Blooming Wonders

 

The Jacarandas are in full bloom and are quite magical. They are really showing off all over the streets of Harare. It's a beautiful thing! The Bolgonvillas are also competing; we're not sure what's our favorite yet. Zimbabwe has perfect weather and something is always in blossom. Bruce decided to go barefoot on the lawn but got stung walking through the Jacaranda blossoms. There are a lot of purple petals on the ground but also a lot of bees. We really love it here.

 Saturday morning we met the senior sisters missionaries at Stable's Market and then took them into the CBD of Harare. They wanted to look for fabric downtown but didn't feel safe driving there alone. Bruce graciously took us, 4 women, into town, where we were the only whites. I was trying to find the wholesale fabric stores from memory and we didn't end up on the street we were looking for. We did, however, find 2 fabric stores with the 6 meters of African prints for only $4.00 USD. Bruce parked and taught 4 men the gospel while he waited. He also ended up parking by the "Home Depot" shops in Africa and found all sorts of tools to look at. It's always an adventure!

Some areas of downtown Harare are not as alluring as others. Very crowded streets, garbage piles, iron bars on storefronts, homeless, and litter in the streets; but still a God-fearing people. Jesus is the Lord, sign downtown.

Saturday's birthday lunch at the "Bottom Drawer" Restaurant. We've always wanted to try it and we're not disappointed. The only problem is my diet plan to lose weight in Africa is not working! We've found too much good food! The chef really knows how to make a pleasing platter. It's fun to keep trying new places; it's part of our explorations. Bruce bought me a cute sun hat I found in the gift shop. I've wanted something for all the sun we are getting. 

Elder Anderson is just a kid at heart! He had to go jump with the kids. He's just another one of my boys; I really love that he can always find some fun. Gotta love my companion! 2023.09.30

The Bolgonvillas are trying to compete with the Jacarandas, and we must say they are doing a beautiful job of it. Below is a yellow trumpet tree. All the trees here are so fun, different, and amazing. There is always something in bloom!

 One day left before I'm in single digits to "70"! Now that really does sound old. Funny, I still feel just as immature as I've always been. However, this mission has brought me closer to my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I also am on my third reading of the Book of Mormon and can bear a strong testimony of it helping bring anyone closer to Jesus Christ by reading it. It's the word of God and I know it is a true record of the ancient Americas and witnesses of Christ, our Redeemer. It contains the fullness of the gospel and it brings me joy!

"Behold your little ones!" Tinashe and his family

"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

 John 12:26

    This beautiful photo in the "dark" describes it all by the children's intense faces watching our lesson of Jesus Christ coming to the temple in the Book of Mormon and blessing the little children. "Behold your little ones!" We loved teaching his family about Jesus's love for them.

We had the opportunity to go and teach and meet Tinashe Chanyandura's family. Tinashe invited us to come to meet his wife and children last week, so we told him we would come after work on Friday, Sept. 29th. Even though Friday is "early day", meaning the workers get off by 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. it took until 6:00 p.m. to arrive at his home in Glenview. Tinashe had also been able to attend a one-on-one English Connect Class in our Visitor Center Friday afternoon with Sister Turley. The Harare town traffic was very congested and I almost got an ulcer as Bruce negotiated his way through the intersections without traffic lights working. It's a scary chaos of tolerant driving! We also had to go through the combi pickup zones, which is always crazy! We drove straight through the "belly of the beast" Harare's CBD (Central Business District) at rush hour traffic. We always pray every morning that we won't be hit or hit anyone! Our prayers are answered daily. After about 45 minutes we made it to Glenview. There we drove through the tuck shopping district (everyone sells their goods along the side of the road. The tuck shops are made with wood to make a small store stand. Next, we drove to the rural dirt roads to a newer development of cement homes. The Chanyanduras live in Glenview Section 4, which is the outermost part of the rural area.

