April 16, 2018 - Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

Hey everybody!!

I hope everyone's week has been awesome!! The Lord has poured out some wonderful blessings upon us this week, and I can't wait to tell you about them!

On Tuesday after district meeting, we went to our first lesson. Afterwards, Elder Byrom said that Humphrey (Alice's husband) had called and was available for us to visit him. It wasn't in our plans and we could've easily chosen to visit him the day after, but we decided to go see him right then. It turns out that it was the last day that he would be in Eastview before he would return to work in Gweru. He greeted us with a long hug and we sat down and shared our condolences and our testimonies. He expressed his great desire to still be baptized and his even greater desire to visit the temple so that the work can be done for his wife. I admire this man's great faith in the face of such a sad occurrence, and it was a special time that we had to visit with him. He said that our visit lifted his burdens, and I found a greater understanding of the baptismal covenant as set forth in Mosiah 18: "to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort."

With Elder Kambuzuma

Walking to the mountain where the cave is...

This week I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Kambuzuma. He's from Harare and is serving in Marondera while waiting for his visa to go to the South Africa Cape Town Mission. It was fun to do missionary work with a Zimbabwean, especially because he's fluent in Shona. I've tried pretty hard to learn Shona, but I am so grateful to have a translator in lessons where investigators don't understand English. When Elder Hamilton came, he spoke about how we need to focus on those who can build up the Church, particularly those who can speak English. Afterwards, Elder Byrom asked me if I can teach by the Spirit when I teach in Shona. It was hard to admit, but I said no. Since then, we've done our best to teach in English so that the Spirit can guide us and we bring a member to translate, and there definitely is a positive difference. That's why it was cool to have Elder Kambuzuma with me on Wednesday, because he can teach perfectly in his native tongue and it's awesome! He also loves Shona slang, so he taught me a few words that were pretty funny. He's a cool missionary and loves to learn and work hard, and it was a fun exchange.

As Elder Byrom and I have been rebuilding our teaching pool, we have been blessed to teach two families, the Muropa's and the Makowa's. Brother Muropa was baptized in 1989 and has since gone inactive, even though he loves the Church. His daughters, Tilda and Tanadzwa, are friends of some returning members and recent converts, and we were referred to teach them. They are so receptive and love our visits and have been attending church for the past couple weeks. I feel so welcome every time we visit their home because they are so eager to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Interesting fact, we were fed prawns (similar to shrimp) and sadza in their home the other day and it was so delicious. Brother Muropa works in Mozambique so he often brings seafood home home, so that was interesting. Elder Byrom found Sister Makowa on an exchange and we met Brother Makowa while teaching an impromptu lesson on the street to some guys fixing a car. Brother Makowa has stopped going to church because of the confusion caused by the many surrounding churches, a condition rather similar to the young Joseph Smith in 1820. As we've shared the Restoration with him and his family, they have become increasingly interested in the gospel and in finding the truth. This Sunday, Freedom (recent convert) brought the whole family to church, which was so incredible. They've also been considering the possibility of attending the meeting with President Nelson on Tuesday evening, which we have encouraged them to do. They are so awesome! On Sunday we were able to have 19 of our investigators attend sacrament meeting, which was the greatest!! It's the most investigators that have come to church since my mission began, and we were so excited!! The Lord has blessed us with some amazing people to teach as we have sought to work hard and teach by the Spirit. I definitely sustain the words of President Ezra Taft Benson, who taught that work is the greatest secret of missionary work and that there is no other substitute!

...and the inside of said cave

This week was also Elder Byrom's birthday! We made German pancakes, and then today we drove out to Arcturus and hiked up a mountain to find a cave. It was sweet and I'll send pictures!!

I'm so eagerly anticipating the visit of President Nelson and Elder Holland tomorrow. I'll send you my thoughts next week!! I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!

Love Elder Barlow