I have been saying that these weeks have been all really good, but sadly, this week wasn't really like that. It was crazy, and one I really don't want to do over! hahaha The country just made a law that you are no longer aloud to use U.S. currency. Well, and actually I think the law is just all foreign currencies. Because of that, we now can no longer use our international cards to swipe for groceries.... or petrol. There is already a shortage of petrol in the country, and there were already super long lines to get fuel. Now all of the people who could use international currency are joining those long lines. On Friday, we waited in a petrol line for 5 hours and never got ANY petrol! I never thought I would cry over getting petrol, but I did this week. We finally got some on Saturday, which was a HUGE answer to our prayers, and Heavenly Father blessed us.
We barely got to go to our area this week, but I can't say that it was a total waste. We found two new families to teach when we did go to our area, and that is a miracle. They were both referrals from Owen! haha He wanted us to go see his friend, and then the family joined us. The other is Owen's immediate family, and he went with us to go see them. He is so powerful! He has seen the gospel bless his life and he wants the same for his family and friends.
I am not sure if I have told you about this man we are teaching, but his name is Baba Prudence. His whole family are members of the church, but his wife is divorced. He has read the Book of Mormon two times already, and has just been waiting to be baptized. He wasn't coming to church at first, because he was embarassed that the ex-wife would be there, and the ward would judge him. After many prayers and even fasting for him, he finally came to church, and hasn't missed a Sunday since then. He is struggling a bit with a Word of Wisdom issue, but he is really trying his best to overcome his addictions. He is so prepared, and is working forward to his baptism date. We are hoping it will be in a couple weeks. He is so awesome!
On Sunday after church, we had an opportunity to go on splits with an HEFY group that is doing a service project here in Harare. It was fun to be with youth from America, and to not feel like I was the minority alone! We taught Tatenda about the Book of Mormon, and I was so proud of these youth! We read the introduction, paragraph by paragraph, and they explained what they read super well. They are future missionaries, for sure! My favorite part was when some of them shared how they came to know that the Book of Mormon was true. The simplicity of their testimonies were powerful, and brought the spirit to the lesson. Thank you HEFY for joining me in my area!
I told you about a lady, Monica that we were teaching. She is doing well, and is loving the lessons. Monica's uncle was visiting her for about a week. He joined in on the lessons, but sadly, he doesn't stay in our area. But he does stay in the elder's town area. Those elders are in our district, as well. Their area isn't the easiest to find people to teach, and they often really struggle. We gave them Her uncle's number and told them to go and teach him. When they followed up they said," Sisters. We are so grateful you gave us this man to teach. He told us that we came at the right time, and he has been looking and praying for this in his life." I am amazed at how the Lord helps people come to the gospel. If we hadn't gone to see Monica at that time, her uncle would have never heard of the gospel. It was also an answer to those elder's prayers. Moral of the story: HEAVENLY FATHER ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS.
Despite these difficult times in Zimbabwe, I know that the Lord will continue to bless us missionaries as we are obedient and diligent. That is something I have really been working on, DILIGENCE. It is one thing to just go through the motions of being a missionary, but it is better when we are consecrated and give ALL that we have to the Lord. He will give us miracles when we do so. I pray that I can continue to keep a positive attitude and continue to just try my best. I think that is all that the Lord wants us to do in this life, anyway. He knows that challenges come, and setbacks happen. What really counts is how we deal with it. Are we going to choose to be positive and happy even when things don't go our way? Or are we going to choose to be miserable, and let ourselves be miserable? I love this quote from Marjorie Hinkley that I often have to tell myself: " The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."
Please, Please, PLEASE enjoy the 4th of July JUST for me, eat really good BBQ, and go swimming. Stay up late and watch all the fireworks you can. It's really my favorite holiday, tied with Christmas, so party extra hard for me. ;)
Please keep Zimbabwe in your prayers. Don't worry too much, I am fine and I am safe. I will always be, because Heavenly Father watches over his missionaries! I love you all.
My companion wrapped in a blanket because we are currently in winter
(Our house is FREEZING)
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