Transfers, Edward, and Will I make it Out???????

Mon, May 16, 2011
So this week has been really great and I have spent much of it pondering ans thinking about what is required of me and my time. So anyway, I am now back in Zimbabwe and totally confused. I thought for sure I was going to be in the Zambia Lusaka Mission but I received some very surprising news. There is still one more transfer until it officially splits so I am not even going to try and guess where on earth I am going. I am just going to wait and see what happens. But they renewed my TEP for Zimbabwe and I am now serving in Lundi Park in Gweru. My new companion is Elder Monyayi from South Africa. So this last week I had to say good bye to a lot of people and that was difficult.

The Simwanza family cried and Sister Simwanza told me that she had wanted me to baptize her. But I have left and I only hope that the work will continue to progress in Lusaka. We had really seen a lot of progress and I was honestly looking forward to seeing the new mission president and being there when the mission splits. But who knows what will happen now??? I haven't the slightest idea. Oh yea!! My trainer, Elder Crossley is now AP. I laughed at him and reminded him of our friendly wager. He owes me a hymn book and a belt of some exotic animal leather. Hahahahaha

Then we have a family in our branch that had a son return home 2 days after he entered the MTC because of worthiness issues. Needless to say that caused a lot of stress and heartache to him, Edward, and his family. Then a few days ago the mom asked us if we could come and help them to open up and speak with each other again. We had no idea how we would help this family but we went and we ended up playing a game and everyone bore their testimonies and we read and sang Love at Home. It was a really comforting and spiritual experience. This family is now starting the process that will end in peace and joy. They are such a wonderful family and I felt so bad for their situation. Pray for them if you will.

Then on Sunday when we were leaving Lusaka to come to Lusaka, I ran into some problems. I didn't have an up to date visa. The stamp in my passport was old and Zambia had run out of TEP books. So even though I had my permit, I had no proof of it. And now I was trying to fly out of the country that for all intents and purposes I had been living in illegally..... do you see a problem. Well they told me I wasn't going anywhere and that I would need to stay until everything was sorted. Added to the fact that we could get a hold of no one that could help us and this situation looked bleak.

So after laughing and humming a few hymns as I waited to see what would happen I ended up just going back to talk to them. And long story short they stamped by passport and let us through! I don't know exactly why she let us through when I was illegal, except for the fact that I was needed where I was going and the Spirit prepared a way for me to go there. President and Sisiter Dube thought they would have to leave me behind. But all was well and we traveled safely to Harare and then I traveled by bus to Gweru which is where I am now. A stake was just created here and I am serving in a ward. I don't know much about this place except there is a game park where you can ride elephants(and we will be going there soon!) and that members love to feed the missionaries in our area. It is a nightly occurrence actually... I guess we won't need to cook very much.

But that is all for this week. I have gotten few hours of sleep these past two days because of travel and I am tired but I am also excited for all the fun that change brings. But honestly I thought I was staying in Zambia for sure and now I am confused. But don't worry. I don't care where I serve but how I serve. I guess I was just surprised.

Thank you for all you do! Members are the key to missionary work!

Love, Elder Steven Gay