This is how they do things in Zimbabwe . . .

I often have days where I have to pinch myself, -- that we're actually in Africa, in Zimbabwe, living and serving a mission!  I don't think this would have ever crossed my mind as a possibility.  And then there are days that we really know we are in Zimbabwe.  There are some things that are very challenging.  There are some things that are very different, many of them in funny, interesting, and/or positive ways.  
For example:

December ended with the last of the Primary Sacrament Meeting programs, which, in Zimbabwe are a really big deal!!!  (And apparently this is true for Africa in general, according to one of our Kenyan elders, Elder Kiptoo) This was the program for our little branch in Kadoma.

All of the boys had ties made in red, yellow, or blue (the Primary colors) -- and the bishopric also had their matching ties.  The teachers and the girls had special dresses made, also in the primary colors.  We speculate that this must have somehow come out of the branch budget, because a seamstress in Kadoma made everything.  Labor is definitely cheaper here, but somehow they afforded it.

A closer view:

More impressive than their outfits, was the program itself.  Every child spoke, and even the youngest children had their parts memorized.  Many of the older children recited perfectly memorized scriptures.  

Several weeks earlier, we saw the Primary Program when we went to Masvingo.  In fact we traveled 4+ hours to go there to speak, only to find out that it was the Primary Program.  It was a delight however to watch the program!  The Primary chorister was a 9 year old girl!  On this particular day, she also let the music for Sacrament Meeting.  In Africa, because they rarely have a pianist, the chorister sings the first line of the song and the congregation then starts on the pitch that was set.  She had to poise to do that, and then she led a perfect 2/2 time for whatever they sang.  

 The chorister!

The roads here are a challenge.  There are a few good ones, but most have lots of large potholes.  We thought it was fun to see how they fix them.  This is step one -- the street sweepers.

 After they clean it, there is a road base put down and then they actually do have a big roller.

 Then, this is how they oil the road.  

You may have read about all of the corruption under Mugabe's administration.  One of our friends noticed this sign and took a picture.  Elder Selcho said he recently read an article online reporting that they had found corruption in the "Report Corruption" department.

Buses have been known to break down here.  On our drive home from church today, we passed three that were broken down.  Elder Carrell, one of our senior missionaries, caught this picture.  I wonder how many miles they will have to push?

 Washing in the river.

Going back into the Bush with a load.

A VERY  common sight -- carrying a hoe.  Every available empty spot of ground is being cultivated here, mostly with corn.  Many of the families cultivate and grow their own gardens-- kovo (a green used as a relish with sadza) and tomatoes are the most predominant, besides corn.

Just like we said, every available spot.  Even the spots that are off limits.  Sadly, right now, the corn is drying out.  The people work so hard every day on their little gardens, but right now there is a serious drought.

President Madamombe, a member of the stake presidency in our Marimba Stake, told us that when he was married, the customary wedding gift for a couple was to give each other a hoe.  That was all they got -- all that was really needed.

President Madamombe

Another common sight is children, mostly boys, playing soccer.   I don't know if you can see this soccer ball, but it is homemade.  Most of the children can't afford a real ball so they make one out of plastic bread bags.  They stuff rags or paper inside of an empty bread bag and get it very round, and then they continue to cover that with more bags.  They get very good at forming and stretching it into a perfect round ball.  They play with bare feet.  These boys were playing in one of the church parking lots.

For all of the people without electricity and water (the majority!), every day there is an urgent need to get water and wood.  Wood for cooking, and sometimes for heat, is mainly the job of the men.  Water is mainly the job for the women.   

Some of the loads are very large, and they might end up walking part of the way.

Think about carrying approximately 42 lbs. on your head every single day, sometimes more than once.

Meet Margaret Ignacious, my "twin".  If you share the same birthday, then that person thereafter is your twin.  Margaret runs the Church Distribution Center, also located in the mission office.  We are standing in our office, in front of the "teacher board".  Our numbers have grown.  In the two stakes that we work with, we have approximately 75 seminary and institute teachers.  And they are wonderful!




 I want to tell you about this family.  The Makondora family.  Their story is similar to many of the humble families that we have the opportunity to meet.

Mid-January is the time for school to start again, and that also means the start of the seminary and institute programs.  Sister Makondora is one of our new early morning teachers.  At our first Saturday S&I teacher inservice meeting, she left her "purse" ( a small black pouch with two broken zippers and a few dollars stuffed inside).  A dollar is money that she would have needed for transport and she lives about 45+ minutes (driving distance) away.  Fortunately she found a friend who could give her enough to get home.   


With some difficulty, we were able to contact her and arrange a time and a place in Harare to deliver the purse.  We got to the spot and waited, not realizing that she and her husband had to walk a very long distance to meet us.  Her husband is the bishop of one of our wards here -- Kuwadzana 2nd.  We offered to drive them home.


They live in what is called a "high density" area -- lots of people, in many small homes, packed close together.  As we were driving the many twists and turns to their home, they happily pointed out their "business": a ramshackle, weathered wooden stand, about 5 feet wide and 6 feet tall, where they sold vegetables.  It was the only empty stand that we could see.  It was Sunday, and while everyone else was doing business in the busy marketplace, they spent the day at church meetings and with family.  


We arrived at their home and they excitedly invited us in.  Sister Makondora had been telling us about her daughter who was one of the best in the stake doctrinal mastery (formerly called scripture mastery) competition.  Their home was so humble.  They live in 2 (or 3 -- it was hard to tell) rooms of an unfinished brick house, a tiny kitchen and 1 or 2  small bedrooms. The room across from the kitchen is for the chickens.  Only part of the house has a roof.  They offered to give us dinner for bringing them home, but we had been gone for about 10 hours by then so we politely declined.  We promised to visit Sister Makondora's early morning seminary class.  And then she told us what time it started -- 4:30 AM.  Yikes!  That will be an early morning for us.  Can you see how faithful and dedicated the students are, that they are willing to get up for a class before school -- anytime between 4:30 to 6:00 AM.  Every weekday morning!   And they are hungry to learn!

 

 I love this picture!  This is Elder Byrom, from England.  This picture captures the essence of the rural living, as well as the love that is exchanged here.  The missionaries love the people and the people really love the missionaries.  

 

 We went with the missionaries to visit this family that was investigating the Church.  They wanted to visit with some missionaries that were "older".  It was such a sweet experience.
He is a researcher and she is a nurse.  Only one of the children in this picture is theirs.  I can't remember which one, but another Zimbabwe distinction is that everyone likes to have their picture taken.  

We really LOVE our mission!  Even though some days are hard, the joy that comes from sharing the gospel, and working with these amazing people, is almost overwhelming.  It feels like my soul has been fed and nourished in ways that I could never have imagined.  And I hope we are helping other people to feel that same way.

And now the GEMS that we have collected over the last few weeks:

In light of President Monson's passing, we picked a few of our favorite President Monson quotes.  If you have a quote that you like, maybe you could post it in the comments.
(There are so many!  How can we pick!)

"We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness -- be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers.  We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.  He is dependent upon each of us."

"Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved."

"Never fail to follow a prompting!" 

"Remember that when you help another up a mountain, you are a little closer to the top yourself."

"How would you like to paint a bright spot on your soul today?!"  (Referring to service)

"Your Heavenly Father loves you.  That never changes.  It is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love.  It is always there."

"God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon.  He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth.  He left the rivers unbridged and the cities unbuilt.  God gives us the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things.  He leaves the pictures unpainted and the songs unsung and the problems unsolved, that we might know the glories and joys of creation."

"Do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but abilities equal to your tasks." 

“He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible.”

"Let us examine our lives and determine to follow the Savior’s example by being kind, loving, and charitable. And as we do so, we will be in a better position to call down the powers of heaven for ourselves, for our families, and for our fellow travelers in this sometimes difficult journey back to our heavenly home."

"It is in the doing -- not just the dreaming --, that lives are blessed, others are guided, and souls are saved." 

We send our love to you!
Elder and Sister Theurer

Merry Christmas From Zimbabwe

A very Merry Christmas to everyone! 
The last two months have been very, very busy, so we haven't had much time to blog.  Christmas in Zimbabwe is a different kind of holiday.  School is out and many businesses close for a week or two around Christmas.  Because the people are so poor, there is not much gift-buying here.  But they do gather as families and spend a lot of time together.  A lot of them go to the "Rurals" (the villages where the families' roots are, generally in the Bush).  Family is very important here! 

We will see if we can give you an idea of our first Christmas in Zimbabwe.

Even in Africa the children know who Santa Claus is.  Check out the Zimbabwe Santa:

 If you look closely you can see the white string holding on the beard, right next to his dark hair. 😬  The kids who would come to this mall have families with a little money.  Most Zimbabweans would not be crowding around Santa and posing for pictures with him. 

We saw a "Christmas tree" lot.  They are few in number, plastic and colorful, and the street vendors bring them right to your car to see if you will buy one.  This vendor came to our car window and I said no thank you, but he agreed to let me take his picture:

 He is wrapped in the Zimbabwe flag.  The vendors are still selling flags and they wrap a big flag on as a cape.  It symbolizes their love for their country and the hope that they have for the new government.

Elder Theurer posed for a picture too:

The first event of the holiday season was the Christmas Zone Conference with elders and sisters from 4 zones of the mission.  It's a really big deal and a time to rejoice and have fun.  Everyone of the missionaries is invited to bake something for a contest.  We were among the 6 selected judges, tasked with tasting all of the entries.  There were some excellent choices and we have fortunately collected the recipes. 😍
After the wonderful, spiritual part of the zone conference, there was a ping pong tournament (very new to most Africans), games, and a talent show. 

Here is a sampling of the events:

 

 The ping pong table temporarily took over the Primary room in the Harare Stake Center.

Zone choir singing Christmas carols.

 

 These sisters (from Nevada, Botswana, and Utah)  kept it spiritual with their singing.

 

 A few of our Polynesians (From Tonga and then Australia) spiced it up with some dancing.

 

 And these three (from New Zealand and Australia) recited "Book of Mormon Stories" doing the Haka!

We even had several magic shows.  This one features Elder Tu'ua (from Australia) and Elder Daka (from Zambia).

This was probably our favorite of all the "talent" that day!  The Beach Ball Ballet!  You have to see this!  Two elders from North Ogden Utah and Flagstaff AZ.

On the Saturday before Christmas, all 4 of the senior missionary couples baked cookies and then we went caroling to 16 of the units in our complex.  We took plates of cookies and December Liahonas to each unit.  It was so sweet!  As we sang and gave out our cookies, the people seemed genuinely grateful, and several had tears in their eyes as they thanked us.  We are aware that a number of them don't have children or family living in the country, so they are essentially alone.  Because it is so hard to find employment here, the children end up leaving the country.

Our flats came stocked with these lovely hats, perfect for caroling. 

Many of the residents in our complex here have heard very negative things about our church, including that we are "Satanists" [unfortunately one of the popular beliefs here] and that we have many weird beliefs.  Most people think that we are paid and are very surprised to learn that we pay for our own missions. 



Last Saturday, our complex -- Grandi Lodges-- held a Christmas "Braai" (actually pronounced like Bri), which is a barbeque.  This gave us a chance to meet some of the residents, almost all born and raised in Zimbabwe.  These white natives are called Rhodesians.  They were fascinating to talk to as they gave us their personal histories of life here and their political perspectives.  Apparently they really liked President Mugabe until he started changing the constitution and taking away private property. 

We have recently learned that the talk among the residents since the Braai is that we seem like perfectly normal, friendly people.  (Well that's a relief! 😉)

Pictures from the Braai:

You can see that we live among the senior citizens.

The man is named Teini (Teeny), and he was the chief cook.  Moira, next to him is on the Board for Grandi Lodges. 

 

 Marian (also on the Board) on the left and Estelle on the right.  Most of the people who live here lost their pensions, homes, and most of their money in 2008 when the government confiscated the bank accounts.  Before the government confiscated the pensions, one of the gentlemen that we talked to had a monthly pension of around $2000 and now he collects less than $100 per month.  All of these people are very hopeful that the new government will be better.  (Marian is the one who reported to us that people now think we're normal.)


