Monday, August 22, 2016

Week 15 in my Zimbabwe!

Hello Family and Friends,
Not going to lie this week was really slow.
Monday:We cleaned our yard like champs haha. I truly love studies. It is my pleasure time everyday. Emailed. Love talking to my loved ones. Played some soccer. So fun. Then we shopped a bit. Then we went home cooked and talked.
Tuesday: We had Zone meeting. Very long but very informative. Learned about Christ-like attributes. Then we were walking in town and these druggies stopped us and of course one of them wants to marry me. haha  We introduced the Restoration to them. They are crazy souls. haha We found Nyasha (the homeless guy). He is so humble and willing to learn. We talked to him about the Book of Mormon. Then we taught a guy named Sasha and committed him to baptism but he didn't show to church but we will work on that. Then we tried to find Simon but he wasn't around.
Wednesday: I studied President Monson's talks from general conference. His talks are short but powerful. Priesthood and the choices we make are so key! Then we stopped by the Chiriga Family that we met in Senga but they live in Ivene. They are so prepared. I hope and pray they truly gain a testimony of this beloved gospel. They are getting legally married next week! So we don't even have to worry about marriage issues with baptism! Hooray! Then we tried to find our other appointments but they weren't there. Then we taught this crazy dude named Edward. He likes to bible bash but we were pretty good at bearing our testimonies and not getting heated with him. Then after he told us he was this secret agent. so funny. haha Then we found Madiwa I guy we met on the street and taught him about the Restoration. Cool guy.
Thursday: We had weekly planning! It was long but we are getting better at it. Then we headed into town and taught Nyasha a little bit about the plan of Salvation. Then we taught Simon about scripture study and how truly important it is! Then we head to Bravo for exchanges with the STL's in Bulawayo.
Friday: We got to study! Then I did companion study with Sister Stegelmeir. It went so well. I was able to get advice from her that truly helped. Then we headed to the STL's area. I love their area it is ghetto. We taught a guy named Bogani about the word of wisdom. Then we taught another guy about the restoration. Then we taught some drunk guys about the word of wisdom. quite funny. haha Then we taught a less active family about the Book of Mormon. So powerful! Then we taught this group of guys about the plan of Salvation. Then we came home had dinner, we did a puzzle (Aunt Corey) haha, and chatted with the other sisters for a while.
Saturday: We woke up early and headed home on Bravo. Then we went to Mormon Helping Hands with our ward. We cleaned an old peoples home. So dirty and sad to see but glad we could help. Then we went to teach a guy but he wasn't there. Then we went to see the Chiriga family again. They are so ready! Then we stopped by other people's homes but they weren't there. Then we saw Violet and talked about the Law of Chasity and the Book of Mormon. She is so cute and understands so well. Then we went over to the Shava's and did ward coordination and had a braai. I truly love that family.
Sunday: Church was fabulous. Got to love the sacrament. Sadly enough no investigators came to church. We taught some less actives about the Baptismal covenant. Hopefuly they will have a desire to start keeping it again. Then we went and said hi to the Shavas. Then we went and taught the father (Baba) of the Ziannai family about the plan of Salvation. He understood very well! Then we went to the Rutsate family house for dinner. They made us authentic Zimbabwean food. Peanut butter rice and brown sadza with veggies and roadrunner chicken. So yummy. We talked about about fulfilling our callings. They are adorable. They are an amazing family. The Baba is the 1st counselor in the bishopbric. 

It is hard being away from home but I know this is where I need to be. Heavenly Father and the Savior strengthen me everyday to keep finding those brothers and sisters of mine who are ready to receive the gospel. The Atonement is amazing. 1Nephi 19:9. 

I love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Arbon  





Sunday, August 21, 2016

Week 14 in Zimbabwe!

