WINTER, BUT NO SNOW

It's been too long since  my last blog but time is flying by.  I love to go teaching with the sisters.  They are amazing teachers and I'm learning so much from them.  We've been teaching a young man who just cannot make the decision to be baptized.  I'm still working on that patience thing.

After seeing so many of these carts being pulled by cows, Craig just had to stop and ask if he could give it a try.  It's  like going back in time about 100 years or so.

At first the man so said no but money talks very loudly.  In the end he didn't want the money.  How can you say no to a guy in a white shirt, a tie and a missionary tag who wants to ride in your wagon?  You can't.

This is Elder Tayembi from Congo.  His first language is French and he had to learn English when he came to Zambia.  He goes home next week knowing English very well.  BYU allows the missionaries to take an English proficiency test free of charge and they get a certificate if they pass. Elder Tayembi is pretty proud of that certificate.  He's hoping it will help him get a job when he goes home.

Noel Nkausu is a man in our ward who is blind.  He is quite a character- he loves to talk and says he would love to be a motivational speaker.  We sometimes have to remind him to let other people have a chance to comment in Sunday School and Priesthood meeting.  He always wants me to take notes for him at various meetings.  I'm not quite sure what he does with them.  Once we drove him home from church with him giving us directions.  It was pretty crazy but we finally found our way to his house.

Right across the street from where we live is the Jesus Worship Center.  There is some rockin' music coming from there all day on Sunday.  Just like going to a concert.

We took the Sister Training Leaders to lunch in Lusaka.  Sister Arok (in the middle) is from South Sudan but left there when her mother was pregnant with her.  There was a civil war going on and she ended up in a refugee camp in Kenya where Sister Arok was born.  They were then added to a list of refugees chosen to come to the United States when she was about 8 years old.  They ended up in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Sister Arok joined the church when she was a young woman and her mother joined eventually also.  Her father is still in South Sudan.  She ran track for BYU and then decided to serve a mission.

A common business in Lusaka and all of Zambia- a small fruit stand, usually the only source of income.  There is one on every corner and everywhere in between all selling the same things.

We helped some members move from one tiny house to an even smaller one.  Their rent was raised from $50 to $65 a month which they couldn't afford.

My sister, Maggie and her husband, Larry came to visit us and we took some time to do some fun things with them.  They flew into Lusaka and then we drove to Livingston and stayed for a few days.  We went on a safari across the border in Botswana, saw Victoria Falls, zip- lined across the gorge  and went on an elephant ride.  It was awesome!

We didn't see any zebra on our safari, but low and behold they were just wandering around by our hotel.  Only in Africa.

 

So much fun.

Another Baobab tree.  We were told that this tree is hundreds of years old.

Remember this guy?  Noel, the blind guy.  He really took a liking to Larry, holding his hand and talking his ear off.  So funny but Larry was very patient and kind to him.  I think they got a good idea of what life is like here in Zambia.

Another birthday- Sister Aidoo

We have a new mission president.  President and Sister Kupu are from Tonga and they have also brought their 17 year old son with them.

We went back to the crocodile farm with a couple of the districts for an activity.  We took the tour, played some soccer and had lunch.  I think everyone had a great time.

This is 2 million Malawi kwacha which is about $2800.  Crazy!!!!

I couldn't believe it when I saw this sign of St. Eugene.  Doesn't it usually take a hundred years or so to become a saint?  Looks like Craig's dad did it in only eight years.  Unbelievable.

Doctrine & Covenants 104:15-17

"And it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine.
But it must needs be in mine own way; and behold this is the way that I, the Lord, have decreed to provide for my saints, that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low.
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves."

This scripture says a whole lot in just a few words.  We use it all the time in teaching the principles of self-reliance.
What does it mean to you when it says : "that the poor shall be exalted, in that the rich are made low"?