Sunday, Christmas Eve, we went to church in Epworth, a very poor, high density area.  It's about a half-hour drive for us.  We wanted to meet with the bishop to see if he will call an Institute teacher for the very large group of young single adults in his ward.   

When we say "high density", that is lots of people, generally poor, crowded into a small area.  Here are a few pictures I snapped:

This is pretty typical of the high density areas -- no electricity, no water, two room houses.

 

 These houses will be for more than one family.  They build wherever they can find a spot, sometimes as you see here, among the rocks and boulders.  The missionaries told us that some of these people are being given eviction notices from the government.  The land is being given to other people and they are being given a certain amount of time to vacate. 

As we were driving down the road to the chapel we saw this ahead:

This is essentially a poor man's Zimbabwe moving van.  The hand cart probably contained all of the family possessions.  Quite a load to pull!  When we got inside the church property I snapped another picture from the side.

   

 

These are a few of the "shops" on the side of the road. 

The meeting at the church was absolutely wonderful.  The little chapel was filled with the Spirit.  The main speaker, a young man, Phillip Sigauke, (formerly the Institute teacher) didn't use any notes but he inspired everyone for about a half hour as he talked about Jesus Christ and the joy of Christmas, even when you have very little in the way of possessions and no money for gifts.  He read the quote from President Howard W. Hunter (see Gems) and challenged everyone to live more Christlike lives.  He said, "Blessed are those who do not expect for they will not be disappointed."  Be a giver not a taker.  Give love.  Make burdens light.
I have said before that the people here have such pure and deep testimonies of Jesus Christ.  It is quite a blessing to experience.

After the meeting there was a line of people greeting the visitors outside.  I snapped a couple of pictures:

 (We love the colorful African dresses and the hats )

 

Notice the "Made in America" t-shirt the little boy is wearing.  It is just clothing to him.  He didn't seem to know what the flag was or the saying on his shirt meant.  Elder Carrell, one of the senior missionaries is in the background.

After church we joined the other senior missionaries for a Christmas Eve dinner.  We read the Christmas story from the scriptures and sang Christmas carols. 

Meet our missionary friends:

And now for our recently collected holiday GEMS:

From President Howard W. Hunter, 1994, in his last public message to the Church:

⇢"This Christmas, mend a quarrel.  Seek out a forgotten friend.  Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.  Write a letter.  Give a soft answer.  Encourage youth.  Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.  Keep a promise.  Forgo a grudge.  Forgive an enemy.  Apologize.  Try to understand.   Examine your demands on others.  Think first of someone else.  Be kind.  Be gentle.  Laugh a little more.  Express your gratitude.  Welcome a stranger.  Gladden the heart of a child.  Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.  Speak your love and then speak it again."

(This is the link for the whole talk:  https://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/12/the-gifts-of-christmas?lang=eng)

⇢Is the kind of love we give comparable to giving used gifts and worn out toys?

                                   (Inspiration from Cristina Franco - Christmas Devotional)

⇢There once was an old man who was very selfish.  He had many possessions and wanted more.  He took whatever he could from others.  One day he fell into a hole and couldn't get out.  His grandson extended his hand and said, "Grandpa, give me your hand and I will pull you out."  The old man did nothing.  The grandson tried again.  Still no effort from the old man.  The grandson went to his Grandmother and complained that his grandfather would not give him his hand to get out of the hole.  "Oh", she said, "He does not know the word give.  He does not know how to give.  Go back and tell him to take your hand."  The boy did that and the old man was rescued.

          (A story/fable told in the Epworth Christmas Sacrament meeting by Phillip Sigauke)

⇢"The love of God is the centerpiece of the plan of salvation, and opening out hearts to receive and give it is our daily opportunity."  - Virginia Pearce (A Heart Like His)

⇢“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”     --  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

⇢"Divine love inspires us to love as He loved.  In fact it becomes a defining characteristic of anyone who desires to be His disciple. . . . . It is not how much you have but how much you love."                                                                -- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

⇢This Christmas song/video by some very talented Samoans from Utah was played at our Christmas Eve gathering.  I'm including the link.  I think you will enjoy the video called:       "Is There Room?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esa56igwXh0

                                           
We miss everyone at this holiday season, but we send our love to all of you and our very best wishes for a happy, wonderful new year!  💝💖💗
From Elder and Sister Theurer

Breaking News in Zimbabwe

We interrupt our regular Blog with the latest Zimbabwe news:

We're sure that the news in America is probably breaking faster than the people of Zimbabwe can even learn about it, but I thought we should share what we are experiencing here with the surprising changes.

Just two weeks ago, President Banda (our S&I Coordinator) told us that with Vice President Mnangagwa being fired from his job and from the Zanu PF (the ruling party), that it would certainly mean Robert Mugabe would win the next election.  Mnangagwa, a crony of Mugabe was known to be opposing Mugabe and wanted his job.  Slowly, Mugabe and his wife have been eliminating all of the opposition, and the people have feared that Grace Mugabe was going to be appointed to take his place at some point. 

Fast forward to last Wednesday, the 15th.  We were awakened very early by the Carrells, our senior missionary neighbors, saying that Mugabe had been removed from office and that the army was taking over the country.  General Chiwenga, one of the original army veterans, was angry about what was happening in the government, and the Mugabes trying to make the government a family business.  So, backed completely by the army, he took over the government.

 We were told to stay home, "shelter in place", but that only lasted two days because no one really felt unsafe.  This was a very peaceful takeover -- no looting, no vandalism, no rioting.  The people of Zimbabwe are truly good people.  They are patient, not reactive or combative.  Just really good God-fearing Christian people.  They have been waiting for 37 years for a change in the government.  They didn't speak up because they lived in fear.  But they are also a happy people who have learned how to cope one day at a time.

The army and the police here are not friends.  The police back Mugabe and the army defends the government.  The army moved quickly to take over the police stations so that eliminated a lot of the conflict.  The people don't like the police here because they extort money from the citizens (and all of the missionaries!).  The police would arrest, beat, imprison at will.  The people here have been so happy to have the army in charge -- at least for now.

So then, for the last few days, all of the talk has been about getting Mugabe to resign, which he has not been willing to do.

Saturday there was a huge March.  Tens of thousands of people went into downtown Harare and marched to the state house to ask for President Mugabe to resign.  Here are some pictures from President Banda:

There was a message sent around on Friday about the March.  Buses and Combis offered free transportation to people who wanted to come to the March.  On Sunday, we learned that people from our branch in Kadoma, 2 hours away, took buses to the March.  According to two of our friends who were there, the atmosphere was one of huge celebration!  There were citizens both black and white, old and young.  No anger, no fighting.  Just pure happiness for the change and HOPE.  Hope is what all of the people are talking about.

Things have been changing very quickly around here!  At lunchtime yesterday, the word was that impeachment proceedings were starting.  By the time we drove to a meeting with the Marimba Park stake presidency last night, we heard that in fact Robert Mugabe had resigned.  Apparently, if he was impeached, the things he was asking for (immunity, keeping all of his assets, a security detail, etc.) would have been revoked.  So he finally resigned.

As we drove home from our meeting, we experienced true CELEBRATION in the streets -- honking, flashing lights, flag waving, singing, dancing, and citizens lining the streets cheering as cars drove past.  President Banda, who was with us said, "This is our new Independence Day!"  The Selchos, another senior missionary couple, got home before it was so dark, and they said our little compound of older pensioners were also out in the street cheering and waving.  Today there is a huge celebration planned for Harare.  We had to stop at the store on our way to work.  Elder Theurer wore his Zimbabwe tie and all of the people loved it.  They told us how hopeful they were and how their prayers had been answered.

 

All of the members of the Church here are certain that God has answered prayers and that He is preparing the way for His temple to come to Harare.  Even though their is uncertainty about how the new regime will govern, the HOPE remains strong.  We are praying for this country and hope that others will join us.  They deserve something wonderful. 

Sending our love to everyone,

Elder and Sister Theurer