Transfers, Chaleka's, and driving to an unknown location

Dear Everyone!

Well this has been an interesting week. I am not sure what to really write actually because aside from being intense, I don't have my journal to remind myself of the week's happenings.

But to begin, I guess, I am emailing you from a different part of Zimbabwe... I was transferred and I am now in a city called Mutare. Which is on the side of Zimbabwe, very close to Mozambique. In fact, I could drive to Mozambique in ten or fifteen minutes. We were informed about transfers on Wednesday afternoon. We waited for the call for quite a while(three hours) and finally decided to call President Dube ourselves. I was informed that I would be leaving and I would be a district leader... honestly I can say that I don't feel prepared. I have only been out for six months. Everyone in my district(except one) has been on mission longer than me. And I am suppose to lead them?

It was difficult to say good bye to everyone in Kuwadzana. We had gotten very close and it was hard to leave. Especially all my recent converts but Elder Bonface is still there and he will take good care of them. But in my area I am also "white washing" which means they are putting two elders there who have not been serving there as opposed to just switching out one elder as is normally the case. So neither me or my new companion(Elder Blair) know anything about the area or the people. That will be difficult as well. Also as I try to be a good leader for the first time. There are a lot of new things to learn and to apply and I only hope that I am up to the task because right now I ain't to sure... but I will pray it out. Speaking of which, I have to teach a district meeting tomorrow... this is going to be intense.

Also the Chaleka's! They are one of the most powerful families that I have found and I had to leave. But they were at church on Sunday and they told me not to worry, because, and I quote, "Don't worry, me and my family will be baptized. But not before we know that we know what is expected of us, but we will be baptized." AHHHHHHH and I had to leave! But I am expecting that family to lead the church someday in Kuwadzana. but seriously.

I no longer have a washing machine and the persecution here is worse but I think we will find some people who are prepared if we work hard enough. But the house is powerful and I know that this transfer will be a huge learning experience. We confirmed those seven who were baptized last week and they went splendidly and the Branch is really getting on its feet I hope that near the end of my mission I can go back to Kuwadzana and see just how far it has come since I was first there.

But I got to drive to Mutare this morning. I had never been here before and it was three or fours away but we got here surprisingly because I really didn't know where I was going. But the drive was amazing. Africa is beautiful and I just hope that one day everyone gets to come and see for themselves. I got to look out over the whole city from the mountains. Also there were more baboons which is always fun!

But I will let you know how everything goes this week! I hope it goes well!

Love,

Elder Gay

Tapiwa, Baptisms, and Robbed again(again(again)) :)

Dear everyone!

Well this last week has been very good. It began with us going to Tapiwa's and he was very happy and we met with his family again(minus Dad). They were asking questions, participating, and it was great! Then we came back on Saturday and this time Dad was there. He asked for the Book of Mormon(he wasn't there when we taught it) and said that they had explained and that he had read it! We answered their questions and I was loving it.

Then we taught about the plan of salvation. And the dad gave them fire because they weren't prepared. So they all pulled out notebooks and they were taking notes the whole time! My companion was so happy he started crying. Then after the closing prayer, the dad, who we have only seen once after a conversation about missionaries and missionary work,

"So our church is really growing." He said casually.

"What?!" Comes the shocked reply from elder Bonface(my companion), as my head turns sharply.

"This church of ours it is really growing." Is the father's once again very casual reply.

He was saying OUR church! I couldn't believe it! Then he asked if he wanted to be baptized what would he have to do. I was stoked!

Then on Saturday I get a call from the Zone Leaders asking if there is anything we left in the house that is valuable... uh oh. I tell them my camera, and they find it in the top drawer of my desk. But the thieves got another camera, fuel coupons and forty dollars in cash. I couldn't believe it happened again and I have no idea HOW they are getting in! I have been locked out before and I could not get in, I could not see any weaknesses... but I guess I am not a thief... well according to that one police officer I am, but he is terribly confused.

Then yesterday we had our baptisms! Seven people! I was so happy. It was a lot of work and after the baptism I was exhausted but it was worth it. One of the kids we baptized, his whole family came. And they weren't even members!

But that has been my week and I am grateful for all the love and support!

Some highlights I forgot!

-My companion shoved sadza in his pocket because he couldn't finish it.
-I was forced to sing the National Anthem because it is in the hymn book for a recent convert family
-I was jumping into com-b to contact them
-The thief left his sandals so I am going to give them to Maxwell
-A less active made powerful food(very random but it was in my journal, so....)
-Our neighbors were incarcerated for the theft but were shortly released.


Love,

Elder Gay!

Lions, dead people, Talent and Tapiwa, and interviews

So last Monday we went and I played with "baby" lions again. But they took us in when they were eating, so they were kind of riled and vicious but it was still fun. We went around the rest of the park and I saw tons of animals like ostriches, zebra, springbok, baboons, hyenas, cheetahs, alligators, and some other things. Yes wildlife!

Also we hiked up this mountain and we looked out over this amazing view. Africa is really beautiful. I was kind of in awe over God's creations. Then we climbed some gigantic stacked rocks. I was making the other elders a little nervous because I was jumping and climbing over them and the drops were pretty far but I was having a blast(sorry mom I will be more careful though:)).

