This week was an amazing and quick week! I can't believe that it is already Monday again.
On Wednesday I got to go on exchanges with SISTER BABE! We know that we aren't really supposed to go on exchanges to be with your friends... but she goes home in 2 weeks, and we had to be companions for one last time 
We had a blast together, and we talked nonstop. She was one of my favorite companions, and I am going to miss her like crazy. I just hope that dreams come true, and I can plan a trip to Uganda to see my best friend!
On Thursday we had an all mission zone conference because we had Elder Gay and Elder Palmer visiting. They could only talk to us for two hours, but those two hours were amazing! They prepared some thoughts but mainly gave the floor to us to ask questions. So there really wasn't a main topic that they talked about. Missionaries asked questions about how to stay motivated for these 2 years to 18 months. One thing that they said is that there are good days and bad days. It's no secret that serving a mission is really hard sometimes, but the thing that matters is how we react to those difficult days. Do we sit in the house and give up? Or do we keep pushing forward with faith knowing that there will be better days in the future? I also loved a comment they made that when our bad days come; it isn't our fault. We can't see our difficulties and think that it is because we are not good enough, or that we did something wrong. When something doesn't go right, we cannot blame it on ourselves. The opposition is just apart of our mortality! Elder Gay counseled us that we were not sent to Zimbabwe by accident. We were called here for a reason. Also- our success is not measured by the number of baptisms we have, but rather if we complete the mission that we were sent to do. In our premortal life, God knew we would be called to the great ZHM and we need to fulfill the purpose of why he called us here. Kinda scary, but so true! That applies to life as well. We are here on earth for a reason, and we need to find that reason, and do what he needs us to do!
We found an awesome part member family this week named the Rupiya Family. They were baptized and active members of the church in Bindura, but because of work, they had to move. The towns that they moved to for the past 3 years had no church! A couple weeks ago, a recent convert told us about a member who wanted to come to church. He came, and then this last week we visited them at their house. We found out their story, and they were so excited to have a connection with the church since it had been 3 years. Their two other teenagers weren't ever baptized, so now we get to teach them! We are so excited, and they are the sweetest family. They stay in a part of Hatcliffe called Sunvalley. hahaha, there is a Sunvalley in Idaho AND Zimbabwe, my friends ;)
On Saturday, Sister Makasi called us and told us that she had a friend who was in the hospital recovering from surgery. She lives in Borrowdale and isn't a member, but her mother is. We brought her a nice juice drink and a bouquet of flowers. We thought that we would only stay for 30 min or so... and ended up staying for 3 hours! She is the sweetest lady, and she talked to us nonstop. It was a fun way to give service, and we had an opportunity to share the gospel with her as well. She asked all about The Book of Mormon, and we encouraged her to download the Book of Mormon app on her phone. She isn't going to a church right now, and we hope that she is touched by our visit and has a desire to learn more. Her name is Ruth, and she is a mom of 7 beautiful children. She's a wonderful lady.
Miracles are happening every day, and I know that there is nowhere else in the world that I would rather be right now. I am so grateful to be in Zimbabwe at this time! To be honest, the country is really struggling right now. Gas is $17 bond a liter now, we never have power, and food is SO expensive... that's insane, huh? But you know what, Miracles happen in the most difficult of times and we see Heavenly Father's hand greater in our lives. I see members and people we are teaching sacrificing to come to church. They are seeing that as difficult as it may be, they can't forfeit those blessings that Heavenly Father will pour down if they show him their faith. It is humbling, and like I said, I wouldn't trade this for anything.
One thing I am so grateful for this week is that the rainy season has started! It is currently pouring rain outside. We have had a lot of beautiful storms and it has cooled off a bit.
Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers. I miss you, and I love you.
Sister Kershaw
(I got to see my trainer for the first time in like 6 MONTHS at the zone conference. I love Sister Omondi!)
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