Hellos, Goodbyes, Colors of Africa

                            Senior missionaries say hello to Orrs and goodbye to Petersons, 2023.10.13

       Friday, Oct. 13th, we played our last pickleball match with Roz and Guy Peterson. They headed home to Utah on Saturday. They whomped us good the first game, but Bruce and I finally beat the "Sweds" vs. the "Danes" in our last game! Guy really has a wicked serve and a spin on his balls. They taught us a lot and Sister Roz was like a big sister, I really could look up to. She has an amazing voice and her testimony shined. They served in humanitarian efforts in Zimbabwe for 18 months and live in Lehi, Utah. I'm sure we'll get together when we're back, especially for a rematch. Friday night, we had a nice goodbye dinner at the Judds. We also said goodbye to Elder Lewis, from (Farmington) and Bluffdale, Utah. He's a super neat missionary and he shines with love for the Zimbabwean people. I can tell he served well. We listened to all their testimonies, sang together, and heard the wisdom of our mission leaders the Judds. I put together a 20-minute slide show of photos and videos for them. I've become the mission PowerPoint/video expert. Sister Judd had "The Food Company" cater a delicious dinner and almond pear tart for dessert. 

    We were excited to meet their replacement couple, Elder David and Sister Nony Orr, from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. We really like them, they are our exact age (1959 & 1962). In fact Nony is just 4 days older than I am. They like to run and hike. Also, they aren't musical; Bruce and I were feeling like we were the oddballs!

We always end every meeting or zone conference with our mission song: "How Firm a Foundation". I love how Pres. Judd always goes around singing and putting his arm around the elders with such an expression of love. 2023.10.13

Saturday, we arranged to take Sister Nancy Turley and the Orrs to the "CBD", Central Business District in Harare. Sisters don't like to drive in the CBD alone; it's pretty crazy with the combi's and mass population. Sister Turely and the seniors are sewing together bedding bags for all the new missionaries for Christmas. We found some fabric stores where you can buy bulk African prints for $3.00/6 yards. It's the best buy ever! We had fun showing the Orrs the town, driving, and picking out prints. I even bought an African homemade dress for $10.00. Many of the sister missionaries buy the fabric and hire a tailor to sew them a fitted dress for $10.00. The sales lady of the small store kept thanking me for supporting her. I bought the ten-dollar dress, 4 ties, and 12 yards of fabric for $20.00. We also shared with her a Book of Mormon; the greatest gift we could give her.

After dropping off Nancy, she had to teach at a zone conference; we took the Orrs to lunch. We went to the Masdorf Market and ate at the "Bottom Drawer" again. It's become one of our favorite places; especially dining in the beautiful gardens and the presentation of the plates is amazing. It was fun to get to know the Orrs better. They are quite down to earth and despite their jet lag were fun to be with.

Sister Nony and Elder David Orr, at Bottom Drawer Restaurant, 2023.10.14

We laughed at Elder Orr, and accidently put on Sister Orr's name tag. Bruce and I have both done this and not noticed until the end of the day. They'd only be here less than 24 hours; we didn't have the sleep-deprived excuse!

Both Saturday and Sunday, Bruce and I walked our neighborhood admiring all the colors and beautiful blossoms in bloom! The colors of Zimbabwe's summer (even though it should be autumn) are absolutely amazing.

We made friends with our neighbors chopping down a Jacaranda Tree. Their names are Lewis and Alex. Bruce went back and gave them a Book of Mormon and had a nice chat with them. My husband is always sharing the gospel with everyone he meets.

Our neighbor, Lewis, chopping down his tree. We loved how he climbed the tree barefooted; we wish he was available in Mendon, 2023.10.15

    We took Orrs to church in Highland Ward. We had been visiting several other wards the past few weeks so I loved when Jess and Joanna Solani came to sit by us and give me a big hug. They are some more of our adopted grandkids. Bishop Nichols invited the Orrs to come and share their testimonies during the Sacrament Meeting. We warned them this happens whenever you are new or visiting a ward. They bore beautiful testimonies to the members of our ward. We had Orrs over for a spaghetti lunch with our neighbor, Leo that afternoon.

     We were so happy to hear of 6 of our temple site workers/investigators made it to church on Sunday: Tinashe, Mondly, Cephas, Talent, Josiah, Zeri, and Calton. Both Talent and Calton received priesthood blessings from Bruce and have gone 2 weeks without a cigarette. We are so proud of them. Christ texted Elder Anderson, 

"Good evening, thanks for the Book of Mormon, God help n courage to visit my elder people in my rural. Have good time with them. Did it after reading the Book of Mormon." 

Isn't that wonderful, the Book of Mormon gives us the courage to do what's right in our lives. Even mend family relationships. We hope and pray to mend some of our own family relationships.
My cute little Joanna "Kunashe" at church, wearing my name tag. 2023.10.15
We all had a great gathering, but I could tell the Orrs were fading fast. The first week is a killer with jet lag; especially about 2:00 in the afternoon.  On Sunday evenings, we always enjoy chatting with our kids on WhatsApp videos. It's like they are close by. We talked to William, Elise, and Ian. We love seeing the grandchildren run around and talk to us. We do miss them but know they are all doing well and are blessed in our absence while serving.

Orrs and neighbor, Leo for lunch, spaghetti! 2023.10.15