Hello From Harare!

Week 7 has been challenging.  I explain below.  But in the midst of the challenges,  when I didn't think I was going to be able to do what was required of me, I was doing my early morning walk and saw this woman.  She looked to be about my age.  She was carrying her produce to a spot on the side of the road to try to sell it so she can get by in this difficult economy.  The drought plus the change of currency in Zimbabwe is causing extreme hardships for people who are already as poor as poor can be.  When I watched her, I thought to myself, "If she can deal with her difficult life, I can deal with my little problems."  She inspired me.    This has been my view for much of this week.  Request for rents to be paid needed to be sent to the Church Finance Office in South Africa no later than Thursday.  For two weeks, I had been working with a team from there to help me gain access to the Church payment system with no success....

 Monday was transfer day.  All of the missionaries who are being transferred to a new area come to the mission office and load their luggage into another vehicle and head out to their new assigned areas.  There are about 63 companionships in this mission and 56 of them changed this transfer.  It was a happy day!  It's like a missionary reunion.  They see former companions and friends they haven't seen in a while.  The sisters are huggers.    Friday, eleven new missionaries entered the mission.  All arrived at the mission office from the airport around 1.  After eating chicken sandwiches and fries from Pogos, they met with many people in the office to receive their mission funds, receive instructions from medical on how to stay healthy and prevent malaria, met with the secretary and with President Judd.  The African missionaries met with me so that I could tell them about English Connect and what I can do to help them if they wa...

 There hasn't been much adventure this week.  My mentor left last week so this was my first week on my own with dealing with landlords and helping the young missionaries improve their English speaking, reading and writing.  I think I am here to do other things besides this and look forward to discovering what they are.  For now, I will try to learn these responsibilities well.   There were four baptisms held after the meetings at the ward we attended today.  This is the Mission President, President Judd instructing one of the young men before he was baptised.  Amazingly, all were completely immersed the first time.  To enter the font you step on one chair outside the font onto another inside the font.  I have learned that you just make do with what you have in Zimbabwe.   I watched the Sunday morning session of conference at the mission president's home with other senior missionaries and about 21 young missionaries.  We ha...

 Week 4 included another trip to the Eastview Branch while a senior sister gave a piano lessons. I was just along for the ride and a hair styling session.  The little girl doing my hair does not speak English but makes sure I know to hold the braid she has completed while she does another.   Here are pictures of the "Outdoor Shopping Mall" located a half mile from the Eastview Branch.  Pictured are the Butchery, Grocery Store, Salon and Barber Shop. A Zone Conference The senior missionaries were invited to the Mission President's home for Easter dinner.   I taught my first English Connect classes.  I have so much to learn!  Even though the lessons were far from what I want them to be, the Elders and Sisters ended each session with big smiles and "We love  you Sister Stephens!".  I really want to teach this class well so that these amazing missionaries can improve their English speaking and writing.  I also want to learn their n...