Remarkable Investigators on the Temple Site

         One of the joys we have is being missionaries to the workers on the temple site. Daily we get to have heartfelt discussions about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are currently teaching 3 men one-on-one the gospel lessons. Last week we taught Zeri (electrician), Fungai (painter), and Calton (carpenter). Each man has a genuine desire to learn the gospel and work out personal challenges. For some, it's having a wife living in a faraway village, while they work on the temple site. For others, it may be financial or the Word of Wisdom. Two workers have asked for priesthood blessings to help them stop smoking or drinking. Many of the Shona men are living with a culturally accepted marriage but feel a need to pay lobola to the wife's family. It is difficult in Zimbabwe with greater than 90% unemployment. Here are some of our favorite new friends:

Persuade and Richwell both are new converts from the temple site. Sister Sibandi and Rahatrininana helped to teach both these men missionary lessons, 2023.09.19.

Pres. Taona Nykala, our site manager, stated Bruce and I like to throw our investigators in the "deep end" of the pool right at the beginning. We are starting with tours and explanations of the temple right off since they are working on the temple site. We can't imagine a better opportunity to explain the Plan of Salvation and the Celestial Kingdom than teaching it in the Celestial room of the temple. The workers certainly feel the Spirit at the temple. We may be throwing them into the "deep end", but they are treading the water just fine!

         Richwell Mazvanhara works for Rio Douro and was quickly fellowshipped by Persuadae. He accepted the gospel so quickly without any doubt. It was such a privilege to see him enter the waters of baptism. Richwell has a beautiful singing voice and has recorded some amazing songs with a live band. I'm sure we'll be hearing his songs on the radio soon!

        Persuade Armioni, our adopted son,  has been a remarkable member missionary and invited Richwell to church. They both are from the high-density population of Chitungwiza. We love them both as sons. They both have strong testimonies and are excited to possibly serve missions in the future. Bruce had the honor of baptizing both these sons of God. Persuade recently went to the Johannesburg temple and did work for his deceased father, grandfather, and grandmother. Oh, what joy!

Persuade Arimoni digging a ditch by hand behind the Meeting House on the HZT site. 2023.09.19

        Fungai Josiah, supervisor of Painters (on right) with his friend, Tendi. Fungai is the leader of his village near Mozambique. He stays in town while working on the temple. The first time Bruce shared a picture of the First Vision, Fungai exclaimed, "Holy S_ _ _!" Elder Anderson had a hard time holding a straight face. Fungai has a neighborhood group of about 8 men that meet weekly to discuss the gospel and the "Mormon Bible." Fungai tries to answer their questions the best he can. He's invited us to come to their group discussion next Saturday. He's already gained a testimony. We taught him about the "Plan of Salvation" in our Welcome Center and he accepts the plan as the truth. He can't wait to teach his wife and family too, who are living in Botswana. Currently, we connected her with the missionaries in that mission. They've been able to contact her and teach her.

Our temple group devotionals on Thursday during the lunch break. We have about 15 minutes to discuss gospel topics or show a short video. Now we have a "Welcome Center" we are able to hold more meaningful discussions and invite the Spirit into our meetings. Last week we showed a short video on Pres. Nelson talks about "gratitude" being the prescription to happiness. We discussed what a blessing it is to have a  living prophet.

        Our dear friend, Agness Soloni, 2023.09.20. Agness was the first HZT site worker to join the church. She found a Book of Mormon in the kitchen of the old meeting house before they demolished it. She's also seen visions and dreams; one in which an angel above the temple beckoned her to come. Agness has remarkable faith and humility. She and one other woman work as housekeepers on the site. Agness has helped convert her husband, David, son, Jess, and sister, Idah. She's a great member missionary too! On the site, she helps explain the process of baptism and obtaining a marriage license to the Shona men, who need coaching. We love Agness!

        Sidney Chikwira (right) works for L-Electron. He had alcohol problems and says he was a "drunkard" before he met us. Ever since when he happened upon Pres. Nelson's April Conference talk about being a "Peacemaker" his life has changed. He approached us while walking from his lunch break back in April. Ever since then, he's been reading the Book of Mormon and every bit of literature we hand him. He's attended church and prays. He is truly converted! We've seen a beautiful change in his countenance and the light of Christ in his eyes. His wife lives in Bulawayo (about 3 hours west of Harare). She hasn't taken the lessons and has been a roadblock to Sidney getting baptized by demanding a high lobola price for her father. Bruce was able to give him a priesthood blessing to bring him comfort and peace. He is converted and desires to follow all the commandments. He even pays tithing!

        Zeri Muzambi, is a born leader and heads the electrician store on site. He's been so friendly and fun to talk to since we arrived on-site. He's been reading all the standard works and asks amazing questions. He is in his 50's and more educated and mature than most of the other workers. He's asked Sister Anderson to explain "Zion" and "Patriarch" on different occasions. We currently have taught him individually in our trailer, "The Restoration of the Gospel", "The First Vision", and "The Plan of Salvation". Zeri has been going to church in Glenview every week. His wife lives in a village and runs the farm and cattle near Mozambique. Zeri is also the leader of his village. Zeri has joined our English Connect and Financial Planning classes on-site. He helps the younger men with his inquisitive questions and answers. When he joins the church, like Fungai, we think the whole village will join too. He is a remarkable man and coaches us on our Shona daily. Just look at that great smile!