A TASTE OF AFRICA

Another birthday cake made and birthday celebrated.  This is our whole district except for 2 sisters.  The birthday boy is Elder Tayembi from Congo.  He delivered an entire speech prepared just for this occasion. This is the first paragraph of the speech;
"Elders and sisters, on this special day of my life I want just to tell you that a birthday can be seen as a serious or joyful time.  Another year has passed and I look back on what happened in my life, the success I had and also the challenges and difficulties I had.  I think about my goals for the future and reflect on the past year."

That's just a little taste of the speech he gave.  He explained that it was the custom from his country.

Dr. Mom at work.  Definitely could have used a few stitches but I worked my magic with some Neosporin and a band aide. It healed up quite nicely.

Craig attended his first Zambian funeral. There was a lot of weeping and wailing.  He transported a whole truckload of women in the back of his truck to the cemetery and then they fed him a big plateful of Nshima and chicken.  An interesting experience. There were about 7 or 8 funerals going on at the same time.  It's a very busy place.

Elder and Sister Hull and Craig and I helped this sweet member move her meager belongings about 1/4 mile down a very bumpy, dusty, dirt road.  She was born with a club foot that was never corrected and she must hold onto that stick with both hands when she walks, so she is not able to carry anything. Her brother was helping her by moving things one wheel barrow full at a time.  We got everything moved in 1 1/2 hours with the truck.  She has 4 small children and her husband left some time ago.

 This was our last load.  No windows and a dirt floor.  A very difficult day for me but I was glad we were able to help.

 P-day with the missionaries in Kitwe.  Looks like a really nice golf course but then any golf course is good enough for Elder Salmon.

 Yup, that is just what you think it is- chicken feet.  I have watched people eat them but that's as far as I go.  It's not pretty.

These delicacies were being sold on the side of the road in Malawi.  I have no idea what those tiny little birds are but the next picture is without a doubt a skewer of mice.  Hard to believe but it is definitely mouse season.  Not the Mickey variety.

The Zambians eat Nshima everyday.  They love it!  If you only have one meal a day, this is the stuff to fill you up, no doubt about it!

 While traveling in Malawi with the Hull's we stayed at a nice little place called Mvuu Lodge.  This is a baobab tree by the lodge.  They are huge- I've only seen them in Malawi.

 At the Mvuu Lodge was the loo with a view.  Interesting and not unpleasant unless a stranger happened along while you were in there.

I couldn't resist posting this little girl's picture. She had the most expressive face when she sang and she loved to sing.

These kids were fighting to get in every picture they could.  It got pretty crazy when we would try to show them the pictures on the phone.  Lots of pushing and shoving but they loved it.  We are the entertainment of the day especially in Malawi.

 Cutest little baby goats ever, and I don't even like goats all that much.

Another baptism today.  Theses are our friends Lord and Jacquie Mbambu with their two little girls and twin boys.  Jacquie's niece, Bethel, is the one being baptized.  Bethel's father, who is not a member, is on the far left.

I just happened to look over and catch this little one looking at her reflection in our bumper.  She kept kissing herself over and over.  Priceless!


What a life we are living here.  Sometimes so difficult and sometimes so rewarding.  I hope this gives you just a little taste of life in the Zambia, Lusaka Mission.

"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive."
Alma7:23

BAPTISMS EVERY WEEK

Wow, what a month for baptisms! I think we went to a baptism every weekend in April.  The only problem being water most of the time.  This particular baptismal font was filled up with bottle after bottle of water.  Needless to say it postponed the whole meeting but it went on eventually.  The water is cold and not very deep so it's kind of tricky to get totally dunked.  Sometimes it takes a few tries.

I absolutely love this picture.  Eight people were baptized from two families.  It was a sight to behold. It was a proud day for the families and the missionaries.  On this same day there was another baptism in another ward.

When we have time we love to go teaching with the elders or sisters.  This is Elder Abisai from Namibia and Elder Almeida from Angola.  Elder Almeida is just learning English coming from a Portuguese speaking country. I am amazed at how fast he is picking it up.

