Miracles, Missionary Work, and "Man of God"

 

Handing out the "Plan of Salvation" pamphlets for Easter

We held our first 10-minute devotional during the HZT worker's breaks at 1000 and 1300. A few earnest workers came and we showed the Book of Mormon video of the resurrected Christ's visit to America and the temple (3 Nephi 11). We know they all felt the Spirit testify in the room. All 5 men, who came, have asked for missionary lessons. We continue to have men come to ask for a "bible" or Book of Mormon on the site. I'm amazed at the faith and spirituality of these people in Zimbabwe. God has prepared them. We really love the people and their countenance shines!

 Mario and Tinashi at devotional. 2023.04.21               Edward from Strive Masons is being taught by the Eastview Elders.

Plumbers play checkers during lunch break, they use old bottle caps.

For Easter, we gave out the “Plan of Salvation” pamphlets to all the workers we could find. While Elder Anderson was walking in the Patron Housing today, Mondley, the tile layer, said he had read the booklet and with a big Zimbabwe grin said, “I lived with God before I came to Earth!” Elder Anderson was a little taken back then said, “Yes, perhaps we knew each other there.” He also has been reading the Book of Mormon. He asked Bruce, “How can I be baptized into your church?” We’ve sent his name to Elders Clark and Hill to arrange lessons. He asked to attend church with his family on Sunday. Bruce told him God wanted him here on the temple site to learn about the church. He was “glowing” the whole time! We are praying daily for the mission to find families, fathers, and young adults. Mondley is all three: a husband, a father of a 2-year-old, and 24 years old. “Golden!”

This is the 2^nd or 3^rd time this has happened on the temple site within our 8 weeks of being here. We are amazed at how the Lord has prepared these workers to hear and accept the gospel. Agnes, the humblest of the workers, the housekeeper, is being baptized in May with her husband, David. She asked me, “How does one get baptized into your church?” on the second day we were on site. Agnes found a Book of Mormon left in the kitchen, before the demolition of the old Highland Ward meeting house.  She started to read it. She reads daily and is so full of faith and obedience. She loves Jesus Christ and wants to be perfected in Him. She wants to live each commandment to its fullest before she's even baptized. Love this work. God is good!

This week we got several “What’s App” texts, thanking us for the “bible” or Book of Mormon they’ve started reading with their families. Chris, from Therma-Cool, called Elder Anderson, “Man of God”! in a text: “Mng hope I find you well, Man of God. I am Chris would like to thank you for giving me the Book of Mormon. It is helping me to understand God’s grace, blessings, words, and works; especially the index side. Helps me to teach my family. Thank you very much; keep up the good work!” Bruce has been called "Man of God" twice by individual site workers. It's quite a compliment.

Sister Anderson received this text on her phone, “hie, I am Tinashe, thanks for giving us the word of God. I am blessed with your bible.” When asked if he wanted to learn more and have missionary lessons, he responded, “Yes, I want to learn more, I worked at your temple.” We love these amazing full of faithful people!

Yesterday at “Pick and Pay” at our neighborhood grocery store, I had two workers stop and ask me questions. They see our “Church of Jesus Christ” missionary tags. One floor stocker placing cartons of milk on the shelves, looked solemnly at me and asked, “Why do I still struggle with problems and my prayers don’t seem to be answered?” This opened a discussion about God and how He loves all his children. Even the most righteous people I know struggle and have problems and trials. I told him why we were sent to Earth, and I had a book that could answer some of his questions. He accepted the Book of Mormon. I also had the store manager come up and ask me, “Who is Mormon?” I explained about the prophets of the book and the ancient record and told him to read the book with faith and prayer. I can’t let anyone know of its truthfulness, but God can answer him if he prays about it.

Tuesday, April 18th was Zimbabwean Independence Day! Everyone got the day off. We enjoyed playing pickleball with Reeve and Lolly at Nield's. We then soaked our feet in the pool and had some long chats about life, work, and their amazing experiences. They've shared the gospel worldwide as professional golfers. Both contribute so much to the Zimbabwean humanitarian efforts and prepare members for pre-mission medicals. They have 8-10 containers full of donated clothes and supplies they give out to the less fortunate to help Africans serve full-time missions. These best friends are affectionately and appropriately called the "3 Nephites", which includes Cici (Cecilie Lundgreen), another pro-golfer convert, who visits for 3 months out of the year. She's currently living in Norway. Reeve points out God's hand in everything she does and sees the small and big miracles in her life daily. She is an amazing example to me of faith and service. She's a jack of all trades from pro golf and coaching, world cup pro softball, and pickleball, to giving all the missionaries free haircuts. She'll make sure anything happens and gets us anything we need.

We also picked fresh lemons off their tree and I made lemon squares since we had "zesa" all day long!