Bruce and Tinashe at his home he built in Glenview. Two of his daughters, Nasha and Moforro. Nakatenda is the firstborn, age 11. The girls were adorable and well-behaved. You could tell Tinashe was a very good father. 2023.09.29

We arrived at their small home, which Tinashe actually built, right at dusk. It had no electricity (normal for the area) but Tinashe put on his cell phone torch. It had a central cement room (kitchen) with a small table and 4 chairs. There is no stove, sink, or running water. They told me they collected their water from a well on the property. Two bedrooms are bookshelfed at the ends of the home and the bathroom facilities are usually outside in a separate small structure. It was humble but nicer than most African village kumbas (homes where they stay). A "kumsha" is where they were born or raised, usually out in the bush or country. We were surrounded by children when we drove up in our truck. This often happens because it's the only vehicle in the town and we are the only white people many of these children have ever seen. They love shaking our hands and having a photo taken of us together. I wish we would've had some toys or treats to give out. I had brought some store cookies, which we shared.

 I asked our temple site friend, Tinashe, what he wanted us to teach his family. He said, "Teach them about Jesus." Bruce felt inspired to show the children the Book of Mormon videos on 3 Nephi 11 & 17. It shows the resurrected Christ descending from heaven to visit the Nephites in ancient America and also Christ blessing the little children. The kids were mesmerized! Neighborhood children were peaking in the doorway; so I invited them in to watch also. 

We were greeted by many neighbor children, who probably hadn't seen white people in a truck before. They loved taking "selfies" and seeing themselves in my phone photos.

Tatenda, Tinashe's wife, came home about 30 minutes later. She also works in a neighboring city. She's a sweet lady and we hugged as I greeted her.  We re-showed her the videos and the daughters watched them intently a second time. Tatenda and Tinashe told us they were ready to be baptized. They'd been to church a few times and taken some of the missionary lessons. We told them how much God loves them. They really felt the Spirit during the videos and we testified of God's love and how much Jesus loves the children. The gospel is all about love. Elder Anderson set up a plan to help them become baptized. They had been frustrated with the elders teaching them being transferred and changed frequently. Bruce called the elders in the area to arrange for the lessons.  They need to attend church a few more times and meet with the missionaries a few more times. They are converted! We offered to help them get their marriage license so they could proceed. We've been helping several couples with passport photos and a small fee if needed by the court. It was a wonderful night and a surprise for us. We didn't realize they were already both converted and wanted to raise their daughters in the gospel. The two older girls are also able to be baptized with their parents. What a blessing to be part of their conversion; but we know the Holy Ghost touches their hearts and manifests all truth unto those who ask. Tinashe was one of the first HZT site workers who texted me and thanked us for giving him the Book of Mormon. He texted Sister Anderson back on April 18th in his best English, "Hie I am Tinsshe Chanyandura, thanks for give us the word of god. I am blessed with your bible". Who would have guessed that handing out the Book of Mormon on the temple site would lead to this? God blessed both of us!

 

Proud mama and papa in Chitungwiza!

 

Moses, Richwell, Bruce, Persuade, Lottie, and Talent at Chitungwiza Ward, 2023.09.24

Persuade gave his very first talk today on keeping the Sabbath Day holy and thanked his "mom and dad" for coming. Our heartstrings tugged! Bruce also ordained Richwell to the office of a priest with the aid of our new priest, Persuade. Plus, they brought three friends to church, Moses, Talent, and Mateo. Talent also works on the temple site so we will continue to teach him. Sister Kitchen and her brand new companion, Sister Musambasi from Gweru.

We are so proud of our new African sons!

3 new investigators for the sisters: Mateo, Talent, and Moses. A missionary dream!

Sisters Kitchen and Musambasi taught our investigators about the restoration of the gospel after church. It's exciting to have young adults join the church; they are the future missionaries and fathers, who will lead their families.

Sisters Lungisani and Kendrick pose at Chitungwiza's Ward with these cute boys, 2023.09.24

Happy Sabbath!! I had to chuckle at this cute future missionary's t-shirt (in black & white).

