Wednesday, November 29, 2017

18 months in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week felt like a blur or that I am in the middle of no where. haha I cannot believe my time of mission has ended. I have loved every minute of it. It has been hard but to grow we have to go through challenges to become better. The best thing I have learned about is repentance. Before I came on mission I really thought repentance is for people that did really bad things. But I have learned a lot about how repentance isn't bad but joyful. It is for everyone and for everyday. It helps us to change, become better and relieve guilt and shame. I am grateful for the person Jesus Christ has molded me into these wonderful 18 months. 

Jacob was baptized!!!!!!! He is so powerful. He quit drinking and smoking in 2 weeks. He was so prepared. After his baptism I asked him how he felt. He said he was relieved. He was so excited. Lindani and Jacob are working on their marriage bans!!! 

I have come to love my brothers and sisters of Zimbabwe! I really don't want to leave but I know Heavenly Father has a new mission for me back in Utah! 

I love my Savior. He truly is our Savior, Lord, and King. I will always do my best to follow Him and become like Him through His atonement. The Book of Mormon is true. It is the keystone of our religion. I know Joseph  Smith was a true prophet. That President Monson is the true prophet today. I know without a doubt the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is True! 

I will see you in 2 .... days!!

Love you all, 

Sister Arbon




Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Week 77 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was the fastest week of my mission. I felt like I blinked and the week was gone. I would love to tell you about Lindani and Jacob. Lindani is a powerful recent convert. She loves the gospel and wants all her friends, neighbors and loved ones to have the gospel also. She keeps referring us to her friends to teach. Some are interested, some aren't but I love how she knows the great blessing of the gospel and how we should share it with others. Not going to lie the work is going down. Seems to be the usual for me. haha The work progresses when the members are helping the missionaries by either teaching with them and especially giving them people to teach. I know missionary work can be scary and something we are scared to do. But I promise you if you pray for opportunities to share the gospel and trust in the Lord that He will help you to know what to do and what to say everything thing will turn out just right. 

Now, I would love to write about Jacob. He is so powerful!! This past week we taught Jacob the Book of Mormon and then the next visit we asked if he prayed to see if it was true. He told us he feels different when he reads the Book of Mormon and knows it is true because he is learning more about his Savior Jesus Christ. He hasn't drank alcohol since we talked to him about it and he was at 5 cigarettes now he is down to 1 or 2.  Our goal is to have his baptism after church on Sunday so I could see it before I leave Zimbabwe. 

While I was running this week a thought or picture came to my mind. I was thinking everyone has a part to play in life. I imagined a canvas. God was the artist, Christ was the paint brush and we were the paint. God is the brains of the operation. Christ makes it possible so we can be apart of the picture. We are the paint to add color or uniqueness to the beautiful picture of life. It might not make sense but it made sense to me. 

Heavenly Father is so merciful. He knows we would be painfully imperfect and would make mistakes. But He knew how important it was for each of us to grow through these mistakes. He sent His Son so we could become clean and better if we choose too. I love being a missionary. I wish I could serve forever. 

I love you all! Have a fantastic week!!!

Sister Arbon 

Monday, October 23, 2017

Week 76 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was all about change, either in a good way or a bad way or not wanting to change at all. I will first write about the people that don't want to change or change for the worst I guess you could say. We were teaching a woman named Sicuthlele(if that is how you spell it). She is 45ish and has been taught by the missionaries before.  She was doing really well. She came to church twice and so forth. Then she let a bomb go off. She is doing things with her boyfriend that are breaking the law of chastity. So we told her to talk to him about it and see if they could be legally married. The next time we came she told us that he didn't want to get married. She was okay with not being baptized anymore and asked us to stop teaching her. 

Then another investigator of ours... Oh my! Her name is Rumbizai. She is 50ish. She came to church once and was enjoying the teachings. We went to her house yesterday because she didn't come to church. She was telling us her church (Roman Catholic) threatened to kill her if she moved to a different church and that she would be a church prostitute. So she told us to not come back. 

The girl Lisa I used to write about is the one that changed for the worst.  She was loving the lessons but struggling to come to church. Then she started hanging out with older girls that dressed inappropriate and loved to be around boys and disobey rules of parents. The light in her eyes isn't there anymore. She dodges us now. It is really sad to see what satan will do to people to cause them to fall. We need to be careful and cling to Christ! Mosiah 4:30. 

Now let's end on a happy note shall we. :)  Do you remember Lindani who was just baptized a week back? Well, her boyfriend or should I say the father of her last born came back into town. Sister Leslie and I were worried that the law of chastity might be an issue. We talked to her about it and were relieved a bit. She doesn't want to be with Jacob unless he changes. He drinks and smokes and Lindani doesn't want that for her new life. So we started talking to Jacob. He has a great desire to change and start a new life with Lindani. I hope wedding bells and the sound of water will be soon be in the future. 

There is a recent convert named Tafadzwa. He is powerful and had a situation happen. He had a disagreement with his mother and family issues keep piling. One day we received a call from a member that Tafadzwa wanted to commit suicide. He was feeling that joining the church has been causing more and more problems in his life. We were able to find him and discuss the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was one of the most spiritual moments I have had on mission. We were able to talk about what Christ did for us and what power we can get by asking Him for help! I was able to bear my testimony about my Savior Jesus Christ. It helped me to recognize how much I truly love the Savior and what He truly does for me each and every day!

I love being a missionary. Christ truly is everything. We need to make Him the center of our lives. The best tool that can help us with this is the Book of Mormon! 

I love you all!!! Have a glorious week wherever you are!

Love, 

Sister Arbon


Sunday, October 22, 2017

Week 75 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a crazy busy week. We had zone conference, exchanges with the STLs, and 2 baptisms. Zone Conferences are one of my favorite things. I always learn so much from President and Sister Mkhabela. We discussed a lot about obedience, humility, and the importance of having a testimony. President asked the question, "Who gained their testimony of the Book of Mormon here on mission?" It was crazy to see all the hands that were in the air. I honestly don't think I could have left home and go miles away without the testimony that I had of the gospel. Gaining a testimony is so vital because it helps us to truly trust in the Lord and act on what He teaches us to do. Some of the quotes I loved at zone conference:

"You either have pain of discipline or the pain of regret." Sister Mkhabela
"To know the truth we need to live the gospel." Elder Evans
"Without knowing everything, we can know the truth." Elder Evans
"You cannot defend the Book of Mormon, the Book of Mormon defends itself." President Mkhabela
"Work harder each day to receive salvation." President Mkhabela

Then I had exchanges with Sister Park. She is an amazing missionary. She always has her purpose on her lips. I learned a lot about how important it is to be lovingly bold. She is quiet but has a voice that everyone turns to hear. I learned a lot about how we should be sharing the gospel always. By asking everyone for referrals and sharing the gospel with everyone you can. 

Then it was Lindan and Ryan's baptism last Saturday. They are so cute. I love them. Their baptism was cute, simple and so peaceful. Ryan was scared of the water but the third time was a charm. Lindan used to have dreads but she cut them before her baptism. She said, "New hair, for my new life." I loved it. She was/is ready to make the change to follow her Savior Jesus Christ. 

I am so grateful to be a missionary. I have learned more than I have ever thought I could possible. haha I will never forget the experiences I had and am having in my Zimbabwe. 

I love you all! Have a great week! 

Sister Arbon






Monday, October 9, 2017

Week 74 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a delightful week. We have a couple of investigators that are progressing so well. First off, I would like to tell you about Lindan and Ryan. Lindan is the mother of Ryan. They are so cute and love learning. Sister Leslie taught them with her past companion. They want us to come and teach them frequently. They are loving the Book of Mormon. They are excited to be baptized this Saturday! 

Then we have Lisa and Gugulettu. They are powerful sisters. They love the teachings and want us to come every day. They are reading the Book of Mormon and loving it. Their struggle is coming to church. Gugu had washing and Lisa went to her other church. We were able to see them yesterday and discuss the importance of the Sabbath Day. Also we discussed if you know the Book of Mormon is true it means that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church. It seemed like it finally clicked. Hopefully they will enter the waters of baptism the Saturday before I go home. 

Then we have a powerful boy named Arnold. He came to church with a friend(who was also investigating) but that friend stopped coming. Arnold came with two other friends to church. We were able to hit hard the Book of Mormon and I honestly think it will change their lives more than they can imagine. 

General Conference was my favorite part of the week! I received answers to my questions and drive to become better. Some or many of the quotes I loved: 

"Blessings will come because of our choices not abilities." Pres Uchtdorf
"Remember who you are!" Pres Uchtdorf
"Who needs me today?" Sister Oscarson
"God has important work for each of us." Elder Pingree Jr.
"If we are trying to improve, we are not hypo critics but humans." Elder Holland
"It isn't where we serve but how we serve." Elder Cook
"Somethings matter but somethings don't." Sister Marriott 
"Hard will be good for those who go forward in faith and trust in His plan." Elder Ellis 
"Service with out love is like faith without works is dead." Elder Alonso

I loved this conference it helped us to remember who we are and it gave us great motivation to become better. 

Some funnies: 

I was told I look like I am from Israel. 
I was called Sister Akaborn. haha
"When we keep the law of chasity our lips are dry." Recent Convert Romeo. haha

I love being a missionary. It is hard, fun, enjoying, and stretching. I wouldn't trade my time in Zimbabwe for anything. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!!

Sister Arbon 










Monday, October 2, 2017

Week 73 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

I am on a new adventure in the land of Bulawayo. It is weird being sort of back. haha Entumbane is a good area. The people are so kind and loving. There were happy and disappointing moments but still an overall good experience! There is an investigator that we have that is brilliant. Her name is Lisa. When we were teaching her about the Book of Mormon she realized that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are the same teachings just were written on different continents after reading the first paragraph of the introduction of the Book of Mormon. I have never had anyone pick that out before. She is genius and will be a great member of the church after she is baptized in the future. 

There is awesome a cute 11 yr old named Privi. We were able to help her enter the waters of baptism. Her baptism was delayed because she didn't seem to be understanding the teachings. So when we went to visit her this week she understood the teachings. We told her that she could be baptized this past Saturday and she was so excited. She came to her baptism 3 hrs early and she was 30mins early to church for her confirmation. I love seeing people get really excited about the gospel. It can do wonders if we let it!

A couple quotes I loved this week:

"As we strive to become like God, He can make of us more than we could ever make of ourselves." ~ Elder Grow

" Just as vital as what you do, however, is who you are." ~ Preach My Gospel

I loved these quotes. We can become you God needs us to be if we just turn to Him and let Him make us into someone amazing! I love this gospel. it truly brings Joy and happiness into our lives if we let it!

I hope you have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Arbon






Monday, September 25, 2017

Week 72 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This was a week of preparing people for baptism and saying goodbyes. We were able to help Darling, Kuda, and Tadiwa prepare for baptism this week. They were so ready and it was a privilege to teach them. Darling is such a spaz. Sometimes she would be at the shops and when she saw us she would come running! haha She was so early to her baptism. She was terrified when she saw the deep water 2 feet but she was a trooper and still was baptized. Kuda we struggled with language a little bit but Gladys came and saved the day to translate when we needed it. She was on time to the baptism and I loved her testimony. It was so sweet and genuine. Tadiwa is so powerful. He was there for all the lessons even when we were late.  He was so excited to be baptized. He even came to the church super early to be confirmed. 

Then there were many goodbyes. I received transfer news. I am going to Emtubane in Bulawayo to finish my last transfer. I will be serving with Sister Leslie. I am super excited. I was/am super sad to leave Mabvuku. While I was saying good byes I realized how attached I was to this ward and the wonderful people in the ward. I am sad this is part of mission but I am grateful for the opportunity to have more people to serve and love in Emtubane. 

I hope you have a great week!

Love, 

Sister Arbon





Monday, September 18, 2017

Week 71 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a week of witnesses or experiences that reconfirmed to me that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. First off, I will talk about Ernest. Ernest is progressing so well. We have been teaching him a lot about the Book of Mormon and how important it is to gain a testimony of it through prayer. When we met with him the second time this week, he got his answer that the Book of Mormon is true. He told us that he felt good and that he was understanding what he was reading. He also told us he would run away from us if he didn't think it was true. He came to church on Sunday. The only thing that will slow his progress is legal marriage but I am sure if this is what he truly desires he will make it happen. 

Do you remember cute Tadiwa? He is amazing. He struggles with English but he doesn't let that get in his way. We were around his home one day and decided to stop in on him. We asked him if he read and found out if the Book of Mormon is true. He said he did. He said he felt good and knew it was true. I love it when people recognize the spirit and act on it. Tadiwa brought two of his friends to church yesterday. He is already being a great missionary. He definitely has been prepared by the Lord to enter His fold. 

One of our recent converts Tawanda who was baptized a little over a month ago received the Priesthood. We didn't know this till we saw him pass the sacrament. It was so good to see our recent converts progressing and making the gospel a part of their lives. 

A couple quotes I cherished during studies: 

"We need to get the gospel from our heads to our hearts." Sister Oscarson

"Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God." Bible Dictionary 

"Individual worth: like a flower, each person is precious, no matter how or when they bloom." Unknown 

I love this gospel. I know it is true with all my heart because of the glorious Book of Mormon. Repentance is so vital to our salvation. It helps us to be able to become clean and a better person. We are all special and we all have different strengths. Be patient with others and yourself on the road to discipleship. 

I love you all! Have a wonderful week!!!!

Sister Arbon



Monday, September 11, 2017

Week 70 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was all about charity and how it is vital to missionary work. Remember the guy that started talking to us because we did service for our recent convert? He has become a powerful investigator. He used to have major issues with the Book of Mormon. He thought we put it over the bible and such. But we were able to explain it to him. He told us that it makes sense and he has a desire to pray to see if it is true. He was even defending the Book of Mormon to his friends that were bashing it. Ernest is powerful and if he just lets the spirit in he will do wonders. 

We lost Steven for awhile so we checked on where he works and stays everyday but we couldn't find him. So unfortunately he wasn't able to be baptized this week. But we found him yesterday. He said he was working far every day and would leave early in the morning and return late at night. When we found him we asked if he was reading his Book of Mormon. He said that his life has been so much better from reading and applying the message that we share that comes and is in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon can change your life if you let it. 

There is this cute boy named Tadiwa. We were teaching him along with 8 or so other friends. We asked of all of them if they would come to church on Sunday most of them said they wouldn't because they have their church. We didn't expect to see any of them at church on Sunday. Then Tadiwa was the only one that came. He told us that he asked his parents for permission to come and he received it. He loved it and we extended a baptismal date. 

We were blessed to have a zone conference this past week. Here are some of the quotes I loved:

"We need to understand the worth of our own souls and others so we do all we can to share the gospel to help them receive salvation." Sister Mkhabela

"No companionship, no missionary work."  Sister Mkhabela

"We have to have the Holy Ghost from start to the finish." Elder Holland

"Successful missionaries do: 
1- We need to obtain the spirit
2- Acquire humility 
3- Love the people
4- Diligence" President Mkhabela

"Love is the greatest weapon." President Mkhabela

"Obedience is what qualifies us for blessings. " President Mkhabela

I love being a missionary and learning and growing everyday.

Have a great week! 


Love, 

Sister Arbon






Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Week 69 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a faith filled week to say the least. We have been seeing investigators and less actives and they are struggling a lot with faith. They believe the church is true but they aren't willing to act on the belief to make it become faith. For example we have a big teaching pool but most of the people we are teaching are not willing to come to church because they have their own church. That is understandable if you haven't gained a testimony yet but it saddens me when people know the Book of Mormon is true and don't do anything about it. They have salvation in their hands put they are choosing to let go instead of clinging to the "iron rod." When we come to know the Book of Mormon is true we need to run with it not away from it. It may be scary to change the church we go to, the social group we are used to and the habits we used to have. But what is more important, living with God again or being comfortable? We need to get out of our comfort zone to stretch and to improve. There is a quote I found during study that is about faith that I loved: 

"We measure our faith by what it leads us to do - by our obedience." Elder Hales 

I love this quote because actions do speak louder than words. 

Now to the people of Mabvuku 2nd that are progressing. haha There is a guy named Steven. He is very powerful. We just struggle to meet with him because he doesn't have a phone and he works everywhere. Hopefully we can meet with him and help him prepare for his baptism this Saturday. We were able to do some service by helping our recent convert with his garden. I hope I didn't kill his plants. haha His friends have lots of questions but they didn't want to meet with us. But when they saw us helping Charles out they came over and said they have some questions for us. Service soften hearts. We serve as much as we can. Not for personal recognition but to help those who are in need and help Heavenly Father's children to feel love. 

I love being a missionary and doing the work of the Lord. We need to keep excersing our faith because that is what will help us go where we need to go. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!!

Sister Arbon 





Monday, August 28, 2017

Week 68 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was all about people you would run either away from or at you. haha We have an investigator named Steven. We went to see him at his work place and as soon as they called him, he bolted away. haha But we later found out that he was running home to see us. He is powerful and Satan is trying to detour him. He had work start at 1 yesterday so he went to the early ward so he could attend all meetings. Then we set an appointment with these 3 guys we contacted on the street. They weren't at their house when we came but we called them and they came running to the appointment. It was nice not to see people running away. haha 

We had a really funny thing also happen to us this week. We went to go see a less active named Rueben. He was making excuses to us again why he wasn't coming to church and reading his Book of Mormon. I was able to bear my testimony about the Book of Mormon. I felt the spirit so strongly. It makes me sad when people don't cherish the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon means everything to me. I have come to know my Savior more than ever. Then after I bore my testimony he finally told us what was really going on. A less active or inactive member has been telling him that the church is satanist and that the Book of Mormon is satanist too. So we knew who this member was so we went to check up on them. They were having their own church service at their house and asked us to join in. We of course were like no. Then we went to another less active family's house. We were talking with them and they were just bashing on members the whole time. Then lots of people came to their home for "prayer." So we left as fast as we could. haha The problems with less actives in Mabvuku. haha 

Then we had a couple of late bloomers this week. We contacted a guy named Emmanuel over a month ago. He was always gone when we tried to see him. But a less active told us he had a referral for us and gave us his house number. Well it wasn't that guys house but we found Emmanuel again. He was really powerful and accepted a baptismal date. Then Gladys is another late bloomer. She told my last companion and I she wanted to be baptized when we visited the less active family she stays with. Then randomly 3 weeks ago the less active family started coming back to church. We were able to teach Gladys and she was baptized this past Saturday. We all come to accept the gospel at different times. Don't lose hope with those that don't seem interested right now. Their time will come when the time is right. 

Bonnie L. Oscarson came and visited my mission. She is amazing and here are a couple of quotes from the conference:

"Be the missionary the Lord called you to be." Brother Oscarson
"This work needs to be continuous." Sister Oscarson 
"The Book of Mormon is an undulated testimony of Jesus Christ." Sister Oscarson


I love this gospel and how it blesses our lives. Be strong and know the Savior is always there to help you through!

Have a great week! 

Love, 

Sister Arbon