Idah's Baptism in Eastview

   

     Another beautiful soul entered the waters of baptism on Sunday, July 2nd. Idah Zulu, is the sister of Agnes Solani. She is also a housekeeper/maid but not on the temple site. She is one of the humblest and meekest people we’ve met. The gospel seems to spread now among family members of the workers on the temple site. We were able to give Idah, a single mother, a weekly job cleaning and ironing for us. The average wage for a maid is $8.00/day. They work up to 10 hours per day. Idah comes for 4-5 hours to clean our bathrooms, mop, and do some ironing.  We pay her $15.00 so she has enough for her travel and child care. We can certainly clean our small apartment ourselves, but we are helping Idah become independent and she is helping us. Currently, there is a 90% unemployment rate in Zimbabwe. It was a blessing to see her baptized and bear her testimony of how God has blessed her life. We were also pleased to have Agnes and Idah's mother attend church and the baptism.

    Idah's faith continues to amaze me even during trials. During the week she came to help clean the church. She left her bag in the Primary room and someone stole all her money $52.00 she had earned by cleaning our apartment and apartment 12 three times during the week. It was probably more money than she had ever earned. The relief society president, Rebecca, told me about this terrible incident. Idah, came to her baptism faithfully even after this misfortunate and bore her testimony of how blessed her life's been since attending church. We know through some means she was able to get the money repaid to her, bless her soul!

Elder Yav and Makalieo with Lisa, Idah, Agnes, David, Jess, Sister & Elder Anderson, Kunashe, & Putsy at baptism

Sister Anderson with Idah, Kunashe, Agnes, Putsy, and their mother, Lisa at the baptism in Eastview

    We were also blessed to have Cephas, a HZT painter, and Fortunate come to church and the baptism. We were able to teach them a second lesson, this time on the Plan of Salvation. They are very receptive and are willing to come to church and pray about our message. Fortunate shared some fresh garden vegetables with us after church. It's amazing how humble and happy these people are and willing to share with us who have so plenty.  I love some of the workers are now calling me their "mom". Both Cephas and Persuade text me daily, "Good morning Mommy or Good afternoon Mom!" I've gone from "madame" to "Mom" which I love!  I have affectionately adopted them!

Cephas, Lottie, Fortunate, and Bruce at the Eastview Branch on Sunday, July 2, 2023

                        Elder Anderson making new friends at church!

     Eastview members were so friendly, as we greeted them coming to worship. Brother Tembo promised to bring us a plant for our porch. He rode his bike to church although he seems very elderly. Both Bruce and I bore our testimonies since it was fast and testimony meeting. We testified of God's love for His people, the temple, the restoration, and our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ.