Week 42

 I spent an adventurous Christmas Eve with some of the senior missionaries. We went to see rock art at the Mucheka Cave. The art was very interesting but interactions with the people I was with and who I met made this Christmas Eve one to remember.

This lady lives at the base of the mountain. We had to drive through her land and park in her yard to start the climb. She and her family were so welcoming. Many of the children you see in the pictures were visiting from towns or cities as it is the custom to return to the "rurals" to be with family at Christmas.


These children were so excited to see us. They came running with huge smiles on their faces when we arrived and wanted to shake our hands and give us hugs.




 


                                 My roommate and dear friend, Diana, with lots of joy surrounding us.

I am so happy to call these senior missionaries my friends. They are amazing people who spend countless hours serving in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. Diana, to my right, is the Financial Secretary and makes sure the young missionaries have money for food and supplies. To my left are Bruce and Lottie Anderson. They are the temple missionaries who are called to work at the temple site and ensure the quality of the work is the best. Next are Dave and Nony Orr. They are humanitarian missionaries and oversee many projects that bring water and classrooms to schools and many other things. Seated are David and Nadine Payne. They are in charge of "Fleets and Flats". They work day and night with all of the issues involving apartments for over 170 missionaries and the approximately 15 vehicles in the mission. I love being with these wonderful missionaries.


The climb takes about 30 minutes. It is fairly steep but not bad. Diana and I felt like we had really accomplished something after getting to the top and back down. The young woman next to me is 15. She knew the best path to take and stayed close to me in case I needed some help, which I did a few times (I'm the oldest in the group).


At the top. Look at that view!

We got lost on the way and were about to go back to Harare (about 2 hours). Lottie saw this family and decided to go ask for directions. She showed them pictures of what we wanted to see. The man to her right, Christopher, knew exactly where to go. He got in the truck and directed us there. Then, he climbed the mountain with us because he knew the trails to use. The building you see with the pointed roof is the kitchen.


Happy children playing
 


The rock art in Zimbabwe is estimated to be between 2,000-13,000 years old (depending on who's calculating). This has been well preserved because it is in a cave at the top of a mountain.




                                                       As we left, we received mangos.

The cows had the right of way on this bumpy dirt road.


This would be a picture from the past in the USA



                         Diana and I hosted the Senior Missionary Christmas Dinner at our house. 
                                            She did all of the decorating.  She is amazing.




I am already thinking about being home for Christmas next year and being with family and friends.

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