Stake Conference and Seniors

    We had stake conference in Harare last Sunday, June 11th. We drove out to the Mabare Chapel in Waterfalls. It was a nice building with a full chapel and overflow, but we took some dirt rough roads to get to it. It is rare in Africa to have such a nice building to meet in. Our project site manager, Taona Nkala, was sustained as the second counselor in the Stake Presidency. Pres. Nkala has been the branch president in the Harare Town Branch. He is only 36 but has a strong testimony, a mild and meek nature, and is a great leader. He mentioned how the Andersons were giving the workers tours of the temple and explaining the purpose of each room. He said, "It's like throwing them into the deep end." right at the beginning of their introduction of the gospel. He felt that way being called to the stake presidency. The amazing thing is the HZT site workers accept everything we teach and don't have a problem with baptism for the dead, prophets, and the sacredness of the holy temple we are building.

Elder Anderson with our temple project site manager, Taona Nkala, sustained in Stake Presidency.

    Full-time elders and sisters meet at the entrance to greet stake conference members.

Sister Rasolomanana and Rodriguez with Sister Washburn and Kendrick at stake conference. We had the Highland sisters: Sisters Treese, Otienda, Washburn, and Kendrick over for taco salads for lunch at our apartment after the meeting. The missionaries are always grateful to be fed!

        Pres. and Sister Sithole, serve in the mission presidency. They come in a combi van to church; even with his broken leg. He feels blessed he was able to sit in the front seat and not the boot during his journey. The majority of the people here don't own a car or drive. Traveling 1 hour to work or church for a $1.00 fare is normal for them. They also walk everywhere. You seldom see overweight people in Africa.

    Sister Washburn and Kendrick with our ward member, Jennifer and daughters.

Here is a combi van waiting to take the members back to the city. They usually stuff 16+ people in one van, plus the money collector will hang off the back on the bumper calling out for stops. We gave an outside-the-fence "temple site tour" to the HXP "Humanitarian Experience" group from the U.S.A. stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were 23 participants that came to Zimbabwe to volunteer to help build a school. I hope they had an amazing life-changing experience. The temple and meeting house are in the background, 2023.06.15.

    The Senior Missionaries had a birthday breakfast for Elder Cliff King at 34 North, Nield's--Reeve and Lolly's on Thursday, June 15th. We had yummy blueberry pancakes made by Lolly right after our daily pickleball practice. The Kings and Sister Whitlock have completed their missions and are returning home on June 30th. They will be greatly missed. When we got to Harare in March, the Kings had our apartment all set up, including food stocked in the fridge and cupboard. It was such a thoughtful gesture. Toni King set up our internet and phones too. They have been over "fleets and flats" and will be a hard act to follow. Sister Sandy Whitlock has served as the financial secretary in the office. She has such a sweet testimony of faith and endurance. She also plays a "mean" pickleball game Sandy is very athletic at golf too; she played college softball. All three of these new friends have been very patient as my partner in pickleball while I've been learning the game. These three missionaries came from American Fork and were in Pres. and Sister Judd's stake. They have all become dear friends. We thank them for their service and amazing talents.

                             Harare Zimbabwe Senior Missionaries at Judds, our mission leaders.