Week 20 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a crazy but fun filled week. I truly love my area. The people are so humble and receptive to the gospel. We had a baptism this week. Willard was a referral from an amazing recent convert family. He understands everything so well. He was so ready for baptism. We found this guy named Happy. He is a father and came to church 2 Sundays in a row. It amazes me how dedicated some people are to come to church. Even if it takes more than an hour to walk there. Our branch is amazing and is getting so big. Hopefully it will become a ward soon soon. There is a girl named Rachel that came to church with a less active. She is so prepared. She is 17 and she understands everything so well. Bro Mpala is like the Zimbabwean version of grandpa John. haha He is being stubborn about accepting a baptismal date. But he sorta agreed to the 22nd of October. So excited for him! We had a FHE with the Chipisani family. We played games and talked about getting to the temple. They will definitely be there in a year. I made cookies and they loved them. Grandma Sherlene your recipes do wonders here in Africa! I love the gospel. I love that I get to devote 18 months to the Lord and share my testimony with God's children everyday. 

I love you guys! Have a fabulous week!

Sister Arbon

Week 19 in Zimbabwe!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was an amazing week! I love my new area. It is very ghetto and the people are amazing!

Monday: Took a long Bravo(bus) ride to Harare. Then we got to the mission office to get my new companions. While I was there I saw my first zone leader Elder Nyamhuri. I miss that guy. Then emailed what I could. Then met with Sister Smith and Dyantyisi. Sweet Sisters. Then we went shopping.

Tuesday: We had district meeting and we learned about finding and having the diligence to always be searching for those souls who are ready to receive the gospel. The missionaries in the Kuwadzana District are: Elder Manyonga, Chindime, Sister Beckstead, Ziqubu, Smith, Dyantyisi and I. Then we had to go to the clinic because Sister Beckstead was having stomach issues. We were there all day so I wasn't able to experience the area yet but all is well because Sister Beckstead is doing better. 

Wednesday: We headed to White Cliff (one of my areas) for the day. We contacted like champs. We taught MaiCarel who was going to be baptized on Saturday about baptism and what to expect Saturday. She is so cute and ready for baptism. Then we taught a recent convert family called the Chipezani's. We taught them about missionary work and the importance that every member is a missionary. Then we taught other teenage boys who are recent converts about the language of prayer and how important it is to show respect for Heavenly Father as we pray. Then we went and taught Golden about baptism because he was to be baptized on Saturday. 

Thursday: We had my favorite weekly planning. It is weird having companions work with during weekly planning. Then we headed to Kuwadzana Extention. We taught a less active named Sister Domingo about service. She is a cute older gogo (grandma). I hope she will regain her testimony and have a desire to come to church. Then we contacted some more. Then we went and taught a guy named John and his friends about baptism and the Holy Ghost. They seem a little jokerish but hopefully they will come to know the church is true and act on it. Then we taught a referral name Rachel a little bit about the Restoration. She is so cute! Then we went and taught Happis about the Plan of Salvation. He is shy but a good guy. Hopefully baptism soon with him. Then we went and saw Golden again to go over a few topics and make sure he was ready for his baptism Saturday. We came home and the power was out. Very entertaining. Got to love Zimbabwe. 

Friday: We had to move rooms because the other sisters had the master suite. That was interesting. Before we switched rooms I was sleeping on a little foam mattress from the transfer house. I forgot to take a picture...dang. We picked up our branch president Gondzo and he came and taught with us. We taught a referral president Gondzo had a little bit about the Plan of Salvation. Then he took us to see more people. He is a great, energetic and striving for the missionary work to go forth in our branch. Then we taught the Chipezani's about priesthood and auxiliaries to help them get more comfortable with the church and how it is ran. Then we had interviews with our baptismal candidates. They passed! Yahooo! Cooked some yummy tacos! Thank you Momma for the great package! 

Saturday: We headed to the Kuwandzana 2 chapel for Golden and MaiCarel's baptism. Golden didn't show up. I wonder what is up with him. The baptismal service was so simple and sweet. MaiCarel was so ready! We contacted in White Cliff a bit. Then we saw Effort's (a recent convert) mom and shared with her Alma 7:11-13. It talks about the Atonement and how much Christ truly does loves us and wants us to use that power to be able to return and live with Him again. I hope she will come to expect the gospel soon and have her family united in the gospel. Then we went and taught Willard about the Plan of Salvation. He is so ready for baptism next week. Then we went to go teach a referral but she told us she doesn't agree with our message and doesn't want us to teach. Very let's just say weird. haha Then we headed to Extension and taught a cute girl named Rachel. She understood the Restoration so well and asked inspiring questions. I see good things in her future. Then we saw a recent convert named Elisabeth and taught her about tithing. She just gave birth to a cute little boy. 

