Monday, January 23, 2017

Week 37 in Zimbabwe!!!!

Dear family and friends,
This week was an adventure in Mbizo, Kwekwe! First, our house was a little zing (problematic). haha We didn't have any pots, pans, or silverware for the first 2 days. So we didn't really eat. Now we have everything but wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. So we are getting there. haha The first day we were heading to meet the Bishop and we hit a huge pothole and the tire popped. Then this baba (father) came to the rescue. He helped change our tire. So we said the best thing we can repay you with is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He agreed. We made an appointment to meet with him the next day. We saw him and started teaching about the Plan of Salvation with him and his wife. At the end he was like I want my whole family to be taught. Then we went and saw him and his whole family. They loved the Plan of Salvation and we invited them to be baptized. The Baba agreed and so did the oldest son. The mom doesn't think she needs to be baptized again. I can't wait to teach them the Restoration and teach them about the priesthood. So they understand the need to be baptized in Christ's church. There was a day where we just decided to go around our house to find new investigators. Then the fix it guy said he was coming to fix some things so we tried to find our house and it took us over an hour and then finally the fix it guy had to find us and help us home. haha Low and behold we only needed to go one more street. haha The family, the Sitholes, invited us over for a dinner on Saturday. They love the missionaries every week. They are an amazing family. You can tell they have adapted to the gospel culture and love it with every fiber of their being. It makes you excited to have a family grow in the gospel in the future and know how much joy it brings your family. Then sacrament meeting: it was one of the most spiritual sacraments I have ever had. We sang I stand all Amazed. I started to cry because the week was tough with white washing and the house. Then I felt Christ next to me being my support and helping relieve the burdens that I had. Then I felt encouragement from Him telling me I can do it. I truly am grateful for the Savior and how He is always there for us and is always there to help us. I know this is Christ's true church. That Joseph Smith is a true prophet that helped restore Christ's church back to the earth. I am grateful he received the priesthood power to enable us to make covenants with Heavenly Father and translate the Book of Mormon. I know it is the most correct book on earth and when we live the principles that are taught in it we will come closer to Jesus Christ!
I hope you have a fabulous week!

Sister Arbon









Monday, January 16, 2017

Week 36 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This was a week that was filled with the spirit! First off we had zone meeting. We talked about Faith and Repentance. It was so powerful. We learned how that if you truly help people to excerise they will have a desire to do what Christ has asked of them. Also that they will have a desire to repent and become fully clean by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Tenotenda was confirmed this week! He has the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so glad Sister Bandi and I were able to help him receive one of the best gifts God can give us. I was pondering during my studies and I had sort of a day dream: I was walking along a bumpy road with pot holes every where in what seemed like a forest. Christ was holding my hand and helping me move forward. He was also pointing at everything and telling me what a good thing it was. I loved it because Christ is always there for us and is helping us along the way. He is the source of true joy if we focus on Him and do our best to follow Him. Then Sister Bandi and I were teaching a lesson about Life on Earth. The spirit was there in abudance. The spirit spoke through me as I explained the purpose of life and the Savior's Atonement! You could tell the spirit was testifying to them of what I said was true. I love being a missionary. I love helping God's children come closer to Jesus Christ and realizing they have so much potentional. 

A big shock I am being transferred again. I am going to Mbizo which is in KweKwe opening up an area where sisters haven't been. I am super excited. It will be another great adventure in Zimbabwe!

