So after 10 weeks of right knee pain without improvement, I decided to go try the famous "Dr. Zesa!" Dr. Smeets is a medical doctor specializing in sports medicine. His name is Dieter Smeets, from Belgium. He immediately looked at my MRI and X-rays from back in July, saw the problems, and said, "Oh, of course, another 0+, American, who eats lots of fatty starches and sugar! Boy he had me pegged! He started electro-therapy on my knee, which "zings" quite a bit but numbs it up good. I'm supposed to apply ice directly on my knee for 10 minutes two to three times a day. Most of all, he gave me a very strict diet, "PPF", I can only eat plants, protein, and fats. Sounds very much like the "Keto" diet, I've tried before. I'm now on day 2. He also said no "dairy" or "gluten" or "sugar", Wow, what do I eat? Anyway, I've splurged and gained 10 lbs. since I got to Africa, so I'm ready to get back on the diet wagon to a better way of life. I rather like good ole' Dr. Zesa, because he's very forthcoming, doesn't mess around, and is quite positive he can heal me. I have a large "Baker's cyst" and effusion besides osteoarthritis. I want to get back to my strenuous exercise and running. I hope this works!
Dr. Smeets, alias "Dr. Zesa" likes to torture his patients with electrical currents! 2023.10.18
We've had tremendous rain the past few days. We are talking about a mass deluge of rain, with thundering and lightning. Reeve Nield told us not to even turn on the faucet, shower, or do the dishes because there's a risk of electrocution. So tonight after the rain storm, we looked out on our patio balcony and saw a mass invasion of flies! Bruce opened up the front door to check if they were out there and about 100 flew in. We've been swatting flies for the past hour trying to kill them all over the walls and floor. My cute neighbor, Leo, said they are "rain flies" and really like the light. They come after a rainstorm. Always a surprise here in Africa! There are some real struggles here! It's starting to rain again; pounding on the roof! I hope it kills all the flies!
Outside on our balcony through the window; we have a major fly infestation! 12023.10.18
It was Zone Conference in Mbare. Bruce and I attended and helped with lunch and snacks for the missionaries. It helps Sister Judd for the seniors to be in charge of bringing water, fruit, and dessert. She ordered chicken wraps from Pogos. We also brought our two "maids" friends, Idah and Fortunate to clean the elder's apartment in Mbare. It was so disgusting. It had water damage, but you could tell the missionaries had never even attempted to clean out the fridge or oven. These "miracle workers" cleaned everything spic and span from 10-3 and got it done. We paid them each $20.00 plus a tip, which is double the going rate in Zimbabwe. So well worth it! 
Our Epworth Zone with Pres. & Sister Judd and the Andersons, 2023.10.18
Our amazing South Zone sisters, with Sister Judd and Anderson. Five of us, including me, had African print dresses on, handmade by African sisters, 2023.10.18
Fortunate shows how dirty the curtains of the apartment are. Lottie, Idah, Putsy, and Fortunate at the Mbare Missionary apartments after their long day cleaning, 2023.10.18
Elders in the South Zone, Mbare Chapel, Sisters line up for lunch, 2023.10.18
Fortunate shows how dirty the curtains of the apartment are. Lottie, Idah, Putsy, and Fortunate at the Mbare Missionary apartments after their long day cleaning, 2023.10.18We learned a lot at zone conference from the Judds and each other. I always love seeing the sisters. Sister Kitchen bore her testimony since she'll be going home at the end of the month. She's an amazing missionary, I loved she said, "A mission should be enjoyed, not just endured!" She talked about the joy she's felt just like Ammon after preaching and bringing the gospel of light to the Lamanites. I know how she feels; Bruce and I are experiencing it with our workers on the temple site. We have about 5-6 ready for baptism and dates set. It's so exciting to see such wonderful people and now our friends come into the fold. Pres. Judd showed two informative videos, the first was about a man who tried to ride a backward bike. The handlebar turns the wheel the opposite way you are used to i.e. turn right and the wheel turns left. It took him over 8 months to practice to change his neurons to change how he'd been wired to ride. His son relearned a new principle within 2 weeks. Very interesting to look at how we change habits etc.
The second was Jeffery Hollands's talk in 2012 about being a true disciple of Christ. I remember loving this talk the first time I heard it. Love really does mean loyalty. If we love God we will serve him and be his disciples. I love looking at these amazing committed missionaries serving here and having success.
Sister Judd always says it best, Here's her summary: October 2023 Zone Conferences:
"We love traveling to chapels in the different areas of our mission, especially during Jacaranda season. Many streets are covered with the purple blossoms that fall from these beautiful trees.
Our zone conferences this transfer focused on chapter ten in the new Preach My Gospel - Teach to Build Faith in Jesus Christ. In the old PMG, this chapter focused on skill practice. We love this new and inspired emphasis on teaching to build faith in Jesus Christ and the WHY behind all that we as missionaries do.
It teaches principles in a way that invites both missionaries and those they teach to act, rather than be acted upon.
We listened to Elder Holland's powerful general conference address, 'The First Great Commandment' and reviewed the recent changes to the Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jesus and Jacaranda trees and missionaries. True bliss."
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