Monday, June 27, 2016

Week 7 in Zimbabwe

Hello family and friends!!!!
Monday: Transfer day! We dropped Sister Erickson at the Bravo (big bus) to head to Harare so she could pick up her new trainee. Then we dropped Sister Otieno in Mkoba to her new area. Then we cleaned like the dickens. Our house is a lot less dirty which is always good. haha Then we played some soccer. Shopped then came home and cooked some yummy dinner.
Tuesday: I truly love personal study every morning. I read a chapter out of the Book of Mormon everyday. I love this book. It is so powerful and enlightening. We had District Meeting. I gave the Doctrinal Study about teaching with the spirit. This opened my eyes to how much the spirit really does when we teach. We met with Bro Phiri. I love this man. We taught him about the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. He is so beyond ready. I am so excited for his baptism on the 2nd of July!!!! We taught Sis Grace about Lehi's vision.

Wednesday: Today I read about being truly purified. I learned that I totally need to let go of some worldly things and focus more on doing the Lord's work His way. All our appointments fell through. We went to teach Shedrick but he was super busy cleaning the church grounds so we decided to help him. While we were helping him a member in our ward stole money from Sister Bandi and I's bag. So we had no money to get home. I hated that feeling. Then the Zone leaders gave us a ride home. We got to meet Sister Telemwa Sister Erickson's new companion. She is so sweet.
Thursday: We had lovely weekly planning. I love it but sometimes it just drags on and on. haha Again every appointment fell through. I feel Heavenly Father is trying to teach us a lesson. I am going to do my best to figure this lesson out so I can better serve Him. So we contacted all day. Crossing my fingers new promising investigators come out of it.
Friday: More appointments fell through again. Sister Bandi and I are getting pro at contacting. haha We taught an attorney. That was interesting. Then we taught Bro Phiri about the plan of Salvation. He soaks everything in. I just have a love for him that I can't describe.Then we had coordination with Bro Shava. He cracks me up.
Saturday: Today was a lovely day. I definitely needed it. We went and taught a guy named Simba (a guy we met on the street a couple weeks ago). He is so ready for the gospel. The lesson was so powerful about faith, repentance and baptism. Then we went over to the Shava's house. I love this family. They are amazing. I want their youngest daughter to marry Kael. haha Simon and his friend about the plan of Salvation. Simon's friend was more excited about then him.  Kinda funny. haha We went shopping and while we were outside buying bananas a guy walked by me and said I want to marry a white woman like you. Then Sister Bandi said she isn't white. I couldn't stop laughing. haha.
Sunday: I love the Sacrament! I gave a talk in church about self reliance involving knowledge, vision, and hard work. Then I taught the gospel principles class about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Then we taught Moses again. His lessons are teaching me patience. He asks the same question over and over again but at least he is learning. Then we taught Ayanda about Alma the younger. I love that story on what repentance truly can do. Then we had Missionary Home Evening. It went well. Love my zone!
I love Zimbabwe. I love serving my Savior! The church is true! The Book of Mormon is the best book ever!
Love,
Sister Arbon






Monday, June 20, 2016

Week 6 in Zimbabwe

Hello Family and Friends!
Monday:
For P-day we went to White Waters with our district. A place that looks like Willard Bay but a lot nicer. So fun! We chatted, braied(like bbqing), and just hung out. It was so fun just to spend time with all the missionaries.
Tuesday:
We had zone meeting. It went really well. Love my zone. We taught a guy that works on the church grounds. Struggles with english but is learning and understanding very well. We went to other appt but they kept falling through.
Wednesday:
The Sisters got to meet with President Mkhabela. He just wanted to check on us. I love him. Such a good man! We met with Bro Phiri. He is progressing so well. I saw him in white twice: baptism and temple. So excited for him. Then we taught Victor a recent convert about the temple. Made me miss my Ogden temple. He is such a good guy. He would be a fabulous missionary.
Thursday:
We had a ton of appt fall though. So we contacted a lot this day. We visited Sis Violet and taught her the Plan of Salvation. She is so ready to be a member. Soaks in the doctrine nd loves it. Then we went to go get allotment but sis Bandi's card wasn't working but all is well.
Friday:
We taught bro Shedrick again. He is doing so well. Thank goodness for members who come and translate for us. More appt fell through. :/  So we went and saw investigators that live in the honkie tonk in the middle of no where. Such a good lesson about the restoration. Then we road in the bed of the truck back home. So interesting and my hair was everywhere. haha
Saturday:
We taught bro Phiri again. He committed to be baptized! I AM SO EXCITED!!! Transfers came. Shock I am staying in Gweru. haha Sister Erickson is staying too. So grateful. Then we taught the restoration to some young men that live in Ivene. The lesson went well.
Sunday:
Church was fabulous. Love it! Then we planned a baptism for a little kid in our ward. The ward was so supportive. Love the ward. Then we taught Moses. Very good lesson about the Plan of Salvation. Then we contacted. Then we saw Ayanda! He is my favorite. We talked about the Book of Mormon. Then we chilled with the missionaries before tranfers.
Love the gospel. I love Zim. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
Love,
Sister Arbon








Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Week 5 in Zimbabwe

Hello Family and Friends,
This week was a fabulous week! Love my mission! I am grateful Heavenly Father changed His no to a yes!
Monday:
An average P-day. We flooded our house, emailed, chilled, and shopped for groceries.
Tuesday:
District meeting was good. Love spending time with my district. Our district bought t-shirts. We taught Simon, an investigator. He is coming along. Hopefully committed to baptism very soon. Then we contacted a ton.
Wednesday:
Today we contacted like crazy but we had more meaningful contacts than our usual kind. When we talked to people we tried to get to know them a bit and share a short message with them. We visited Sister grace and melody. They are doing good. I just wish they had the desire to go to church and know how important the sacrament is.
Thursday:
Seemed like a long day but was an overall great day. I got proposed to twice this day. Up to 21 marriage proposals. We taught Simon again. We taught him the restoration. He is coming to know the importance of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Love it! Then we got Sister Bandi's hair done. So grateful I do not have black hair. When we were at the salon a guy started talking to me and said he wanted me to be his wife. Zim men have issues. While he was trying to convince me he said that he doesn't have to die to see an angel because he saw me. hahahaha Oh man!
Friday:
We taught a guy named sam. We only had 15 mins but a very good, short, and powerful lesson about the restoration. Visited with Paul and Ester and taught about prophets. It sparked an interest which was good because they seem that they didn't have an interest. We went over to Bro Shava's house. I truly love that family. They are so cute! Sister Shava makes such yummy food. 
Saturday:
We met with Bro Peri and taught him for the first time. I saw him in white being baptized. He is so ready. We taught a referral Sister Lisa and her sister. Very receptive and in need of direction and love. Then we taught sister grace and melody again. This lesson was really good about the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was so strong.
Sunday:
Holy Hannah! What a day. Sister Bandi and I got locked into our house. So we called the zone leaders but they weren't picking up. So we called the district leader but he said he would call after sacrament. We started freaking because there is no other way out of our house. Then the zone leaders came and kicked the door down. I cut my finger pretty bad. I hope it heals properly. We barely made it on time for church. We had a primary program today. So cute. We visited some people today.
Love the gospel! So grateful to share my testimony everyday of my beloved Savior!
Love,
Sister Arbon

Monday, June 6, 2016

Week 4 in Zimbabwe

Dear Family and Friends,
Monday: 
An average P-day. Played soccer with the Elders. Love playing soccer with the Elders. I feel more like me while playing. We also taught Moses about the Book of Mormon. He is progressing very well. He takes a while but when he gets it he definitely understands it.
Tuesday: 
We had district meeting. Love spending time with the other missionaries. We taught a guy named Watson a preacher. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and receiving answers from the holy ghost. The spirit was so strong in that lesson. Then we taught a guy named Nasha. So receptive to the gospel but he doesn't live in Gweru. I hope the missionaries in Harare can keep him going. Then the Zone leaders came over and ate dinner with them. They are awesome.
Wednesday: 
We went and taught a mom of an investigator we have and she got way into the lesson. I love seeing people know there is something special about it and what to learn more. Then we went to see Sister Chuma and talked about the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and how it  blesses me so much each and everyday. Then we taught an investigator brother Simon. That lesson touched me because we were talking about the Book of Mormon and I felt like our spirits were confirming to each other that what we were teaching is true. I felt the prompting to ask him to be baptized but my companion never stopped long enough for me to ask.

Thursday: 
We had a ton of appt fall through. We went and saw sister Grace. She is so eager to learn but has the wrong friends who are leading her away. We had a recent convert named Victor come with us but appt kept falling through. He is so awesome. He has grown so much and he will do great things in the church. Then we headed to Bro Shava's house. The 2nd counselor in the bishop bric and chatted with them for a little bit. Then we went to another members house and visited with them. Such a good family. We need to grow closer to the members. They are the key to finding new people and keeping them active in the church. 

Friday:
Zim is having money struggles so everyone is lined up at the ATMs. So we had to wait in line for hours only to get half of our allotment. We had to survive a couple of days without our allotment. Scary but eye opening. We went and saw the Dubes (sadly not related to Elder Dube). They just need a push and they will be back. Then we went to the Shava's house for a lesson then coordination. Then they fed us such yummy food. Love that family.
Saturday:
Went to Sister Erickson and Otieno's baptism. Then we contacted and taught bro Watson. He has a hang up with coming to church. I want to know why. While we were contacting there was a group of 9 guys and I invited them to church on Sunday. They got excited because I was white and they wanted pictures with me. Kinda funny if you ask me. I am up to a lovely number of 19 marriage proposals. haha.
Sunday: 
Fast and testimony meeting was amazing. The members are so strong. My companion and I struggle with sunday school and relief society because they speak in shona most of the time. So we are lucky if we know what is going on. We went to the area but more appt fell through. Then sister Bandi got sick so we went back to the apartment. The district leaders came over for pizza and treats. Love them!
Monday: 
We flooded our house. So we cleaned that up for most of the morning. We were trying to clean our big blanket and forgot that we left the water on until I walked down the hall and was like oh no. haha The Gweru house at its finest!
I love you guys so much! The gospel is so true. So grateful for the Atonement each and everyday. 
Have a fabulous week.
Love,
Sister Arbon