Love, 

Sister Arbon










Week 35 in Zimbabwe!!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a great week to be in Mpopoma! Tenotenda was baptized on Sunday. He is a 10 year old that is a part of a family that are members but the father is less active. So the mom came up to us one of my first Sundays in Mpopoma and asked if we could teach him and help him to be baptized. Heavenly Father doesn't usually hand baptisms on a silver platter so we of course jumped at the chance. He loved and understood the lessons so well. I think we were sent to help him and his less active dad. So one day they can be sealed in the temple as a family for eternity. Then as we were out and about contacting I started talking to this Gogo but she didn't understand any English. But the crazy thing is she took us into her house. We were able to get to know them a little bit and share our purpose. I love how Heavenly Father leads us to His children. I hope we can meet with this sweet family and help them grow closer to Christ. Then we were teaching Brother Chiwota about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon and he just kept saying this doctrine is so true. I just love all the teachings. I love how the gospel gives light and joy to people's lives because it is centered around Jesus Christ. Then we had Exchanges with the STLs. They were so amazing. I got to be with Sister Erickson. I loved every second. I loved seeing how much we both have grown over the past couple of months not living in the same house. She was always there for me when I was struggling. It was good to rekindle that friendship and be able to talk to her again. I love how the Lord sends angels to help His children when they are struggling. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to learn and grow here in Zimbabwe. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else at this time. Even though mission is really hard at times it is also the greatest blessing. I love the Lord and how He is always there for us. He always gives us the experiences we need to grow and reach our full potential. I love the Lord's work and that I get to help my brothers and sisters come closer to our glorious Savior and Redeemer! 

A funny this week: I was at Tenotenda's house and the Baba called me Elder Alma. I am now a scripture hero that has the priesthood. haha I honestly think this is one of the best names I have gotten. 

I hope you all have a great week full of the spirit!

Sister Arbon







Monday, January 2, 2017

Week 34 in Zimbabwe!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a roller coaster of a week. We had some up and downs but a lot more ups than downs. Sister Mpofu is progressing very well the only struggle is coming to church because of her husband. We had a lesson with her about Faith and Repentance with Sister Ndlovu (bishop's wife). The spirit was so strong and the spirit worked miracles. She understood a lot faster than she usually does. She was like faith can start as just believing? We told her about how faith/belief can grow and grow as we nourish it and act on what the Lord asks of us. I love how the spirit leads us to understand the gospel and helps us to come to know the things we need to hear so we can grow and come closer to Christ. We met Bro Chiwota by contacting him. He came to church that Sunday. He is powerful and we had a lesson with him about prophets and such with the Restoration. He loved the doctrine. He was like no one else teaches all the truths like this gospel does. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how perfect it is. I love that the Lord lets me share it everyday with the people I love in Zimbabwe. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the blessing and knowledge I receive everyday from studying it. The fullness of the gospel is in the Book of Mormon and it will bring you closer to Jesus Christ than any other book.
I love being a missionary. You don't have to have a name tag to share the gospel. Always strive to be a good example, share your testimony and pray for opportunities to share the gospel. It will bless your life more than you can imagine. D&C 18: 10-16.

I love you all! I also hope you have an amazing week!!

Sister Arbon 




Week 33 in Zimbabwe!!!!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was a very blessed week! I love that I get to be in Zimbabwe for Christmas. Zimbabwe doesn't really celebrate Christmas. There are hardly any decorations. They only celebrate by eating food and drinking which I think is very sad. Christmas should be a time all about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gave us everything: life, hope, a way to become clean, be Resurrected and many more things. I am grateful I get to proclaim His name each and everyday this Christmas Season. The missionary work this week was kind of slow. Sister Bandi and I found out that an area that we have been working the most in is actually the Elders area. I am glad we found out now instead of a long way down the road. Joewell and Praise live in that area. So with all our investigators there we showed them to the Elders. The Elders are awesome and will help our investigators get to baptism. There was a quote that was in our apartment/flat that talked about how Satan does his best to have us feel inadequate because if he succeeds then we won't realize our full potential. We have so much potential because we are children of God. So when you feel low or that you aren't enough remember the Savior performed the Atonement for you because He knows you are amazing and are worth it beyond measure. Skyping the family was my highlight this week. I felt I was home for a couple hours. It helped me feel that I am not alone and my family is always there for me. 

I love this season. Please remember the Savior and cherish the Atonement everyday!

Love,

Sister Arbon, Elder Sister (a new name I got in Mpopoma),
Mr. Arbon, Sister Arburt, Sister Olivia