Sunday: Oh Sunday! Got to love them. I love the sacrament and the sweet talks about self reliance from the members of the branch. We taught gospel principles and then tried to teach the primary kids some primary songs. They are so adorable. Then we headed to the Elder's baptism and wedding. I saw my first district leader Elder Chimukuzi. I have missed that guy. The wedding and baptism went smoothly and a very cute service. Then we went to Gogo's house and she feed us so much stinking food. haha Then we went to a Family Home Evening in the other Sister's area. The family was so cute. We played games, had yummy food, and had dessert. 

I am truly grateful Heavenly Father sent me to Zimbabwe and trusted me to teach His sons and daughters. They are amazing. Their testimony and love for the Lord truly humble me. I love this gospel and the blessings I receive each day from it. I know Christ is the Savior of the world and He suffered for all our afflictions and sins and died and was resurrected so we could overcome physical and spiritual death. The Book of Mormon is amazing and has helped and is helping me get closer to Christ everyday. I love being a missionary. Being away from home and family is hard but serving the Lord is so worth it and is more of a blessing and privilege then anything else! 

Love, 

Sister Arbon 

Week 18 in Zimbabwe!

Dear Family and Friends,

Today is transfer day! I am now serving in Kwadzana in Harare with Sister Smith and Dyantisi. I am super excited to be serving with them! We went to each other's areas in the district this week. It was so fun. I love how the Elders and Sister's areas are ghetto. The people are so cute. They mostly spoke Shona so that was hard but all is well. Thank goodness for the spirit when it comes to teaching the blessed people of Gweru. I had to say goodbye to everyone on Sunday in the Gweru ward. It will be hard to not be around the Shava's. They are my Zimbabwean family. But Kwadzana needs me at this time. 

I love being a missionary. The work is hard but completely worth it. The church is true. No matter the trial you are going through the Savior is there for you!

Lots of Love, 

Sister Arbon

Week 17 in Zimbabwe!

Hello Family and Friends! 

Another great week in Zimbabwe! I just love being a missionary. I have learned so much and have grown so much than I ever thought was possible. 

Monday: Woke up and did the usual morning routine. Personal study is definitely one of my favorite times of the day. Especially general conference talks and reading the Book of Mormon. We cleaned the house. Then emailed. We played some pool. That was a nice change to P-day. 

Tuesday: We had district meeting. We learned a lot about knowledge and how vital it is to missionary work. I am so grateful we get two hours everyday to study the scriptures to be able to truly teach with the the Spirit. We had a couple of fall throughs but all is well. Got to love having back ups. We saw Bro Muchuchiti and talked to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then we went and saw this creepy guy named Bruce. We taught him a little bit about the Restoration. Then 2 guys stopped us on the street and we taught them about the pre earth life. Then we went and saw Bro Sasha and talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. Gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon is so vital. 

Wednesday: I studied about opposition and how truly important it was in the fall of Adam and Eve. Then we went to see a members referral. The referral wasn't there but we taught the parents of the referral. It was mostly in Shona so I really didn't know what was going on. haha Then we went and saw the Chiriaga family. The lesson was ruff. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. The father kinda dissed the Book of Mormon and said that the Bible is the most correct book. You bet your bottom dollar I did not let that stand. I really hope the spirit will guide them to know that the Book of Mormon is true. Then we went to the Gweru Golf club and taught like 10 guys about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The lesson went okay but some of the guys were drunk and kinda ruined it for the ones who wanted to learn. Then the Elders came and contacted in our area to help us find investigators. They are so sweet! 

Thursday: Today was a tiring day. Weekly planning was ruff. It is hard when your companion doesn't really want to do it but all is well. We went and taught Brian and Foster about the Plan of Salvation and they were understanding it! Yippee! Then we went and saw Bro Muchuchiti again. We taught him about Prophets and such. He struggled with the prophets having the priesthood keys. Then we went contacting for awhile. 

Friday: We had exchanges with the STLs in our area. They were following up on last exchanges we had with them. We went to Athlone for the day. We went and Sharline someone that we contacted on Wednesday. The lesson went really well. We talked about pre earth life in the Plan of Salvation. Then we went and saw another person (Andrew) we contacted. Andrew so badly wanted to prove us wrong with the bible when it came to the Plan of Salvation. I wish people didn't fight the spirit. Then we tracted and contacted a bit. Then we headed into town. Tried to see Simon but he wasn't there. Then we found this guy named Elijah on the street and taught him a little bit about the Restoration. Then we went home and closed with the STLs. I truly love them and learn so much from them every time we do exchanges. Then we headed back out and saw the Chiriaga family. They told us they want to start their own church. I was baffled. haha Oh Zimbabweans. They cooked us dinner. Super yummy sadza. 