Only in Zim!

These three good-looking young adults all work at the Harare, Zimbabwe Temple Site. It's not a coincidence they were all brought together to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Richwell, Elder Anderson, Talent, and Persuade, all HZT workers, 2023.09.24

Elder Anderson ordained Richwell to the office of a priest. He had Persuade join the circle and help ordain for the first time. It was Persuade's very first talk in Sacrament meeting too. He did a wonderful job!

Right before priesthood ordination; I promise I didn't take a photo during the prayer!

Blueberries: Duncan Farm in Marondera, Mananga Estate

 Andersons meet Cathy and Paul Duncan, owners of Mananga Estate, a farm in Marondera, 2023.09.23

    Meet Paul and Cathy Duncan, owners of Mananga Estate and Duncan Farms in Marondera, Zimbabwe. Paul and Cathy are from Rupert, Idaho, and own 20,000 acres of farmland growing sugar beets, corn, and potatoes. Two years ago Paul took a gamble to come to produce agricultural crops in Zimbabwe after coming on humanitarian visits and meeting the Neilds. His wife helps fill containers for Zimbabwe Care. Their group is building a school for the villagers in Marondera by Theydon. The land is beautiful and the Duncans hire about 350+ employees to run the farm. Paul decided his cache crop would be blueberries. Wow, what wonderful blueberries we tasted and saw picked and packaged for sale overseas in Singapore and other Asian countries. His plants are producing double what was expected. He is also growing cabbage, covo, onions, carrots, broccoli, and other vegetables. They've cleared the land and fixed up buildings, fences, and homes for the workers. Currently, they are building apartments for the Nield-Geranios family and other volunteers, who come to stay. We went through 3 guarded electric fences. I asked if it was for burglary protection or wild animals? They said there is a lot of petty theft but mainly to keep out the hyenas and a few leopards have been spotted. 

            We took Persuade up to meet them and see the farm. He's had a dream to be a farmer in the future. He would love to be employed after he serves his mission in a year. Rachel Nield-Geranios (Reeve's sister) was hired to manage the farm and use her Zimbabwean expertise as needed. Paul and Cathy drove us around the huge acreage they've leased for the next 25 years. They come for about 3 months at a time and also do humanitarian aid to the Zimbabwean Africans. They are very generous people. We also met their two friends, Kim (Fruit Heights) and Carolyn Peterson (Centerville), who help with the humanitarian aid and are building the school. They've come many times to assist and have brought physicians and dentists through their charity organization. Isn't it wonderful to know there are so many good people in the world, who help those in need?

Workers picking blueberries during the day. They loved taking "selfies" with us. Paul explains the farming process to Bruce. 2023.0923

We put on white coats and washed our hands before going into the refrigerated packing plant. Carolyn Peterson (Centerville), Cathy Duncan (Rupert, Idaho), and I took a few selfies. The blueberries were delicious and sweet. They gave us several pints to take home. 2023.09.23

When we returned from driving around the farm, Rachel had made us a nice lunch. She put together some gourmet chicken salads with fruit, vegetables, nuts, and cheese. We enjoyed each other company and promise to come visit again. Rachel stays at the farm, about 1.5 hours from Highlands. Her husband, Dean, runs a bakery, and their kids are in school in Greendale so they go back and forth a lot. The kids come up on the weekends to enjoy the country life. Next time we visit, we've promised to go hiking up to some rock ruins and stay the night. Tomorrow they have a baptism for their little branch and they use the farm's pond for the ordinance of baptism by immersion. They guaranteed there were no crocodiles!

Beautiful crops with just the picturesque background we ordered!

Lottie with Rachel Nield-Geranios and Persuade. We liked the armed guard. I asked him if he'd shot any "lions" and he just laughed at me. The farm has two new Jack Russell puppies! 2023.009.23

Persuade gets a ride and tour from supervisor Tom (Thomas Chihururuu) at the farm. 2023.09.23