July 9, 2018 - Chanda Chakadzoka...and Finding Like Crazy!!

Hey everybody!!

I hope you had a great week and a great Fourth of July!! We experienced the complete opposite of July weather this week! On Wednesday, the real winter weather finally kicked in. For the past few days we've had cloudy, windy, and cold weather with a few showers. Remember how I mentioned about it getting cold in Africa? It gets really cold.

On Tuesday we got to meet President Makasi and his family! He's from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and has been serving in South Africa as an Area Seventy. He has a young family with four kids, ages 3-15, and they are awesome. President Makasi is very different from President Mkhabela. He's more outgoing, and has a kind, warm, and humble disposition. Although things are a bit different, I am very excited to serve with him for the last month of my mission!

KFC on July 4th with Elder Odunga,
Elder Hansen, and Elder Tambe

I went on exchanges with Elder Tambe on Wednesday. He's from Austin, TX and his parents are originally from Cameroon. It was cool to connect with him on a few things from Texas and from BYU (turns out we were both there during summer semester 2016 and knew some of the same people). I really enjoyed serving with him. We devoted some time to contacting new people, and almost everyone we contacted has either been taught by missionaries before or has some history of attending the Church. It was incredible to see the Lord's hand guiding us to those whom He has prepared. We celebrated our freezing fourth of July by stopping at KFC on the way home; nothing like a little American food on American independence day.

As I mentioned before, the cold weather has definitely arrived. What's the best way to stay warm when it's cold outside? Missionary work, of course! Elder Hansen and I managed to find 28 new investigators this week! Throughout the course of the week we were led to so many amazing people who are willing to hear the gospel. It is a blessing to be able to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with so many of our brothers and sisters! One of the people we started teaching is Brother Chibwana. He's not yet 30, but he and his wife have lost all 3 of their children as infants. We taught him the plan of salvation, but he told us that he was tired of people telling him about the next life and how much these things have pained him. As we listened, I felt prompted to share Isaiah 53:3-5 about the atonement of Christ. We bore testimony of the healing power of Christ's atonement and how peace can truly be found through the Savior because He has carried our burdens. Brother Chibwana's countenance changed, and he seemed a little more comforted than before. It sometimes can take a while for one to understand that Jesus Christ truly has felt and overcome all things. However, once we realize that He has perfect empathy and can provide strength and healing in the midst of trial and tragedy, there truly is peace in Christ. I love the Savior and I'm grateful for his perfect love that can help us get through our difficult mortal journey.

I hope everyone has a great week! I know that God lives and that He loves each and every one of His children!

Love Elder Barlow

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