Back to Zim!

Just back from another trip to Zimbabwe!  We stayed in Bulawayo this time which was very nice. Elder Chatora, Area 70, invited us to speak for a little bit at the Bulawayo Coordinating Council. Afterwards we did some training with these brethren in the photo who are members of the audit committee.  We also got to meet with Br. Norman Kamujoma (far right) who is our Assistant Area Auditor for Bulawayo.

Sometimes newer members think the church is a business generating lots of money.  We help them understand that the church relies on the generous donations of members and the sacredness of "the widows mite".  We remind about the protection that audits provide.  Protection of the sacred funds, the brethren who are stewards, their families and the trust of the members.  Everything both good and bad has a ripple effect.  We help teach self reliance vs dependence and the importance of doing things in the Lord's way in order to receive the Lord's blessings.

On Sunday we attended "Group Conference" in the Cowdray Park Group.  They are not yet a branch or ward even though they have about 160 active members!  This group meets quite a ways out of Bulawayo in very humble circumstances.  The pulpit is a wooden music stand.  A kind brother is very good at playing their 3 octave key board which sits on two plastic chairs and is held in level balance with hymn books at each end.   They were very wonderful brothers and sisters and there was such a great spirit there.

The group leader spoke about the holy ghost as a revelator.  At baptism the Holy Ghost becomes our gift and companion and we should listen carefully to this still small voice and be receiving revelation. The Stake President reminded us that we can know the truth of ALL things as told us in Moroni chapter 10.  He said the Gospel becomes more real to us after baptism because of the Holy Ghost.  Elder Chatora spoke also of revelation and how the prophet Joseph Smith was reading in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  He admonished us to declare the things we know to be true.  He told of a lady who was preparing for baptism.  Everyone told her to be prepared because the devil would work very hard to tempt her and prevent her from  going through with it.  She said "To me, the devil has got NO chance!"  She declared the things she knew to be true and was not going to be shaken.

We sang "Joy to the World" again for the closing song. :)  I'm getting excited for Christmas!

Stake President and "group" members outside the temporary building

Scenes from the neighborhood:

CAMP AMALINDA

One night we decided to stay in an interesting place that is built into the rocks.  It was very flintstoney ha ha.  Quite beautiful!

Bathroom

Library

breakfast room

family room

"Howard" took us to see some ancient bushman's paintings.  This cave was shaped like you were inside of a whale and the walls were covered with amazing paintings estimated to be 6,000 years old.

Encountering many baboons & monkeys along the way, Howard told us that they are so much trouble.  They come into peoples homes and make a complete mess of the kitchen.  Baboons are not afraid of women but they are afraid of men, therefore women who are working in the kitchen with the window open will often dress up like a man so the baboons won't come in.

As we were driving by the road to the hospital Howard told us that even though they have a hospital, they have no doctors.  There is one doctor who comes once a month so if there is an emergency you are out of luck.

Last but not least...I gave away four Book of Mormon's again this week!! :)