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