Then on our way home we passed an accident and I saw a dead woman with her head in a pool of blood. That brings the total amount of dead people I've seen to two! Which is something I never wanted. But Elder Packer(my old companion) said that a woman got shot five times ight in front of one of his appointments, by her husband who was also a police officer. Wow, Satan really? Really? It is a good thing these black badges protect us! Yea divine callings! Woot!

So we went to this one contacts house named Talent. And he was so excited to see us. He is eighteen and he was very very excited. He brought us in introduced us to his mom. It was intense. The lesson went very well and I felt prompted to include eternal families. I'm not really sure why, but my guess is I will find out later.

Also we went to another kids house, he is seventeen, and his name is Tapiwa. Also excited to see us but not even close to as excited as Talent. But he brought us in and also introduced us to his mom. I asked if she would like to join us and he left to ask. Then four men walk in and I find out the one is his dad, one is his Grandpa and two are his uncles. Then last came his mother with two of his little brothers. Wow. But the lesson went great! I was so happy! Also when he pulled out his bible, some zim money fell out and he just shoved it back in but I saw a lot of zeroes so I asked if I could see them. They were Ten Trillion dollar bills!!! I have been looking everywhere for those! And now I have seven! I am a multi-trillionaire. Aren't you jealous?

Also Anyway has a son named Gift who we have been teaching. This last lesson he was really getting it and Anyway was so proud of her son and excited that he was understanding the gospel. She was practically jumping up and down. But I realized I felt the same way. Which was odd because he was her son and he was what to me exactly? But that was the way I felt and feel every time an investigator gains a testimony of the restored gospel!

Also, don't you you love drunks? One said he would come to church and said and I quote, "I'll come! And you will bless me more than God Blessed Jesus? You know what I'm saying?" I had no idea what he was saying but it was funny! Also, also, one of our investigators was not convinced and was trying to bible bash to prove the Book Of Mormon is wrong. He also told me I wasn't convinced it was true... uh... what? Yea I left family, friends, work, school, gymnastics and everything else because I wasn't convinced? But anyway, we just kept telling him that he would have to read and pray for himself. But then he said that if he didn't get an answer when we came back were we willing to deny the Book Of Mormon. I paused and flatly responded, "No". I then bore my testimony that the truth of the Book of Mormon has been testified to me over and over again and nothing could change that. I explained that no matter how many people don't believe the truth, that it does not affect the unalterable fact that it is indeed the truth. Then he said he would come to chuch the following week. But I don't know if he is understanding these things. He might need time.

Then on Sunday we had Baptismal interviews and Maxwell got confirmed! Six of our seven passed and the one only failed because of translation error so we are having him interviewed again this coming Friday. So, on Sunday we will have seven baptisms! Victor and Vitalis (brothers), Gift and Sebastian(best friends), Dorcas, Vladmire, and Enesia who failed her last interview but passed with flying colors this time! Yea baptisms! Sunday was a powerful day.

Then yesterday we had Zone Conference which I always love. President said in my interview that I should enjoy Kuwadzana while I can, so I might be leaving. Which would be great but I would love to see how all these people I have been teaching progress!

Thank you for all the love and support!

Love,

Elder Gay

Malaria, "fixed power", and Unity

Malaria, "fixed power", and Unity

So the night after I emailed I sat in bed and I couldn't really fall asleep because I felt so full and I was kind of cold. I know I was actually cold. That should have warned me right off but it didn't. So I just tossed and turned and it got progressively worse and worse until I was very nauseated and I felt like I needed to vomit. So I called another elder from his room and he came out and was talking to me and brought me more blankets. So I had four blankets and a heater on me and I was STILL freezing. Finally I did throw up... a lot. And I felt much better and so I could fall asleep. The next day I felt pretty much normal, almost anyway but they forced me to go to the doctor.

The doctor told me that it was acute viral infection and it would pass on its own. But let me tell you I thought it was malaria. But whatever I feel much better now. But my companion also got checked and the doctor didn't know what to think of it, she said, "That's not normal." So we got some blood tests done and we are going to get the results later today so I will keep you informed next week about what happens.

So you know how our washing machine cord exploded? So Bro. Akili came and "fixed" it but we had no power when he came and later it came back and everything was good. Until the power went... but only to half of the house. Luckily everything in the kitchen still worked except the light so we could still cook!

So that side of the house didn't have power for a while but he came back and it is fine now. But now we are wondering what the next problem in the bathroom will be. Because right now everything is good and we all know that can't last for long.

But when I was in the area I saw a wedding invitation and it said "Love is forever" and it made me laugh and also a little sad. How sad it is that those people would separate at death without the proper authority. Also Alfred and Florence said they would wait even if it took ten years! Yes! They are the polygamists. The wife wanted to go to a different church but Alfred said he would only go to the "Latter Day Saint Church." He knows the truth and he cannot deny it!

Also I met a very arrogant person who wanted to teach me about the bible. But he did let me make a brick, by smashing cement into a mold which was fun.
Then Sunday was interesting. Maxwell didn't show up, I am not sure why. But I was very tired and then in Priesthood they started discussing families and it got way out of hand and they started discussing numbers of children and how many should you have and how you should provide if you have a lot. And someone said that poor people have more children because they can't afford other forms of entertainment.... in PRIESTHOOD! I was shocked and it just kept going from there. But our week has been really good and tiring and interesting.

Thank you for all the love and support!!!

Love,

Elder Gay

P.S. I am going to play with baby lions again today :)