Week 7

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.  They finally got my account established and I was able to make the requests on Thursday.  BUT, it took so many hours with so many unsuccessful tries and my frustration level peaked on Wednesday when the internet was out in the office.  There were other issues in the office as well.  At one point, I said to my roommate, "I Can't Do This!".   I knew that this mission might be hard, but I never imagined  that it would be almost impossible for me because I would have to be navigating a computer.  I have never prayed with my head bowed over a computer as much as I have this week.  Multiple complications kept popping up.  But I was determined to move forward.  So I prayed over every single little issue. sometimes 5 or more times a day.  I asked for things I would have previously thought were petty requests, but I realized that they were necessary to get the landlords paid and happy. It has  been good for me for many reasons.  My faith that Heavenly Father hears and answers the simplest of prayers has been increased.  

Wednesday evening was the bright spot of the week.  Every 6 weeks there is leadership training for the young sister missionary leaders.  The senior sisters are invited.  After a nice meal, the leaders of the leaders conduct training.  This week was a discussion of a conference talk.  They spend the night at the mission home because there is more training the next day with the Elder leaders.  Of the 4 bedrooms for them to stay in, 2 are very coveted.  To make things fair, they draw numbers to see who gets which bedroom.  They get so excited if they get one of the best ones.  These are such amazing young adults!

Diana and I will attend a new ward for the next 3 months.  Here are pictures taken after Sacrament Meeting.  The chapel is an old wooden building with no screens on windows, a tarp like roof, no heat or air (except for the fans), concrete floor and hard chairs.  The piano is a small keyboard and the microphone often does not work.  But none of that prevented a Spirit filled Sacrament Meeting with joyful music.  

Some much needed comic relief this week.