Hello Family and Friends!
This week was a pretty good one in Zimbabwe! Got to love being a missionary!
Monday: P-day! Was a good day. We cleaned our house like champs. Then we went to town and emailed. Love talking to family and friends.
Tuesday: We had district meeting. Our district leader showed up 30 mins late. Holy Hannah. hahaha We tried to see some people that we have taught before but they weren't there because of holiday. Then we were walking back to the church and this white guy comes up to me and starts talking to me about the US. We taught this guy named Nyasha. He is so sweet but struggles with English. He is homeless and lives underneath a bridge. He calls us all the time because he wants us to teach him. He is amazing. Then we went to teach a girl that lives in the cottage (house out back) of the Zone leaders house but she was busy.
Wednesday: We went and taught Tanashe and Marshal. The lesson was a struggle. They weren't being serious and they couldn't understand why drinking would be so bad. They kept saying things to have us stay and try to answer their questions but we had another appt so we were out. We tried to see Paul but we were so late that he was busy with something else. Then we went and taught Mike and Rodney. Mike is an investigator and Rodney is a less active. We taught them about the Book of Mormon. The lesson went well. I hope they come to love it like I do. That book is so powerful! Then we went and taught Sister Violet about 1Nephi 3. I love verse 7: I will go and do what the Lord has commanded and He will provide a way. No matter what task He gives us he will help us accomplish that task. Then we found 2 random guys on the street and taught them the Plan of Salvation. They seemed very interested. Then we went and saw a member. Sis Govere. She is so kind and sweet. She is very missionary active. She loves giving us referrals and such.
Thursday: We had my favorite weekly planning. I really do like it. It helps the next week go by so much smoother. Then we went to town. Elder Tsongora helped us teach Nyasha because he knows Shona. Nyasha is awesome and is so prepared. Thank you TJ. Then we had fall through after fall through. We met a less active in the street. He has a hang up with baptism because it wasn't in a river. Really weird but okay. We went to an apartment complex to see this guy we met on the street but he wasn't there. So we started knocking on doors and asking people if we could teach them. We met a lady named Cynthia. We taught her about prophets and she seemed so interested. Hopefully this next week she will progress. Then we stopped by a members house the Rumbie's. They are so cute and they fed us dinner.
Friday: We saw Tanashe and Marshal again. They were more serious this appt which was good. We taught them about the Book of Mormon. I hope they read and gain a testimony. Then we went to Senga another part of our area. It is more ghettoish. I love it. We taught Marshal's brother about the Restoration. He understood very well. Then we contacted like crazy and taught a couple of mini lessons in the street. I love teaching mini lessons in the street. Praying and teaching a principle. Weird but how Sister Arbon rolls. haha
Saturday: We went to Sister Erickson's and Talemwa's baptism. Those ladies were so prepared. I gave the Holy Ghost talk. 2Nephi 31: 11-12,18,21. Baptism is not complete without the confirmation of the Holy Ghost. Holy Ghost completes that action of repentance.  Then we taught Nyasha more of the Restoration with Elder Tsongora's help. Then we contacted and tracted like no one's business. haha Then we taught Blessing (Simon's friend) about the Restoration. He is so receptive. I see good this from him. Then we saw Sister Faith and taught 4 of her guy friends about the Plan of Salvation. They seem to be interested. Love the Gospel.
Sunday: We had church! I just love the Sacrament so much! Then we had coordination with Brother Shava after church. Then we went and taught Malvin a recent convert about scripture study. Such a cute 10 year old. Then we went and saw the Dubes, less actives. Talked about the importance of the Sabbath Day. Then we went to the Shava's. They fed us dinner and we gave a little message about the Atonement. So grateful for the Atonement and the strength it gives me everyday to keep going!
I love you all! Have a great week!
Sister Arbon






Friday, August 12, 2016

Week 13 in my Beautiful Zimbabwe!

Hello people that I love! 

This week was a very good week. I got my new companion Sister Buthelezi. She is from South Africa and she is an awesome missionary. We met up with the Chisiri family during the week a couple of times and taught them. We taught them about the Restoration. When we saw them on Sunday Marshal told us as we were teaching him and Tanashe that he had the feeling he needs to come to church next Sunday. I am so grateful when Heavenly Father has the spirit speak through us as we teach. Watson and Cezar are doing good when it comes to us teaching them but they struggle with coming to church. I wish They would just take that little step of faith and come to church. 
Sister Buthelezi and I tracted for the first time this week. We knocked on gates and asked if we could teach the people we met. Very interesting experience. I liked it but I would rather have many investigators to teach all day everyday instead of tracting a lot. We saw Brother Phiri this week and talked with him. He totally disappeared on us. It was good to find him again. He is so ready for baptism but he is letting Satan keep him from getting there. 

Sorry this weekly was shorter. I struggle with writing them every week. I love being a missionary though. I have grown in so many ways. Heavenly Father is so merciful to me. I know the church is true. So grateful for a Savior who willing suffered for my sins so I am able to return and live my Heavenly Father again. 

I love you all!

