! There was this drunk baba who we always run into. More than just being drunk, I am not sure if everything is right in his noggin... haha! He came and sat in one of our lessons and just kept interrupting and saying nonsense. We kindly asked him to leave, and so he finally did on the 5th time. As we were leaving that area, he stuck his hand out like he wanted a ride. We aren't allowed to give anyone rides, so it is always super awkward! We drove to another farm, and sure enough he had walked there! He started to give us fire, and just started rambling about how we didn't give him a ride. He then said," There can only be one person in the both of your hearts, there can't be room for both Jesus and Satan. Since you didn't give me a ride, guess who is in your heart? SATAN." Then he just died laughing and so did my companion and I. He thought it was so funny to call us Satan. Ah, these drunk dudes in Zimbabwe aren't serious.
Wanna know all the way people pronounce my name here? Keeshaw, kooshaw, kersher, kreshaw. It's hilarious! Who knew Kershaw was so hard to say?
Sister Sariah told me something that the sister she was on exchanges with told her. They were reading in the missionary handbook, and under the portion where it talks about service, it says," Never start a project that you can't finish." This sister said that she takes that in regards to her mission. This is something that she started, so she needs to finish. That stuck with me this week. I started this "project" and I have to finish it. No matter how much I miss home, or no matter how difficult some days can be, I have to finish. My parents taught me that I can do hard things, and I know that I can do them with His help.
Sadly, this is my last week with Sister Sariah and her last week here in Zimbabwe. We are going to enjoy every minute together, doing the best thing in the whole world, sharing the gospel! I love Zimbabwe more and more each week, which I didn't even think was possible because I love it so much, already! The country, people, and the gospel are so beautiful here. I love you so much! I always keep you in my prayers.
Love,
Sister Kershaw
No comments:
Post a Comment