        Thursday Lunch Devotional showing a church video clip. Mario, Richwell, Cephas, Persuade, and Agness are in attendance. 2023.09.12

    Our friend, Cephas Muchenje, is the painter on site. He and his family are going to get baptized soon! Cephas approached us after we visited with the painter's group and gave them a tour of the temple. He told us he wanted Bruce and I to come to his home and teach his wife and him together. They've come to our apartment twice for dinner and lessons. We turned them over to the proselyting elders in Eastview. They've been attending church with their three children. Today Fortunate told me they are planning on obtaining their marriage license secretly to avoid the demands of lobola. Bruce had a heart-to-heart with Cephas about "faith requires action" and following God's will-- not his aunt's will, to pay out lobola. Both Cephas and Fortunate are converted and want to enter the waters of baptism. We are helping them plan their wedding so it can all happen. We are excited to see them in white! They both affectionately call us "Mom and Dad". I've hired Fortuante monthly to help clean the elders' apartments after transfers. She does an amazing cleaning job and appreciates the work.

        Mario Malenga is a member and returned missionary from Ghana, who works with the masons on site. He's been incredibly invaluable in teaching and bearing testimony at our devotionals. It's nice to have someone who is a member, who speaks fluent Shona. Mario was a missionary companion to one of my best nursing friends, Laura McGregor's son, Mark. Small world, huh? Mario's planning a wedding in October and teaching his fiance' the gospel too. We love visiting with him daily.

    Calton Dziziti Mahere, came up to Bruce and mentioned he'd like to come to church. He didn't think we'd want him because he said "I smoke and drink." Bruce informed him the gospel is for everyone and especially for him. He offered to give Calton a priesthood blessing to help him stop smoking. Calton has met with Bruce 1:1 for two missionary lessons in our trailer. We are teaching him because he has a hard time getting with the missionaries due to his work schedule. We hope to encourage him to attend church this week and meet with the sisters. 

    Our mission has a united prayer every day at 09:58; we ask God to help the missionaries find fathers, young adults, and families to teach the gospel. We see our prayers being answered every day.

Mondly Hlaiseka expressed interest in the Book of Mormon shortly after meeting him as a tiler on the temple site. His company has been off and on the site. Mondly is one of the best-skilled tile layers on site. He and his wife, Tanaka, and daughter, Michelle, came to church last week. They've been taking the missionary discussions also. Lobola is another issue for this young couple. Bruce and Taona gave Mondly a priesthood blessing last month to help him stop smoking. After a few weeks off the site the next time Bruce saw Mondly, he stated, "It's no longer a problem." Mondly even offered to teach the principles of the gospel at one of our devotionals and did a remarkable job. He has some amazing insight for an investigator. 

    Tinashe Chanyandura was one of the first investigators to attend our devotionals. He texted Sister Anderson to thank her for the "bible" and teaching the word of God. Tinashe wants to have Bruce and I come to meet his family (wife and 3 daughters). We are going to his kamusha in 2 weeks and hopefully teach them a lesson. We were happy to see Tinashe back on the temple site; his ceiling subcontractor had him go work for the embassy for about 6 weeks, so we missed seeing him on site. He's been quiet, and meek, but approaches us with some amazing insights. He seems very shy and reserved. Tinashe came to our English Connect class on Friday with Sister Nance Turley. We were excited to have him join the course. 

    We've been so amazingly blessed to be able to rub shoulders with these remarkable spirits and God's children here on earth. Where else would we've been able to come into contact with some of His most valiant souls?

        Teaching the cleaners of the temple about the Book of Mormon and the House of the Lord they are cleaning, 2023.09.17

Elder Anderson sharing 3 Nephi with the aluminum window crew at the temple site. Every worker on site has been given this 2nd witness of Jesus Christ.

Talent Nyamandee, another HZT Rio Douro worker, lives in Chitungwiza and came to church with Persuade and Richwell. We introduced him to the sister missionaries and they taught him with Persuade's friend, Moses.

Richwell, Elder Anderson, Talent, and Persuade attend church in Chitungwiza. Elder Anderson ordained Richwell to the office of a priest. Talent attended for the first time. 2023.09.24
On the construction site, we met with him one-on-one and taught him the "Plan of Salvation" and about the temple. Each time the Spirit bears testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and we are brought to tears. Elder Anderson set a baptismal date for October 28th. Bruce gave him a priesthood blessing to help him stop smoking. On October 2nd, we gave Talent a whole tour of the temple explaining the rooms and ordinances. He felt the Spirit, especially in the Celestial and Sealing rooms. He is trying to quit smoking, although he's had a few setbacks with his peers. We told him to take a day at a time and continue to pray for strength. He is a choice son of God and we can see such happiness in his countenance as he accepts the gospel.

Talent and the Andersons after teaching the "Plan of Salvation" which is the "Plan of Happiness". 2023.09.26

"Throwing another one in the deep end!" Talent swam just fine learning about the temple firsthand. We gave him a full tour and the Spirit was felt. 202310.02