Week 32

 This picture was taken this week.  Even though the temple looks almost finished, it is possible that it will be another year before it is dedicated.  I really thought I would be here when it opened, but it might not be by the time I leave at the end of August.  I am still hoping.  


When new missionaries arrive, their first stop after leaving the airport is the temple.



Wards and branches coordinate transportation and come to the temple.


These friends were baptized last week.  The baptismal font is at the missionaries' apartment away from the chapel.  I don't know how far, but 60 ward members chose to walk or get a combi to attend the baptism.  These are just a few of the 250+ new members of the church in the mission this month.  



This is Lauren, the Mission President's daughter.  When she visits the different wards and branches with her parents, she and Sister Davis are often asked to help in Primary.  In the first picture, there were about 30 children (not all are pictured) in a very small room sitting this close together.  They loved Sister Davis teaching them using Primary songs and music.  She was singing the song Fun To Do (brushing my teeth is fun to do, fun to do, fun to do, etc).  She asked them what was fun to do and they sang, putting their hands on top of their heads, "Holding the water is fun to do, fun to do, fun to do, Holding the water is fun to do, to do, to do, to do".


The senior sisters don't get out and about with our responsibilities like the couples do.  I've borrowed some of their pictures to show life in Zimbabwe.  

                                                               Rocks and Combis

They can put a lot on their bicycles.


                   Apostolic Worshippers.  There are many of them here and they only meet outside.  


                                                                     Combi


This is how we many of us get our water. The tank is called a JoJo. Some tanks have to be filled and some are connected to a well.  Ours is connected to a well.  The majority of the people don't have JoJos and have to get water from the nearest well. 

I don't imagine she broke any of these eggs.


                                            Most cooking in rural areas is done outside.  This woman is stirring goat                                                                  meat for her family who are gathered for a funeral.
                       This is Elder Anderson.  He and his wife oversee the temple construction.  He is being                           taught how to stir sadza. It is a thick porridge made from white corn meal and is usually                           served with vegetables or sometimes meat. It is a staple that has helped keep people alive.                      The drought has killed the corn this year.  We are praying for a rainy season.   


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