Saturday: The water ran out so that was entertaining. haha Then we headed to town and taught Nyasha. We taught him a little bit about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is truly amazing. I am hearing water soon in the baptismal font at the church. Then we contacted these guys that were fixing a car and taught them a little bit about the Plan of Salvation. Then we had coordination with Bro Shava. He cracks me up. Then we contacted some more. Then we went to the Murrahwa house and had dinner. So yummy and they are such a cute family. 

Sunday: I love fast Sundays! I love the sacrament. The testimonies were so amazing.  Then we had ward council. We hit missionary work hard. Good things are to come in the Gweru ward. Then we went to see the Mokumbwe family. They lived forever away. It took us 30 to 45 mins to walk there. I didn't know you could get a combie. I am such a dinker. haha They are such a cute family. We got to hear their conversion story. The coolest thing. Got to love how Heavenly Father prepares His children. Then we came home and enjoyed a nice night with the other sisters in the house.

I love being a missionary. The work is hard but it is so worth it. I love the atonement more than anything. Christ is always by our side helping us when we are struggling or when we feel alone. The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the earth. It has helped bring me closer to Christ each and everyday. 

I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Love, 

Sister Arbon

Week 16 in Zimbabwe!

Hello! 

This week had a lot more going on and more lessons that were taught so it was delightful! 

Monday: P-day! Love talking to family and friends over email. We also did a lot of cleaning. Very slow but good p-day. 

Tuesday: Today was a super cold day. We had district meeting. We learned about planning and such. We taught a guy named Noburt about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He seemed distracted hopefully he got something out of it. Then we walked down the street and taught some guys about the Plan of Salvation. Love lessons and prayers in the street. Then we taught a guy that works at the internet cafe. He got super confused with the Book of Mormon so we had to have him start back with the Restoration. Then we taught Simon about the Book of Mormon. He is a good guy. Then we went to see Sis Faith and we taught her guy friends again. 

Wednesday: We were headed to Ivene and this guy yells at me and tells me that he came to church twice which he didn't and if he comes one more time he can marry me. thought it was funny. We saw the Chiriga family. They are so prepared. We taught about the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation. I bore my testimony with the spirit I could tell they could feel it too. One of the coolest experiences on my mission so far. Then we saw this guy named Edward and discussed about the pre earth life. Then we saw a less active Livingstone. Crazy and adamant that the church is not the true church. Then we saw Violet and read from the Book of Mormon. Then we went and taught a pastor about the priesthood. It is crazy when the spirit hits and tells them what they are doing isn't right. Then we taught Malvin about the Book of Mormon. 

Thursday: We had great weekly planning. We taught a guy named Makuda about the Restoration. He understood very well. Then  we went and taught Simon. Very slow day. Then the Elders came over and we had Christmas like we always do on the 25th haha. 

Friday: Then we saw a guy named Kudz. He was adamant the Book of Mormon isn't true. Then we headed to town and picked up Simon. We taught Makuda again. He is awesome. He just needs to come to church. Then we headed to Senga. We taught Simon's friend about the Restoration. She understood it very well. Then we contacted a bit. Then we headed back to town. We taught Sasha the rest of the Restoration. He is good but he isn't coming to church. Then we taught Malvin more about the Book of Mormon. Then we went to the Shava's had coordination and ate yummy food. We talked about Isiah 53: 3-8 talks about the Atonement. So humbling. 

Saturday: We went to 2 baptisms for the other missionaries in our zone. Good to see so many people dressed in white. Then we went to Family Fun Day with the ward. So fun. We played lots of games and such. Then we went to see a referral but he wasn't there so we taught his wife instead. Hopefully we can teach both of them soon! Then we were walking to an appt and 8 guys stopped us so we taught them about the gospel of Jesus Christ! Then we saw Madiwa and talked more about the Restoration. 

Sunday: Love the Sacrament. Then we taught Moses about the Plan of Salvation. He is a good guy just takes awhile to explain himself. Then we went to the other Sisters' baptisms. Then we saw Livingstone again. He was rude and didn't want to listen when we taught him about the Book of Mormon. Sad that Satan can do that to people. Then we went to the Murrahwa's house(a family in our ward) and chatted with them for a while. Then we went to the Ziannai's but they weren't home. 

I love being a missionary. I love Zimbabwe! Keep nourishing your testimony or Satan will try to destory it. 

Love you all!

Sister Arbon