One night we got a knock on our door and one of the sisters said, very calmly, "We have an emergency."  I walked over to their flat with her and water was gushing out of the hose behind the sink in the bathroom.  When I say "gushing", that is putting it mildly.  Water was already about 2 inches deep in the bathroom and quickly filling the rest of the rooms.  I ran for Craig and he finally got the water shut off and then it took us a good hour to get the water cleaned up.  Thank goodness there is no carpeting on the floor- only tile.  Never a dull moment- well, not very many of them.  Elder Salmon has become the fix-it-guy in the mission.  There's not too much he can't fix.

There are not very many keyboard players in the mission so this was a treat to have Sister Groesbeck playing a special musical number as the children sang for the baptism.  She teaches lessons on Saturday mornings for those who are interested in learning to play.

We visited a near by crocodile farm.  That crocodile almost couldn't open it's mouth wide enough to fit Elder Salmon's head inside.

It also had snakes- really big ones!

All three of these guys were scared to death to even touch it as you can tell by the way they are holding it.

Emmanuel was turning 21 and said he had never has a birthday cake before.  We couldn't find any birthday candles so we used the next best thing- one great big one.  He was pretty happy.  I've baked a few more birthday cakes since then and now everyone is telling me when their birthday is.  It doesn't take much to make someone's day a little brighter.

Another baptism last Sunday after church and these are the sisters who taught them although the man standing next to Craig asked if Craig would baptize him.  They grew very close during the self reliance group that he was attending.  It's an amazing process to see someone learn about the gospel and just embrace it like he did.  It's like he was just waiting for someone to come along and teach him about it.

Just a note on general conference.  We were able to watch it at the church a week after it was broadcast.  Elder Anderson talked about his trip here to Zambia and about one of our missionaries, Elder Ssengooba and also our mission president, President Erickson. It is quite a story about both of them and so many missionaries out here have very similar stories.  They have great faith and love for the Savior.  It makes my faith grow even stronger.  Missionary work is like no other experience I've ever had.

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right had of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Ether 12:4

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

We got invited to dinner at the Stake Pres. home. We had all the Zambian foods, fish, nshima, and relish.

Their daughter (third from the left) just left on her mission  to Scotland and Ireland.

No utensils allowed.  I burned my fingers right off the bat.   They got a kick out of it. 

We visited a refugee camp in Malawi. There were two LDS families there- this little one got to me.  He said his name was Thomas S Monson.   

 This is the other family at the camp.  The father had a stroke a year ago, not doing great, but they were sure glad to see us.  He asked me to pray, and then at the end of our meeting he asked me to pray again.  I told him I just prayed, how about you.  He offered the sweetest prayer. In it he said " And Father, please don't forget Thomas S. Monson, and the 12."   I just felt it was kind of funny that he felt the Lord might forget them.

We were sitting in a small room with a dirt floor and this family has nothing.  At the end of the meeting we asked if we could sing a song. We asked the daughter in the orange shirt to pick  her favorite song. She picked "Because I Have Been Given Much."  As we are singing I had tears coming down my checks, and dripping on the dirt floor.  It was so humbling.   The satellite dish is a curious thing.  I'm not sure if it was in working order.

Ok, this is a Ant Hill.  not your typical Utah ant hill.  This is big, and they even get bigger.

 This is a tobacco farm that we drove past in Malawi.  They hang these leaves up until they dry and then sell them. It is the only thing they export from Malawi. 

 

Bro. Goodson and his wife have only been members for about 2 years.  He was a minister in his church but he and 6 others made a stand on gays and lesbians not having any callings in the church.  They all got excommunicated.  He then found the LDS Church. They have a son serving on a mission, and they are preparing to go to the temple.    They have their own school and teach 230 kids, ages 3 to 6 in two very small rooms with a dirt floor and plywood walls.  The school building is really bad.  They are trying to figure how they can make some improvements.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

When you're dead, you don't know that you are dead. It is 

difficult only for the others.

It is the same when you are stupid.   

