The making of a stake in Mutare happened on Sunday, October 22nd, 2023. What a momentous historical occasion! You could feel the exuberant joy and excitement of the members as they arrived at their first "Stake" conference. Elder Denelson Silva, our South Africa Area General Authority presided and Elder Mhkiza conducted the meeting. The stake had a wonderful choir and I was asked to take photos, even a few during the meeting. All the Mutare missionaries arrived 30 minutes early to meet and greet all the members as they arrived. We also made it to Saturday's session for the last speaker, Elder Silva at the Mutare Chapel. Sister Judd booked us all a room and a nice buffet dinner at the Holiday Inn, on Saturday night.
Sister Theresa Mpofu was the first convert to be baptized in Mutare on 18th November 1982. Although a certain brother requested a branch in Mutare; it was responded by a British Rhodesian couple named Swawells. She told me there were only 6 members: Jack and Carol Swawel, Granny Swawel, their two children: Johanthan and Lorraine, and Sister Mpofu. Sister Carole Swalwell was the former computer operator at the Southern Rhodesia Dept. of Treasury. It was an honor to meet this pioneer, Sister or "Mother" Theresa of Mutare! She was the first African Shona member with the 5 Swawel family members in the small first branch.
Saturday afternoon, we drove into the Holiday Inn after driving from Nyanga Valley for a few hours. We were excited to clean up, shower, and try to make the end of the first Saturday Stake Session. I loved driving into the LDS Mutare Chapel and seeing some beautiful Apostolic children dressed in white in front of the gate. I had to sneak a photo!
Elder Silva is always fun to listen to especially because English is not his first language, being from Brazil. I love his accent. He is very genuine and friendly. He urged the members to "be recommended to the Lord" and prepare for the new temple, which will be completed in less than 1.5 years.
Saturday night we had a buffet dinner at the Holiday Inn, where we all were staying. We enjoyed the Orrs and Pres. & Sister Maziofa. and wife's company at our table. I made a blooper as we discussed "seeds" and replanting. Sister Maziofa has a major in agriculture and was explaining the more the seeds reproduce the plants get much smaller in size; that's why you need to replant them after a few years. I blurted out, "Oh that's why I'm so small; I'm the tenth child of my parents!" I went red and we all laughed at my embarrassing comment. Maybe not quite "missionary" appropriate.
We love the sister missionaries, Sister Jarvis and Sister Agoya.
Pres. Sawman & Mary Machakahiri, of our Harare Stake. Sawman grew up in Mutare.
Assistants, Elders Mangano and Ricks, they're both wonderful missionaries!
All the Mutare elders ready to listen to the Stake Conference.
New Mutare Stake Presidency (with Pres. Pritori new stake president) formed with area authority, Pres. Mhkiza conducting and sustaining, 2023.10.21
A packed chapel and overflow!
We made it Saturday just in time to hear Elder Silva speak. Afterwards, he gave Bruce a big friendly hug. We enjoyed visiting with the members in anticipation of Mutare becoming a stake on Sunday. Pres. Judd had challenged the Mutare members to share 5,000 Books of Mormon and set a goal to become a stake by Dec. 2023. They surpassed the goal of 2,000 members and 150 Melchezidek priesthood holders to form a stake. Mutare met the criteria of 2361 members and 156 Melchezidek priesthood holders. Pres. Judd shared how the members could continue to share the gospel normally and naturally every day of the week in the way they talked to people. Instead of saying, "My weekend was good." say, "I had a wonderful weekend, teaching my Primary lesson." or " I went to church and partook of our Saviour's holy Sacrament and renewed my baptismal covenants" or "I enjoyed a fun young woman's activity at my church." These things get normal conversations going about the church. 
Andersons with Elder Mapundo, recently returned missionary from Harare, Zimbabwe!
After Saturday's Stake Conference meeting, you could feel the anticipated excitement of the members. All the seniors came to celebrate the historic occasion. Pres. and Sister Judd spoke. Pres. Judd looked so relieved as the mantle of being the District president left him and fell on the new Stake President. Elder Silva greets members after the Saturday afternoon session, 2023.10.21
Pamella Guveya and children, her husband is a counselor in the mission presidency to Pres. Judd. The East Stake President Maziofa and his lovely wife, visited since he grew up in Mutare, 203.10.21
Elder Silva seems to always have a milkshake with every meal. Bruce suggested he order one again and they obliged. I told him he was my kind of guy, "having your dessert first; especially if ice cream!"
Sunday morning we arrived at the Dunganvura Chapel for the making of a stake in Mutare. It was a historic occasion. I had been asked by Sister Judd per Elder Silva to take photos for the history book; even during the meeting. It was fun, especially because I find the Shona people just love their photo taken. They asked me to take their photos both then and on the temple site whenever they see me with my camera. The missionaries formed a line and greeted each member as they arrived. Many came in combi vans by the bus load. The chapel was filled to the brim!
Oh what joy to become a stake at last!
We listened to the inspiring words of the South African area presidency. Pres. Silva always gives an inspiring message of what the members need to hear. He talked about the importance of serving a mission and quoted D&C 4. He told us, "If you want to stand blameless before God in the last days, then serve a mission." He gives us that eternal promise, if we "thrust in our sickle with all our might" we will perish not, but bring salvation to our soul." He invited us to "Think Celestial" and quoted our prophet, Pres. Russell M. Nelson's beautiful conference talk. D&C 14:7 gives us the criteria to achieve Celestial glory. We need to keep the commandments and endure to the end. The greatest of God's commandments is to love God and our fellow men. What the world has to give us is just leftovers; God can give us eternal blessings. I definitely want those promised blessings.
Cute little future missionaries! Pres. and Sister Chadambuka
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