Sister Arbon






Monday, August 1, 2016

Week 12 in Zimbabwe

Hello Family and Friends!
Monday: Pretty much like any other P-day! haha Emailed, wrote letters, and shopped.
Tuesday: We had district meeting. I love district meeting. I love my district. I am really going to miss them. We went and taught Watson and Cezar about why we are here on earth. The lesson went pretty well. Cezar seems so eager to learn more but Watson on the other hand seems not interested. I just wish everyone knew how much the gospel is a blessing. We taught Misi about Jesus Christ establishing His Church. He is gaining a desire to know more which is always good to see. Then we taught Simon about the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost. He is doing awesome. Progressing so well. He is going to be a great member of the church.
Wednesday: We saw this guy named Paul. We talked about life before earth and the Book of Mormon. He seems he knows what is going on but struggles with commitments. We were walking down the street and Sister Bandi said lets teach this woman. So we went and taught this mother. She is awesome. During the lesson I would play with her little boy while Sister Bandi taught. The little boy reminded me of Kai and Kael. I miss them. Then we went and taught Violet about tithing and following the prophet. She learns very quickly but has issues with coming to church. I am sad because we might drop her soon. We went to a less actives house and taught her about prayer. Prayer is so vital. It is where I receive most of my courage and peace. Then we ran into a family we have taught before but then they kind of disappeared. They seem like they want more lessons. So we will see.
Thursday-Friday: We had weekly planning. Very good but long. Then we saw Sister Shava and chatted with her a little bit. She is an amazing woman. Then we went to town and taught Cezar and Watson about the rest of the Plan of Salvation. They took it very well. We were heading back to church and I promised a lady the day before we would come see her but Sister Bandi refused to see her. I went to see her but Sister Bandi went the other way. Yes I left my companion. Before you tell me I am a bad missionary listen to the rest of the story. So I got a call from Sister Erickson and she said to call President so I did. I told him my companion left me. Kinda weird but an important part of the story. Then I found her at the chapel. She acted like nothing happened so we kept teaching. We taught Simon about Faith and how important it was. Very good lesson and reminder how important faith is. We went contacting and a guy totally did a weird handshake and then pulled me in for a hug. I couldn't use my ninja moves that time. haha When we came home Sister Bandi found that I called President and freaked. She called the STL's, ZLs, and DL. The STLs talked to me and gave me fire for leaving my companion. I could hear Sister Bandi all that night talking to Sister Talemwa in Luganda about me. I promise this story will end and have a good moral to it. haha Then the next morning the Stake President came and checked our houses to see if we had anything that wasn't mission approved. Then the ZL's and DL came over and talked to Sister Bandi and I about the day before. They kept talking about how we had pride. The spirit hit me like a huge wave. I was being prideful. Honestly I was blaming Sister Bandi for our lack of success and joker investigators. Then I started looking at myself as the problem. I needed to learn humility. I feel this experience helped me to become a true missionary. We can't blame others for our actions. I apologized to Sister Bandi. We were like best friends after. I loved it. We taught Brother Misi about the Book of Mormon. A powerful lesson and the spirit was so strong. He said the Book of Mormon was true!!!! I love those words. We invited him to be baptized and he accepted!!!! We taught this older guy about the godhead. He loves to talk but I think it is because he lives alone. Then we taught Violet about prayer. I wish she had a desire to come to church. Then we taught Simba and Clive about the Book of Mormon. They are progressing so well. Hopefully next appt we can invite them to baptism. Then we were headed home and the other Sisters called and said our power was out but everyone that lived by us had power. So we called the ZLs to help check it out for us. Someone turned off our power. We feel it is the same guy that stole our money. The lights came back on and all was well.
Saturday: The ZLs and DLs came over to help us clean our compound. They are the best. Then Sister Bandi and I did marathon 12 week to finish it all. We went and saw Paul. He seems like he is really progressing. He said the Book of Mormon was true!!!! Then we went and saw a lady in Ivene. We taught her about Christ washing the apostles feet. We then taught these guys that were at the government building across from church about the Godhead. Then transfers came in. I am staying in Gweru and my new companion is Sister Buthelzi. I am excited to meet her Monday. Then we had a party for Elder Chimukuzi because he was going home the next day.
Sunday: Church was lovely. Love the Sacrament. Then we taught the lady we found the other day about how the gospel blesses families. I played with her little boy again. So cute. Then we taught Ayanda about the Book of Mormon and gave him treats. He is adorable. Love that kid. Then we went over to the Shava's so Sister Bandi could say goodbye. That is when it hit that Sister Bandi was really leaving. Then we had cake for Elder Yohane's Birthday. Then everyone came over so we could say our goodbyes. I am truly going to miss Sister Bandi and the Elders that are leaving.
I love being a missionary. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. I have already learned so much and gained a stronger testimony of my Savior!
Love,
Sister Arbon