PIONEERS IN AFRICA

These two young men are twins, Victor and Vincent.  They just received their mission calls- one to Uganda and one to DRC.  They waited a long time for the call which they submitted in December.  They were very excited.  I have known them since they were young boys.

 These two young men joined the church less than a year ago and are already preparing to serve a mission.  They are trying to earn the money for a passport and to buy the clothes they will need.  Emmauel, the tall one, recently got a job at a filling station.  He called us as soon as he got the job and was so excited.  Emmanuel was the first to join and he told his friend, Evan, about it and soon they were both members.  Emmanuel lived with his mother until she passed away when he was still very young.  He went to live with his father and his father also passed away after a short time, I think it was a year or two.  Then he went to live with an uncle and that uncle was killed in an accident after one month.  Next he was sent to live with his brother and stayed with him until he graduated from grade twelve when he decided to come and live with his sister in Lusaka.  Not long after he came to Lusaka he joined the church.  Craig has hired him to do small jobs like washing the car.  He took the vacuum outside for Emmanuel to vacuum the car and Emmanuel had no idea what it was for.  He had never seen a vacuum before.  He is a great young man and will be a great missionary.

We went shoe shopping with Emmanuel and he was very particular about what he wanted.  We probably walked a couple of miles through the market in downtown Lusaka.  It was like a maze in there.  I was so turned around- I would never have found my way out if we hadn't been with some young men who knew their way around.

Not exactly the kind of shopping that we are used to.  I never saw another white person although everyone was very nice to us.

I thought this was pieces of leather stacked up on the tables but it's actually whole dried fish.  I'm not sure how they eat it because it looks like it would taste like leather.

On our last trip to the Copper Belt we attended another baptism.  Two young women were baptized in one of the branches by the missionaries.  The church is growing and the missionaries in the Zambia, Lusaka Mission are doing a great job.

Cecilia, a lifelong member, introduced the church to her longtime best friend and the rest is history.

We met the Mukonda family and have discovered what great musical talents they all have.  Many of the children have learned to play the keyboard and they all sing beautifully. We found an extra keyboard that some senior couple had left behind and decided to give it to them.  They were so thrilled when we dropped it off at their house they played and sang for us and we kept asking for more.  Their father had a stroke last April and has not been able to attend church for some time.  They don't have a car and live some distance from the church.  Craig offered to pick him up and bring him to stake conference.  This isn't even all the members of the family.  We're told there are 24 children but from 2 different mothers.  I haven't quite figured the whole story out yet.

These are some of the members of  the self-reliance group Starting and Growing My Business.  The course goes for 12 weeks and teaches the members skills that will help them to start a business or improve the business they already have.  These are some of the subjects covered in the book: What do people want to buy?  How do I know if my business is making a profit?  How do I know if I should use a loan to grow my business?  How will I increase my profits?  Some of it is as basic as the difference between income and expense.

Obert is not a member of the church but some good members told him about the self-reliance group and he has a small business selling fruits and vegetables so he decided to come.  He loves it.  He wants to be taught by the missionaries now.  He was having trouble reading the manual so Craig gave him a pair of my glasses and he was so excited that he could see the words.  Good thing I brought several pair with me.  I know how frustrating it is when you're not able to see the words.

One of my favorite things about being on a mission in Zambia is the association we have with the missionaries.  Most of them are African and a great many of them are the only member in their family.  Some have no support from home and they are truly on their own.  It's so inspiring to see how strong in the gospel they are.  These two called us the other night and said their power was out (a common occurrence) and did we have any left overs they could have.  I gave them what I had and they were happy as clams.

This quote is hanging in our flat which was also left behind by the couple that lived here before us.  Just thought I would share it.

"Cherish your spouse as the greatest possession of your life and treat him or her accordingly.  Make it your constant goal to add to the happiness and comfort of your companion.  Never permit yourself to let down in your affection, or your respect, or your faith in one another.  Be excellent in every way."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Ensign, Sept. 1999

I can see that I have a lot of repenting to do.  I'm working on it!