Week 34

 We attended Stake Conference today.  The chapel was filled and there were over 200 people who had to view conference on screen from a small room or stand outside one of the many open windows.  Nine of us senior missionaries were escorted to a pew on the second row when we arrived to a completely full chapel.  I hated that.  I wanted some of the members to be able to sit there but it was not to be.  The Stake Presidency was reorganised after President Sawman Machukarie had served 8 years.  The music provided by the choir was beautiful, the testimonies of outgoing and incoming leaders were uplifting and just being surrounded by these wonderful Zimbabwe saints left me in awe.  The Church in Zimbabwe and most of Africa is expanding at an unimaginable rate. The work is indeed hastening.  


                                                They love to visit at the end of conference.


The three brothers in front are the new Stake Presidency.


Leaving at the end of conference.  The stage in the back had been completely full with people sitting on the floor.  

Sister missionaries in the stake. 


One of life's little pleasures.  I had a big, two piece Snickers bar I needed to get rid of so I wouldn't eat it.  These two Elders were the first to come through the office door on Monday so they got the prize.  Elder Moyo had never eaten one.  He loved it!  I love seeing these happy faces.  



This family was outside our apartment and the mother was taking pictures of her daughters in front of this beautiful tree. I offered to take a picture of all of them.  Harare is known as "The City of Flowering Trees". This is one of the reasons why.


When I was walking early Monday morning, I noticed a large tree had fallen by the side of the road. In the USA, a tree service would have been called to remove the tree.  Not so in Harare.  As I passed by each day, someone with a hatchet would be cutting off part of the tree.  This is Joshua.  He had cut off part of the remaining tree trunk that can be seen in the top left corner of the picture.  There is not much left.  He was cutting some of the smaller branches in this picture.  We talked for a few minutes and he told me he will use this wood at home, primarily for cooking.  His home does not have a kitchen and meals are cooked outside over a fire.  

I am happy in Harare.  









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Weeks 58-59

Image
  Sunday was an Easter I will never forget. Diana and I have served in the Arcturus Branch for the past 4 months. We worked in Primary. Diana taught the children Primary songs and I taught some lessons. We taught Sister Bakilli, the Primary President, how to conduct opening exercises, teach lessons and lead singing time. She is an amazing woman and wanted to learn all she could so that she could teach the children about Jesus Christ through music and lessons after we left. Easter Sunday was our last day there. The children sang “I Am A Child Of God” to us and the Sisters sang “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” We were both moved to tears. Those videos were too large to put here but they are on my Facebook page. I have one of them singing "Follow The Prophet" here. I gave them crayons and coloring pages. Later that evening, we had 10 missionaries at our apartment for Easter dinner. The Elders sang “Gethsemane” to ...
Read more

Week 50

Image
 We gave each Primary child a CTR ring last week.  They were so excited!  Most of them came to church wearing them today.  These little girls are so happy to have these rings.  Even those who do not speak or understand English well know the ring reminds them to "Choose The Right".   This is President Bongani Moyo.  He is employed by the mission to make sure passports and visas are updated for all 180+ missionaries.  He is also a Stake President in our mission. He is frequently in the office working at a table in the lobby where my desk is.  This past week, he told me his story.  I find it amazing and hope you do as well.   He was born in Zimbabwe and has lived here all of his life.  He and his siblings were raised by a single mother.  She took them to a Pentecostal Church.  At the age of 13, he met the missionaries and accepted their invitation to attend church.  On his very first visit, he says he felt...
Read more

Week 54

Image
We got 10 new missionaries this week.  I do a short orientation presentation with them at the office before they go to the Mission Home for dinner and further orientation.  I love being able to meet all the many missionaries arriving.                           These fabulous APs spent lots of time at the airport this week. We had  missionaries 10 go home this week.  They were so excited.  I am always a bit sad to see them go but so happy for them at the same time. Transfer day is every six weeks.  It is the happiest of all days at the office.  Lots of hugs and back slapping when they see friends and former companions.                   Diana and I love the hugs and smiles we get each Sunday from these Primary children.                                 ...
Read more