Week 31: " I was given the Shona name Ruvarashe which means "flower from God!"

 New Skittles Commercial: Taste the Rainbow!

I'm glad to hear that all is well at home! Things are great my side! In my area, there's puddles everywhere but it's cool because in almost every puddle there's a whole bunch of tadpoles! Plus, there are cute little frogs jumping around all the time! Also, I was pretty pumped because the members gave my companion and I Shona names: Sister Lewis' name is Chikomborero which means "blessing" and I was given the name Ruvarashe which means "flower from God!" I love love love my name! It's cool because most of the people here, their names translate into something awesome like "mercy" "patient" "hope" "god given" etc. Also, I tried schwarma this week and I'm in love. 

My companion and I at Tanzanian Club!

Investigators:

Lazarus-- We were teaching the Word of Wisdom with him and talking about how keeping this commandment will allow our bodies to be healthy. We talked about how our body's are a gift from God and that's amazing how our bodies can even function! Truly this is one of the greatest creations of God! Well, we were talking about smoking and we asked why smoking was bad for us. I thought that he would say something along the lines of "It ruins your lungs" or "You spend too much money buying cigarettes..." but no. He responded with "Because you're burning God's body...." I don't know why but my companion and I started laughing with him but it's so true! 

Patrick--We've been going to teach him and his wife and they live in an area called Snake Park...we were walking with him to his house and as we walked up, there were a bunch of people all screaming at the chibage and pointing. For some reason, I didn't think much of it and we just followed Patrick to an area outside of his house. But the screaming continued so my companion and I got up to see what all the ruckus was about and THERE WAS A HUGE COBRA IN THE CORN!! I didn't realize that the area was called Snake Park because literally, there are snakes everywhere!! The snake we found in our house last week was like a worm compared to this one. Apparently, snakes are a common thing and they always come to eat their chickens! But anyways, we read the Book of Mormon with him and he's already in Mosiah! We want them to be baptized, but he hasn't started paying any of the lobola because he doesn't have any money and I don't think the in-laws want them legally married until the lobola is paid. So for now, we'll keep on seeing them to discuss about the gospel until they can get the money to be married!

 

Somehow my companion fell asleep like this...it was a tiring, but fulfilling week for sure!

Lately I've been studying in the New Testament and I came across 1 Corinthians 4 and it's an amazing chapter! I love what it says in the heading: Apostles suffer, minister AND keep the faith..." Paul was such an exemplary missionary! I love what it says in verse 9: "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last...for we are made a spectacle unto the world..." The apostles are placed last because we're asked to be servants of the Lord. We know that as we humble ourselves, and think not about our needs and serve others, the Lord will bless us. Verse 10: "We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised." Paul was persecuted so many times and yet, he still KEPT THE FAITH. At this point, it's a given that we're all going to have difficult times, trials, etc. But what's important is that despite everything else, we need to still KEEP THE FAITH!  I hope that as I continue on mission, I'll be fully dependent on the Lord in asking Him to put me where He wants me to be, to tell me what He wants me to do, and to feel that I'll be capable to do it.

Side Note: I received a call these week from a lady who said that they had located my bag that had been stolen in December! I went to go pick it up today and although pretty much everything was gone, they were nice enough to leave my journal, my international driver's license, and my temple recommend...I'm not quite sure what they needed my driver's license was for, but it's okay, at least they left me a few of my things! I know you sent the new international driver's license but at least with the new one, if needed by President, I'll be able to drive my entire mission since the first one expires after a year. But it's a miracle that the bag itself was found! It was such a surprise! I also hope that they make good use of the scriptures!

I hope you guys have a good week!

Sister Park

Could this kid be any cuter? 

When the banks only give you bond notes...

P.S. Shawarma or Shawurma (Arabic: شاورما‎‎ / ALA-LC: shāwarmā; Hebrew: שַׁוַארְמָה‎ shawa'rmah) is a Levantine meat preparation, where lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, veal, buffalo meat, or mixed meats are placed on a spit (commonly a vertical spit in restaurants), and may be grilled for as long as a day.^[1][2] Shavings are cut off the block of meat for serving, and the remainder of the block of meat is kept heated on the rotating spit.