Hello From Harare!

 I leave the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah on March 11 and fly from Salt Lake City to Atlanta.  Then from Atlanta to Zimbabwe with a stop in Johannesburg.  Here is the obligatory picture that has to be taken before leaving the MTC.  

 

Some have asked for my email address.  It is dstephens4@gmail.com

 I have my International Driving Permit.  I will have to learn to drive on the left side of the road before I can use it.  

 Here is an article that was published in my local newspaper.  Many more people than just me worked on helping those in the African American community in Athens to find their ancestors.   THE OCONEE ENTERPRISE – FOR PUBLICATION ON FEBRUARY 8, 2024 “Local Family History Expert to Serve Mission in Zimbabwe” By Marv Evans Debbie Stephens, a local family history expert who lives in Bogart, will be leaving in late February to serve a full-time mission in Zimbabwe, Africa. Stephens joins 5,300 other senior missionaries currently serving around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition, nearly 66,000 young missionaries (ages 18-26) are serving in 414 geographical missions worldwide. “My love for doing African-American family history research is what led to my desire to serve a mission to Africa,” said Stephens. During her 18-month stay in Zimbabwe, she will teach others how to research their ancestors. She will also teach English to young mi...

 This is the hard part of leaving.  However, I am comforted by these words by Elder Rutherford B Clayton, “If you choose to serve the Lord, He will bless you and your family. As we give our all to the Lord, then He can unleash power. He can open the windows of heaven to bring forth blessings that our family needs—our children, our grandchildren, those in the extended family, our nearby friends even—that had we not gone on a mission, we probably wouldn’t have been able to accomplish. But when we trust Him, then we open this magnificent opportunity for our family to be blessed. And not that we go on missions to have our families blessed—it’s just what happens when we’re out doing the work of heaven and helping others find Him.” I am new to blogging and don't know yet how to get pictures arranged other than one under the other.  Later posts should be better.

The bags are not packed but Amazon has delivered them. Pictured are a few necessities I will be taking to Zimbabwe. Raincoat and umbrella are for frequent torrential rains during the rainy season. The dry season can last 7 months with absolutely no rain. A filtered water bottle for poor quality water. A solar power bank to keep my cell phone charged during the government mandated 20 hour power cuts due to drought. Thankfully, my apartment will have solar power during those blackouts. My personal item back pack that will mostly be used to hold cash. Zimbabwe is primarily a cash economy. I have been advised to bring enough cash in small bills for food and personal items for 18 months. Although I feel an adventure coming on, my main reason for going there is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ by loving and serving the people of Zimbabwe. I will be training in Provo, Utah for two weeks beginning February 26 and will fly to Harare on March 12. I will be speaking in church on Sunda...